Steph Bryant – Page 25 – Carrboro Run Club

Author: Steph Bryant (page 25 of 25)

Christen Campbell

Where are you from? Bainbridge Island, Washington

How long have you lived in the area? 9 years!!!

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Smiley, empathetic and energetic.

Why do you run? Because of the way I feel afterward...and I love my runner friends. They’re the best.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? Because I’m a Steph Bryant groupie. I’m an original member of her first running group with Fleet Feet...and when she left, it totally changed the vibe. While I haven’t been as active of a member of the Station Pub Run, due to managing mom life, Steph’s magnetic energy really draws out the best in everyone.

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? The diversity that the Station Pub Run brings...all sorts of people from all over the world. Runners are also just good people.

Describe the most recent (appropriate 🙂 ) photo you took with your phone: I usually take pictures of my baby, Henri cause I can’t help myself. This weekend he decided to help me “garden” pinching small grains of dirt, one by one. So I did my best to capture his cuteness.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? One day at a time. Idk who gave it to me, but life can get really busy and overwhelming, especially as a full time working momma. I didn’t know if I could manage working full time and momming, but then I remembered all the women who have done it before me. This phrase helped remind me to keep it simple.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be? I would probably be a professional ballerina. I love watching them--they’re so magical. But survey says it’s a little late for this to happen.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: I’m an aspiring urban sheppard and urban farmer. I’ve petitioned the town of Carrboro to allow me get a small flock of sheep, and they unanimously agreed to look into it. The goal would be to use them for urban grazing instead of mowing.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? I was awarded Teacher of the Year for my school (Chapel Hill High School). This is a big deal because it’s an award that is infrequently given to a language teacher. I am excited to use this as a platform to help advocate for the importance of language learning.

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: “Keep on rockin’ in the free world.” Neil Young

Shauna Griffin

April 23, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? Born in Hong Kong, raised in various parts of East Asia ‘til I was nine, then in New Jersey and California, but been in NC for a good part of my adult life, so….ya got me!

How long have you lived in the area? Since 2003. I came for grad school and decided to stay,

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Depends on the friends. The ones in high school would have said “not a runner.”

Why do you run? Mostly for the awesome people and the socializing.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? Because of Steph.

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? Oh totally Steph.

Describe the most recent (appropriate 🙂 ) photo you took with your phone: It was of a paper registration from someone who joined Godiva’s Running Start program (couch to 5k -- tell your friends!).

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? “Miles on feet is what counts.” And I don’t remember who, but it’s what gets me through bad runs -- so thanks, mysterious benefactor(s)!

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be? To fly unaided by mechanics. But since that’s a fantasy, being able to sing happy birthday without causing ear pain in others would be nice.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: I love shrimp chips.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of?

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate?

Anything else you’d like to share with us?! I have two adorable nieces and a vicious four-legged nephew who will totally rip your throat out. When he’s not busy getting belly rubs.

Bill Harris

April 16, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? South Jersey, Mullica Hill. Exit 2 on the turnpike. That’s jersey humor.

How long have you lived in the area? Since 1995. Came to school in UNC and never went home. Philly urban sprawl engulfed over my small hometown while I was at school, so there really wasn’t a hometown to go back to.

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Dorky, Energetic, Annoying

Why do you run? To maintain an active lifestyle and stay in shape. Basically - so I don’t die at age 55 from a heart attack.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? I was going to Fleet Feet Monday night runs, and Michelle Becker, Tina Clossick, and Avery Cheves told me to quit messing with that perpetually cancelled run and come to Tuesday night at Station instead.

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? The organizer. Srsly. You do a great job with your passion and inclusiveness.

Describe the most recent (appropriate 🙂 ) photo you took with your phone: The march snowstorm in North Carolina to show to friends the stupidity of our recent weather.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be? Be able to dunk a basketball.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: I’ve been to two Taylor Swift concerts and thoroughly enjoyed both.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? Ran that first marathon and put up a semi-respectable time.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?! If you want to run faster, run with faster people!

Sofia Goldberg

April 6, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? Originally, Seattle, WA, most recently from Fort Collins, CO

How long have you lived in the area? 8 months

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Adventurous, driven, and intense

Why do you run? Why do I run… well before moving here I thought I had given up running for good! Needless to say, running and I have had an on-again, off-again relationship since I trained for my first ½ marathon back in 2010. I find myself pulled back to running for the community; and I also love the sense of awe and accomplishment I feel after a long run. It’s pretty dang cool that our bodies can move us so far!

