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I've been running for... Two years.
I started running because... I needed something to replace
cycling. Cycling is a lot more time consuming and sometimes
difficult to fit into my school/work schedule.
If I could no longer run... I would cry, join weight watchers
and seek out another challenging activity.....probably get back into
yoga, maybe join the Ski Broncs - just kidding - & the YMCA crew team, learn
to kite surf and try-out for SURVIVOR and The Amazing Race.
My favorite run is... The Rock Cut trails, excluding mile
13 - 15 of Larry Swanson's famous Hobo Run. I've only run the trails
once or twice this year but last year I did it almost every weekend. It's
so refreshing and peaceful to be in nature, away from traffic and shielded
from the sun - which I worry that I get too much of. I also enjoy the YMCA
5:15 group and the YMCA noon group. I don't run with the groups
as often this year as I'd like because triathalon training keeps
me busy. I miss the noon group with coach Wilmarth and all the
girls: BethAnn, Cathy, Ann, Carol, Chris, and Tet. Oh yea - I can't
forget to mention Road Crew. I really hate doing speed work (sorry if
that stings a little Coach Ron) but I love the camaraderie.
My favorite thing to do after a hard workout is... Shower and
go to bed, or go out for breakfast/dinner with my running companions.
I like to run with... Everybody but especially people who tell me I'm a goddess (can't mention any names - u know who u are. ha.) and people who are really cheerful & chatty like Ed Clucas, Jim Micho, Tonya Thayer, Jim Bove & Brian Miller, Carol Bingley...etc. They seem to have an endless supply of energy and never tire. When I am too tired to talk they just keep chit chatting away. It entertains me and distracts me from my discomfort, pain, fatigue and/or misery :) An obstacle or challenge I've oversome with my running was... Basic training was such a miserable experience for me. There were days when I thought "I'd rather run a half marathon everyday for seven weeks than suffer the misery and discomfort of this!" The work-outs that we did were a piece of cake. My Training Instructor sized me right away and said "i bet u thought u were going to coast through here. We'll I've got news for you - you are going to suffer." I did. He could see that I was a confident person who was not easily intimidated and that I was in good shape and physically fit. He found other ways to terrorize me - he yelled at me and humiliated me all day long - pointing out all of my imperfections. I'll never forget the first time I went to church. It was the only place where the TI's can't get to you. You can laugh, cry, dance, sing, hug your friends, hold hands and just sit and relax. It was a contemporary service and I was watching a music video clip of a girl running a marathon on the big screen. It opened the flood gates and I cried like a baby.
I missed my life and the freedom of being able to run when I wanted
for whatever distance I wanted, wherever I wanted, and talk or laugh if
I wanted. One of my most memorable moments during basic training was getting
a first place trophy for my division in a 5k race on base. We had a choice
of running with the flight or individually. It was liberating to be
able to do something for ME. It also made me a little bit
of a celebrity - I can't tell u how many times people said "aren't u the
girl that won the 5K trophy?" The attention was nice :)
When I'm not running I like to... Read, swim, bike, spend time
with friends, go to the theater. So far this year I've seen
STOMP, Rent, Wicked, Blue Man Group, and a couple RVC Starlight Theater shows.
I am inspired by... Too many people to mention. The
running community has been so good to me. I used to look at race
results to see who the oldest person was in a race. I hope that I am able
to run and do triathalons well into my retirement years.
Amputees are also inspiring. I ran a race in San Antonio during Basic
Training that was supporting veteran amputees - it was great to see them
running. One guy had to stop at the curb to remove and adjust his
prosthetic leg because he was having comfort issues. I am in awe of
anyone who is strong enough to overcome the challenge of a physical set-back
and persevere.
The local runner I most admire is... Again, too many people to mention. I enjoy seeing Mary Maier and her husband at all of
the races. She is just a genuinely happy, nice person. (Qualities
that most athletes seem to posses). I've never seen her in a sour
mood or heard her complain about anything. She's always smiling and cheerful. She's
a tough cookie who doesn't let an injury from a cycling accident prevent
her from staying active and it is sweet to see that her husband is clearly her
biggest cheerleader. Years from now, I hope that I'm still running
and enjoying it as much as she does.
My greatest athletic accomplishment is... Finishing the Rockman Half Ironman as my first triathalon. It was described by the overall female finisher as "insanely difficult." My next goal is... The Racine Half Ironman in July and the
Milwaukee Marathon in October. It'll be my first marathon.
My advice to other runners... 1. You Can Do It!!!
2. Quit obsessing over every little detail like split times and beating so and
so in your division -easier said than done, right?! Remind yourself
to be grateful that you are ABLE to run. Many people are not so fortunate.
I plan to run until... Larry Swanson is eaten by a bear, Ed Clucas shaves and I get down to about 15% body fat = NEVER. ha.
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Copyright Rockford Road Runners 2007 |
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