What is your favorite distance and why?
I love the half marathon. Recovery is much more manageable than a full.
What do you struggle with most in running?
Consistency. Life is busy. I have a career with unusual hours, and kids involved in sports.
Do you rotate shoes and if so what is in your current rotation?
I love trying new running shoes! The ones I always come back to are Pegasus for general miles, Endorphin Speed for tempo/workouts, Alphafly for races, Peregrine for trail and Nimbus for recovery.
Do you have a mantra that you use when you are racing/training?
When I’m racing and get that feeling that things are coming apart I’ll use the phrase “Clear the Mechanism” from the movie “For Love of the Game”. It’s a reminder to shut out the noise, check my breathing, check my form, adjust those things, relax and get back into my body.
Do you ever feel unmotivated to train and if so how do you overcome it?
I feel unmotivated in running and in life every day! Motivation is a feeling, and feelings can’t be relied on. I do the things I have to do because they have to be done, regardless if motivated that day or not.
What is the best thing running has given you?
A healthier body, my social circle, a chance to relieve stress and make myself hurt, and an opportunity to travel.
What is your favorite race you have participated in and why?
NYC Marathon is my favorite for the total experience. The City, the crowd, the course. It’s the total package despite not really being a PR course.
How did you get started in running?
I got really fat after college. I baby stepped on a treadmill at work until I felt confident enough to go run around the block. After dropping around 100lbs I found that I actually enjoyed running and wasn’t bad at it. I’ve never looked back.
What is your favorite running workout?
I love a five mile tempo.
How many marathons have you run?
I can only find data for 12 but I know there’s more.
Who is your favorite professional runner?
I love everything about Des Linden.
What are the craziest race conditions you have had to endure?
2022 Indy- Crazy wind after mile 12, warm, humid, and light rain
2011/12? Flying Pig- Severe thunderstorms and heavy rain.
Do you have a goal race you haven’t done yet and why do you want to do it?
Boston (2024 fingers crossed), CIM, Big Sur, London (not Ohio).
Do you listen to music while you run and if so, what music gets you pumped up for a race?
I always listen to music. Race playlists are carefully curated to put “pump up” music in the right places, and chill music in the others. The first song for the corral/start is always the 1993 live version of Metallica’s “The Ecstasy of Gold/Enter Sandman” followed by Ti’s “Bring ‘em Out”.
