Local author shares story of how a coach potato became a marathon runner
Crystal Lake, Ill. - How does a woman go from thinking a breakfast of champions is a half a pack of cigarettes and a pot of black coffee to running two or three marathons and an ultra marathon in a year?
When Shawn Tegtmeier was 36, she realized she smelled like a dirty ashtray and was always fighting with her scale. She candidly shared her story of how she quit smoking and developed a love for running in her new book, "Running with Walt: How a Chain-smoking Couch Potato Got Off the Couch."
Tegtmeier was motivated to try running by Walt, a parent on her sons' travel soccer team. She made it half a block before collapsing the first time she ran. But she kept going, getting a little further every day. After running her first 5K race, Tegtmeier went back to school and become a Certified Personal Trainer.
"I wrote 'Running with Walt' to inspire other couch potatoes that they are more capable than they ever thought possible," Tegtmeier says. "I want to encourage anyone who has been afraid to try or thinks their dreams can't be reality. If this former coach potato can do it, you can too!"
The Running Depot in Crystal Lake is hosting a book launch party on September 19 at 7 p.m. Tegtmeier will speak and sign books, accompanied by her friend Walt, and wine and cookies will be served. To learn more and RSVP, visit therunningdepot.com.
She will also sign books at Between the Lynes Bookstore in Woodstock on Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. For more details, visit www.readbetweenthelynes.com.
About Shawn Tegtmeier
Shawn lives in Crystal Lake with her husband, Gary, and their two shelter rescue dogs, Roxy and Dexter. Their two grown sons, Alex and Matt, are two of her biggest supporters. She works full-time as a personal trainer and trains a variety of clients. In her spare time, she goes to Wrigley Field as often as possible to see her beloved Cubs. She is currently writing her second book about how she continues to run while battling multiple myeloma.