Meet the Geist Half Race Series Ambassadors

I’m a wife and mom to three boys, so running has helped me keep up with them! I started running consistently right after having my second son and haven’t looked back. Running helped me find a community of people that I missed as a stay-at-home mom. It also gave me an outlet for stressful days. I look forward to races and enjoy working toward a goal year after year.  

The Geist races have always been a family favorite. My husband runs in every Geist 5k. I have only missed two years due to having our sons in May, right before the races. Otherwise, I have done all three race distances offered. My love for running has grown so much that I am now a running coach with my coaching partner Tracie (also a Geist Ambassador) and we love to help others find their passion for running. 

Fast Facts: 

• Favorite section of the Geist Course: Crossing the reservoir in so many places. Seeing the water is so beautiful.  
• On race day you’ll see me: Chatting with runners around me – I love to talk while I run! 

• Favorite Podcasts: Nobody Asked Us with Des and Kara or Finish Lines & Milestones with Ally Brettnacher (local runner interviewing mostly local runners) 

I’m originally from Kirksville, MO but came to Indiana 6 years ago by way of Cleveland, OH (long story, Go Buckeyes). I’ve been running off and on since my teenage years as a physical practice of actor training (I was an actor in a past life) and now I just love the way it lets me be competitive with myself and meet so many people unique people.

Fast Facts: 

• Preferred Running Shoe: It changes! But right now the ASICS Superblast. 
• Thing I’m most excited about for this year’s race: A chance to PR on the course and take in all the sights and sounds again.
• Favorite Podcast: How2Wrestling, wrestling’s first podcast on how to enjoy pro wrestling. 

My husband, Jeff, and I live in Pendleton, Indiana, with our three boys. I am an elementary school teacher and each year I work with my class on creating a bucket list for the year. In 2019, I added “Run the Mini Marathon” to my bucket list.   

That January, one of my students reminded me the Mini was in May and I better get moving if I wanted to check that off my list. I laced up, trained my butt off (I despised running before this), had my kids sign a pair of cotton socks the day before the race (this makes me laugh now because I can’t believe I ran in cotton socks for 13.1 miles), and ran the race – not only for them, but for me. I’ve been running races ever since and now have a medal rack in my classroom to show students what they can accomplish if they chase a dream. 

Fast Facts: 

• Must-have running gear: Feetures socks are my jam and I can never have too many pairs. My current favorite running shoes are my Sauconys, and my Garmin never leaves my wrist. 
• Thing I’m most excited about for this year’s race: Getting my students involved and running in this race. The running community (both old and young) is something so special and I love to get others involved.  
• Favorite section of the Geist Course: My favorite part is also the part I hate most –the hill on Brooks School Road! It’s humbling and makes you dig deep and use everything you’ve got to make it to the top. 

I’m a current Fishers resident and have been since 2009. My wife and I have two great kids who have both started their running journeys in track and cross country! I started my running in 2012 to get back into a healthy level of fitness. I remember my first 5k, The NFL play60 run when the Super Bowl was being held in Indy. I had no idea what I was doing but I found a love for running even if I blew up 2 miles into it. By 2013 I’d completed 2 full marathon and full Ironman tri. Since then, I’ve ran numerous half and full marathons, many half ironman’s and 2 full Ironman triathlons. As my kids have started their sports journey, I’ve moved to just focusing on running as supporting them is super important to me. I find the half marathon my favorite distance to race but I’m up for almost anything. I’ll be racing the Geist Half in my build for The New York City Marathon running for Team For Kids charity and Rim to Rim to Rim at the Grand Canyon. Next time you’re running down the Fishers Nickle Plate trial, say hello if you see me and we can share some miles or join us Saturday’s with the Fishers Running Club runs!

Fast Facts: 

• Must-have running gear: Hoka Clifton shoes for training, AirPods (training runs only), and Hoka Rocket X2 for Race Day
• Thing I’m most excited about for this year’s race: Geist always challenges me as it’s a demanding course. The back half will bite if you overdo the first half. My goal is to run well and enjoy the day w my Fishers Running Club teammates!
• Favorite local trails: Nickel Plate and Ritchey Woods Nature Preserve

I have been a resident of Fishers for the past 16 years where I reside with my husband and two college sons. I had dabbled in running for a few years but didn’t start taking it seriously until 14 years ago. Since then, I have completed over 53 half marathons, 12 full marathons, seven ultras, and numerous 10k’s and 5k’s. I’m very passionate about my two jobs. I’m a flight attendant so travel is definitely in my blood. I especially love to run when I reach a new destination. I’m also a run coach so helping others achieve their running goals is amazing!!

Fast Facts: 

• Must-have running gear: Flip belt, Goodr sunglasses, and my Garmin watch 

• Thing I’m most excited about for this year’s race: Running the Half Marathon! Last year I decided to try the 10k for the first time ever but am looking forward to going back to the half marathon again!
• Favorite section of the Geist Course: Running across the bridge! I love looking out at the water when I run. 

