More Than Miles and Medals

There’s a moment in every endurance athlete’s journey where running stops being about pace, distance, or race results and starts becoming something deeper. For many of us, that shift is fueled by the running community and personal growth we experience along the way. Christi Dee gives us her story that is more than miles logged or races completed. I read a story about transformation. About what happens when you start running for yourself… and keep running for something bigger than yourself.

This is Odd Duck Running, the events space that continues to prove that everyday athletes can accomplish extraordinary things.

The Basics

• Name: Christi Dee
• Hometown / Where you are currently running Westfield, Indiana
• Occupation or side hustle (optional)  After retiring from my role as VP of Operations at the end of 2023, I transitioned into coaching runners full time. I now help individuals improve themselves, embrace training as a sustainable lifestyle, and experience a strong sense of accomplishment by meeting goals and celebrating all the steps along the way.  

Your Running Story

• How did you get into running? Peer pressure! My favorite story is to share that a group of friends set out to train for the 500 Festival Mini Marathon here in Indianapolis and I was the last one to sign up. How could anyone want to run 13.1 miles for fun?? The rest is history. 
• What keeps you coming back to it? I have always loved the sense of accomplishment, the feeling of proving something to myself. That was the draw in the early years. Lately, the draw is the community that runs so strongly through this sport. Running was first about me, and now I see the bigger picture and I’m glad I’ve broadened my outlook to where it’s now more about those around me. Even chasing my own goals is more fulfilling knowing I’m lifting others up along the way. 

The “Odd Duck” Section

• What makes you a little different as a runner?  What sets me apart is an unwavering persistence and a deep commitment to seeing things through, even when the path is long.  My determination might look a little obsessive at times, but over the years I’ve learned how to channel it into consistency, perspective, and the ability to keep showing up with gratitude.  
• A quirky habit, superstition, or pre-race ritual I am old school in the fact that I just need to lay my kit and fuel out the night before, and then I feel that all is right in the world. I don’t have any extra rituals, or habits, just basics. 
• Favorite weird or unexpected running snack Blueberry donut holes!! These have been a constant in my ultra races since my first 50k in 2012. These little balls of heaven have saved my life more than once! 

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Life Beyond the Miles

• What does running give you outside of fitness?  Beyond fitness, running gives me a reason to show up for myself, along with a community that continually enriches my life. Some of my closest lifelong friendships have come through running, and each year the sport brings new people into my world who inspire, support, and connect me in meaningful ways.  
• How has running changed you as a person?   Running has shaped me into a more disciplined, resilient, and patient person, teaching me how to pursue meaningful goals with consistency and purpose. It has also deepened my appreciation for growth, connection, and supporting others while helping me value the journey, just as much as the finish line.  
• Something you’re proud of that has nothing to do with running. I think running has been so influentual in my life, I can’t say there’s something I’m proud of that doesnt’ have to do with running. I am proud of the confidence I’ve developed over the years, I am proud of the risks I’ve taken, I’m proud of the supporter of others that I’ve tried to become.

Community & Connection

• How has the running community impacted you?  If you are doing it right, you will be impacted by community, it is truly at the heart of our sport. I feel incredibly grateful to serve on the committees for several local races, to be inspired by the incredible talent Central Indiana brings to running, and to support events by participating or cheering from the sidelines. If there’s a local race happening, you can always find me there with cowbell in hand, cheering loud and proud!  
• Advice for someone just starting out:  Try to stay out of the comparison trap. Your step one should never be measured against someone else’s step 100, and it’s important to remember that Instagram usually shows the highlight reel, not as often the toughest days or setbacks. Focus on your own progress, celebrate small wins, and trust that consistency over time is what truly builds confidence and success.   

Looking Ahead

• Current goals (races, adventures, or personal growth): I am excited to run as a support runner at Boston Marathon coming up in 2 weeks with my good friend and brain cancer survivor, Jason. I am also excited to check another continent off my list in May, running Cape Town Marathon. 
• A dream race or challenge: My dream is to run one of the 7-7-7 races (7 marathons, 7 continents, 7 days). There are two of these formats, The Great World Race and The World Marathon Challenge. 
• What “success” in running looks like to you right now: Success in running looks different in every season of life. Right now, success for me means staying healthy so I can continue showing up for the marathon and ultra distances I love. That means training smart, listening to my body, focusing on fueling and rest, and finding small ways to celebrate every step along the way. 

Last But Not Least

• A mantra, phrase, or mindset you lean on: Perseverance: the greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it. My best friend gave me a small plaque that had this written on it when I first began my running journey, and it has stuck with me ever since.