SOUTHPORT CORRIDOR — Describing yourself as part Bridget Jones and part Forrest Gump pretty much ensures having some hilarious mishaps under your belt.
Dana Ayers promises that's the case.
As a former White House staffer and author of "Confessions of an Unlikely Runner," Ayers learned how to run "all while admittedly not getting much faster, much thinner or more disciplined," she writes.
Ayers will share some of her tales at Fleet Feet Sports, 3359 N. Southport Ave., at 5 p.m. Thursday, ahead of the 6:30 p.m. Chick Night run.
Ayers got her start as an assistant in the White House on Sept. 10, 2001. On her second day, the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon changed everything.
In her four years working with domestic policy and White House management, Ayers provided support after national disasters like Hurricane Katrina and managed presidential events. Once, she turned herself into a physical barrier from a "swarm of journalists" to protect Bill Gates, Ayers said.
Her first race was with former President George W. Bush more than 10 years ago.
After four years at the White House, Ayers worked for FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security before switching to a Washington, D.C., management consulting firm in 2007. She is also a public affairs officer for the U.S. Navy Reserve.
In 2011, Ayers began blogging about her daily adventures. From living on a bluegrass band's tour bus to some "unbelievable dating experiences," Ayers turned the blog into a book in August.
Declaring herself an ambassador of slow runners, Ayers has completed dozens of challenges, from the Warrior Dash to the Army Ten-Miler and the Country Music Marathon.
On Thursday, Ayers will share some of her best misadventures as a slow, but determined, runner and sign copies of her book before joining participants on the Chick Night run.
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