Can you give us a basic background?
I grew up as “an athlete” with three younger athletic brothers. My main love was swimming, but I played other team sports too. None of them required much running :). Then adult life came along and I really didn’t do much. About 10 years ago, life situations required some stress relief 🙂 and I headed to Carmel HS pool and found the masters group just starting. Over the next years I swam with triathletes who eventually talked me into trying a triathlon. A little crazy because all I had was a 25 year old bike and I certainly didn’t know how to run. That was the Go Girl in 2010 – still my favorite race because of all the women out there just trying to meet a goal or show they can achieve something they have never done before!
What motivates you to run?
Just feeling healthier. I have so much more energy when I have worked out. Swimming is still my “go to”, running is still a struggle, but I am finally working at it a little more and it is getting better and I enjoy it more.
What is your goal for this year?
Swimming goal was the 5K Big Shoulders open water swim in Chicago. Running goal the half marathon, Indy Monumental coming up soon! I have not done a half marathon in ten years – and I walked that. It has been almost 25 years since I ran (most of) a half. So this is a stretch for me!
What are you most proud of in your athletic endeavors?
Not one specific thing – probably just that I will try new things and keep at it. This started back in high school when my “fall sport” changed to the winter, so I had to find a new fall sport and since I didn’t run :), I chose archery. I was determined to learn how to shoot and our 4 person team ended up winning the state championship.
What is your go to workout song?
Where is your favorite place to workout?
Indoor swimming Carmel High School pool, open water swimming anywhere – it is so peaceful, “workouts” I just started going to St V’s sports performance at Clay Terrace and I really feel like an athlete :).
What’s your favorite hydration product?
Hmmm I probably need help here. Post race I love chocolate milk!
What is your favorite in race nutrition?
Definitely need help here.
Phone or no phone on your run?
No phone
When is your favorite time of day to run?
Morning, but not too early – give me a little time! I love swimming really early.
What is your favorite memory during a race or training?
My husband does not share the same love of working out that I do, but I have gotten him to ride bikes with me. Couple years ago, I had talked him into doing the Hilly Hundred with me for the first time. Late in the ride he said “ok so can we check this off your bucket list? A short while later I was proud of myself that I made it up Tabor I without getting off my bike and walking. I thought I had “made it”, but I didn’t realize Tabor II was still to come. On Tabor II, my derailer broke and I fell….at mile 97 … had to wave down the Sag etc… SO my husband said “I guess that means we are coming back next year”, because he knew I would consider that an “incomplete”. We did go back and completed the 100 :).
How often do you race/how many races have you done?
I like to do a variety of events, so I probably do about 3 triathlons each year and a swimming event or two. And a few fun bike rides. Lately I have started doing primarily holiday themed fun runs and have talked my family into doing many of them with me, which is really fun. I loved when my 18 month old granddaughter cheered me at the finish line of the Carmel 4th of July run and then she (ok we) did her first “kids run”.
What is your favorite running group and why?
Definitely Hills for Dinner! I had never found a running group that I felt like I could be a part of before because I was so not a runner and I felt I was so much slower than others. The Hills for Dinner group makes anyone feel welcome and the workout is set up so any speed can join in and be a part of it. This group has definitely been a help to my running improvement this summer and fall.