This is the eleventh edition of The Duluth Runner Interview Series, where we get in touch with (mainly) local runners and athletes to share a bit of their story while inspiring others to pursue an active lifestyle.
Intro
Today’s guest is a Duluth area runner who spends her free time on area roads and trails, both on foot and bike. Her roots stem back to the powerhouse cross country program at Duluth East in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. This experience no doubt inspired her as she and her husband, Mike Bushey, shared their passion for running with a generation of kids as coaches of the Cloquet High School cross country teams for almost two decades.
Any night of the week, after her work day as a speech and language pathologist, you’re bound to see ‘Z’ and her dog on the trails in and around Jay Cooke State Park. Look for her tomorrow at the Superior Spring Trail Race 25K! Today’s guest is…Jody Zeleznikar!
Interview
Why is running important to you?
Running is so many things to me! It is an opportunity to socialize with friends, solve world problems in my head and enjoy the woods. Obviously, I enjoy the health benefits of running as well. Burning calories and staying strong as I get older are perks. Another bonus, it exercises my “hunting dog” so that she’s a nice girl in my house!
What are the top two or three things that you do to prevent injury? Have you been susceptible to certain injuries in the past?
Yoga, riding a bike and strength training are definitely important to staying healthy. Sometimes, it is so hard to choose yoga and strength training but I can tell when I haven’t made time to fit those in during the month. It continues to surprise me how just 1-2 times per week really can make a difference.
I enjoy riding my bike and it is nice to get fresh air and exercise while still giving the legs something different to do. However, given the choice, I will always default to running!
When I was twelve years old, I sprained my ankle running cross country. Ever since then, I have consistently sprained that same ankle a couple of times a year. I did get some strengthening exercises from a physical therapist a couple years ago that have definitely made a difference.
Otherwise, I feel lucky to have dodged the typical endurance athlete’s issues. I do get a tight Achilles or hamstring every once in a while which are just little reminders to pick up my weights and hit a yoga class.
What keeps you motivated when you don’t feel like heading out the door for a run?
Dottie, our 2 year old English Pointer, is quite convincing when I need an extra push to get out the door. However, if I really don’t feel like running, I don’t! I’ll go for a walk or snowshoe, bike ride or sit and read a book. I don’t ever feel like I have to run. I guess I probably never really meet my potential as a runner but I also don’t get injured. Several years ago, Jarrow invited my to run with the Northwoods Running Team. The people in this group definitely inspire me to run a little longer or try a new race. I’m very fortunate to associate with the runners for NORTHWOODS!
Who is in your running support group (training partners, people to bounce ideas off of, etc.)?
Bushey, my husband, is probably my best support. I don’t always like what he has to say but for the most part, he will keep me honest and tell me what I need to hear. If I’m training for an event, he is always checking in with how I’m feeling and making suggestions to help me along.
I’m also extremely lucky to have a large group of friends that I can connect with. I have a good friend Joe and a group of ladies called the Dames that I can tap into for running buddies. The Dames are good for early morning workouts such as speed work or hill repeats which can be tough to do at the end of a busy day. Most of them are working mommas and are trying to get their training in before the day starts. It is not unusual to have a group of 5 or 6 of us running up Thompson Hill at 5:30 in the morning!
I also am lucky to be able to call on Greg Hexum, the Guru of All Things Running, to learn about training methods, injury prevention and pretty much anything else under the sun. Hex knows all (according to our household) and Bushey and I have tapped into his knowledge and expertise both as athletes and as coaches.
When/what is your next race?
Right now I’m training for the Superior 25K with my friend Joe and I’m signed up for the fall Superior Trail Marathon. I am still hoping to find an event to do out West either in Colorado or Montana but we haven’t quite figured out our summer travel plans yet.
Do you prefer roads or trails and why?
I’m definitely a trail runner! I will run a little bit of gravel road in the spring but I would say 90% of the time, I’m in the woods. For me, it is more about being able to tune out everything and just be in nature. On the roads, there are way too many things that I have to pay attention to. Traffic, dogs, people, etc. On the trails, it’s just you.
We are lucky to live within “spittin’ distance” as my hubby would say to Jay Cooke State Park on the Superior Hiking Trail. We are a 10 minute drive to the Mission Creek Trail system and Magney. We picked our home based on being able to run Gill Creek whenever we wanted!
What is your most memorable race or running achievement?
Honestly, Bushey and I were talking about this and it’s a tough one to answer. I really like to train for an event to see how fit I can get while still staying healthy. For the most part, the training is much more fun and challenging than the racing. My most memorable races are the ones that other athletes have run. Helping my friend TJ complete his first 100 miler or seeing one of the Dames crush a PR are much more interesting to me than my own racing achievements.
Bushey and I have coached the Cloquet Cross Country Team for several years and watching kids race and lay it all on the line will make me cry almost every time. Even at a little practice meet like Chub Lake, I will tear up to see an athlete that is towards the end of the pack dig deep to switch gears in order to pass someone sprinting to the finish or complete a race without walking or even just to stand on a starting line despite their fears. Racing is emotional.
Name one racing experience you would like to forget (please describe).
Now this one is easy! I ran the Curnow a couple years ago and went out way too fast. The first part of that race is really more of a road run which allowed me to get a little carried away. By the time the race got to my home stomping grounds, I was toast! One of the aid stations is literally around the block from my house and I was seriously contemplating walking home.
Luckily, at the aid station, this gal named Erika was working. At the time, she was a high school runner for Carlton that I had gotten to know and admire from coaching Cross. Erika filled my water and I thought, “Dang it. I can’t drop out in front of Erika!” I doubt that she even knows that she kept me from my first DNF in running. I ended up finishing and sent a long email full of self-flagellation to the Dames vowing to be the best darn Curnow Volunteer for the rest of my life!
What is something non-running related you would like to share with readers?
I’ve been running since I was about 5 or 6 years old. My mom used to send me and my sister down our quiet country road with instructions to run until we met up with Dad’s car coming home from work. During that time, I’ve run in many states and met tons of runners.
The Dames often refer to me as “Running Jesus” since I seem to have an idea or answer for almost any question. That being said, the number one message I have for all athletes, from the 7th grader starting Cross to the oldest runner in the Dames is that running is something you DO, not who or what you are.
If you make every decision in your life based on being “a runner” you will miss out on some pretty cool things. Live your life, eat the chips and salsa, have the glass of wine, enjoy the piece of cake and run because you want to!
Closing
Many thanks to Jody for agreeing to stop by The Duluth Runner and share some of her knowledge/experiences with everyone. I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Interview Series – stick around for more to come!
Photo by John Thomas on Unsplash