This is the seventy-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
Tiffany started experimenting with running when she was 16, but didn’t make any real improvements until triathlon entered her life in 2010 and the rest was history.
In 2016, 2017, and 2023, she competed on Team USA in triathlon as an age group USA triathlete team member at the Olympic Distance World Championships in Cozumel Mexico, Rotterdam Netherlands and Pontevedra Spain where she placed 2nd overall in the world. Over the course of her athletic years, she has qualified for and competed at Worlds in the Triathlon 70.3 distance, pulled off a few wins in running races from the 50k ultra marathon distance down to the 5K, as well as mountain bike races and cross county ski races.
She even dabbled in body building winning overall in the bikini division in 2009 at the NPC Gopher State Classic and NPC Upper Midwest and competed at Junior Nationals in Chicago, but one of her biggest athletic accomplishments was reaching her goal of a sub-3-hour marathon which she pulled off twice in 2022 after 7 years of trying.
“When it comes to running, the credit goes to my father. As a runner himself, he was the inspiration. He never won a thing or reached his goal of a sub 2 half marathon, but none of that mattered. He was always a super star in my book, a real elite. Seeing him prepare for months, toe that line, and cross the finish line lit a fire in me and created a belief that I could do it too.
I ran the Garry Bjorklund, my first half marathon with my father when I was 17 or 18 and have been running ever since, however, my start wasn’t pretty. It probably didn’t help that my father believed that a proper half marathon taper meant doing absolutely nothing for two weeks before race day. I’m sure the two-custard stuffed long johns I ate on the way to the start of that race didn’t do me any favors. That race involved my father having to carry my water waist pack for me and pulling me to the finish hand-in-hand because I thought I was going to die. A wonderful memory for him, and an awful (but now hilarious) one for me! Back then I would never have believed that I would someday run a 1:24 half marathon.”
Interview
Why is running important to you?
Running sure is a wonderfully simple way to get exercise and provides me with a great sense of feeling alive, connection to a greater importance, the feeling of strength and freedom. I’ve learned that I thrive on a sense of accomplishment whether big or small and feel empowered by it. Running provides that for me.
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’ve had my share of running injuries (planter, stress fracture, IT syndrome, variety of knee issues, etc.) and due to those, I have sure learned a lot about what I call “prehab exercises” to help keep old and new issues from popping up.
Most mornings I foam roll, do some nerve gliding, stretching, random Physical Therapy exercises and core exercises. Secondly, I do a lot of cross training (mainly biking, swimming and weight training). I’ve been the least injured when I regularly cross train. Thirdly, I really try to listen to my body and take rest and easier days where needed but as many other exercise enthusiasts, I often find doing so easier said than done.
What keeps you motivated when you don’t feel like heading out the door for a workout?
Luckily, feeling unmotivated is rare for me, but it does happen, and when it does, I focus on how I’ll feel after completing the workout. I remind myself that I won’t have any regrets and will feel better overall if I get myself out the door.
Knowing oneself sure helps. I’ve learned that the longer I sit around on a given morning, the less motivated I become. I’ve also learned that I need something on the calendar, an event of some kind to focus on. Committing to an event remains a big motivational driver for me as my mind becomes flooded with the steps, I need to take to see myself to the start line leaving a lot less room to think about how nice the couch feels.
I’m also lucky enough to have a variety of training partners. If I have a plan to meet someone for a workout, I’m less likely to waste any brain power debating whether I should bail or not. Once I commit, I’m in!
Who is in your workout support group (training partners, people to bounce ideas off of, etc.)?
I’m fortunate to have a running coach (Tony Stensland) and a large support group of training partners that range from runners to triathletes to mountain bikers and swimmers! I don’t mind training alone, but I often end up meeting up with one or more people. My husband is also active, extremely supportive, and enjoys being my bike mechanic. 😉
Living in Duluth most of my life has also been great for connection building. I have quite a few acquaintances and friends who work in the medical industry, and I’m not shy about making an appointment. I’m a huge fan of regular massage and chiropractic work with my favorite practitioners.
I also get a lot of information from athletic podcasts, books, and blogs. I typically read or listen to something on the athletic side most days of the week.
When/what is your next race?
I just signed up for the Norpine Fat Bike Race which is January 6th. I tried it out last year but flatted so I have to go back! I may toss in a couple other Fat Bike races, potentially wing a ski race but as for running, it appears my next will be the Fitger’s 5K in April.
I’m signed up to pace the 1:45 half marathon group at the Eau Claire half marathon at the end of April with the OnPace pacing team (this will be my fourth-year pacing) and then hopefully run a solid Garry Bjorklund half marathon in June. My current running goal is to PR there.
Do you prefer roads or trails and why?
I prefer roads because I love feeling the speed, but I always seek out a soft shoulder. I do love trails and would like to do more trail running, but I have a bit of a bear phobia when I’m alone that I’m working on getting over (so far, it’s not working).
What do you think about while you run?
If I’m alone on a trail in the woods, I’m usually thinking about running into a bear! I typically only last a mile before those thoughts consume my head-space. I fully blame watching the Grizzly Man documentary years ago. Yes, I’m very aware that we do not have Grizzly bears in Duluth MN (I don’t recommend watching it). Oddly, if I’m with just one other person, I have no such thoughts!
When running anywhere else my mind will sometimes wonder depending on what’s going on in my life and the world. If I have a problem to solve, I’ll toss it around until I feel at peace with it. If I’m running at a chill pace while listening to music, I often zone out to the music. I feel it in my body and pull energy and life from it. I may also repeat a healthy mindset mantra of sort. If I’m running hard in a workout, I mainly think only about how my body feels moment to moment and repeat thoughts such as “steady, calm and relaxed”. On most runs, I almost always take a moment to think about how grateful I am to be running.
What is your most memorable race or running achievement?
I have two that tied. The first was running my first of two sub 3 marathons in 2022 after trying for 7 years (Grandmas’ Marathon in June and California International in December) and the second goes to the 2023 ITU Age Group World Triathlon Championships in Pontevedra Spain this past September.
I went into it with a stretched goal of top 10. I tried to keep my expectations down by convincing myself 15th place would also be excellent. To my surprise, I learned with 1.5 miles to go on the run that I was in 2nd place overall which I held as I crossed the finish line! I was quite emotional. There were many tears of joy, yet I couldn’t get my mind to fully believe it until I saw the published results.
Name one racing experience you would like to forget (please describe).
The 2016 ITU Age Group World Triathlon Championships in Cozumel. I missed the finish line. Yes, literally ran by it at an all-out sprint. In the chaos of athletes, cheering fans, and a water table which I had become fixated on, I missed the small entrance into the stadium where I was supposed to finish. I ended up back out on the course desperately trying to figure out where I should be.
I forgot all my Spanish in the panic and was lucky to not get disqualified for running back the wrong way on the course. I lost around 10 places and looked devastated as I crossed the finish line (those photos can go in the garbage). That mindless mistake was hard to shake for some time.
What is something non-endurance activity related you would like to share with readers?
When you find that you can’t do something you love, grieve it, and then get focused on what you can do and do it. You can either feel sorry for yourself or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. You get to choose.
Never stop moving forward, learning, listening, and being amazed. And always choose kindness.
Closing
Many thanks to Tiffany 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!