by Trisha Brennan

As a runner, I’ve always been motivated by the destination, the finish line… not necessarily the journey—the training or the actual run.    

by Tracy Wynant


Eleven months, eleven races, eleven medals. In December 2014, I only had one more to complete my one-race-a-month resolution.

Of course, I couldn’t make the last race an easy 5K. Heck, just calling a 5K “easy” shows how far I’ve come this year. Because of personal hardships, 2014 started out looking like quite possibly the worst year of my life. But then it wasn’t. Amazing friends and family and running, and even this last race changed everything. It may not have been pretty, or perfect, but 2014 was full of bling!    

by Trisha Brennan

I can’t remember the last time I ran a One-Mile Fun Run. In fact, I’m not sure if I ever have. I think my first race was titled “fun run,” but was really a 5K trying to disguise itself. 

My running resume consists of two 80+ miles relays, 11 half-marathons, and numerous 5K’s, which I now consider “fun runs”.  None of these races even come close in comparison to my first One-Mile Fun Run. I ran this one with my six-year old son.

by Erin Croley

My Chicago Marathon journey began with the dream of a Boston qualifying personal record, and ended with me crossing the finish line one hour over my last marathon time (not even close to Boston, or anything I’d like to acknowledge publicly). 

In between these extremes, I was injured, slowly rehabbing, vacationing, working, supporting the marathon training of my husband, falling way short on my training goals, experiencing small positive steps forward and mini-victories that gave me hope for my health and Chicago, and then eventually, and very publicly, claiming that I absolutely was not going to complete the Chicago Marathon. 

by Andy Croley


There are six World Marathon Majors: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago and New York. I’ve been fortunate in my amateur running career to have crossed the finish line in both the New York City (2013) and Chicago (2014) marathons so far. Although both are famous for being among the best races in the world, they are very different experiences. If you have been debating between entering the NYC or Chi lotteries, here are a few comparisons that may help you make a decision. 

by Trisha Brennan


It’s been six week since the Go! KT82 trail run from Creve Coeur Park to Hermann, Missouri.  To break it down by numbers: 6 runners, 82 miles, 1 stinky minivan, 2 cases of water, 3 outfit changes, 12 hours 39 minutes and 10 seconds, $500 raised for NF, and 1 Man in the Yellow Shorts. 

by Erin Croley

Turning down a side road north of the Katy Trail in a minivan decorated with window chalk and laminated signs, floorboards littered with running gear, and the air ripe with 9+ hours of sweat-infused bodies and clothes, Trisha breaks one of the few temporary and eerily silent moments by exclaiming, "This is a strange way to get to Hermann."

"What, by running there?!"

We all laugh more than the moment deserves, but that's part of the fun of being three-fourths of the way through an 82 mile trail relay race. 

by Erin Croley


At Chafing The Dream we run for many reasons (just visit our About page), but some of our best runs are just for the pure joy of the run. It reminds me of being a kid and the pure joy experienced from playing pickle (or hot box) in my grandma's backyard, wading in a creek, or exploring the woods as if I was part of the Lewis and Clark expedition. For my husband this childhood revelry is from playing baseball. For his mom and my daughter it would be a little private time to draw and play dolls. Hopefully, we each have memories of just "being a kid" and are lucky enough to be able to watch our kids or grandkids do the same. 

by Tracy Wynant


In November of 2013, someone (it might have been me) had a brilliant idea: Let's sign up for the Rugged Maniac! It seemed like an excellent plan-fork over $90 and then forget about it for five months.

Flash forward to May 2014. 

• Rugged Maniac sends me several emails reminding me that there are NO REFUNDS. 
• Rugged Maniac sends me several emails reminding me that the race will NOT BE CANCELLED for rain.
  

This is, after all, RUGGED MANIAC, and not a tea party! I start to panic. I have never, never, done anything like this before. I make my friends promise, promise, that we will stick together, help each other, and more importantly, finish together.

by Tracy Wynant

Race review for the Albertina Kerr's Race of the Roses, Portland, Oregon, April 13, 2014.