This is the twenty-seventh 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.

Intro

Today’s guest has grown to love running over the years – now doing so every. single. day. She’s making a transition to some longer distance races and we are honored to have her as an athlete with Duluth Runner Coaching.

She is a super motivated (and motivational) person, adores her daughter, and is currently a teacher at Century Elementary in Park Rapids, MN…today’s guest is Shannon Hogan!

Interview

Why is running important to you?

Where do I begin? Running is important to me for so many reasons. I honestly feel like it has almost been life saving for me at some points. I started running in 2011 when I signed up for a half marathon. I had been going through the end of a relationship, a move, a job search…just a lot of uncertainty. I signed up for a half for motivation to get out and get moving because I knew I needed to do something.

Training for that half was hard. I had no idea what I was doing, but I found I actually enjoyed running, which was huge for me, as someone who used to dread “the mile” in school and chose sports based on the least amount of running.

I ran off and on for a couple of years, then moved again to Park Rapids where I met a friend who was a runner. We began running together more and more. She signed up for races, so I did. It got to be a habit and I began to love it, plus I started to build relationships around running. It was great.

In 2015, I had my daughter, Dot. She gave me another reason to run, to be a good role model and hopefully slowly mold her into my future running buddy.

Now, it has morphed into something I can’t live without. I run everyday. It’s definitely something I do for my mental health. It calms me, challenges me, grounds me, and gives me purpose.

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

First, I make sure to add strength work into my weekly routine, especially focusing on trying to correct any imbalances. The second thing that I like to do is visit the chiropractor fairly often. She always seems to find some area that needs to be adjusted and I think that really helps me stay healthy.

I have had some injuries, although nothing major. When training for my first marathon a couple of years ago, I had some issues with my piriformis and my IT band.

I visited the chiropractor weekly during that time and did more stretching, foam rolling, sitting on a tennis ball, things like that. It was still pretty painful for the marathon, and I knew it was probably due to some weakness and muscle imbalance so I started to incorporate strength training three days a week and the issues went away and I haven’t really had any problems since.

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

I’d like to say I’m always motivated by knowing that at the end of a run I am never going to regret getting out the door and putting one foot in front of the other. I have never felt worse (mentally and emotionally) after finishing a run, and I know that I need to do it for my mental health. That’s usually true.

In reality, that doesn’t always get me going, so I always try to have something I’m training for. I like to sign up and pay way in advance because then I know I’ll hold myself accountable. I also am currently trying to keep a run streak going.

I started it on Memorial Day of last year and at least want to make it until Labor Day, when that came and went I thought, why not go for 100, then why not 365, so now I’ll keep going as long as I can. It’s become a regular part of my day, like brushing my teeth.

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

I have one main support in my running endeavors, my good friend Jodi. I met her when I moved to Park Rapids seven years ago. She was the “runner” of the school where I work. We formed a friendship around running and the hours of conversation we’ve had while running.

We train together, sign up for races together, cross train together…she really fueled my love of running. Now, we have a little different goals (she thinks I’m a little crazy for signing up for ultras), but she is always so supportive and will even travel to cheer me on.

When/what is your next race?

My next race is the Shamrock Shuffle in Bemidji on March 14th. The race I’m really training for with the help of Kyle and Greg is the Superior Spring 50k in May. It will be my first distance longer than a marathon and I’m so excited to see how it plays out.

Do you prefer roads or trails and why?

I only recently started doing trails, but I love them. I did the Wild Duluth half last fall and the Northwoods half in January, and have been running more trails in training. It feels more like playing in the woods. However, I do still like road races and how it’s more consistent pace wise. I think it’s nice to have a mix.

What is your most memorable race or running achievement?

My biggest running achievement is probably finishing my first marathon in 2018. It was after that marathon that I considered myself a real runner, which was silly because I had been running for years and had done a ton of races and several half marathons, but something about that marathon distance cemented it for me.

I never in my wildest dreams believed I could run 26.2 miles. That distance seemed so daunting, almost impossible. When I crossed the finish line of Grandma’s, I felt such a sense of accomplishment. At that moment I felt like I could do anything. And now, I want to run farther.

Memorable race – last year’s Minnesota Ragnar! I’m not sure I’ve ever had so much fun running, not sleeping, and living in a smelly, crazy van for a couple days.

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

My worst racing experience was a little Turkey Trot 5k in 2018. It was really cold and I was pushing Dot in the stroller on snowy, icy roads. The conditions weren’t the worst part, it was pushing a super crabby kid along for the ride.

She was cold and didn’t want to run in the first place, but we did anyway. Dot was upset the entire time and she wasn’t shy about letting me and everyone else know how unhappy she was. That 5k felt like a marathon. The joys of being a mom!

I have to say, she usually isn’t like that. Even now (she’s four), she still loves to ride in the stroller while I run and is normally excited for races, it was just an off day.

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

I guess what I want to share is two fold.

Last April my twenty-six year old cousin, Ryan, took his own life. He was an amazing young man… incredibly generous, caring, hard working, and he had a laugh that was contagious.

His death was so unexpected. I know it left his family and friends wondering if they missed any signs, if they could have done something to prevent such a tragic event. We knew he had been having harder times, but had no idea the extent of it. He kept so much bottled up inside, as do a lot of us. He was always the helper, always the supporter, he didn’t reach out for help when he needed it most.

Because of this, I am passionate about ending the stigma associated with depression and suicide. Mental health needs to something that can be discussed openly without shame or fear of judgement. It’s as legitimate and normal as any physical ailment, and many times is more debilitating. Mental health should be a priority and we should all feel comfortable reaching out for support when we are struggling.

The other element is that Ryan lived every moment like it was his last and threw himself into everything he did wholeheartedly. His death really changed my perspective on life. He had a motto that he had tattooed on him forearm, and that he lived by, it read “live fully today, for tomorrow is not promised.” And since his passing I’ve tried to embody that sentiment. Life isn’t promised. There’s no guarantee you’ll see tomorrow, the next hour, or even the next minute.

We need to live our passions, take risks, make mistakes, go out and find those things that give us a sense of purpose, a sense of wonder. We need to do the things that make us feel truly alive now. This past year, I have totally revamped my life because of that, I don’t want to waste any more time.

Closing

Many thanks to Shannon 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!