Every Saturday we highlight one of our members from the TRU Tribe Running Club . Meet Barbara! If we can do it, so can you!
I picked Virginia as she was our first official non local person to join the TRU TRIBE and is one of the most active people in our group by playing along in both challenges and engaging in posts.
Why did you start running?
I was sick and tired of being sick, and tired. I started walking. I later joined OrangeTheory where part of the workout is on a treadmill. I usually power walked; but then decided to start challenging myself with running. I wasn’t really jazzed about running to be honest. At some point in the journey, I decided to do a Tough Mudder Race. They were offering a half which is just 5 miles and I thought, “I could do that”. So I started running.
I was sick and tired of being sick, and tired. I started walking. I later joined OrangeTheory where part of the workout is on a treadmill. I usually power walked; but then decided to start challenging myself with running. I wasn’t really jazzed about running to be honest. At some point in the journey, I decided to do a Tough Mudder Race. They were offering a half which is just 5 miles and I thought, “I could do that”. So I started running.
What age did you start running?
50
50
How old are you now? (to inspire the others! but you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to)
54
54
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far from your running journey?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that I can do anything if I put my mind and heart into it. I just have to be patient..
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that I can do anything if I put my mind and heart into it. I just have to be patient..
What advice would you give a beginner runner?
Run your own run. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, what they say you should be doing, or trying to keep up with them. Listen to your body and find a program that works for you and that you can stick with.
Run your own run. Don’t worry about what everyone else is doing, what they say you should be doing, or trying to keep up with them. Listen to your body and find a program that works for you and that you can stick with.
What would you do differently knowing what you know now?
I would have taken my advice in Question 5. <laughing> I should have not let other runners rent space in my head and impact my running. I should have focused on my own progress and go a bit slower.
I would have taken my advice in Question 5. <laughing> I should have not let other runners rent space in my head and impact my running. I should have focused on my own progress and go a bit slower.
What is your longest race distance and why?
Great story. In 2017, I was convinced I absolutely hated running. I just despised it; but, I was determined as hell to make my peace with it. So, that December I decided the only way to make my peace with running was to throw myself all in. I signed up for my first 25K trail race. At the time the longest distance I had ever run was 5K.
I had a plan on how to attack the training. With the race in April 2018, I completed my first 10K, 15K, half marathon and then capped it off with the 25K trail run. I’ve been in love with running ever since.
Great story. In 2017, I was convinced I absolutely hated running. I just despised it; but, I was determined as hell to make my peace with it. So, that December I decided the only way to make my peace with running was to throw myself all in. I signed up for my first 25K trail race. At the time the longest distance I had ever run was 5K.
I had a plan on how to attack the training. With the race in April 2018, I completed my first 10K, 15K, half marathon and then capped it off with the 25K trail run. I’ve been in love with running ever since.
Do you have a bucket list race or distance?
I can’t seem to get a race like a 50 mile or 100 mile out of my head. It’s crazy. I haven’t even run a marathon and yet the idea of these bigger distances seem to keep calling to me. I would love to be able to run a race like Leadville, Western States or even the UTMB. .
I can’t seem to get a race like a 50 mile or 100 mile out of my head. It’s crazy. I haven’t even run a marathon and yet the idea of these bigger distances seem to keep calling to me. I would love to be able to run a race like Leadville, Western States or even the UTMB. .
What has been your favorite race and/or distance so far?
It has to be the The Wild Canyon Ultra (this is the 25K I did). It was at Caprock Canyons State Park; one of my favorite state parks.
https://www.ultraexpeditions.com/thewildcanyonultra
It has to be the The Wild Canyon Ultra (this is the 25K I did). It was at Caprock Canyons State Park; one of my favorite state parks.
https://www.ultraexpeditions.com/thewildcanyonultra
What is your favorite color?
Blue or black
Blue or black
What is your favorite post race food and drink?
My favorite post race food would have to be a big fat burger. Drink would be a really cold pilsner right after the race; and then an Old Fashioned later on at the celebration dinner.
My favorite post race food would have to be a big fat burger. Drink would be a really cold pilsner right after the race; and then an Old Fashioned later on at the celebration dinner.
Anything else you want to share with the TRU TRIBE 😀
Back in August I decided to refresh my run. I effectively decided to start over. Go back to ground zero. Each week I’m trying to increase my distance by 10%. This has been really great for me as it’s allowed me to successfully rehab a recurring hamstring injury that I’ve struggled with for a couple of years now. My first trail race in nearly a year or two is in Feb. 2020. It’s just a 5 miler, but I want to set myself up to be successful. I need this win under my belt. Oh, and I’m glad I’ve found this Tribe.
I may not live in AZ (I live in the flat lands of North Texas), but you never know when I might decide to fly out and meet everyone!
Back in August I decided to refresh my run. I effectively decided to start over. Go back to ground zero. Each week I’m trying to increase my distance by 10%. This has been really great for me as it’s allowed me to successfully rehab a recurring hamstring injury that I’ve struggled with for a couple of years now. My first trail race in nearly a year or two is in Feb. 2020. It’s just a 5 miler, but I want to set myself up to be successful. I need this win under my belt. Oh, and I’m glad I’ve found this Tribe.
I may not live in AZ (I live in the flat lands of North Texas), but you never know when I might decide to fly out and meet everyone!