Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Sometimes I get so lucky I feel like I should play the lottery more. I believe every coffee shop in Edmond has a religious affiliation. I have a bad habit of telling stories really loudly. My favorite book of all time is Ella Enchanted. I’m a registered Independent. Cute running clothes are my weakness. I didn’t win Homecoming Queen but once I won an iPad. My favorite holidays are Halloween and New Years Eve. My favorite food is sweet potato fries. I love to run.
When did you start running?
I guess I technically started “running” in college. But all that consisted of was running by the Fraternity houses and then getting Jamba Juice afterwards. I seriously considered wanting to be a “runner” in the fall of 2011. I joined an employee wellness program at my place of employment and set my goal to run a 5k at the end of the program.
Did you ever run that 5k? What was your most memorable race?
On December 3rd, 2011 I ran the Santa Run in Downtown OKC. My time was around 41 minutes. My PR for a 5k distance was 33:49. Quite an improvement!
Stop bragging about your time and answer the question.
Okay, okay! I would say that my most memorable race would have to be the first half-marathon that I ran in April of 2012. I had trained and trained and the week of the race I got a head cold. It was really rough but I had prepared so much and looked forward to it that it was so emotional during the entire race. I ran the OKC Memorial Half Marathon and it was one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself. I also lost like 35 pounds. I’m hoping to lose the weight I’ve gained back (I’d say around 10 lbs) plus a little more.
Hmm. Then what is your running diet?
I eat a lot of oatmeal, sweet potatoes with goat cheese, protein, and BIG salads with lots of veggies and usually salsa for the dressing. I make “taco” salads with chicken and taco seasoning, salsa, avocados, and lots of veggies. There is also a “Thai Chicken Salad” from a place in Edmond that I love. It’s leafy greens, chicken, carrots, cucumbers, and a spicy peanut sauce. I ate that a lot when I was training.
What is your favorite thing to eat before & after a long run?
My “pre-long run” meal is usually half a bowl of oatmeal with peanut butter and a banana. Lots of water. Coffee.
After a long run I usually reward myself with some kind of pastry. Like a giant chocolate croissant. After a race, I love beer and wine and liquor and all sorts of fried appetizers.
So you like to drink?
Yes, yes. This is going to be the hardest part of my training. Last time I trained for a half-marathon, my social life was pretty much cut in half. I didn’t drink for about 4 months. It was really good for me at the time and it helped me tremendously. It will be a little harder this time around. But I am willing to make the commitment.
What do you listen to when you run?
It really just depends on what mood I’m in. I have a Spotify playlist that you can access here, and it’s ever-changing. I listen to top-40, hardcore rap, country, pop, rock, etc. My favorite song to run to is Stronger by Kanye West. I also love to listen to Beyonce/Destiny’s Child when I run.
When was your running “breakthrough?”
I really remember it like it was yesterday. It was a Saturday morning in January and I decided to go for a run. I remember that week before I had gone to Zumba and 2 Yoga classes. I started off my usual running route and realized after the first mile I wasn’t stopping. Then I ran the second mile, and third, until I started getting blisters on my feet. That’s the day I started thinking about running a Half-Marathon.
How do you feel after a good run?
Ugh, I feel strong, skinny, starving, sweaty, like I can take on the world, like I just dominated the road and like I gave a great gift to myself.
What kind of cross-training are you doing?
I would love to incorporate lots Yoga into my training. The studio that I have gone to before is kind of expensive, so I’m thinking about turning my living room into a yoga studio. I’m going to light incense, candles, turn the lights low and try to find some good yoga videos on Netflix. I plan on utulizing http://www.doyogawithme.com/ as well. I think that I’m going to try to go to the studio a few times during my training.
Ah, a yogi. Are you a vegan too?
No, I love any and all types of red meat. Especially steak.
What are you passionate about?
Steak. My memoryfoam mattress. Sweet potato fries. Writing. Living life. Pioneering experiences. The Walking Dead. The perfect rainstorm. Halloween. Old musicals. Cozy bookstores. Dogs. The sound of snow. Coffee. Relationships. The feeling you get when you start to fall in love with someone. James Taylor. Taylor Swift. The ocean. My friends.
What training plan are you using?
I am using the Hal Higdon Half Marathon Novice 2 Training App.
Monday – Rest Day (30 mins Yoga)
Tuesday – Run (3 miles and increasing)
Wednesday – Run (3 miles and increasing)
Thursday – Run (3 miles and increasing)
Friday – Rest (30 mins Yoga)
Saturday – Long run (4 miles and increasing)
Sunday – Cross (60 mins Yoga)
How many half-marathons have you participated in?
One, in April of this year. The OKC Memorial Half Marathon.
