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Dorothy Beal

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Dorothy Beal is a runner, writer and a body positive activist who believes that runners come in all shapes and sizes and that if you run, you have a runner’s body. Founder of the I Run This Body® brand and the creator of the #ihavearunnersbody and #irunthisbody digital communities, she is passionate about running and self love.

Known online as MilePosts she shares her journey as a single mother, runner and self-love advocate. She lives in Northern Virginia where she can be found running and cycling on her beloved W&OD Trail or spending time with her three children, Chloe (14), Miles (12) and Colton (10).

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Dorothy did not grow up an athlete, much less a runner. She attended a small religious school, that placed little emphasis on physical activity, from K – 8th grade. Instead of playing sports she spent her free time sewing, crafting and reading copious amounts of books.

For her first two years of high school she attended a school that required students to complete six seasons of sports in order to graduate. The summer before her freshman year an upperclassman from the soccer team called and asked if she had any interest in trying out for the soccer team. She was hesitant to say yes, knowing full well she could barely run a lap around a soccer field, much less play soccer, but the girl assured her that no matter what she would make a team because they didn’t cut anyone. When it came time to run laps around the field during soccer practice, she would often pretend to hyperventilate to get out of running.

At the age of 13 Dorothy felt that it was too late for her to become an athlete, often giving up on herself before even trying. If she could go back in time and talk to her younger self, she would first give her old self a hug and then explain how young 13 really is!

In 1999 she graduated high school and started college in New Jersey. Social anxiety and low self esteem led Dorothy to self medicate with food and alcohol. When she was drinking she felt fearless, till she didn’t. A never ending cycle of eating poorly, not sleeping enough, and drinking away her worries led to Dorothy gaining a significant amount of weight. Unable to pull herself out of what felt like rock bottom, her parents suggested that she should try running. At the the time she thought if she lost the physical weight, life would magically improve. Years later, after much self reflection, she realized that it wasn’t physical weight that was weighing her down, it was emotional.

Enjoying the way it made her feel when she was finished, Dorothy kept running. Like many runners however, she hated it till she finally loved it.

The summer before her senior year she started working at the local run specialty store, Footsteps of Reston. This is where she first started to fall in love with running and what ultimately helped her land a job with Brooks as a Field Marketing Representative in the Northeast Region.

On October 26th, 2003 Dorothy ran her first marathon and was forever changed the moment she crossed the finish line. Now a marathoner, she had a new perspective on life.

In 2005 she moved on from her position at Brooks and started a job at Moving Comfort as an Account Manager in their Sales Department. While Dorothy enjoyed helping accounts grow their sales, she felt a pull toward the apparel side of the business. She was promoted to Product Line Manager of Run/Fitness and worked closely alongside one of the founders, Elizabeth Goeke.

As fate would have it, Moving Comfort was sold and relocated to Seattle, Washington, to be managed by Brooks. As a new mom, Dorothy wasn’t in a position to move across the country, so she went to work for her father as his online sales manager. This is where Dorothy first learned the ins and outs of online marketing.

Working with her father was a formative experience, but Dorothy’s true passion was running. Determined to stay in the running industry, in 2007 she decided to take the plunge and work for herself, while being a stay at home mom. In 2008, she welcomed her second child, Miles. Earning an income from home while simultaneously raising two kids wasn’t easy, but she did it. In 2009 she started her blog Mile Posts. In 2010 her third child, Colton, joined her crew, and life has been a wild ride ever since.

In 2012, she was prominently featured in the Saucony Find Your Strong Campaign. Later that same year she won a contest, based on votes, to be on the cover of Women’s Running Magazine. 

Since then, she has been on the cover of Competitor Magazine, Posh Seven Magazine, as well as on the 2019 Marine Corps Marathon race program.

As a 46 time marathon finisher, Dorothy believes that movement has the power to transform your life; and that one of the biggest barriers that can hold us back is our own mind. She aims to encourage as many people as possible to get and stay active through the digital communities she has created.

Her writing can be found on Women’s Health, Active, Well + Good, Women’s Running, Podium Runner as well as on her blog.

