For the people who do it, it often becomes a lifestyle. People who don’t do it wonder why in the world anyone would. One thing’s for sure—running is catching on in Baldwin County, especially on the Eastern Shore

“This area is excellent just because of the setup of the community,” said Missy Dunnam, special events coordinator for Running Wild in Fairhope. “There are great big sidewalks on the Bay, and that’s where most people run. It’s just conducive to running.”

Dunnam said she sees all types of runners at Running Wild, which specializes in custom fittings for running shoes and apparel. Running Wild is also a resource for people who need guidance about getting started or changing their training routine, Dunnam said.

“The biggest thing that we hear all the time is, ‘Well I just run 5Ks,’” Dunnam said. “You don’t just run 5Ks. You’re a runner. It doesn’t matter if you run a mile or if you run 26 miles. It’s all relative. Those people are just as important.”

Some people have been running all their lives and are extremely competitive, while others run to lose weight or get in shape, Dunnam said.

Competitive running

Fairhope residents Daniel and Sam Gardner win races. 

Daniel was inspired to start running seriously when his dad, an avid runner, suffered a knee injury and had to quit. He said he felt like running could glorify God, keep him healthy and honor his dad at the same time.

“I got really convicted that as long as God’s given me legs, it’s not like they have to be fast or special or anything like that, but I need to use them for his glory,” Daniel said.

And the sport has treated him well—after all, he never would have met Sam if they weren’t both runners. The couple met on a run, and within two weeks, Daniel said he knew Sam would be his wife one day.

After they got married two years ago, the Gardners became even more serious about running, and they joined a running group, where they met some of their best friends.

“It’s opened up a lot of doors,” Daniel said. “Through running, we’ve found a lot of our close friends. We go on group runs Sunday mornings, Tuesday afternoons and Thursdays, and we’ve gone on vacations with people in that group.”

The couple said running is also beneficial for their marriage.

“When we’re at home, we’re constantly on the computer or watching TV, so whenever we go out an run, we don’t have any music, so we just have time to talk,” he said. “It’s something that helps our marriage and helps us stay physically fit.”

The first race Daniel won was the 2009 Mullet Run in Fairhope, which is coming up again on Oct. 6.

Last year, he won again, and Sam came in right behind him, taking second place.

Even though they are fierce competitors, Sam said she and Daniel strive to always make running about glorifying God and meeting new people.

“We just try to always be positive and to not get discouraged and to always have a good attitude,” Sam said. “We just hope that people we run with see that there’s something different about our attitude.”

Lifestyle change

Four years ago, Scott Dumas weighed 240 pounds, wasn’t active and traded a nicotine addiction for a junk food addiction. 

After 14 years of smoking, Dumas quit in 1999 and began to gain weight.

“I ate everything that was bad for you, and I loved beer,” Dumas said. “I just got even more out-of-shape. I was trading one deadly thing for the next, I guess.”

Dumas’ wife, Robyn, is a nurse, and she realized she needed to change her lifestyle when she had trouble running up two flights of stairs at the hospital. She started the Couch to 5K program. Scott fully supported her, but he didn’t join in—at first.

“I’m watching her every day getting up and going, and I see the progress,” he said. “When I went to her first race, I saw people of all shapes and sizes, and I thought, ‘If they can do that, I can do that.’ It was very motivating.”

Scott started running with Robyn four years ago, and with each milestone, he has challenged himself to keep going.

Since then, Scott has lost 70 pounds and has run dozens of 5Ks and 10Ks, six half-marathons and five marathons. He has adopted a paleo diet and also strives to provide healthy food at his restaurant, Pinzone’s, located in downtown Fairhope.

“It’s very healthy. I eat healthy, so naturally that makes me want to cook healthy,” said Scott, who is the owner and chef at the Italian restaurant. “Food is fuel, and if you eat right, it carries over into how your day and your running goes.”

Scott said running has completely revamped his family’s lifestyle. He and Robyn wake up at 3:30 a.m. six days a week, and they run five to 10 miles every day.

“It’s not just a hobby,” he said. “It’s life changing—anybody who knew me five years and 70 pounds ago can tell you that. Your body is meant to move, and it’s meant to be active. I just can’t imagine not doing it.”

Want to start running? Here’s how.

• Get fitted for running shoes. The wrong shoes can cause injuries and discomfort, Dunnam says.
• Set a goal and plan a regimen. Dunnam recommends programs like the Couch to 5K for beginners. When you start the program, sign up for a race so you will stay motivated, Dunnam says.
• Join a running group. Dunnam says finding a partner or group can motivate you, hold you accountable and make running a fun social activity.
• Adjust your diet. Dumas believes diet determines about 40 percent of a runner’s performance. He recommends eating a balance of protein, vegetables, good fats and clean carbohydrates.
• Watch a race. Like Dumas, you may need to be inspired to begin the journey. The Mullet Run in Fairhope begins at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 6. It starts on Bancroft Street and ends on Magnolia Street at Knoll Park.