Joy Miller – Featured Runner of the Week

Grounded Running Featured Runner of the Week

Every runner deserves to be featured here! All have their unique attributes and stories. The aim of having a Featured Runner of the Week is not to necessarily single out any individuals but we want to feature runners who through their uniqueness may one day inspire you to run or reach for new running highs. Every runner has broken their own barriers, whether it was the first big obstacle to take the first running step or entering a race. Each runner will have their own story and to most these stories to others are very inspiring.

We welcome your feedback and nominations of runners who you feel deserve to be featured here. Our Featured Runner of the Week is selected at random. Every runner deserves to be mentioned and we will do our best to select a wide field of runners to bring their stories for you to enjoy.

This week we feature another amazing local runner that can be found running and racing all over Beaufort and the South East. This week, let’s take a few minutes and get to know Joy Miller:

Joy Miller – Featured Runner of the Week: Feb 10, 2017

Name: Joy Miller

Age: 29

Where are you originally from? County Cork, Ireland. Moved to the States inJoy Miller - Featured Runner of the Week 2007 on a Track and Field scholarship to Coastal Carolina University in Conway SC.

What is your favorite distance to race? Why? Oh boy, what to pick? Honestly, I just love to race, be it a 5k or a full marathon. I race almost every weekend. I do all my training and workouts alone so getting to race on the weekend can sometimes be a nice treat. I typically train through a lot of races so they are workouts for me but I will taper for goal races. However if I had to pick a distance it would probably be the full marathon. You can really really learn a lot about yourself running a marathon. It’s the type of race you have to respect because if you don’t it will tear you apart. I have learned this the hard way. But on the other hand if you prepare correctly the benefits of running an amazing marathon can be the most motivating, inspiring feeling one can achieve.

What originally got you into running? Both my parents were fantastic runners, so at aJoy Miller - Featured Runner of the Week young age they threw me in at the deep end. I didn’t like it at all at the start and wasn’t very good. Then one day at practice I decided to make an effort and try to train a little harder. The next race I ran I won by a lot and caused a huge up set. I actually went on to win a national cross country title that year and made the Irish national cross country team. It’s amazing what the right attitude and a little bit of effort can do.

What is your main motivation to keep going? My main motivation to keep going is basically to make the Irish Olympic team for 2020, 2024 and 2028. I won’t stop till I make at least one and everyday I lace up my Skechers Performance shoes I’m one step closer to my dream. Oh and of course to run a faster marathon that my dad 2.36 is going down in the next 4 years.

When you’re not running, what do you do? Haha I wish I could say sleeping like a Joy Miller Featured Runner of the WeekKenyan (they sleep a lot if their not out running) however I can’t afford that luxury. I’m either slinging drinks behind the bar at Luthers Rare and Well done in downtown Beaufort or I’m up at 5am driving to Savannah to coach cross country and track at Armstrong State University. Other than that I’m probably with my husband at one of his shooting competition.

What is your next race? My next “goal” or “major” race would be the Boston Marathon where I hope to run a new marathon PR. My early season goal for this is 2.47 or faster. However, my next race is the SEGH bridge run in Brunswick Ga on Saturday and I’m also running the Augusta University half marathon the following Sunday. You can catch a glimpse of me running locally next month at the Beaufort Twilight Run on March 18th at the Habersham.

Describe your perfect run: hmmm, every day the good lord allows me to practice my Joy Miller Grounded Running Beauforttalents is a perfect run. With that being said there’s nothing like running in the pouring ran especially in Beaufort in the middle of the summer. There’s something about running in the rain that awakens my sense and makes me feel alive. I also love to run late at night under a full moon. I guess it’s true what they say only the crazies come out when the moon is full.

What piece of advice do you have for someone who is just starting out? Believe in yourself, you can achieve anything if you truly want it. Don’t get frustrated if at first you try and don’t succeed everything takes time. It took me years to get to where I am and that included hating and not running for 3 years to realize I loved it and now that I’m back I’m doing things I never even thought I could achieve. The biggest thing to do is not compare yourself to others everyone is different. Don’t think because so and so is doing this and can run this you should be too. What works for them may not work for you. It will take time to find what works but when you find it you will know. I also find signing up for a race helps keep motivation high and gives you something to work towards.

Goals for this year? My major goal for this year into early 2018 is knock out the Olympic marathon qualify standard when the qualification opens in August. I want to achieve this early and try and concentrate on getting faster over 10000m. I also hope to get faster in the 5k and run 16.30 or faster and to run 1.16 or faster in the half marathon.

Thank you for taking the time to tell us your story Joy, you continue to inspire those around you and you should be proud of all your accomplishments! Keep up the great work and we wish you the best of luck this year! #staygrounded #runbeaufort

Joy Miller Featured Runner of the Week

Grounded Running Beaufort