Introducing T-Rex Runner, the newest ICEdot athlete!
Allow me to introduce myself – I’m Danielle, better known to some as T-Rex Runner or simply T-Rex, thanks to my oddly muscular legs and generally useless upper body that give me the appearance of the most badass dinosaur – and I’m the newest ICEdot athlete! I’ll be blogging here about my quest to run a marathon in every state by the time I turn 30 (17 states down!) and my newfound love/hate relationship with triathlons, including my quest to do an Ironman in Fall 2013 and the many failures I will undoubtedly deliver along the way.
My mom likes to make signs when she comes to my races – here’s me with one at Disney
As some of you might relate to, I am not a natural athlete. I played soccer for one season, when I was 6, and I played defense because they didn’t have to move too often. When I was 7, I quit the soccer team because we had to run ONE LAP around the field at practice, and I already hated running at a very young age. I’ve always been thin, just not terribly motivated when it came to physical activity, so that was the end of my stint playing team sports. Instead, I rode horses competitively until I graduated from high school, preferring to let an animal do most of the athletic exertion for me.
Me at age 13 with Monty, my first horse.
I started running shortly after I graduate from college solely because I thought runners looked cool. That’s the entire reason. I completed the Couch to 5k program, then promptly broke my foot in an unrelated incident. I didn’t take up running again until I started relying on it to help me move on from a failing marriage, and I’ve stuck with it pretty much ever since, surprising myself each day by running farther and farther until eventually, I ran a marathon. I’ve now run 21 marathons, 19 of which have been since October 2011. I guess you could say I got bitten by the bug!
You can find me at marathons all over the country, wearing Marathon Maniacs gear with one of my running buddies at my side!
I’ve recently taken up triathlons after being forced bullied peer pressured gently persuaded to try something new, and I did my first sprint triathlon just a few weeks ago – race report to come soon! Although it’s weird not to run as much anymore, I’m starting to begrudgingly enjoy the variety and even look forward to biking and swimming sometimes. I like to tell people I’m training for an Ironman in Fall 2013, but I have a long way to go between now and then. And lucky you – you’ll get to read about it along the way!
I’m slowly becoming accustomed to my newfound athleticism and am enjoying the new challenges and goals I’m reaching along the way. I’m honored to be sponsored by ICEdot, which is a great company for anyone, but especially for someone who is as accident prone as me and has as many medical issues! Talk about a perfect fit. I’m excited to see where this partnership takes me and I look forward to meeting lots of you along the way!
-Danielle
The ICEdot Crash Sensor attaches to a helmet and notifies emergency contacts of a crash and your location. Be the first to own one. Sign up for our Crash Sensor newsletter and we'll email you when it's ready to purchase.
8 Comments
Natalie Cagle
August 29, 2012To Danielle:
So excited to have you part of our team! I love your honesty and enthusiasm. You do an awesome job of keeping things real. I’m looking forward to following your adventures.
To everyone else:
If you want more T-Rex, check out her blog. Worth every minute you spend on her blog. I dare you not to crack a smile.
http://trexrunner.com/
- Natalie
Danielle Hastings
August 31, 2012Thanks Natalie! I am so excited to be a part of the team and am looking forward to sharing my many mishaps and adventures with everyone here. Can’t wait to meet everyone! Thanks for all your help.
Ashleigh
August 29, 2012Welcome Danielle! We are so glad that you are here and I look forward to reading each of your posts! Thanks for joing out team
Danielle Hastings
August 31, 2012Thanks for contacting me, Ashleigh! I’m thrilled to be affiliated with this awesome company!
Nicholas L. Norfolk
August 29, 2012Hello! Welcome, Danielle! After checking out your blog, it seems we’ve done a few races at the same time. Like myself, you ROCKED THE ROCK twice (Dallas White Rock & Little Rock Marathons). DWRM was brutal last year.
I plan to do Hatfield McCoy next year, but think I’m doing the half marathon double. I did the Mississippi Blues Marathon last year. It’s a good event that you will enjoy. I’ll see you in Tulsa. Continue to inspire and motivate the people, Maniac!
#BeYourOwnSuperhero
Danielle Hastings
August 31, 2012DWRM was so awful!! It’s nice to know someone else who experienced that fun time. Hatfield McCoy is AWESOME no matter what event you do – just get out there! You won’t regret it. I look forward to meeting you at Route 66! It’s gonna be a great season.
Chris Hayes
August 29, 2012Welcome and Good luck on your Journey. Are you running the Rock-n-Roll in Savannah on November 3rd? I’m not running but I will be there to support some friends running.
Danielle Hastings
August 31, 2012I am not doing Rock-n-Roll Savannah this year. I’ve got a busy fall schedule and that is one of my few weeks off! Savannah is a great city, so definitely enjoy it while you’re there!