My name is Carole Langheim. I am an AFAA Certified Group Exercise Instructor and a NCCPT Personal Trainer. I am a mother of three, and a lifelong fitness enthusiast. I have always been athletic and enjoyed fitness, but sometimes I would fall off the bandwagon like so many people tend to do.
As the ripe “old” age of 30 loomed, I was not making exercise a top priority. I’d go to the gym, ride my bike here and there. I noticed it was not as easy to stay in shape as when I was in my early 20’s. At that time in my life, my husband and I were dating. We went back to his hometown to see his mother, Elizabeth, run in the Bix 7 race; it is a popular 7-mile race in the Quad Cities. Elizabeth was approaching 70 years old. I sat on the curb with my husband’s family and drank beer and Bloody Mary’s while this almost 70-year old woman ran her ass off. I went back to the Quad Cities the next year and did the same thing, drank beer and watched a 70-year old woman run her ass off. This time, it just did not feel right. I had a fire under me as I watched the 8000 runners pass me. They were all full of life and having a great time. That was it! I decided that I was going to be a runner for the next Bix 7.
I had a love-hate relationship with running all my life. But I became determined and Elizabeth was my “Fitfluence”. I began running as part of my exercise regimen. It was not easy; I soon grew to love it. The next year, I was a RUNNER. I ran the Bix 7 with my mother-in-law. (I was so nervous she was going to beat me!) That was my first official event. It was exhilarating and I became hooked. After the Bix, I thought I would give a triathlon a try. I went on to enter the Chicago Tri, and completed seven so far. This past fall, I completed my first marathon. I attribute my healthy lifestyle to Elizabeth’s “Fitfluence”.
I struggle with balancing life just as anyone else does, and during those struggles, kids, life, etc. - exercise seemed to go on the back burner. I decided recently to make fitness a top priority. I set out to get the necessary education and obtain certifications to turn my lifestyle into a profession. My goal is to help others become fit, healthy, and have fun. I want to be your Fitfluence. I want to create an environment where people can work together and be a positive Fitfluence to one another.