Weekend Warriors – Megan McDaniel, Runner – Craig Conley, Triathlete

Megan McDaniel, Runner

37, Dental Hygienist with Bellano Dental Health & Sunday School teacher at New Hope Christian Church

FAMILY: Husband Mark (38) & daughters Maggie (9) and Madalyn (6)

PROUDEST MOMENT: When I ran my second half marathons, I shaved 24 minutes off my time from the previous year.

FAVORITE RACE: I have been participating in St. Jude Marathon Weekend since 2008. Whether walking or running—or even just as a spectator to cheer others on—it is the best event in our city.

UP NEXT: The Rock ’n’ Roll Half Marathon in November and the St. Jude Half Marathon in December. I’m running with my friend group and our Bellano Dental Health team.

I f RUNNING: I am an early morning runner. Although getting out of bed at 4:30 am isn’t easy, it does so much for my day, my energy, and my attitude. I enjoy the chit-chat time with my girlfriends, as well. We talk so much as we run so much, that I sometimes forget I’m running. But even the times I run solo, I’m able to clear my head, listen to my jams, and just sort of zone out for a while. I care about my physical health, but running is really about mental health for me.

BUCKET LIST: Running a half marathon in under 2 hours. I have no desire to run a full marathon. Training is time consuming and with two littles at home, it is just not something I want to commit to at this time in my life. I enjoy getting faster, not long distances.

MAINTENANCE: Stretching and strengthening exercises are so important. I make a constant effort to do these still 3–4 times a week.

MY GEAR: After trying several shoes, I was properly fitted at Fleet Feet. They put me in the Mizuno Wave Riders. I LOVE them. Finding the perfect shoe for YOU is so important. All of my other running apparel is ZYIA Activewear.

MY JAMS: I enjoy contemporary Christian music…it’s inspirational and reminds me to be thankful.

BEST EATS: We love the patio at Coastal Fish Company. The view is amazing and the service has always been even better. The corn risotto is my favorite, and I’m always up for a glass of red wine.

DREAM DINNER DATE: The entire Friends cast. I could rewatch episodes all day, every day.

ON MY NIGHTSTAND: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.

Craig Conley, Triathlete

50, Shareholder at Baker Donelson

FAMILY: Wife Abby Conley, 3 kids (Hannah, Chase and Mia), 2 step kids (Dottie and Jack), and a cat (KitKat)

RECENT RACE: IRONMAN Chattanooga 70.3 and Memphis In May Olympic and Sprint Triathlons

I f TRIATHLONS: I love the challenges between body and mind, especially during an endurance event, along with meeting some phenomenal people along the way.

MUST-HAVE GEAR: Garmin Fenix 6

FAVORITE FITNESS ACCOMPLISHMENT:

Finishing IRONMAN Florida and IRONMAN Chattanooga.

BEST-EATS: McEwen’s Osso Buco. I cannot wait for it to reopen after an incredibly long renovation.

MOST MEMORABLE RACE: Muir Woods Trail Marathon. At one point, you had the Pacific Ocean on one side while you could the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco skyline.

INDULGENCE: A Diet Coke after a long race.

UP NEXT: IRONMAN Memphis 70.3 in October and Cloudland Canyon 50K in December.

SPEED BUMP: A few months prior to IRONMAN Florida, I started having major Achilles problems that I feared would prevent me from racing. A combination of dry-needling, a great shoe fitting, and Superfeet inserts solved the problem and allowed me to race pain free.

BUCKET LIST: Grand Canyon Rim2Rim2Rim

PET PEEVE: People that walk or run on the bike-only lane at Shelby Farms.

DREAM DINNER COMPANION: Anthony Bourdain. He was a fascinating and very interesting person who by all perceptions had the perfect job, and his death by suicide was tragic in so many ways.