When and why did you start running? I ran a marathon on my 30th birthday many years ago, then injured myself during a trail half marathon and didn’t start up again until I took a job in another state 22 years later. I needed an exercise routine that I could do anywhere with minimal equipment investment.
What keeps you motivated to train? I like exercising outside, and I don’t want to lose the strength and endurance that I’ve built up since beginning to run intensively again in 2019.
What are your hobbies outside of running? Hiking, gardening, taking photos with my phone.
What is your favorite race? The Cades Cove Loop Lope – the only road race inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
What is your bucket list event? Can’t say I have one quite yet
What is the funniest thing to happen to you during a race? I was the very last person to finish my only marathon (Sugarloaf Marathon in Maine) – the ambulance was driving just behind me across the finish line.
What is your proudest race moment? Finishing that marathon!
What is the one thing you wish you knew when you first started running? That strength training and yoga would be key to my knee health.
What is your best piece of advice for new runners? STRETCH