Runner’s World+ Member: Karyn Solky
Karyn is a Runner’s World+ member. Join her and thousands of others chasing their goals with day-by-day training plans, expert advice from editors and coaches, and unlimited digital access. We regularly feature members online and in print!
I think that running has given me something of my own that I really needed. As a physician, wife, and a parent, the majority of my time is spent taking care of everyone else’s needs, and really emotionally investing in the people around me. I love that, but I found that running has given me the time and space to just be; just hit the ground with my feet, listening to the music blaring in my ears. Training for a race gives me focus, goals, something to be accountable to that doesn’t mean anything to anyone but me.
I joined RW+ because I love knowing I’m not the only running geek out there–other people enjoy reading articles on shoes and Gu and ways to avoid IT band pain!
Why do I run? I haven’t found anything else that makes me feel this good! I love the sweat and hard workout of spinning, I do yoga because it’s good for me, I do strength training because I should. But I run because I have to, because I love it. It makes my day complete.
I run in the morning. It’s hard to get out of bed, especially a nice, cozy, warm bed in the winter, but I know that I’m going to regret it if I don’t. The air is crisp and cool, the streets are quiet, and there’s a calm in the air that will soon be replaced by the noises of traffic and the city waking up. It’s magical!
I tend to run my neighborhood. Because of my job, I don’t often have the flexibility to drive somewhere to run, but I can step out the door and just go, which is great. I’ve on occasion had to reroute my run to the hospital, deliver a baby, and run home!
My favorite tech is my Garmin. I can’t run without it–I need the data!! I read all about going tech-free, and running by feel, but I’m just not there yet. Maybe one day.
My goal is probably the same as many runners: I am going to BQ. Once I qualify, and I’m not constantly shooting for a time goal, I’d like to start trail running. But I’m going to have to deliver fewer babies to do that, since the trails don’t take me towards the hospital if someone goes into labor!
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