What is your favorite distance and why?
I love the half marathon. It is long enough that it tests your mental toughness/endurance, but short enough that you can push the pace.
What do you struggle with most in running?
Time and balance of running and cross training.
Do you rotate shoes and if so what is in your current rotation?
I am a Saucony lover. I use the Kinvaras for fast workouts, and the Rides for long/easy mileage. I currently race in the Nike Vaporfly originals.
Do you have a mantra that you use when you are racing/training?
I trend more toward the ‘tough love’ self-talk, so a lot of ‘you are tougher than this’ and ‘dare to go there’.
Do you ever feel unmotivated to train and if so how do you overcome it?
Rarely do I feel unmotivated. Training is my outlet. It is the one thing that I do for me, and only me. If I get in a slump, I usually up my cross training and decrease my mileage till I get my itch back. I also try to reduce my mileage in between training cycles, so I go into a training cycle eager to run ALL the miles.
What is the best thing running has given you?
Friendships, teammates, and the guts to go for it (whatever ‘it’ is) no matter how many tries it takes to get there.
What is your favorite race you have participated in and why?
Oh man! My favorite races are actually ones that have started out as a “here goes nothing”.
Emerald City Half 2016 was when I broke a 1:50 half (a big game changer for my runner self). That race gave me the confidence to go bigger than what is comfortable.
Carmel Marathon 2019 when I (finally) qualified for Boston was the best I have ever felt in a marathon, and it was pouring rain 90% of the time. I had the best company, and was patient. I am not a marathoner at heart, so patience is hard for me.
Emerald City Half 2019 was an unexpected NYC qualifier (my last goal I was chasing before my 40th bday). I had my original gangsta training buddy by my side for the first half, and just ran by feel the rest. I didn’t realize till about mile 10 that I was on track to run a qualifying time, so a definite kick for the last 3. Beautiful course, beautiful weather. It all just came together.
How did you get started in running?
Since 2008, I always ran one half marathon a year. It wasn’t until after I had my kids in 2016 that I wanted to try and break a 1:50 half. After a first failed attempt, I started to learn about training and speed work, and met some amazing running friends in the community. They are the reason running has snowballed into more than ‘a half marathon a year’. Peer pressure at its best!
What is your favorite running workout?
Oh boy. I am a sucker for long, sustained workouts. Some favorites are 3 mile HMP/2 mile 10k/1 mile 5k OR 2MP, 2 threshold, 2 5K (still haven’t conquered this one).
How many marathons have you run?
Four ranging from 4:53 to 3:31. Boston 2020 will likely be my retirement marathon. I’ll keep chipping away at the half.
Who is your favorite professional runner?
Desi is amazing, but I am more driven and inspired by the runners that are kicking butt on the road without all the ‘professional runner’ support and frills. Columbus has some FAST women out there, and they are balancing it all while having a career, raising children, etc. Those are the people that inspire me.
What are the craziest race conditions you have had to endure?
Carmel Marathon. Pouring rain, windy, but THANK GOD no lightening.
Do you have a goal race you haven’t done yet and why do you want to do it?
Yep. Sub 1:30 half (6:52 pace). I like to take my fastest mile in a race and turn that into my next race pace goal. It will take me time to get there, and I have stepping stone goals along the way, but my eye is on seeing 1:20s one day.
Do you listen to music while you run and if so, what music gets you pumped up for a race?
Yep. It is a must. Mini rave in my ears while I run. Love some house music, and techno remixes of pop songs. Don’t judge.
