Lead Photo by Scott Rokis.
This is the sixtieth 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
“I’m basically the girl next door except that I have 6 siblings, grew up down a gravel road with no electricity or running water, 60 sled dogs and no one knew if I was a boy or a girl because I was such an extreme tomboy.
Of course now I’m super modern! I have been married since I was 19, we have 3 cooler than normal kids, electricity and I even have a cellphone.”
Today’s guest is…Gretchen Metsa!
Interview
Why is running important to you?
I have Type 1 Diabetes and my daughter who’s now 13 years old was diagnosed at age 5. I joined a local support group with her, so she could see other kids doing things like checking their blood sugar. Parents started reaching out to me with questions. I realized I didn’t have confident answers to the athletic/high energy output type questions. I was also unsatisfied with the answers I was finding from others and the health care field.
Having a child living fully reliant on insulin and whether we want to admit it or not this makes her/us vulnerable and dependent on others. This changed what I was willing to accept as good quality of life.
Running became my tool for learning. It has definitely been a process. I have been able to be an example to my kids on the importance of perseverance and seeking education. I found everything works together and has its place, our minds, body, food, fitness, insulin, the Endocrinology department and of course technology.
I’m so proud of Mialynn, she is often saying things like “Mom did you take insulin for that!?” Years ago she announced “Mom, someday I’m going to do an inline 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?
I believe that consistency in our diets and lifestyle are key for healing and longevity. Soo, to me that means: don’t make running your main mental health outlet, eat 85% healthy choices and 15% Gin and Corn Chips.
I have had Planter Fascia and Achilles stuff plague me. Honestly, I figured it would always be an issue. Getting a coach changed this for me. I thought I was pretty decent at making my own training plan but I guess there was a little too much idiot mixed in with my smarts. An educated coach has the wits to shape the training. It includes growth and recovery timed correctly, along with stretches and my favorite, mobility. It was totally worth looking into for me.
What keeps you motivated when you don’t feel like heading out the door for a workout?
My philosophy: “Life is just a ton of little decisions!”
Who is in your workout support group (training partners, people to bounce ideas off of, etc.)?
I have great siblings and family. They often take the kids and would stand in the cold for hours if I asked – and I have asked!
I have a few guy friends I get long runs in with occasionally. My friend Tammy Davis is my voice of reason but she is also the first to tell me I can achieve a step above what I actually believe I can do.
Of course, Jake Hegge/Trail Transformation has been my 2021 all seeing eye. He told me I couldn’t ride my Onewheel during certain training blocks…but what’s not on GPS never happened.
I’m so grateful for the people in my life! Of course, this seems like an unworthy acknowledgment. I hope that I can enrich their lives as much as they have enriched mine.
When/what is your next race?
Oh baby! It’s Arrowhead 135, 2022! Yes, I can feel the fear and I want it!
Do you prefer roads or trails and why?
In my next life, I will be a road runner that goes trail runner. That way I can have top end already built in. Currently though I vote “Trail.” Why? “Because the woods is my favorite place to be.”
What do you think about while you run?
I think about the eternal now and draw energy up from Mother Earth. If only I could run barefoot, but it hurts my feet! Soo, instead I think mostly about nothing and things that are too inappropriate to mention.
What is your most memorable race or running achievement?
2019 Superior 100. I took it out so chill that I didn’t take care of the basics. I laid in a ball at Sugarloaf, mile 72 for literally hours trying to get a grip. I knew there was still enough time left to walk to the finish. Adam and my sister Anna Rose took turns hiking with me. In the home stretch, Adam popped out from behind a tree holding a sign with a orange star colored on it. You know, The Superior Star Patch! Between DNFing 2018 and being able to push through the suffer fest of 2019, I found a new appreciation for a finisher award. And that’s what winning feels like!
Name one racing experience you would like to forget (please describe).
Is this like the Neuralyzer device from Men in Black? Truthfully, I would never look into that red blinking light! I choose to keep all memories.
Closing
Many thanks to Gretchen for stopping by Duluth Runner to share some of her knowledge/experiences with everyone. I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Interview Series – stick around for more to come!