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? After living here a few months, and living the making-friends-as-an-adult struggle, I was reminded that pub running has always been a reliable way to form community. I’ve joined pub running groups in Portland, OR, Tampa, FL, Fort Collins, CO and now here in Chapel Hill!

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? Chuckling every week at Steph’s emails?! Oh – and the community!

Describe the most recent (appropriate 🙂 ) photo you took with your phone: Me, kissing a child-sized, orange weasel at 21c in Durham.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? “Balance your equilateral triangle.” – random guy at art fair at New Belgium Brewery… using a triangle visual/metaphor to evaluate how balanced different components of life be it work, play, family, etc.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be? Backcountry downhill skiing.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: In Colorado I did volunteer trail maintenance on backcountry xc ski trails for the Forest Service. Every Friday I hopped in a truck with three retired men with my coffee, pack, skis, and saw to head up to the pass and mark trails, shovel bridges, and cut out/down trees obstructing the trail. I became quite the sawyer!

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? I took a solo-bikepacking trip in Pisgah when I first moved here. 85 miles and ~9,000 ft of climbing in a day and a half was pretty freaking epic!

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: Not all girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. Some girls are made of adventure, fine beer, brains and no fear.

The Pint Cup that is Building a Community

April 21, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Guys, I have Station Pub Run on my mind, ALL THE TIME. Seriously, the amazing and crazy ideas that I have for our running group spin through my head all hours of the day. I feel like I have a high school crush on SPR - it's the first thing I think about when I wake up in the morning, and it often enters my thoughts as I drift to sleep at night. There are just so many exciting things going on, and so many wonderful people in our group, I can't help it. A recent Saturday morning was no exception. Let me set the scene for you:

It was around 6:30am, and I was already several miles into my weekly long run. The sky had just stared turning from black to a deep shade of blue with the earliest hint of the sun rising behind the tree-covered horizon. In the momentary silence between songs playing from my iPod, I caught the pitter patter of my feet on the pavement, and the rhythmic pattern of my breath. I was reflecting on the unique community that is blossoming at our dear Station Pub Run, when Journey's "Don't Stop Believing" started coursing through my headphones. And let me tell you - my train of thought at the time, combined with that ever-inspiring electric guitar - it gave me the chills, and a newfound pep in my step.

I was thinking about how the SPR Pint Cup deserves a lot credit for the community that has formed at Station Pub Run. What started as a scheme-brained idea to get our logo printed onto a stainless steel cup has turned into an opportunity for runners to keep in touch with each other while travelling the world. I mean think about it - with most other pub runs you show up, run, drink, go home. You make a few friends, maybe even a lot of friends. But when you leave the pub run, pub run is over until the next week.

Enter: the Station Pub Run Pint Cup.

I did a little digging into the SPR newsletter archive (aka my sent email folder) and found that on August 8th, 2017 I wrote the following note to the Pub Run newsletter subscribers:

Pint Cup soaking up some rays at Topsail Beach.

"In case you missed it - THE STATION PUB RUN PINT CUPS ARE IN! THEY ARE AWESOME! I would officially like to start a tradition of travelling with said pint cups so we can see how far across the globe these little guys can go. (Michelle, I will be shipping yours to Columbia soon - tell me your address.) Much to Eric's chagrin, I kicked off our new tradition by photographing my cup on the beach this past weekend. I got weird looks from strangers, and YOU CAN TOO!"

I remember when I wrote this - I figured that no one would actually take me seriously, and that the only time this little pint cup would make a cameo in a photo would be if it slipped into the occasional weekly running group photo. I could picture everyone reading my email above and scoffing at my pleas to dedicate precious luggage space to a ridiculous cup, not to mention take photos of it in public spaces. I was also extremely worried that no one was actually going to buy a pint cup from me, leaving me with 90 stainless steel cups I would have to creatively get rid of.

Detifoss Waterfall, Iceland & Grandfather Mt, NC

You can imagine my surprise, and complete and utter joy, when three weeks later the Pint Cup showed up in not one, but TWO places on the same day: Grandfather Mountain, NC and Detifoss Waterfall, Iceland! My heart swelled at the dedication from our fellow runners, and I realized on that very day that our running group really has something special. (Shout out to Sarah and Bill for believing in the cause, and helping to kick start this great tradition!!) Fast forward to today. It has not even been a full year since the introduction of the Pint Cup into our running group, and it has already traveled to several states, and many more countries.

