Tell us a little about yourself (kids, married, job)? I’m a newlywed (for the second time around) to the love of my life, Brien. We live in Tucson, Arizona with his son Michael, and we have three grown children (Zach, Alex and Mireya) and three grandchildren (Connor, Harvey and Adaline). We both work from home, so we spend the day listening to one another on conference calls talking alphabet soup the other doesn’t understand.
When and why did you start running? I started running in my mid-40s when I was playing in two tennis leagues but still feeling out of shape. Man was I right! I guess I caught the running bug pretty quickly, because within 2 years of starting I had run a half marathon, then a year later a marathon, 3 months after that a 50K (on a whim), and a 50 miler two days before my 50th birthday.
What keeps you motivated to train? I love the feeling I get when I am in a race, surrounded by other runners who share my love of the sport, knowing that there are few people in the world who choose to do this. We are truly blessed.
What are your hobbies outside of running? Are we supposed to have hobbies outside running? LOL I am really enjoying my strength training class twice a week. My husband and I like to hike in beautiful places and plan to get an off-grid camper so we can do more adventuring.
What is your favorite race? So far? I have a soft spot in my heart for Big Turtle 50 Miler, because it was my first, and Tuscazoar 50 Miler because I got to spend time with two of my teammates, aka the “Ultra Crazy Crew” (Elizabeth and Matt). Hopefully many more races to find and love in the future!
What is your bucket list event? I need revenge on Javelina 100k someday, God willing.
What is the funniest thing to happen to you during a race? I got “married” during the Tuscazoar 25 miler! Yes, there was an aid station set up like a wedding chapel, and my friend Janet and I donned a veil and a top hat respectively, and recruited a random runner to be our “man of honor” (we thrust a bouquet in his hand and he took a photo with us LOL). What a blast that race was – best aid stations ever!
What is your proudest race moment? Crossing the finish line at my first half marathon has to rank up there – it was three weeks after I had a pulmonary embolism (and missed what was supposed to be my first half), and I was thrilled to be alive and running.
What is the one thing you wish you knew when you first started running? That winning isn’t the goal (for most of us) – the goal is to learn, grow, and have a blast! Whether you come in first, middle, or dead last, if you cross the finish line having accomplished those things, that is the reward.
What is your best piece of advice for new runners? Don’t feel like you are “too slow” to run with other people, or be embarrassed to ask questions. We were all new once, we all felt like we would hold everyone back, and I can tell you from experience that other runners are generally the most welcoming people around. Get out there and find buddies, they make the journey so much more fun.