This week's East Nasty of the Week hails from Maryville by way of Iowa, is a devout Cowboys fan and is training to run a half marathon in Las Vegas. It is my pleasure to introduce you to our newest ENOW, Kimberly Koch!

MS Walk in Big Bear, CA with sister Karen

Kimberly was born in Burlington, Iowa. Her dad was in the military so they moved a few times before landing in Maryville, Tennessee. She lived there most of her life until she went to college. In Maryville, Kimberly was a total geek in school and would never have considered running, but was in the band and color guard.

Kimberly left East Tennessee and headed to Tennessee Tech for college and has stayed in Middle Tennessee for most of her life. She loved college and at one time had a desire to be a dentist. She actually went to dental school for a short time and realized that digging around in someone’s mouth was not for her. She finished up at Tech with a BS in Chemistry. Now Kimberly works for DuPont in Corporate IT.

2012 Women's 5K with Susan Malone, Christine Sowell, Peggy Stanfield and Glenda Crowder

Kimberly started running on January 3, 2011, with the East Nasty Couch to 5K program. She heard of East Nasty through Glenda Crowder, who is in a book group with Kristine Mylls. She will always be grateful for whatever conversation inspired Kristine to invite her book group friends and for them to invite Kimberly to something as crazy as running on a 30 degree night in January. She had no idea how much running with this group in East Nashville would change her life.

Kimberly loves the fact that East Nasty is open to anyone. She has always felt welcome and has learned so much from her fellow runners. There is always someone around who knows someone who has done that race or who has had that injury. It is a comfort to be part of such a group. It is amazing how you can not see someone for weeks and just pick up where you left off and catch up over a three-mile run.

Knoxville_finish_all -- Knoxville Marathon Relay team with Susan Malone, Glenda Crowder and Peggy Stanfield

Kimberly's most memorable East Nasty experience is, "just being able to starting running with East Nasty. I love the fellowship and cherish all of the friends that I have made over the last few years." Her biggest accomplishment is staying with it. Her times have gotten better and she can run distances that she never thought her body could do. She is proud of herself for sticking with it over the last three and a half years.

When she's not running, Kimberly loves to spend time with her dog Gracie and her family and friends. She likes good books, Jeep rides, watching football (Cowboys fan), traveling and has been told she is a good cook. Her next running adventure is the Las Vegas half with her friend Susan Malone.

Kimberly, congrats and welcome to the ENOW club!