Instagram story viewer> @chrisstrub> Posts

Chris Strub, CTA

@chrisstrub

2521

posts

3.9K

followers

1852

following

Puppy Dad, @linkthemountaincur. Author, @50states100days. Producer & co-host, @givingdayguy. Host, @chrisstrubunmuted Podcast. Oh, and I run a lot.

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Download All

I hate how much I love running the annual #DownvilleMile. It’s the closest one can feel to five minutes of hell — imagine jumping in your car and just slamming the throttle until you feel like throwing up. The race photographer caught both feelings at once: the joy of being just about done, with the heartbreak of missing 5-flat, again, this time by just one second. First world problems …▪️The Take Flight 5K is another fun, unique race experience that everyone should try at least once: a windy, out-and-back-ish loop that feels longer than it is because of the wide, lengthy runway you’re galloping down. You start the race close to 100-wide across, and there’s plenty of jostling and confidence checks in that first two tenths or so. The rain held off just enough for another great edition this May, and I’m sure I’ll be back to try to crack into the age group awards in a difficult field next year. #yeahTHATgreenville by @chrisstrub

21

1

17 days ago

The numerology of this year’s #MountainsToMainStreet #HalfMarathon was remarkable: the race came exactly 15 years to the day from my very first halt, the inaugural @bingbridgerun on May 15, 2011. And in Binghamton, in my mid-20s, I lived in a prime bachelor pad downtown — at 142 Front Street. So when I was handed bib #142 at the expo, the arc of my fitness journey really struck me.▪️I’ve gotten pretty damn good at this whole half marathon thing. Mountains to Main also happened to be my first race in South Carolina along my personal 50-state quest, and it ends just a short walk from my old apartment in downtown GVL, so there’s always emotion cranking down the SRT to the finish line behind the Peace Center. Even better was the opportunity to top a good time the week prior in Spartanburg with a 1:28-and-change — not a PR, but still pretty damn good for an old guy. And as much as I love “away games,” and traveling to exotic places to run, there’s something very cool about lining up with friends like @toni.leopard and @deeareeedoubleyou , and cheering on race day rookies like @hayyybaeeee and @_libbyeberhardt .▪️I don’t think I’ll ever tire of running the #SwampRabbitTrail, especially with a bib pinned to my shorts. It’s special to me, every single time, and I always pour my whole heart into each race. Mountains to Main usually represents the “end” of a tough spring racing schedule — it’s mostly 5Ks and wacky special events until September — so I was thrilled to wrap up this season with a great effort. For anyone looking to run their first half marathon, this is a special one to shoot for in 2027. by @chrisstrub

11

4

17 days ago

For the running community in #Spartanburg, this race was a huge deal: #LoveWhereYouLive , from @run_gsp , added a #HalfMarathon distance for 2026, and I wasn’t gunna miss it for the world.▪️Maybe encountering the cute dog in the third slide at the starting line was good luck — sadly, @linkthemountaincur had to stay home for this one — but I felt great out there. This course features some tricky hills, but the 90-min mark has become a great benchmark for me, and I was thrilled to keep pace this time out, crossing 10th overall. #yeahTHATgreenville by @chrisstrub

10

0

18 days ago

When you live and run in #yeahTHATgreenville , you’re bound to encounter some trail races, and the #LakesidePark 5K sure was one of them. I’ve talked a lot about how I prefer road running to trail life, but that’ll never stop me from lacing them up through the hills on a crisp springtime Saturday morning.▪️“Someday, you won’t be able to do this — today is not that day.” I’m eternally thankful to Matt Hammersmith and everyone involved with @upstateraceseries who work so hard to host these events week after week. Next year, this one feels like a perfect opportunity to show an older-and-wiser @linkthemountaincur what it’s like to run through a forest. Buckle up, Link 🐾 by @chrisstrub

6

0

18 days ago

I spent years thinking about exactly the type of dog I wanted to spend the next phase of my life with, and this year’s @papajohns #MuttStrut was honestly the first time I felt comfortable running with @linkthemountaincur . To have an event like this that cuts straight through the heart of downtown #yeahTHATgreenville is an incredible testament to everyone involved, and even though Link is still very much getting her legs under her, I knew we couldn’t miss this.▪️Swipe to see my baby’s top-level sprint speed — not kidding, I had trouble keeping pace with her for the first mile. She’s very much still a baby, but as we get to the 15- to 18-month range and older, Link is soon gunna need a trophy shelf of her own. (As for this race? Well, let’s just say her first mile was, uh, slightly faster than the rest of the run 😴)▪️I can’t yet take pride in my own children — someday? — but the satisfaction of being able to do things like this with my dog brings me genuinely unprecedented joy. Huge shoutout to Link’s best friends at her home away from home @dogculture_mauldin , especially bellakjael for capturing these special photos and @akjonessss for Link’s very first pup cup (I posted a reel with video of this back in the spring, too). The extra puppy kisses and snuggles from our friends at @otfgreenvilledowntown after the race were another special bonus. ▪️As Link gets older we’ll 10000% be looking for more mutt struts and other dog-friendly races. We’ll see you out there 🐾 by @chrisstrub

