Local Woman Runs 12 Marathons in 12 Months

Tools

by FOX Charlotte

Story Created: Oct 30, 2011 at 8:40 PM EDT

Story Updated: Oct 30, 2011 at 11:57 PM EDT

HARRISBURG, N.C. - "It's really tough, I'll admit that and, you know, sometimes it means I'll be running late at night on the treadmill or having to run really early in the morning."  For the past year, Concord's Emily Knudson has run a marathon every month and that means constant training.  

She runs for fitness, for a sense of accomplishment and to inspire.  She says, "I've never been a runner runner.  I don't have Boston qualifying times, I'm not out there really fast, but I get it done and I know I can finish now."

Next week, Knudson will finish her goal of 12 marathons in 12 months in Savannah, GA.  She's done it despite the distractions of daily life.  Knudson's a mom of four, a wife, and she owns and operates her own business; a gym in Harrisburg.

Plus, she blogs about the people she's met while running.  There's the woman who set a world record after running a marathon on every continent...at the age of 81.  A guy who ran clear across North Carolina...barefoot.  And an Army soldier who lost his vision after an attack in Iraq in 2006. He's run more than 19 marathons...blind.  

"I think about these people that I met and people that are going through life struggle and they have no choice but to continue.  They can't give up," says Knudson.

Looking back, her favorite  marathon from the past year has been the one she got to run, in part, with her son.  Looking forward, she's already got another goal in mind.  She says, "My next goal is a 50 mile race and it's in Destin, Florida in February."

Knudson is racking up a lot of running medals.  She's going to donate many of them to Medals for Mettle, a program that gives them to kids and adults fighting serious illness to inspire them to keep going.

blog comments powered by Disqus

What's On TonightFull Schedule

Master Chef
8:00
master chef