My journey of running didn’t start until I was in the my 20s and working. I worked for PwC at the time and traveled a lot with a guy that always ran and I said, I can do that! And the rest, well they say, is history. Over the years I have been a more avid runner and starting in 2019 really focused in on my performance and hired a coach. I started running in 2006 and only ran 47 miles that year. It’s been a lot of miles focusing on speed and endurance since then!
I always like the Polar Bear Grand Prix because it’s a series to focus on during the winter. There aren’t a lot of other races going on during that time of year and this keeps me focused on my running and allows me to continue to measure my progress. I train best when I have a goal on the horizon that I can focus on. I also love competition and believe it brings out the best. The hills of Cherokee park are a great place to demonstrate that.
My favorite distance to run is 10 miles. There aren’t a lot of ten milers out there; so I run half marathons the most. I find this the perfect distance to be challenging, fun, allows me to focus and walk away from a race not too run down. I look forward to my long Saturday runs with the Fleet Feet group/team.
My favorite run, albeit it I haven’t done it since before COVID, is the Embarcadero in the San Francisco. I love the energy of running along the water and sights and sounds of it all. It’s such a great stretch of parks/piers in such a busy city and you always see runners out there.
When it comes to favorite thing about running, I would say I now love the social nature of it. For years, until 2022, I ran solo expect races but starting in 2022 I joined the Fleet Feet Racing team and that really changed running for me. While I still enjoy the solo runs, the long runs with a group have really changed my runs and give me something new to look forward to on Saturday mornings!
When it comes to favorite races, I think I would say the Miami Half Marathon because there is just something about running along the water during sunrise that is so beautiful. I have run that race twice and it’s changed a lot over the years. It was a very small race when I first ran it in 2008 and when I returned to do it again in 2019 it was HUGE with over 30,000 runners from around the globe.
The number one question I get from folks getting into running is what shoes should I get? My answer is always the same: the ones that work for you and go to a running store and get fit. A good pair of shoes are key to ensuring your legs, feet, knees, ankles are all properly supported. The shoes that work for you may not be the ones that work for me.
River City Races a great way to see old friends and meet new ones. They have a great hometown vibe and I enjoy the stability of the schedule year to year. you can count on them to be fun events with good courses.