The pint cup stands for so much more than a receptacle for beer. By packing your pint cups when you go on trips near and far, Station Pub Runners are doing more than just humoring a silly request to photograph a cup. You're inviting us to share a part of your worldly adventures, and are actively thinking about us during said adventures. You're having life-changing experiences, whether big or small, and you're sharing it with us as though we are family. Hell, the SPR Pint Cup has been the witness to an ENGAGEMENT for goodness sake! I might argue that's BETTER than family! 😀

50k Runners in Zion

It warms my heart every time a new photo of a Pint Cup sighting lands on our group's Facebook page or in my inbox. Just this morning I woke up to a text from a runner sending me a group photo: Four Pub Runners posing

with their pint cups in Zion National Park where they've headed to run a 50k this weekend.

It's one thing for an organization to have shirts that members travel in and photograph - that's easy; it's quite a different story when the traveling talisman that gets added to the vacation packing list is a pint cup! You all are truly dedicated to the community that we have cultivated at The Station Pub Run. Thank you all for supporting The Station Pub Run. Thank you for thinking of us (and including us!) as you adventure to new cities, states, and countries around the world. And thank you for inspiring us to live our best lives every day!

Keep on running,

Your ever dedicated Station Pub Run Coordinator

P.S. If you happened upon this blog by randomly surfing the interwebs, I encourage you to join us at the Station Pub Run! YOU TOO can own one of these lovely pint cups. And the people here are pretty cool too. 🙂

Ta Da!

March 5, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

If you've found this page it means you're fully exploring THE STATION PUB RUN WEBSITE! I am so excited you found us and that you're spending some time on the site. Shout out to Jonathan Tweedy, the amazing wordpress/coding guru who is helping me (Steph) create this website. And by helping I mean leading the charge to make it the most amazing online pub run experience you will ever have. Please join me in taking a moment to thank Jon for turning this dream into a reality, and dedicating so much time to creating some of the magic behind The Station Pub Run!

Thanks everyone for reading. Please check back here for periodic ramblings from yours truly, the Station Pub Run Coordinator. Think of this blog as an extension to the weekly newsletter musings, and soon to be a integral part of your daily life. 😀

Anne Mandeville-Long

March 5, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

How long have you lived in the area? 24 years

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Strong, fast and faster. (My husband wrote that.)

Why do you run? I run for a lot of reasons - like most people, to stay in shape, control my weight (I get to eat a lot and drink beer!) and for overall health. But, more personally, I started running when my sister was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and I had to do something, anything! So I started training for the NYC marathon in 2011 to raise awareness and funds for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. I hated running for the first 3 years! Really! I was just so motivated by my sister - my mantra was “she can’t but I can.” My husband Robert and I went on to run London, Chicago and Marine Corps marathons and we’ve raised over $50k for the MMRF.

Now it seems as if some woodland gnomes have been tinkering with my brain because no matter how challenging running can be, my brain associates running with friends, beautiful places and a great sense of freedom and satisfaction. And speaking of running with friends, this April, I’ll be running Zion 50k with a few pub runners! Finally, I am most inspired to run because of my dear husband, Robert. I’m so lucky to have a partner that loves running as much as I do and one who tolerates my occasional bragging.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? I had to change my life around but the pressure was too much! I gave up one of the best yoga classes in town to be with this extraordinary group of pub runners!

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? Friends and Wicked Weed.

Describe the most recent (appropriate 🙂 ) photo you took with your phone: A selfie with my 89 year old mom.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? “Engage your glutes!” - Elizabeth Towe of Balanced Movement.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be? To be young enough, tall enough, talented enough to play basketball for Roy Williams.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: My favorite ultra trail race aid station drink is pickle juice mixed with ginger ale.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? Trekking to Base Camp Mt Everest March 12-April 1st and raising almost $10,000 for MMRF!

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: “If your dream doesn’t scare you, it isn’t big enough.”

Anything else you’d like to share with us?! If you would like to help us reach our goal of $10k by March 12, Please visit and donate: https://endurance.themmrf.org/2018EBC/AnneandBobbysBigAdventure

Carrboro Run Club