Last year sophomore Sam Weber laced up his shoes and hit the track and started his running journey.
This past summer Weber began training for his first ever 5k. Weber’s passion for running started after one of his assignments in class.
“In English class, we read an article about a kid with Down syndrome named Lloyd Martin. He was the youngest person with Down syndrome to run a marathon,” Weber said.
Inspired by Lloyd Martin, Weber started running and training for his first 5k. Over the summer Sam followed along a running plan created by one of his teachers, Elise Palmquist.
“I created a plan for Sam to follow along to help get him ready for his first 5k,” Palmquist said.
Following along with his training plan Weber also spent weeks in the summer running with his dad before the Ballwin Days 5k in August.
“Over the summer I ran together with my dad and I also followed along with my training plan,” Weber said.
Weber has raced in two 5ks so far. He ran the 2024 Ballwin Days 5k in August and then ran in the Webster/Kirkwood Turkey Trot race this past Thanksgiving. Weber says that his favorite race was the Ballwin Days race.
“So far my favorite was the Ballwin Days race since it was my first race I did,” he said.
At the finish line of the Ballwin Days 5k, Weber still remembers how he felt when he crossed after hearing the cheering from his family and seeing his name on a sign in the crowd.
“I felt really happy when I finished the race and saw all my family there with signs cheering for me,”he said.
Weber has a lot of support from some of his teachers who are also runners. Like Weber, Special School District teacher Jennifer Holzschuh also started running in 2024 after making it her New Year’s goal.
“I started running as a way to challenge myself further on my health journey. In 2024 I ran 13 races (one a month, 2 in October) as my New Year’s Resolution. This included my first half marathon in November,” she said.
Holzschuh thinks that running can be beneficial for everyone.
“Running not only improves your health physically but is also very good for mental clarity. It’s also a fun way to challenge yourself,” she said.
Holzschuh’s favorite part has been seeing the excitement that running has brought Weber.
“Sam has found so much enjoyment when running. He also feels accomplished and proud of himself,” she said.
Weber is looking forward to his next race. Sam will be running in the St. Patrick Day race in downtown St. Louis.
“This race will be 5 miles and I’m really excited to run it,” he said.
