home


Hollie




 I began running at the age of thirteen.  At Christiansburg High School, my passion was track and field, where I achieved state titles in the half mile and high jump.  I also played basketball and volleyball and was encouraged to give cross country a try my senior year.  There wasn't an immediate love connection!  "What do you mean I have to run three miles??  Without stopping?!?!"  It was a whole new world, but that year our girl's team was third in the state.  There was something about it... I guess it was the challenge of it all that had me hooked!

Soon thereafter I earned a partial scholarship to run cross country at Radford University.  There I ran and ran and ran and ran and ran and ran some more.  My senior year was a huge disappointment.  I felt like I was in the best shape of my life and at the beginning of the season I tore the cartiledge in my left knee.  It required surgery to repair and my running career suddenly came to a halt.

After graduation, I married my high school sweetheart, John, who has always been very understanding and supportive of my running.  A year and half later, I gave birth to our first son Austin and three years later, our second son Brock came along.  My boys, by far, have been the most wonderful and exciting race of my life.  After two pregnancies I really wanted to get back in shape, so I started running.  It has taken a LONG time to feel like a "runner" again, but I think I'm almost there.  Two years later, I met Sabrina at the Apple Valley 5K.  I was immediately taken by her passion for running.  She was a huge part of the motivation I needed to get moving FASTER!

At this point in my life, however, I realize running is more than moving faster or keeping in shape.  It's about socializing and making friendships that could last forever.  Runners share a special bond, and that bond seems virtually unbreakable.  With every step we take, every mile we run, every race we race, and every pain we feel, we do it together... whether it's in person or in spirit.

Sabrina, you are always with us and always will be.  We love and miss you very much.  Thanks for your energy, your passion and your smile, but most importantly, thank you for Women in Motion!

Back to Women's Bios