This is the seventieth 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
“Hi, I’m Elise Sertich and this is me!
I’m a junior from Cloquet and I steal apples off of apple trees when I’m on runs.
I have always said that I’m not a runner, that I don’t run, etc. I joined cross country when I was in 7th grade but never really understood the point of running up and down hills in the woods. My older sister (Lauren Sertich) had been running for 3 years before me so I’d been to many meets and races, still never understanding why people run voluntarily.
Even though I suck at reminding myself to drink water, and remembering to actually stretch and do a cool down post-race, I’m still a runner and even better, a teammate to the girls I run with.”
Interview
When did you start running?
I started running after multiple days of convincing by the history teacher/xc coach, Mike Bushey. He would spend days at my locker during passing period telling me to join the team, which I finally did after about 2 weeks.
Why is running important to you?
Running is important to me because it’s always an option. If I need to get frustration out, I go on a run; or if I’ve had the longest day all I need to do is put my headphones in and go out. It’s simple and doesn’t require much to get started.
What keeps you motivated when you don’t feel like heading out the door for a workout?
When I don’t feel motivated to go on a run or to even get out of bed, I let myself sit for a few minutes and then I tell myself that I’ll a) feel better afterwards and b) can buy ice cream after. Either one always works.
What do you love most about being on a high school cross country/track team?
Being on a high school team whether it’s track or cross country has always been fun. When it’s the track season, the 3200 is always the best race because you have your entire long distance team screaming at you to keep going. When it’s the xc season, I always have someone there to warm up with me before, or steal apples off of apple trees after. We are also infamous for running in the middle of the road and going into Walmart to buy french bread. The girls that I’ve ran with are basically my second set of sisters.
Do you prefer roads, trails, or the track and why?
I don’t technically have a preference for where I run, as long as the view is a little pretty. I’ve run all over the place and there’s always something to look for. For example, the trails have butterflies and raspberry bushes, and the track is consistent so I don’t get lost (which happens quite a lot).
What do you think about while you run?
If I’m running with my team there’s always something we talk about from the day, what teacher was boring or what assignment we’re dreading. We always have something to talk about and if we don’t then we’re probably jumping into rivers or figuring out a way to fish with a stick. If I’m running alone, I usually have my Beats on and am listening to Amy Winehouse on full volume.
What is your most memorable race or running achievement?
My most memorable race was almost 2 years ago, I was a freshman who had been on varsity track for the first time. My goal that season was to break 6 minutes in the 1600 (which was fast for me) and I PR’d with a time of 5:45 at True Team State.
Name one racing experience you would like to forget (please describe).
One racing experience I would love to forget would be the conference cross country meet last season. I hadn’t been getting enough food or water, and stretching wasn’t a word in my vocabulary. I was very tired, and 99% sure I pulled one of my muscles from a workout that week.
The course we ran on was basically all uphill, and we had to run over pavement (in spikes, ouch) multiple times. I cried a few times, and collapsed at the finish because my knee was the size of a softball, then didn’t talk to anyone after. I slept the whole bus ride home and went to bed as soon as I got to my house.
What is something non-endurance activity related you would like to share with readers?
One thing that I will always be caught doing when I’m not running is either taking pictures on my camera (of anything and everything) or buying a book I don’t need. I love being able to look back on my camera and see all of what I’ve done. My girlfriend is the main subject of my pictures and if not her, it’s butterflies or the moon (I’m obsessed with both!). My favorite book of all time has to be either Little Women by Louisa M. Alcott or The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Closing
Many thanks to Elise 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!