16

1

18 days ago

The @greenvalleyroadrace carries decades of history, and I felt great out there for its 49th edition. My Dad, my stepmom, my dog and my favorite local race director @runcapotatoride were on hand for a solid, encouraging 10-mile effort in the chilly hills of TR. I love this race and can’t wait to see everyone for its 50th year next February.▪️I added a new race to the spring slate this year, too — a solid showing as the weather began to warm up at @bridgewaystation for the first official @runclubgvl 5K. This run club will always hold a special place in my heart as I was there on Day 1, several years ago; now, they’re one of the most popular weekly social gatherings in the city. I feel a little “Hello, fellow kids” rolling up to run club these days, but it’s been incredible to see this club’s rise as part of a broader national trend. #yeahTHATgreenville #GVRR #GTC #10miler by @chrisstrub

25

3

18 days ago

You’ve probably figured this out by now, but I love running more as a mental health outlet than the competition itself. December 2025 was my first full month as a puppy parent, my first holiday season as a homeowner — and a great opportunity to pack Strava with race after race after race, including several same-day starts. (I was a smidge hung over when I encountered the great @calebestellphoto at that Holiday Hustle … and, heck, I hardly remember that Santa Run 5K — I showed up so late that I missed the start; you can see me in that inset photo heading to the start line behind families walking with their dogs …)▪️When people ask me what I like to do for fun: running. It took me most of my adult life to find something that I enjoy and I’m good at, and the result is a December full of 5Ks. We flipped the calendar to 2026 and, surprise surprise, Chris Strub kicked off the new year at @bridgewaystation for the Champagne Run and the Hair of the Dog 2-miler with a very tired, overstimulated and untrained baby @linkthemountaincur . (Pro tip: don’t do this to your puppy at that age. Bad idea.)▪️A quote that’s always stuck with me, which I first heard from @sccoach_dan , is “Someday you won’t be able to do this. Today is not that day.” Hand me a bib, four safety pins and point me to the starting line, I’m here to run. I still prefer a good 13.1 — but happy to embrace the holiday 5K season in #yeahTHATgreenville. by @chrisstrub

8

1

19 days ago

The champ is … here? The @run_gsp Leftovers Run was a nice punctuation mark to a fun November stretch of races, and inspired by the best race emcee in South Carolina @itsjdew , I topped a modest field of 35 runners with a generously-measured out-and-back 5K in 18:03. Late November/early December is probably my favorite time of year to run — if you’ve got timing chips and a starting line, count me in. by @chrisstrub

12

0

19 days ago

November is always one of my favorite months to run, and yes, with proper apologies to my future wife: we will be a run-on-Thanksgiving-morning family. (This edition was particularly meaningful as it was my first race as a Dog Dad — and no, @jetlinecanine , I did not make my then-3-month-old puppy run 5 miles at 6:30 pace 😉)▪️The @treesupstateturkeyday race is a staple on my annual calendar; the only thing better than a well-organized race is one that also benefits a great local nonprofit. I’ll see you guys again on Thanksgiving 🤎 by @chrisstrub

13

1

19 days ago

75+ half marathons across all 50 states down, so last November, it was time to check off a bucket list item: wear a full @dallascowboys outfit to run the @philly_marathon Half, with two of my favorite people: dedicated Eagles fans @lutzagram and @nataliemq .▪️As fun as this looks, I promise you it was even more fun being out there; other than the idiocy of wearing an actual football jersey for 13.1 miles on a warm Philly morning, I felt constantly welcomed and appreciated in the City of Brotherly Love. (Especially by @laurenndt , whom I passed around mile 12, and that guy in the fourth picture, who sprinted like all hell to not lose to a Cowboys fan.) Not sure why, but I couldn’t quite get Brian to hold up my Cowboys necklace for a pic after the race … seems America’s Team might not be terribly popular in Philadelphia after all?▪️Truth be told, I’ve got enormous respect for Philly fans — even if they won’t trade my Cubs back Kyle Schwarber. I live for the reaction of crowds out on big courses like this, and it was delightful to play the ‘heel’ this time through the streets of Philadelphia. (Safe to say I’m never wearing a football jersey to a race again … not exactly the most aerodynamic …)▪️And in all seriousness the @philly_marathon deserves all the love it gets. Despite a little bit of a rocky entrance to the race expo (which I suspect they’ll fix this year), the Philly Half is a Top-3 all-timer for me, which is why it’s one of the very few I’ve run more than once. It’s absolutely worth the trip — I can absolutely see myself back in Philly again in the future. (As long as I’m not banned for posting these pictures 😉) #DallasCowboys #PhillyMarathon #HalfMarathon by @chrisstrub

15

3

20 days ago

The 2025 #Run4Life was probably one of my best races of my short racing career, finishing second of 554 runners. I was (somehow?) leading until the last ~300m or so — an amusing moment captured perfectly by the legendary @calebestellphoto in the second photo here. The entire last mile, I knew that guy was bound to catch me — but that didn’t diminish a great effort on a fun course, and much more importantly in support of an important pillar of our community, supporting @cainehalterymca and the @prisma_health Cancer Institute. ▪️Truth be told, I don’t love running the 5K distance — half marathons are my bread and butter — but if I’m healthy and in town, this is one race I will run every year forever. by @chrisstrub

16

3

20 days ago

It’s always an honor to run at @spinxrunfestsc , so in 2025 I was feeling good and decided to dial it up to 26.2. #yeahTHATgreenville is home to a strong running community and the Spinx Run Fest is probably our community’s ‘signature’ event, always drawing a sold-out field to the West End. Felt great from start to finish (you know the rules: can’t post a bad performance when you wear @greenvilleuptemposports gear …), posting a 3:06:26 that wasn’t quite fast enough to get me back to Boston — but I still think, someday, I’ll be back. #Marathon by @chrisstrub

15

0

20 days ago