We are still looking for a few folks to help out with the 2017   Fiesta of Five Flags 10K & 5K, which will occur on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 7:30 AM.

If you'd like to contribute, please contact us at PensacolaRunnersAssociation@ gmail.com.

Did you compete in high school or collegiate cross country or track? I ran cross country in high school but at the time, I looked at cross country as a way to get in shape for soccer and softball. Looking back, I wish I would've put more into it.   

How many years have you been running? I have been running off and on for most of my life, starting with running club in elementary school but I only began to start following structured running plans in the last few years.  

Lifetime personal records: 

Running Achievements for which you are Most Proud: I am most proud of earning a BQ at the Albany Marathon last year.  It was definitely the most challenging race I have ever run.   

What running events do you train for or what are your training goals? Depends on the year.  One year I may focus on running a fast 5k, another may be a half-marathon or marathon.  Goal races have never been the same from year to year.  There are a few races that I try to run every year that I can manage to just because I enjoy the race, like Fiesta, Double Bridge, Sea Side, & PBR, but none of them have ever been a goal race.

 

How Many Miles Do you typically run when not injured and consistently running?

What does your typical week of running look like? This applies to the winter when I hang up my bike.

How does your training vary over the course of a year? During the summer, I never train for races.   I just run.  It's always nice to take time off and just enjoy running.  Summers are a good time for me to switch it up because being a teacher, I don't have to work.  Sometimes I do some cross fit workouts.  The last few years I have thrown in some swimming during the summer months.  (I'm no good, but it is a nice change) This year, for the first time, I will switch to training for triathlon, which I'm excited about.   

What injuries have hampered your training over the past year? Thankfully, I have not had to deal with any injuries during training.  I have had plantar pain or tendonitis here and there, but nothing serious enough that it has hampered training.  

What type of running shoes do you prefer? 

What are your favorite running routes? Anywhere new and different! I'm always excited to get to run in new places.  My favorite thing to do when we travel is to run.  I feel like you can't truly experience a place unless you're out in it and running provides an amazing way to do that.  My husband and I used to laugh at some friends of ours that were always running on their vacations.  Now we are those people, and the runs are ALWAYS our favorite part.  I have enjoyed running in Central Park, through the park trails in the Cuyahoga Valley, and in the mountains in North Carolina, but so far my favorite place we have run is in St. Johns.  We were there in September this year and ran every morning.  We would start at one secluded beach, run roads or trails through cliffs and find another secluded beach.  We would open water swim with sea turtles, or explore some little reef and then run another trail until we found a new beach.  It was amazing!    

What running resources do you like that would benefit someone else? I got a so much better understanding of my training from the Jack Daniel's book Running Formula.  It is a great resource.  We are really fortunate to live in an amazing and active community with so many resources for runners of every level.  Running Wild is amazing and does so much to support the running community.  Tri Gulf Coast is also wonderful.  

What advice do you have for beginning or experienced runners to help them with their training? For beginning runners I say, don't be discouraged.  You may not be elite, I'm certainly not, but that doesn't mean your goals and your PR's aren't great achievements!  Also, get a partner.  Speed work is best when done with someone else, someone you encourages you and helps you keep going.  It makes a huge difference!  Lastly, get involved.  The Pensacola area has so much to offer active adults.  Being involved with races, running organizations, training groups or anything helps make running a part of your life and not just what you do to exercise.  

When I had my first running injury, a stress fracture in my second metatarsal, I was devastated. I could not run or bike, my doctor even looked at me with that doctor's head tilt when I asked if I could go swimming. During my first week of
stupid-broken-foot-irritation, I started to see what I could do. I found aqua jogging, as many athletes do. The type of aqua jogging where you put on the belt and pretty much reenact a duck- lots of motion under the water, barely moving up above the water. At first I felt embarrassed; here I was a speed of about 2 minutes per 25 yards crossing the pool trying to not tip over in my jogging belt. The embarrassment soon passed as I began to feel my heart rate increase. Sure my body stayed cool in the pool water but my heart really thought I was running a marathon.

I consistently used aqua jogging to train during my injury, while slowly getting back on the bike (on a trainer) and "non push off" swimming. At the end of a jogging session my legs felt worked, but I noticed my knees, which had been through rough times, were not hurting. Through aqua jogging I was able to return to running shoes and run the Double Bridge Race, with little road training.

At first I thought after having healed from my broken foot I would give up aqua jogging, but I honestly thought, "WHY?". Why would I give up something that made me feel better and stronger? Why would I give up something that allowed me to "run" more without the pain? Why would I give up something that offered a means of recovery for me and my muscles? Well, I could not think of a good reason.

Benefits to aqua jogging (besides when injured):

With all these benefits you would be hard pressed to not jump in to aqua jogging. Give it a shot and see how you feel, it is one more tool in the toolbox of exercise. And don't worry the little old ladies are very friendly!