The timelines of Drew and Kristen's lives seem to share a common template: both are midwesterners - Drew grew up in Waukegan, IL and Kristen in Milwaukee, WI; both briefly moved out west after college - Kristen to Arizona and Drew to New Mexico; and eventually both sought fulfillment in Atlanta. While their lives proceeded along such parallel trajectories, their love for running is what finally allowed their lives to dovetail.

In 2011 Drew moved back from the desert & started attending Phidippides' co-ed runs on Thursday night. Phidippides is one of Atlanta's original running stores. Founded in 1975 they claim to be the first independent shoe store in America.

Soon after, in 2012, Kristen began frequenting the same store, but for their ladies night. After much encouragement from Drew's sister-in-law, Chiasa, and other lady runners, she started going to the co-ed night in April of 2013.

In an act of full disclosure, Drew was late to run club the first co-ed night which Kristen attended. He barely made the chips, guac, and socializing over beers afterwards. Kristen, having clearly been stalled by her friends, exchanged polite words with him and took a few mental notes: she was underwhelmed by his skinny jeans, loafers, and egregious lack of punctuality. She jogged off that night feeling not remotely enchanted.

Over the next 4 months, Drew and Kristen ran together every Thursday night. During these runs, Drew frequently had the fastest runners breeze by him inquiring: "how's that injury healing," "glad to see you running again," and "hope your legs are holding up". It wasn't until one steamy July evening that Kristen realized that Drew was neither sweating nor out of breath when they reached the top of a particularly grueling hill.

The blonde light bulb went off when she realized that Drew must actually be a pretty fast runner. Shortly thereafter two things happened:

1. They started dating.

2. They stopped running together during co-ed night.

The rest is history.

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