Director
Ruel Sword is the Program Director again for 2024:
Hi! I am so incredibly thrilled to direct this program for a fifth year. In a nutshell: I am mom to a 17-year-old son, I work full time in real estate.... And, I am a runner...but I was not always a runner....
As a child, I was not athletic in any way...I was uncoordinated, slow and weak. In junior high, I made the attempt to run track. Unfortunately, the coach was semi-sadistic, and I found myself DREADING each practice. I quit before the season was over. From that point on, I connected running to a most unpleasant, stressful, painful activity. When I hit my 20's and gained those extra pounds, I learned to semi-enjoy jogging around with music. I realized that I could stop and walk whenever I needed to walk, and IT WAS OK! I ran/walked for years, however, I mainly thought of running as means to lose weight. I did not honestly enjoy or love it. Somewhere along the way, I decided to sign up for the Bearathon, the toughest half marathon in Texas. I enjoyed that race, so I did a few 5Ks and another half marathon and then made the big decision that I was ready to train for a full marathon. At that point, I made a GREAT decision and joined The Waco Striders Running club. Not only do I benefit from this organization on a daily basis for my running, I consider many of the people that I have met through this club my best friends and family.
Since joining the Waco Striders, I have enjoyed many running accomplishments: I finished Overall Female in The Army Marathon in 2015. I finished 2nd place female in Miracle Match Marathon in 2015 and 2016. I have finished as Overall Female Masters in The Fort Worth Marathon in 2015 and 2016, as well as 2016 Female Masters in The Cowtown Marathon. I have run the Boston Marathon in 2015 and 2016. I completed a 50-mile Ultra Marathon in 2015.
In sharing a little bit of my history with you....I want to let you know that YOU ARE A RUNNER!! It does not matter at what pace you go.....as long as you make the decision to lace up those shoes and GO! YOU will be out there finishing a 5K race by the end of this program!
Again, I am truly honored to direct this program for a 4th year! We are going to have a blast! Feel free to reach out to me anytime: wswwtp@gmail.com
