Half-marathon training a family affair for local woman

Personal trainer Paula Smith is training for the half-marathon run of next month's Rock 'n' Roll Raleigh event. And so is her son.
Posted 3/20/2015, 11:14:59 PM Updated 9/23/2025, 7:50:43 PM

>>> THE ROCK AND ROLL MARATHON

AND HALF MARATHON PRESENTED BY

WRAL IS NEXT MONTH.

RUNNERS ALL OVER THE STATE AND

THE NATION ARE TRAINING FOR THE

EVENT.

>> A RALEIGH WOMAN MAKING THIS

YEAR'S HALF MARATHON A FAMILY

AFFAIR.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A LITTLE

CHILLY THE MORNING WE CAUGHT UP

WITH PAULA SMITH.

THAT DOESN'T KEEP HER FROM

RUNNING.

SHE JUST HEADS INSIDE TO THE

YMCA.

TRAINING FOR NEXT MONTH'S ROCK

AND ROLL HALF MARATHON.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK IT'S

PHYSICALLY HARD.

IT'S MORE IN THE END MENTAL.

>> Reporter: SMITH IS A

PERSONAL TRAINER.

SHE'S BEEN RUNNING SINCE HIGH

SCHOOL.

SHE COMPLETED LAST YEAR'S ROCK

AND ROLL HALF MARATHON.

>> IT'S A GOOD SPRING RUN.

IT'S A LOT OF EXCITEMENT.

A LOT OF SPECTATORS OUT

CHEERING YOU ON.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHEN SMITH

ASKED HER 12-YEAR-OLD SON GRANT

IF HE WANTED TO RUN HIS FIRST

HALF MARATHON THIS YEAR.

HE SAID YES AND THEY'VE BEEN

TRAINING FOR MONTHS.

RUNNING AT LEAST A FEW TIMES

EACH WEEK.

>> WE'RE DOING TWO SHORT RUNS

AND THEN WE'RE DOING OUR LONG

RUN ON THE WEEKENDS.

>> Reporter: THE SMITHS LOOK

FORWARD TO THEIR TIME TOGETHER.

MOM SAYS IT'S A GREAT WAY TO

CONNECT AND HAVE FUN.

>> I WANT IT TO BE A GREAT

EXPERIENCE FOR HIM AND IT'S AN

ACCOMPLISHMENT AND SOMETHING

HE'LL KNOW, HE'LL BELIEVE

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE IF YOU PUT

YOUR MIND TO IT AND GET THROUGH

IT.

>> Reporter: AND GRANT SAYS

HE'S GOT THIS.

>> ONCE YOU TRAIN IT'S MORE

BELIEVABLE THAT YOU CAN DO IT.

>> NOW THE MARATHON IS SUNDAY,