@mileposts on Instagram

got the keys to our new rental early so I spent th got the keys to our new rental early so I spent the weekend moving all the “little” stuff and so far during this move I’ve learned a. own way too much little stuff and b. never want to have to move myself again c. thankful for friends & family that are helping me move because it’s probably one of the most annoying favors in the world to do for someone d. @chloerainebeal & @milesbeal_ are two of the BEST children ever (legit couldn’t have done this without them) e. I can survive every hard thing that life throws at me even when I think I’m broken and can’t handle anything else🏡 ran from our new spot this morning ❤️ and saw the light at the end of a tunnel … taking it as a sign ❤️ Looking forward to Friday when I can call Brambleton home 🙂🙃 

#irunthisbody #ihavearunnersbody #singlemomlife
running isn’t a cure all but it sure does help …

being fit is fun and getting fit is hard and when you are in that hard spot it’s HARD. Like every damn step is hard and it hurts and you feel like you are dying and you wonder WHY on earth you do this when oh man there are a million other things you could do that are easier and fill your time and make you feel good. But hot damn, there is nothing like running and so I keep coming back for more even when I’ve given up on running or I blame running for giving up on me … cause running helps and sometimes you gotta be reminded that you LOVE something when it’s hard, you NEED someone to tell you THIS TOO SHALL PASS cause it will pass, you just sometimes forget and … you will float on air soon but for now it’s hard and THAT IS OK. LIFE IS HARD. No escaping, the only way is through .. you can’t get to mile 26.2 without running all the miles before and sometimes they are fun and sometimes they SUCK. But oh the finish line…. It makes it all worth it. I dream of finish lines. 💖 #irunthisbody
❤️Happy MAY 4th!!!❤️ The Star Wars nerd in ❤️Happy MAY 4th!!!❤️ The Star Wars nerd in me loves today 🤓 

Instead of watching a Star Wars Marathon 🖤 I'm moderating another @asics Panel tonight at 8 PM 🥳

I'll be chatting with Mari Tibbetts, Director of Global Apparel Creation at ASICS, Barbara Turner Chief Administrative Officer at ASICS North America and Cat Ayers, Sr. Director of Marketing at ASICS North America

The event FREE but you do need to register in order to tune in - the link is in my bio!

"In an effort to celebrate motherhood, ASICS will turn to some of its female leaders who manage to balance their day to day in the working world and the toughest job of all—being a mom. Join us on May 4th for a conversation with Dorothy Beal, Head of Content Strategy–Guided Workouts at ASICS Runkeeper™ and ASICS America female leaders Cat Ayers, Mari Tibbetts and Barbara Turner to celebrate these women and their influence not only just at ASICS but on society as well."

#maythe4thbewithyou #maythefourthbewithyou #asics #TrainWithRunkeeper
Free on Saturday May 7th!? Come hang out and run w Free on Saturday May 7th!? Come hang out and run with me & some other cool cats at the @fpmovement Georgetown store!! 

We hang out and chat beforehand cause that’s one of the best parts of a run DUH 🙂 then we do a little bit of dynamic stretching and then head out for a run (or walk)! This run will be an out and back so if you want to run longer you can! We all meet back at the store for snacks/water and more chatting + shopping if you want :) you also can leave your stuff at the store while you run so really it’s a win all around 😉 

It’s fun ❤️ & the company is cool 😎 

The link is in my bio to sign up :) I’d love love love to meet you! 

Maybe I can also convince my running besties @kimvanarun and @dr.romanzoruns to come hang with us too 😉 

#fpmovementpartner
my senior yearbook quote was “Happiness is like my senior yearbook quote was “Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you sit down quietly, may alight upon you.” 

On my run this morning I was thinking about how I’ve survived 100 percent of my worst days … this week was filled with worst days … but I survived, am stronger for it and today I feel SUPER strong & happy 💖 I really believe in my heart there is no where to go but up from here on out. Bending and not breaking is the name of the game. 

Oh and I’m feeling my spark for running returning and it feels SO SO GOOD 🥰❤️ LFG 🥳 

#irunthisbody #singlemomlife 

📷: @chloerainebeal
If you have never climbed a mountain, I think you If you have never climbed a mountain, I think you should … and here’s why … the mountain teaches you about life and about yourself and at of the end of the day the view at the top and the feeling is worth the climb and any obstacles that may arise ⛰ 

Happy Friday friends xoxox

Tell me your fun plans so I can live vicariously through you 🙂🙃

Dorothy Beal

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