The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1059287
44 ■ THE WOLFPACKER running continued after her NC State career ended. However, the infrastructure around her running career changed when she was on her own after college. "There were a lot more distractions because it became all about the business of finding work and trying to train for the [1984] Olympics," Shea said. "I was just trying to cobble to- gether to pay rent and be on my own." Shea's running career and essentially her life reached a crossroads in 1984. She had arthroscopic surgery on her knees her junior year at NC State, and then both heels needed surgery in 1984, after which she had to relearn how to walk again. Her dreams of participating in the 1984 Olympics and running in- ternationally were dashed. "I was sad," said Shea, who wanted to make the squad with former NC State teammate Joan Benoit. "I had to drop out of the Olympic Trials. Joan won the Olympic Trials and went on to win gold [in the first-ever marathon]." Running still was fun, even after the agonizing rehab, but she remembers running in a local race and a fellow runner asked her "Didn't you used to be Julie Shea?" "I was like 'Yeah,' and she goes, 'What happened to you?'" Shea recalled. "I was crushed. I should have said, 'Life hap- pens.' I just wanted to crawl under a rock. I wasn't at that same level." The world of banking drew her in after her running career came to an end. Later, politics became a focus and sometimes she has combined her banking and political passions to help get projects off the ground. The root of her mission is to always as- sist people who need help in life. "Just recently, I've become a partner, co-developer and owner of a senior development center in Pinehurst, N.C., which was very difficult to get approved," said Shea, whose past political career helped her clear the roadblocks. "Serving low and very low income folks is very beautiful." Shea was elected three times to the Raleigh City Council and also started the CoolKidsRun youth program in Raleigh a little over nine years ago, which she turned over after leaving the area. Stanford distance runner Connor Lane, who attended Shea's alma mater at Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons High, is one of the success stories from the CoolKidsRun program. She hopes to start giving back to the community in her new home area now that she has some free time, complementing her passion for creating art. "I went to see the kids run in the AAU cross country meet in November," said Shea, who admits it was hard to leave behind her extended family at CoolKidsRun. "I want to be involved in the community up here now that the house is finished. "I'll be exploring different things and outreach programs." Shea half-joked her own knees have too much mileage on them to run now, though she tries to stay in healthy shape through swimming and water aerobics. She is always encourag- ing others to follow their running dreams. "It is restful and peaceful here, but I still like to come to Raleigh," Shea said. "There is a lot of history in Raleigh." ■ Shea has served on the Raleigh City Council and started the CoolKidsRun youth program in Raleigh, but has since retired to the mountains of North Carolina. PHOTO COURTESY JULIE SHEA SUTTON "I didn't feel any pressure because I felt perfectly comfortable at NC State. My dad taught there and I already knew the campus." ■ Shea on staying home to run at NC State