Name: Rachel Callahan
Neighborhood: Surrounded by but not in Mountain Brook - our neighborhood is like the pimple on Mountain Brook's nose - we don't belong, but there we are, driving them insane by being stuck to them. Otherwise known as the "The Old Leeds Road area"
Family: I am married to co-BTC member Chris, and the mother of possibly the youngest BTC member Ali (8) and not-yet-BTC member Noah (4). Noah does accompany us on runs - in the jogging stroller. He is always sure to stretch really good before and after runs and complain about what a rough run it was while the rest of us are pouring in sweat.
Occupation: I am the accountant for my husband's company from home. I have blogged at graspingforobjectivity.com for almost 8 years. I take photographs of sunsets and Birmingham and sell prints, note cards, calendars and more at picturebirmingham.com with 100% of the proceeds going to a local charity that rescues victims of human trafficking. And I homeschool my children.
When did you start running and why?
I started running in July 2014. I had been diagnosed with Dysautonomia in August 2013. I had taken all of the other advice they'd given me to "feel better" - I was eating right, I was drinking 100 ounces of water a day, and I was enjoying a lot of salt. But I was still feeling pretty poor. Dysautonomia is a nervous system disorder that affects a lot of things, but is chiefly about a low blood volume and pressure. Standing up can make me black out. So running, even though it was highly recommended, seemed like a REALLY bad idea. But all the doctors said it would work. I finally got desperate enough to try it after a year of struggling through my illness, and the immediate results were shocking.
Apparently, the act of forcing blood to flow through my veins (and up into my head) really does make me feel better. I became immediately hooked on running - because it made me feel really good. My choices then became laying down and feeling worse, or going for a run and feeling better. From the very first month of running, I began averaging 100 miles a month and haven't slowed down yet, despite a few injuries.
Who has helped or inspired you as a runner?
My husband Chris has been a vital part of my running endeavors. He has given me advice, encouraged and enabled me to run on my crazy daily schedule, and has run with me, making it so much more fun.
What is your favorite piece of runner's equipment or gear that you can't live without?
I am an accountant by degree, so I am motivated by numbers, and by competing against myself. I would have quit running if it weren't for my FitBit and my MapMyRun app. They give me the objective feedback I need to keep running and growing.
What is your favorite place to run or your favorite race?
My knees aren't really excited about doing hills, so I love to run downtown, on Jemison trail, or on Lakeshore trail. My favorite place to run if I have a little drive time is the Chief Ladiga Trail through the Talladega National Forest - especially in the fall, it is a dream run.
You can find Rachel at her blog, GraspingForObjectivity.com. Also check out her beautiful photography at PictureBirmingham.com, which benefits The Wellhouse, helping victims of human trafficking.
This series focuses on the different reasons that drive us to run. We want to know why YOU run. Health, charity, awareness, friendship? Email Kristen Osborne at kosborne@ggh-law.com to tell your WHY and be featured in the next edition. Kristen is an attorney, writer, and home fitness coach from Cahaba Heights.