Lisa Logan is a busy young lady these days as she has lots of responsibility as a wife and mother and school administrator. And she still finds time for her number-one passion, which is running.
Lisa is an attractive 42-year-old woman who is relatively quiet. She’s been in the education industry most of her life, this being her 20th year.
She graduated from Franklin County High School in Winchester before getting her undergraduate degree in biology and chemistry from UTC in 1995. He later earned her Masters degree before finishing her doctoral work at Liberty University.
So it would probably be appropriate to refer to her at Dr.
Lisa Logan.
Her teaching career started at the Lutheran School where she stayed for three years. She’s been at Ringgold High School for the past 17 where she was a science teacher for the first 16, this being her first year as the school’s assistant principal.
Lisa was a softball player in high school, an outfielder with more speed than bat power. She didn’t discover the sport of running until her early years at Lutheran when she was appointed as cross country coach.
It didn’t take long for her to develop a love for it and she’s been running strong ever since.
“They needed a cross country coach when I was at Lutheran and I took it because I could use the extra money, but it was an inspirational experience and that’s when I started running,” she said earlier this week while sitting in her office at Ringgold High School.
“I built myself up to where I could run two miles with those third graders. It was hard at the start, but I’m a competitive person and I just love the fellowship I experience when I’m running,” she continued.
Lisa’s first race experience came in 2001 when she entered the Sports Barn Bridge Run, a double-looped four-mile race that used to be held in downtown Chattanooga in June.
“I was scared that I’d be last, but I ended up with a time of 31:44 and finished fourth in my age group. I was thinking that everyone would be faster than me, but I’ve been hooked ever since,” she smiled.
She runs races of all distances and she’s completed some 27 marathons and almost twice that many half-marathons. Her personal record of 3:29:17 came at Winchester in 2012 after her first one at Chickamauga in 2005.
“I felt so good at mile 20, but by the time I got to the 21st mile, I wanted to cry. I think I did more walking than running in those last five miles, but I found out what hitting the wall really meant that day,” she added, admitting that her first such experience yielded a time of 3:55.
While she’s run Chickamauga five times, she’s been to Boston four times, including this year and last. Boston is always a special experience for any marathoner, but especially for her these past two times.
“I had already finished last year when the bomb went off. There was so much commotion and such that nobody really knew what was going on, but we got on the subway quickly and got back to our hotel before everything shut down.
“Being there this year was really special. I knew after last year that I’d have to go back. It was such an emotional experience as the people in Boston were so glad that we came back. It seemed like I high-fived everyone I saw during that race as I wanted to show my appreciation for their support.
“Maybe one day I’ll get to go back,” she said after a time of 3:41 in this year’s race.
Lisa is a regular at every Chattanooga Track Club race where she’s right in the middle of the battle for Overall Female Runner of the Year. She was runner-up in 2012 before finishing third last year.
“I got PRs at Raccoon Mountain 10K and at the 65 Roses 5K back in the spring, so I still have a few fast days in me as I get older. I used to run almost every day, but I need more rest now, so I only run five or six days a week.
“Running has been the best thing in the world for me. It’s great therapy and it’s probably saved my life. Running forgives a lot of bad habits. My mother has a lot of medical issues so running is my way of staying healthy.
“My blood pressure is perfect, my pulse rate is low and I still eat Reece’s Cups for dessert,” she laughed.
Lisa’s husband is named Joe and they’ve been married for the last 16 years. They are the proud parents of two young girls, including 11-year-old Sydney and Allie, who is 8. Joe runs a little, but he’s not into distance like his wife. They are all active, so that keeps everyone busy and happy.
“I’m either working, running or spending time with my family. Sydney is a level 6 gymnast and a middle school cheerleader, so I spend a lot of time serving as a taxi service,” Lisa smiled.
As it the case with a lot of runners in Chattanooga, Chickamauga Park is one of her favorite places to run. Raccoon Mountain is another.
“I love running at the park as I enjoy seeing the deer. And it’s always fun to see people come from all over to run races there, but I just love spending time there.
“The Raccoon Mountain race is a tough run, but it’s a beautiful place to run as well. Last year I had to run with my eyes closed, it was raining so hard.
“I also enjoy running in Winchester as it’s like a big trip down memory lane,” she added.
“I don’t want to be unhealthy. I used to run away from the stresses of life, but now I’m running for the right reason. I’ve lost some weight since I first started as I weighed more in high school than with either of my pregnancies.
“I’ve been really lucky as I’ve never had any serious running injuries, but I’m planning to do the Ragnar Relay this weekend. I’ve done it four times and I’ve run up Suck Creek and Monteagle Mountains. I love running hills, but I don’t enjoy racing on them.
“I’ve had another good year running. I just want to be like Sergio and to keep running for a long, long time,” she concluded.
Lisa has a busy life these days as all of the pieces are fitting together nicely. Running is just one of those activities that make things go just a little bit better.
(This is the 35th in a series of features on runners in Chattanooga. If you know of someone who might make an interesting story, email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@comcast.net)