MK:How did you first get into running?
I first started running in college. Growing up I had always played some sort of sport and decided not to in college, so when I got there I had a lot of extra energy and started running just to help get rid of some of it. One day I ran past cross country practice and they asked me if I would be interested in joining the team and then told me that I would get free shoes and a trip to Hawaii out of it, so I was sold. I've pretty much been running ever since - no matter what is going on in life or where I am at, running has always been a through line. It is because of running that I have met some of my very best friends. It has helped me explore new cities and areas, and has helped me sort through countless problems or issues in my life.
MK:What inspired you to start running marathons?
My friends and I had always talked about running marathons when we were running cross country in college and daydreamed about one day all running the Boston marathon together (which we did in 2009). I guess running takes a certain kind of masochist that dreams of running 26.2 miles while already running... hahaha
MK:What are your favorite local running spots?
The American Tobacco Trail is always nice and serene when I'm in the mood to just zone out but all of the Greenways around this area are great, too - I love exploring all of the new areas!
MK:Do you have a favorite run club?
Hands down the Holly Springs Run Club - they are the most inspiring, fun loving, open and kind group of people I have ever met. Since the very first run I participated in, I felt included and welcome! They have AM and PM group runs almost every day, are very family friendly, and most PM runs begin and end at family friendly breweries - can't beat it!
MK:How did you train for this half marathon?
After having my son last September, I planned to run the Raleigh Rock and Roll half marathon in March and got back in decent shape for it. However, this summer was so hot and I was so unmotivated that I lost a lot of the fitness that I had worked so hard to gain back in the spring. I started getting some base mileage in during August (about 20-25 miles a week) and then started doing long runs and some speed work in September. Ideally I would run 4 days a week, at least 2 of which were with either one or both kids in the jogging stroller and just try to fit it in where I could. Saturdays I would always wake up early to get my long run in before the kids and my husband woke up (or at least try to).
We generally eat a pretty balanced and healthy diet in our house, although pumpkin baking season is my very favorite. I'm all about the balance, so I definitely indulge in the baked goods and pumpkin beer as long as my meals are healthy during the day. A friend had asked what I was doing for diet when it was getting close to race day and I told him that I was going to just cut out the Halloween candy and weekday drinking for a week... he laughed but I was completely serious!
MK:How do you juggle the kids, work and your passion/training?
It is definitely difficult to juggle young kids, keep the house/family running smoothly, work part time (albeit remotely) and maintain sanity. I just try to carve out time for myself as much as possible by either waking up early or squeezing in short runs when it wouldn't inconvenience the rest of the family too much. Many days after dropping off my daughter at preschool, I would put my son in the jogging stroller (since it was his naptime anyways) and head out for a jog while he got some fresh air and napped. I just had to be flexible knowing that the schedule of a 1 year old and 3 year old isn't at all reliable or consistent. Lastly, it also helps to have a supportive husband who knows how much I need to run to keep my sanity - we regularly trade off kid duty so that the other one can workout.
MK:What do you think about while running a Marathon?
This is entirely dorky but I am a big numbers person so I do a lot of math in my head! Whether it be just seeing an address and dividing it until it becomes a prime number or calculating my expected finish time based on my most recent mile split (which I do after about every single mile), I do lots of math. This past race was great for all of the crowd support and spectators - that helped me keep my mind off of things a lot. Everyone was out cheering and kept telling me that I was the first female so I focused on the energy of the crowd a lot. I rarely run 'home' races (I usually make a mini vacation out of marathons) so this race I also thought about all of the time I had previously spent running those same routes and visualizing race day.
MK:When did you realize you were going to cross the finish line first?
I got a little boxed in at the beginning of the race and had to sprint around some people and ended up passing the other leading women during that time. I figured they would come back and pass me, but I never saw another one again the entire race. It probably wasn't until mile 5ish when I saw a friend who told me that they couldn't even see the next woman that I realized I was probably going to win. I was at a good pace and felt like I could keep it the whole race and even left some in the reserves in case someone started pushing me and I had to pick it up a little.
MK:How did it feel to cross the finish line?
The entire time that I was training for this race I kept thinking about what it would be like to finish as the first female in my hometown race and do it with my daughter watching. She may not realize it yet, but I hope that one day she can look back at it as a lesson that you can achieve your goals with hard work and determination. I hope that she will see the pictures of us crossing that line and be proud (and maybe even think that her mom actually used to be a bit of a bad *ss). When I told her about the race and that mommy wanted to win it, she told me that I had to beat all of the other mommies and she wanted to do it with me. I knew that I couldn't push her but I promised her that she would finish the race with me and we would be first. I played that scene in my head countless times as I trained and when it happened, it was even more perfect than I ever imagined. (She already has some competitiveness in her and is sure to tell anyone that will listen that she leaned across the finish line and actually beat me)
MK:What did you think of the 1st Annual Holly Springs Half Marathon?
This race was so obviously put on BY runners and FOR runners. Every single detail was planned out exactly as a runner would want it (with real bathrooms at the beginning - priceless!!) The route was challenging because of the many hills in Holly Springs, as well as fresh mulch that was laid at Bass Lake because of Hurricane Matthew, but it was my favorite half I have ever run. I might be a bit partial, but Holly Springs is just gorgeous and we have such a great community here! All of the spectators that lined the course were incredibly supportive and really helped push me along.
MK:Where are you from originally and what made you choose Holly Springs as a place to live?
I grew up in Cleveland, OH and moved to Cincinnati for college and stayed there for about seven years after. I have always loved the Outer Banks (and got married there) and I decided to run the OBX marathon for my 30th birthday. While we were there, my husband started researching Raleigh a bit more and we loved everything about it. Less than two months later we were here! You can't beat the location of just a few hours to the mountains or beach. Plus the growth, the local economy and the schools, it was a no-brainer for us. An added bonus is all of the people that we have met here. It is incredible how friendly and open to new people everyone is - since most people are also transplants, everyone is looking to make new friends and we have loved every minute that we have been here!
MK:What do you like about living in Holly Springs?
We absolutely love, love, love Holly Springs!! It is close enough to everything that you need but still has a small town feel. The parks are so beautiful, the people so kind, and it still seems like a small southern town - can't beat it!
MK:What is your favorite place to take the kids in the community?
We love storytime at the library here in Holly Springs as well as all of the parks!! Our favorite park is Jones Park because it has two different size play structures for the kids and also the greenways are right there. If the kids get bored at the playground, we can go play around in the woods for a bit and change things up. Doesn't hurt that Mama Bird's ice cream just opened up about three minutes away. :)
MK:If someone is thinking about trying to run a half-marathon, what would you tell them about how to get started?
I think a half marathon is definitely attainable for anyone! You just need to get up, take the first step out of the door and DO IT! Find groups around town, a friend to hold you accountable, whatever it takes but just start now. Start with intervals (3 minute run, 1 minute walk) and gradually increase the run time... or don't. Whatever works for you, but just get out and do it - you will surprise yourself! There is no better feeling than feeling strong, accomplished and proud of yourself.
Photo credit: Jessica Sahoo Photography
