Q. Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do for a living?
My name is Nic King, I’m from Virginia Beach, VA. I played football for 4 years at Ferrum College and graduated with my B.A. in Criminal Justice. I currently work for a private security company, in which I am an assistant supervisor of security operations at a local community college in Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Q. How do you balance your exercise regime and your professional life?
It’s a struggle at times to find a balance because I start work in the afternoon and get off work just before midnight. Depending on the day and weather conditions I try to wake up early to get a run in, that way I’m not tired at work. Other days I choose to run after work and wear as bright of colours as I can to be highly visible.

Q. When and why did you start running?
I started running in March 2012, when I realized my weight had reached my football playing weight of 327lbs. I knew it would a struggle but each day is a new day to boost my confidence and possibly inspire that one person who can relate or just needs motivation.

Q. What motivates you to go out there, when you do not feel like it?
My #SA2LV running family are a big inspiration and motivation to run on those days in which I do not want to.

Q. What is the longest distance you have ran?
Longest distance I have ran consecutively has been 8 miles. Longest distance cumulative has been just over 14 miles.

Q. What gives you the confidence to run in the streets?
Like one of friends and fellow runner @PavementRunner, I like get out on the streets and being free to go where my legs take me. When you hit the streets running, your eyes are open to beautiful scenery in which you have passed daily, but never stopped to appreciate your surroundings.

Q. What do you think about the lack of exercise among the youth?
It is a disturbing trend that needs to change. Even as I was the bigger of kids in my youth, I was out and about playing with my friends. Parents have to take change and get their kids out and about, not just playing sports, but being active in general.

Q. What was your best running experience?
Best running experience to date has been the 2014 Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Half Marathon earlier in February. The week leading up to the weekend, RnR’s social media team were very interactive with runners who were using #RnRNOLA. I had a positive experience with that, which put me at ease because this was my 2nd half marathon and 1st time flying somewhere for a race. I get to the expo and a fellow blogger Michael @pointonemiles reached out to me to say hi. I’ve never met him before and thought it was great that a fellow runner out of nowhere would go out of his way to say welcome here. Before I even ran that’s 2 positive experiences which almost solidified me as a runner and wanting to go to more races. The final positive experience and “cherry on top” so to speak happened at the expo when there was a panel talking about social media and accountability. The guest speakers were bloggers and runners, Abby @backatsquare0 and Dani @irisheyes1982, who were very supportive and encouraging to be active among social media. Their panel discussion was perfect timing just when I needed to hear their inspiring words. I ran the half marathon and enjoyed every step while running through New Orleans. That is a race I plan on returning to run because of all the positive attributes that helped shape me as a runner.

Q. What was your worst running experience?
My worst running experience was July 2014 in Chicago. The visit, the race expo, the race course and events I participated in that weekend were amazing. The running experience was my worst performance to date. I did not prepare well for this race and I underestimated the distance. This was my 6th overall half marathon, so I took things lightly and did not respect the race distance. I suffered from my own doing, I walked probably ½ of race and fell far back from the group of people I began the race with. It was a humbling experience, in which I learned to treat every race just like the first. Mentally, physically, and emotionally preceding the race, my emotions were through the roof. While on that course I suffered from lack of training and a poor choice of dinner the night before. I raced with zero energy and had to learn the hard way.

Q. How do you push through the pain?
I push through pain by evaluating myself mentally. If I am enduring any pain, in my head, I think to myself “is it really pain or is it that piece of doubt which likes to play games.” While feeling whatever pain, I’ll keep pushing through minor stuff that are just mental. For excruciating pain that sends up all sorts of red flags and red alerts, I pull back and get things check out to be on the safe side.

Q. What advice can you give somebody who wants to start running?
My best advice is to never sign up for a race and the race is the first time you’ve gone that distance. I trained for my first half marathon by going 13.1 miles atleast 1 time before the race, that way I know physically and mentally how far that distance really is instead of just thinking I’ll be fine. If you’ve never run long distances before, start with signing up for a 5k and search “couch to 5k training schedule.” If you’re a leisure or active runner and have done a few 5k’s or 8k’s, then give yourself enough time to train for your first half marathon. Most important of all, HAVE FUN RUNNING! Yes you may be in a race, but the race you are running is YOUR race, so get at it and have a great time.
Q. Which Social media sites are you on and how can one follow you?
Twitter: @KingRunsFar, Instagram: @KingRunsFar