Here's a look at Ohio first lady Karen Kasich. Now that her husband, John, is getting some national attention, here's 6 things to know about her:
1 Karen Waldbillig Kasich is an Ohio State University graduate and a native of Upper Arlington, a Columbus suburb.
Credit: Anthony Shoemaker
Credit: Anthony Shoemaker
2 She ran the 2010 Air Force Marathon in 4 hours, 10 minutes and 10 seconds.
She said running through the “chute” of planes just before the finish line gave her chills.
Taking part in her second marathon, Kasich, 46, finished in 4 hours, 10 minutes and 10 seconds. She was greeted at the finish by her husband and 10-year-old twin daughters, Emma and Reese.
“I didn’t know she was doing this until she was way into it,” John Kasich said. “She rocks. She crossed the finish line, it was like she was out for a Sunday stroll.”
She's also ran in other area races including one in Springfield in 2011.
3 She left her job as Vice President of GSW Worldwide, a health care advertising agency, to stay home full-time when her daughters were toddlers.
4 She married John Kasich, who was a Congressman, in 1997 and they have 16-year-old twin daughters, Emma and Reese.
Credit: Anthony Shoemaker
Credit: Anthony Shoemaker
5 Karen Kasich works on children’s fitness and women’s heart disease prevention issues. She teamed up with Nationwide Children’s in Columbus to develop free, 10-minute videos geared toward K-5 classrooms statewide.
6 Karen beat John on the giant slide at the Ohio State Fair at least once.
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