This is the seventy-ninth 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 Stephanie. I’m a mom, a wife, a runner, a crafter, and a curious person. I have been running for 22ish years now. I remember as a child walking down to London Road with my mom and brothers to watch my dad and uncle run by during Grandma’s Marathon. I started running in high school, on my own-not through track or cross country as a way to just get some kind exercise. I felt like I just needed to do something. I think I made it about 4 blocks on that first run.

Now, running is ingrained into my life. It has gotten me through college, the death of loved ones, marriage, starting my own family, and more. It is a steady constant (for the most part) in my life. I’m not particularly talented in terms of running, I’m just stubborn. I never would have guessed when I started how many adventures running has taken me on, from 1 mile races up to 50 miles on the trail, and I’ve met some wonderful people along the way.”

Interview

Why is running important to you?

Running helps me clear my mind and ease my soul. There is something soothing about the repetitive motion and letting my mind wonder where it wants to go without being interrupted by technology or sometimes even other people. It’s the quiet I need to center myself.

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 tend to be susceptible to what I call the “itises,” plantar fasciitis, achilles tendonitis, tendonitis in my feet. I try to do some basic strength exercises to keep my kinetic chain strong. I also keep the foam roller handy as well as a ball for rolling my feet. Yoga has also been very beneficial when I have time for it. Also, rest if I feel the start of something.

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

I honestly don’t usually have much of an issue getting out the door (maybe not relatable?). I genuinely enjoy running. It’s part of the day that is all to myself where I’m not beholden to anyone else. It’s kind of to a point where it’s almost automatic.

If I am really dreading getting out the door, it is usually because I am nursing an injury or if I’m bordering on over-training. In both of those cases, I feel comfortable taking a rest or reigning in the mileage or workouts. Running is something I do for fun, so if I’m dreading it, it’s time to start asking myself why. 

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

I would never be able to do this without the support of my husband. He has always encouraged me to take the time and get out the door. He understands how important running is for my mental and emotional health. It’s also amazing seeing my 3 year old out cheering. 

Also, my dear friend Annie is an amazing training partner and friend to bounce ideas off of. We have shared so many miles together, and I appreciate all the good conversation we’ve had along the way. She is a treasure! 

When/what is your next race?

Fire Tower 50k in October!

Do you prefer roads or trails and why?

This is such a hard question for me! I just like running! I think if you absolutely made me pick, I’d pick trails. I really love just rolling along through the trees at a happy pace. I like to stop and look at things a lot haha! But there is also something great about just being able to step out the door on roads. And roads are where I like to try and push myself for speed.

What do you think about while you run?

Everything and nothing all at once. My mind is just free to wonder. Sometimes I just think about my breathing and the sound of my feet hitting the ground. Other times, I’m figuring something out for work or life in general. Sometimes I’m just listening to the sounds of nature around me.

What is your most memorable race or running achievement?

I think my most memorable race/running achievement was the Surf the Murph 50 miler I did with my best friend Annie back in 2018. It’s my only 50 miler (maybe I’ll try another one some day). There is something to be said for going so far with an amazing friend. It was hard and fun and awful all the same time, and the race itself was put on so well. 

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

I don’t want to forget any of them! But one that was particularly tough was the 2019 Madeline Island Half Marathon. I was going into this race in hopes of a PR, but the night before the race I ended up getting a terrible migraine. The worst of the migraine was gone the next day for the race, but I still had what I like to call a “migraine hangover” where I didn’t feel quite back to normal. It was also pouring rain and about 40 degrees on race day. Cold and wet are my least favorite running conditions.

To top it off, my knee started bugging me about 8 miles in and I ended up walking quite a bit. While I did not PR, I did come within a minute of my PR. Overall it was a challenge, but it proved that I’m tougher than I thought. We also planned on staying for a little mini vacation on Madeline Island after the race, but we ended up having to leave early because there was a storm coming and the ferry was shutting down, so if we didn’t leave that day, there was no way to know when we would be able to leave due to high winds.

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

My other hobby is crocheting. I find it is similar to running in that it’s a repetitive motion that soothes your nervous system. One of my favorite crocheted items is a blanket I made in 2018 to commemorate the year in running. Each row in the blanket was a day of the year that was color coded to a type of running workout (easy run, hills, speed, long runs, trails), cross training, or rest day. Races had their own special color too. It’s fun to see the work that went into training that year.

Closing

Many thanks to Stephanie 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!