Attorneys are known for their competitive nature, and Stephanie Matherne, family law partner at Estes Thorne Ewing & Payne, is no exception.
It was a casual remark from her husband, John, during the COVID-19 lockdown that prompted an unexpected shift. A military veteran and long-time runner, John had renewed his commitment to daily runs during the shutdown. One morning, as he was heading out, he jokingly asked Stephanie if she wanted to join him.
He wasn’t serious. He expected her to decline.
She didn’t.
Though she had taken the occasional spin class and ran a little bit in high school, Stephanie hadn’t seriously pursued running before. But something about that moment – maybe it was the monotony of lockdown or maybe the opportunity to prove a point – pushed her to give it a try.
That first run led to another. Then another.
Soon, she wasn’t simply trying to keep up, she was focused on improving. She learned proper technique, increased her endurance, and started to see real progress. After running regularly for two years, she set a goal: to run the 2022 Army Ten-Miler alongside her husband.
The Army Ten-Miler, held every October in Washington, D.C., is one of the largest races of its kind in the country. Organized by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, it draws tens of thousands of participants in support of Army Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs.
Stephanie’s training was going well, until her calendar filled up with another major date: the expected arrival of her first child. After speaking with her doctors, she and John determined she could still participate safely. On race day, October 9, 2022, Stephanie was 16 weeks pregnant, but she finished the race, and the experience sparked a lasting passion for the sport.
Following the birth of their daughter in early 2023, she set a new goal: running a half marathon before her daughter’s first birthday. In January of 2024, she traveled to Houston, a city she fell in love with when she attended Rice University, to run the Houston half-marathon. She’s currently building up for another half-marathon this fall, while thinking about whether a full marathon might be in her future.
What started as an offhand challenge has turned into a consistent, self-driven pursuit – one more example of Stephanie’s focus and determination, in and out of the courtroom.