It’s time for a WOW. A shout-out to our Go! Family runner, Stacey Shaver. Our employees are a passionate part of the local running community and a big part of our family! Stacey, who has been with us from the beginning (working in the store now 5 years), just finished her 100th “distance” race (of Marathon distance or longer). And for those who know Stacey, understand that when we say longer – we mean wayyyyy longer. Since she is kind of a big deal around here, we wanted to catch up with her and share a little bit of her story with the rest of our running community.

Here’s what the “Queen of the Trails” (and our hearts) had to say about her life and her time on the trails:

1. How did you earn the nickname “Queen of the Trails?”

I don’t really know I suppose it was after winning the Ultra Trail Series several times.  Friends have been very kind with their support and the nicknames. When I started trail running I fell so often I almost got nicknamed Tripper!  It might be a more suited name for me actually.  CNote is probably my favorite that has been bestowed upon me. Queen of the Trails is overly kind as there are so many amazing female runners in our community.

2. What’s your favorite thing to eat after you finish?

POPCORN without a doubt!  I eat a home cooked, healthy, and plain version usually but splurge on the aged cheddar variety occasionally.

3. Where’s your favorite place to run?

Truly, anywhere my friends are running is where I want to be running but my absolute favorite place to go for a run is Flatside Pinnacle. The coolest race though was the Trail Rail in Montana with my friend LisaLu near Glacier National Park.

4. Tell us about your time at the store… what’s your favorite thing you like about Go! Running?

I loved the atmosphere of the Go! Running store from the first day they opened. I was still finding my way into the Little Rock Running Community and immediately found a home with Go! I had sought help elsewhere without much acceptance until Go! Running opened the doors. They had an arms wide open, everyone is welcome policy. It didn’t matter if you walked or ran, were speedy, middle of the pack, or a little slower, you were welcome and no question was considered too silly to ask.  The opportunity to work at Go! Running fit so well with my philosophy of running and my idea of how people should be treated that I jumped at the chance when asked to join the Go Family. I see it as my chance to give back to the running community though the daily advice I get to give, listening to the great race stories people come in to share, not to mention the many events big or small that we at the store get to be a part of.   Let me just say that my co-workers and our loyal customers are exactly that – FAMILY!  I am lucky to have them!

5. How and when did you get started running?

I started running after I had my son to get fit.  After step aerobic class, where an 82 year old woman could out step me, I would run on a treadmill until I couldn’t run anymore. Eventually I was able to run longer and longer. A cousin introduced me to Angie Swaim, a marathon runner in my community.  She invited me on a run and after the first run had me talked into registering for my first marathon – Route 66. I ran it that same year in 4:14.  I was hooked!  When I moved to North Little Rock I met Steve Preston and Jenny Beard.  Those two introduced me to my biggest running love – TRAILS!!!! Even as a kid I loved to explore nature. I would go off for hours and hours alone to play in the woods that surrounded our house. I had no idea such a sport existed.

6. Tell us something about you that nobody knows.

I am an open book so most who spend much time with me at all knows my life story. Those who haven’t might not know that I have a degree in Early Childhood Education because I do not teach anymore. I even taught at a British Primary School in the Netherlands many moons ago. Now that was fun!

7. How would you describe yourself.

I like to think of myself as kind.

8. If you could run anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I have a very small handful of races/runs on my bucket-list: Rallervegslopet so I can see my Norwegian friends again, Grand To Grand Ultra 7 Day Stage Race in Utah if I could swing the $3,000 entry fee, Rim2Rim2Rim with my trail buddies if I can convince them as it is not one to do alone, and the Transylvanian Bear Race in Romania.

I love an adventure and would love to run most anywhere there are trails surrounded by beautiful scenery!  It doesn’t take much more than a friend saying “Hey, want to go on a running adventure” before they can tell me where I am already agreeing and planning.

9. Other hobbies?

Spoiling my family! When I am not working or running I am spending time with my hubby and kiddos!  Time moves way too fast and I know my kids are not likely to stay nearby forever as they also have very adventurous spirits. I have never tried to clip their wings but I will fly with them while they are living near. Cooking and Reading is how I spend any remaining time. I Absolutely Love to Cook, which is really a part of the spoiling my family hobby.

10. After reaching 100 races… what’s your next goal? How can you possibly top this?

Very Good Question. First it was running a marathon, then qualifying for Boston, then running a 100 miles, then running 100 miles in another state, then reaching my 100th race. I was so focused on the 100th race (which had to be in Arkansas) that I haven’t given it a lot of thought yet. I suppose saving money and running the Grand to Grand Ultra 273k before I get too old to do that kind of distance.

If you would like to meet Stacey, (and seriously, who wouldn’t), we would love for you to stop by and chat with her and the rest of the Go! family. We welcome runners and walkers from all paces and walks of life. Come and be part of our running/walking community. Remember, every run begins with Go!