Our series of Runner Profiles continues this week with Aaron Cook. You will often see Aaron with his wife Emily-Rose at our events Running at different pace (Aaron is a little faster than Emily-Rose… or most of us!), the Cooks show that it’s not your speed or ability that matters. It is getting out there and trying to live your best, healthiest life. Aaron hopes his responses below can help encourage and inspire our readers to begin and/or continue their running careers.
1) Why did you start running? 
I started running as a means to lose weight for my & Emily-Rose’s wedding. I joined a gym roughly 1 year before our wedding date so that I can lose the weight over the course of that year. Every day I spent at the gym included starting off with a 5k distance on the treadmill.
2) How did you get started?
After Emily-Rose & I had moved into Crown Point, I participated in the Crown Brewing 5k in 2018, which was the first race I ever won, even though it wasn’t officially timed. At the end of the race, one of the other runners talked with us about Hometown Happenings and the Calumet Region Striders. Then I ran in the Hub Run the following month, found the Strider tent afterwards, and became part of their community ever since.
3) What is your favorite Hometown Happenings event?
I love the Public Enemy 5K, with the displays of John Dillinger and the 1930s memorabilia. I’ve been a big fan of history and antiques and one of my favorite places to visit was the John Dillinger museum. I really do miss it now that it is gone…
4) What goal do you still want to accomplish with your running?
I hope to become skilled and competitive enough to run in marathons, probably starting with the Chicago Marathon.
5) What are your interests/activities outside of running?
I am a competitive fencer and fencing coach at the Northwest Indiana Fencing Club in St. John, IN. I also coach at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, IL. I love roller coasters, playing video games, and spending time with family and friends.
6) What is your best advice for other runners or those getting started?
Don’t worry about how fast the other runners are or how many may pass you. Focus on your pace, take it one mile at a time, and let your natural speed get faster, rather than trying to sprint to catch up.