How I Go Columbia: Aneesah Deen-Carlos

Aneesah Deen-Carlos will lace up her running shoes this Saturday, May 20, as she prepares to run her eighth Governor’s Cup half marathon.

As director of training and organization development at Lexington Medical Center, Deen-Carlos is responsible for the staff training, orientation, soft skills training and leadership development of the medical center’s employees and managers. It’s a role she came to 10 years ago after a 20-year career with Time Warner Cable.

It was shortly after starting with Lexington Medical that Deen-Carlos joined a running group through the Health Directions Wellness Center.

“I didn’t start running until 2008 (and) my running group inspired me and got me hooked,” Deen-Carlos said.

In 2009 she ran her first half marathon – the Governor’s Cup. Since, she has completed 35 half marathons and three full marathons and is working on a goal of 50 half marathons by age 50.

EAT

Food is music to my runner’s ears and there are so many great places that I love in Columbia. Because I live in Lexington, Arkos, for their Sunday brunch, and Private Property are two of my hometown favorite places.

DRINK

Again, in Lexington my go-to is Arkos for their specialty drinks. My favorite place in Five Points is Cellar on Greene. I love the atmosphere, the small plates and the great wine selection. They have the best ambiance to enjoy great tapas and a glass of champagne, especially as a treat after a race or a long run.

SEE

A day on Lake Murray or along the Columbia riverfront is always fun for the whole family, year round.

LISTEN

Rhythm on the River at the West Columbia Riverfront is just an awesome summer gathering of good music and entertainment, and a lot of my running friends will gather there after our long Saturday runs to enjoy good music and friends.

PLAY

I am not a fast runner, but I have found a love for running and the awesome running community in Columbia. I usually run through the Lake Murray dam and through the streets of Lexington, or sometimes the Columbia riverfront, but I never pass up the opportunity to run one of the many awesome downtown Columbia hilly races.