Hi All! I am Corey Queen and I live in Crestwood, KY (right outside of Louisville), and I am also a middle school Track & Field AND Cross Country Coach! I am also a certified RRCA Running Coach and I started my running coaching company, Queen Running Company. In my 15 years as a Runner, have survived: a Stress Induced Heart Attack, 2 shoulder surgeries; Spinal Fusion Surgery, and spending all of 2021 as a Long Haul Covid patient and Bariatric Surgery. Running has helped me through SO MUCH!

Fast Facts: 

• Favorite Running Gear: Shorts…I run in shorts all year long, outside and inside, no matter the weather!
• Thing I’m most excited about for this year’s race: This is my FIRST Geist Half Marathon so I am excited about EVERYTHING!
• On race day you’ll see me: In my normal Superman shirt with my kids handprints in puffy paint on the back of it in all smiles!

I live in Lawrence with my wife and son. I discovered running during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. I spent most of my athletic career playing basketball but wanted an energetic outlet and a community among Black men. My wife mentioned a group called Black Men Run, so I decided to meet up with the group for a Saturday morning run.  

When I arrived, I was greeted by Steve AKA “Bad Steve.” Steve said I looked like I could run fast and he put me in the front group! Once the run was over, I talked for hours with other men in the group and I was hooked! This was the community I was seeking.  

As I continued to run, news was still spreading about the murder of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery and I began to realize my Black male body was not welcomed in all spaces. Running became a statement that I belong, am worthy of being in this country, on this road, and am free to run.  

I was eventually invited to my first race, the Shelbyville Meltdown. A member from Black Men Run asked me to join so he wouldn’t be the only Black man participating. We had a great time and I placed second. Since then, I’ve experienced so much support from other runners and observers. That support has helped me run some of my best times, but I haven’t been able to place first just yet!    

I am so glad to have found running and to have found Black Men Run. The group has provided me with many more brothers, mentors, and friends. I hope to further encourage more Black men to run for their health and for the bond of brotherhood. 

I know firsthand the feeling of being the only Black face at a race. I applied to be an ambassador to not only encourage more Black runners to join and run, but to help make the space more inclusive for Black runners. 

Fast Facts: 

• Thing I’m most excited about for this year’s race: Getting back out and competing and making new connections. I have been in and out of the running community this past year with the birth of our son, Fonny Ocean. 
• On race day you’ll see me: Wearing a Black Men Run Indianapolis Running Club t-shirt and eagerly waiting for the start. Maybe even dancing a little bit if the right song is played. 
• Podcast/Music: I love listening to Lupe Fiasco, Lecrae, J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, or Julius Rodriguez while running. 

Running has been a major part of my life since I was 10 years old. I fell in love with cross country and track & field in school, and that passion for running has only grown. I’ve always loved that running is so individual, but simultaneously so collective. We are all out there to chase our own goals, going up against our old self, but working and struggling together to achieve these individual goal. The community that is built around running is uniquely genuine and I’m so thankful to be a part of it.

Fast Facts: 

• Must-have running gear: Lululemon high rise running shorts, Koala Clip, Goodrs, and my Hydrapak Flask

• Thing I’m most excited about for this year’s race: I’m looking forward to coming back to this race after another year of strong training! Geist will be towards the end of a long training block for me; looking forward to see what I can do!
• Favorite section of the Geist Course: I love going over the bridges! There is something so freeing about running down the middle of the bridge around sunrise.

I am an RRCA Certified Running Coach, but I wasn’t always a runner. It was around age 26 when I started training at a Muay Thai gym in Oceanside, CA. I learned how poor my cardio and endurance really were. My coach at the time got me out on the road doing 2, 4, and 6-mile runs a few times a week. Honestly, I wasn’t excited about it, but I did love how I felt when I saw real improvements in the ring. 

Fast forward a few years, I moved back home to Indianapolis and got talked into running my first race, the Mini Marathon. The idea of running 13.1 miles at the time seemed out of reach, but I’m always up for a challenge. The training was fun, disorganized, inconsistent, and discouraging all at the same time, but I made it. This was my first experience at any road race, and from that day forward, I was hooked! 

Since this first race, I have become a running, racing, and training student. Countless 5ks, 10ks, half-marathons, and a handful of marathons, and it never gets old. The running community is truly unique, and I am happy to be able to share my knowledge and training with anyone ready to hit the road! Let’s go do some crazy stuff!! 

Fast Facts: 

• Preferred Running Shoe: Trainer – Saucony Endorphin Speed; Race Day – Saucony Endorphin Pro 
• Thing I’m most excited about for this year’s race: Had a great day at Geist in 2024. In 2025, I am looking to shave some time off. Gonna need to do a little more hill/speed work.
• Favorite Podcasts: It’s Always Sunny, Smartless, How Did This Get Made