Jamie
1. Did/do you always find running enjoyable?
Running is something I love now, but I have had seasons of my life when I hated it. My first year as a 7th grade cross country runner I wanted to quit and bouncing back after each baby and injury is tough because I expect a lot to happen quickly.
2. What is your favorite distance?
My favorite distance is the marathon. I’m actually in love with the training for it. I learn so much about myself with each one.
3. What do you struggle with most in running?
I struggle most with running after a long exhausting day at school. If I tried to run before work I would need to get up at 4:30, so I run right when I get home. Getting out the door is the toughest part.
4. Do you remember your first 5k, half marathon and/or marathon time?
I’m pretty sure my first 5K every was around 33 minutes heading into my freshman year of high school. I jumped into a summer road race and got a big wake up call in adding that third mile to what I was used to in middle school. I’ve never actually raced a half marathon hard, so I never remember that one. My first marathon was a terrible experience!! I took 3 years off after that one! It sleeted straight into my face for the second half…and yes I remember the time.
5. What is your advise for someone looking to improve speed and/or endurance?
To improve speed or endurance I would say either try a new plan you haven’t tried before to push yourself in new ways and find a group of people that are faster than you to train with…but be aware of your limits.
6. What is your can’t live without running gear, besides shoes?
My Garmin and my iPod shuffle.
7. Ok shoes, do you rotate? If yes, how many in rotation – explain.
I should rotate…but often don’t because I lose track of miles on each or which left goes with which right. My college track coach always told us that running shoes work like sponges. If you wear the same pair every day, you continue to beat them down a little bit more each day without fully allowing the cushion to spring back. If you rotate, you allow the cushion the time it needs to spring back each day. If you stop by our house on a random day, you can usually see John’s 7 or 8 pair all lined up near the door…that could be a few too many…ok…I’ll order another pair right now…I’ve just guilted myself into rotating shoes.
8. Do you have a mantra that you use when racing or training?
I tell myself to welcome the pain and embrace the fatigue rather than to be fearful of it. I also tell myself to inhale twice from my belly for each exhale and to use my thumbs to feel my index fingers to clue back into the present moment in my body. Weird…I know…but it keeps me from thinking too far ahead of myself.
9. Do you ever feel unmotivated to train? If so, how do you overcome?
I get really unmotivated to train during the school year. Luckily I have my husband to remind me how upset I will be with myself if I don’t do it!
10. What is the best thing running has given you?
Running has taught me patience…but the best thing I have always gotten out of it, since starting with my first cross country team (27 years ago…wow…a little dose of reality here) is the people I meet. Running has ALWAYS led me to the best community of people imaginable….my tribe!
Jamie is not only a very talented runner, but she is a great thinker. She gets the team thinking about what they want in life and in running, which is a great complement to marathon training. Now, if we could just get her to make enough of her delicious dinners for the team every night, we’d be all set!
