This is the second edition of The Duluth Runner Interview Series, where I get in touch with (mainly) local runners and athletes to share a bit of their story while inspiring others to pursue an active lifestyle.

I am not one for lengthy intros, so you will not get them as part of this series. However, I will be providing you with SOME details about the interviewee 🙂

Intro

Like the first edition, today’s interview features another former Bulldog Cross Country and Track/Field athlete. Our time at UMD overlapped, as she also attended from the fall of 2007 to spring of 2011. She is currently the interim assistant coach for the Bulldog Women’s Cross Country team…today’s guest is Taylor Nystrom (Marble)!

She has ran many races since graduating, including the historic Boston Marathon, something that is definitely on my bucket list! She will also be hitting the double-digit barrier for marathons this spring, what a machine! Since Taylor is much more interesting to listen to than me (should it be read?!?), let’s jump in!

Interview

Why is running important to you?

The importance of running to me has evolved over the years. When I first started running in the 7th grade, it was to socialize and a time to hangout with my friends. I enjoyed competing for myself, but also as a team. As I began to appreciate the sport more in college, it became more about pushing myself, setting goals and working hard to accomplish those goals. After college, when I began to get into marathons, running became about pushing myself to limits I never thought were possible. Last year, I completed my first ultra and this spring, I’ll be participating in my 10th marathon.  

What are the top two or three things that you do to prevent injury? Have you been susceptible to certain injuries in the past?

Most recently, I have tried to incorporate a strength training program as part of my training regimen in order to help with preventing injury. I also like to do some hip exercises (Myrtl Routine) and use resistance bands for glute exercises to help strengthen and improve my running form.

I luckily have not been susceptible to many injuries in the past. However, this past December I was sidelined with some tendinitis in my right foot so marathon training was put on hold. I have also found that as I have gotten older, recovery is really important to help prevent injury, so I try to make sure I stretch or foam roll after long runs or workouts – it makes a big different the next day.

What keeps you motivated when you don’t feel like heading out the door for a run?

It always helps having something on the calendar to train for but I know that is not always the case for everyone. If I’m not training for a specific race and am lacking motivation to get out the door, I know that if I just do something active – whether that’s running just one mile, ten miles, or a run that turns into a hike – I know that I will be a better version of myself and that always helps me have a reason why.

There are always runs/workouts that I dread or try and make excuses to give me a reason to not do it, but I always end up feeling better afterwards – most of the time, it’s mind over matter. Another trick I tell myself, is to just give it one mile – get through one mile (always the hardest one) and then re-adjust your thinking or goals for that run if need be, because you’ll most likely feel better that you got out the door and got through that first mile.

Who is in your running support group (training partners, people to bounce ideas off of, etc.)?

For the past five years, I have been a member of the Oiselle Volee team. Oiselle is a women’s running apparel company based in Seattle, whose mission is to create a sisterhood of support at a variety of levels from beginners to professionals, from the roads to the trails to the track. They are committed to fostering a team that challenges, supports and empowers runners of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. We have a great group women who participate on the Minnesota team that are spread all throughout the state. We host bi-weekly group runs and meet-ups at races throughout the year.

Locally, I was lucky enough to get introduced to a group of women in Duluth a few years ago who meet regularly throughout the week and Saturday mornings, where runs typically end with post-run coffee and camaraderie. There are all ages, abilities and runners training for 5k’s all the way up to 100-milers. From what I understand, some of those who still come to run today, started meeting over 20 years ago – the group continued to grow by inviting others and eventually the group became names Running With Friends (RWF).

I would also include my family and my husband as part of my running support group – they have been by my side since I started running in 2005. My dad started running marathons when I was in 5th grade, my twin brother and younger sister both competed in college, and my mom has been to every single one of my races.

When/what is your next race?

Eugene Marathon in Eugene, OR – April 28th, 2019

Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon in Duluth, MN – June 22, 2019

Do you prefer roads or trails and why?

Definitely trails. Getting to explore the trails in Duluth made me fall in love with the city and the sport even more.

What is your most memorable race or running achievement?

I would probably say that running my first Boston Marathon in 2014 is my most memorable running experience. It was the year after the bombing and just being a part of the running community in that city during marathon weekend was something I’ll never forget.

Constant cheering along the entire course, so loud that you couldn’t even hear yourself think but making that turn onto Boylson Street into the finish, gave me chills and brought me to tears because it wasn’t about running  – it was more about the American people – coming back together, stronger, standing up against terrorism, honoring those whose lives were lost – who happen to run marathons.

Name one racing experience you would like to forget (please describe).

Along with running my first Boston Marathon, I was also pretty naive about the fact that I was coming from months of training in Northern Minnesota winter and the race was going to be my first time running in shorts/tank top since the previous fall and temperatures were in the mid-70s.

Standing in the porta-potty line, I noticed other runners putting on sunscreen but it did not register in my mind that with the later start, I would still be running at 2pm in the afternoon and that my pale, wintery skin would need some protection. They had given us “Boston Strong” heart-shaped tattoos in our race packets that I wore on my shoulder.

I finished slower than expected, but was very dehydrated and miserable afterwards, so much that I couldn’t even eat until the next day, a painful second degree sunburn and a tan line on my shoulder of that heart for a full year. I loved everything about my first Boston Marathon experience, but I will NOT be making that mistake again.

What is something non-running related you would like to share with readers?

My husband and I live in Duluth with our dog, Meeka. I enjoy camping, skiing (water & snow), kayaking and craft beer – how can you not with so many great options here. We like to vacation in Iowa – on Lake Okoboji (if you know, you know).

Closing

Many thanks to Taylor 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!