Name: Rene Ryan
Age: 40
Hometown: Annville, Pennsylvania
Occupation: Owner, CRE 4 Fitness, a personal training studio
Time Running: In general, most of my life, but I’ve been distance running for 11 years.
Reason for Running: Running gives me time to focus on nothing else but myself, my surroundings, and God. Racing allows me the opportunity to meet my goals and make new friends from all different walks of life.
Like most new moms, I put myself second. My daughter was born in 2010 and I had a thriving business. Time for myself wasn’t really in the cards. That is, until I ran a 5K in 2011 for fun and did well. I found a new love that brought me back to myself every time I hit the pavement.
In the beginning of my running journey I ran three days a week, about two or three miles, before my strength training sessions. My running increased when a friend encouraged me to run a half marathon in 2013 (the Hershey Half Marathon) during a time when life was a bit difficult.
I was navigating life as a newly single mom (I am happily married now). Focusing on this race gave me a chance to breathe some fresh air and do something just for me. I truly believe running made me a better mother because of this.
With some family support, I slowly increased my mileage to 23 miles per week. I followed an online training plan and used MapMyRun to track my distance and pace.
The Hershey Half Marathon was one of the most difficult half marathons I have ever run because there were so many hills along this course. However, my time was 19 minutes faster than my goal, and afterwards I set out to run my first full marathon, which I completed in 2015.
Since then, with the help of my running coach, I have taken 27 minutes off of my marathon time and have run the Boston Marathon three times—a dream I didn’t even know was in reach when I ran my first full marathon.
I started For The Love Of Max Run/Walk in 2021 after news broke of a boy (Max Schollenberger) who died of horrific child abuse, including physical and mental trauma and starvation. I have four children of my own, and I can’t imagine harm coming to any of them. As a mother and human being, I knew I needed to do something. I prayed and prayed—God said to use my legs, and so I did.
The community I call home was broken. Everyone wondered how this could happen and what could be done. I wanted to do something to honor this child and bring awareness to our community about supporting children in need.
I spoke with my coach and asked her to train me to run 37 miles (my age at the time). We settled on 37.2 miles, a 60K. I ran this distance alone on February 14, 2021. I trained for five months to get me fully prepared and comfortable , as well as running that many miles on a one-mile loop.
I ran all of the miles in one day, just under six hours. The one-mile loop is symbolic of Max’s life. He lived in one room with no light, nothing but a bed without bedding and no toys. This run was done on four streets to symbolize the four walls of that room. A local restaurant and brewery, Rotunda, backed me and the town rallied. Folks donated money, as well as stuffed animals to support the local Child Advocacy Center, which is run through UPMC Pinnacle Foundation.
This year, we officially made this run a community 5K on February 11, 2024, in Annville, Pennsylvania. (A small group of us ran together during the years between.) We’ve raised thousands of dollars over the years.
I currently run five days a week incorporating resistance training and yoga into the mix. I plan to run the Harrisburg Marathon in November.
I have great support—my family is patient when I’m training and cheers me on at every turn. My favorite running partner of all time is my dog, Sam. He’s never late, he will go as far as I go, and he’s also the best napping partner.
Running helps me to feel whole and connected to myself and my surroundings. Running has gotten me through the lows and highs of life. I’ve seen beauty in every place I have run, from my hometown in Annville, Pennsylvania to the arches of Moab, Utah.
These three tips have made my running journey a success:
1. Run without music
This may come as a shocker, but I do not run with music at all. Safety is a priority. Unfortunately, noise in my ear distracts me from that. I save my music for difficult track workouts or resistance training at my studio.
2. Stretch often
Runners can often overlook stretching because we think we don’t have time. You might have to cut a run short sometimes to take care of yourself.
3. Rest when you need it
That whole “no pain, no gain” thing isn’t a thing! Stop if discomfort turns into pain. This will prevent serious injury. Hydrate before you are dehydrated, fuel before you are depleted, and rest before you are tired.
Rene’s Must-Have Gear
→ Rabbit Summit Chaser Shorts: These have become my favorite running shorts. They’re breathable, they do not chafe, and the storage pockets are perfect.
→ Goodr Sunglasses: Goodr claims that their sunglasses do not bounce. I have worn countless sports sunglasses and I can tell you that they’re telling the truth. They don’t bounce or shift at all!
→ Honey Stinger Caffeinated Gels: I believe that your fuel is just as important as your gear. Honey Stinger gels fuel me while being incredibly gentle on my stomach.
→ Nuun Hydration Tablets: I will not travel or go on a long run without Nuun Sport tablets in tow. I feel perfectly hydrated and headache-free when I work these into my hydration regimen.
