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When did you begin running and why?

I began running when I was about 11 years old. A friend convinced me to sign up for our middle school's track team with her. I was actually pretty against it at first and I really didn't want to become a long distance runner. I tried out every event (including a few throwing and jumping events) before I finally gave the longer running events a chance. After a few weeks I was hooked!

 

How did you find out about DCRRC and when did you join?

When I first moved to the DC area I looked online for local running clubs to join and came across DC Road Runners. That was early November 2016 so a little over two years.

 

What are you training for right now?

I just finished training for Richmond so I haven't started training for another big race yet. Right now I'm just trying to get ready for the holiday relays!

 

What is the toughest run or race you've ever participated in?

The Army 10 Miler this past October was probably the toughest. My Achilles had been pretty aggravated in the weeks leading up to it and I ended up almost dropping out at mile 5 because of it. I actually stopped for about two and a half minutes. I think it was the wake-up call I needed to get myself to the doctor and add in more pool runs to my training for Richmond.

 

What's your favorite part about being a DCRRC member?

I love the comradery of it! Everyone is so encouraging and truly want each other to do well. I also enjoy the various events, like the happy hours or the holiday relays.

 

What's the most important lesson running has taught you?

A positive mindset can take you a long way.

 

What is your favorite route in the area?

It's probably a tie between Ross Drive and Battery Kemble Loops.

 

What race day traditions do you have?

I'm pretty superstitious so I have quite a few. I have some that make sense like having pasta with red sauce and some sort of protein the night before a race, eating something three hours prior to the start of the race, and warming up an hour before (unless it's a marathon). An unusual one is painting my nails in team colors the night before. I used to do a different design each time using two or three colors back when I was in high school and college, but recently I've been sticking with one. I don't know how it started but it does come in handy, I've had so much practice painying my nails over the years that I never have to get them don't professionally for events!

 

What's your proudest running moment?

I think it's a tie between qualifying for ECACs (a regional meet with a time based entry standard) for the 10K in college and finishing my first marathon. When I qualified for ECACs I hadn't raced the 10K since the year prior and I was pretty unsure of what my goal should have been going into it. I ended up working together with a runner from another team who I had trained with that previous summer when we had both been doing nearby internships. We both qualified by a decent amount and it was a PR for me by almost two minutes.

 

Going into Richmond this past November, my first marathon, I was just happy to have made it to the starting line. For the past couple of years I've had a stubborn Achilles issue that's prevented me from getting through training. I signed up for Marine Corp in 2016 and Richmond in 2017 but both I had to scratch both years. I went into this past Richmond with the mindset that I just wanted to get to the start and the finish without any major issues, I wasn't very concerned about my pace. In fact, I didn't take a split the entire race, I wanted to go by feel. I think that was the right move for me this particular race because genuinely had a great time racing. Finally being able to cross the finish line was just incredible!'

 

What’s your life like outside of running?

Outside of running I work at the US Patent and Trademark Office as a Patent Examiner.

 

What is one thing you wouldn't run without?

Two hair ties. I've learned the hard way that one is never enough!