Every week we highlight one of our members from the TRU Tribe Running Team. Meet Michelle! If we can do it, so can you!
I nominated Jan because she is so positive and is inspires me by being vulnerable and real. She is a team player, committed and one of the most active people in our community.
Why did you start running?
After retiring from playing Gaelic Football and Soccer, I was looking for a way to keep fit and to meet fun groups of people in the US as I had moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico with work.
The most important thing running does for me now is it helps me manage my anxiety. It is crucial for my ongoing strong mental health, and a big part of my wellness strategy.
What age did you start running?
33
How old are you now? (to inspire the others! but you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to)
41
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far from your running journey?
That I am capable of way more than I think. I always under-estimate how far or how fast I can go. I do know now that there will be times when running seems easier to me, and times when it feels tougher and just to take every run as it is and not put pressure on myself.
What advice would you give a beginner runner?
Find a group to run with who are non-competitive and supportive. If they are also fun and crazy, that is a super bonus! Also, if you run at all, you are a runner, you don’t have to be super fast, or even run the whole race. Don’t be scared to take walk breaks and build up mileage and speed slowly to avoid injury. And run trails… they are so much more interesting than road.
What would you do differently knowing what you know now?
I would have started running trails sooner! And i would have taken early advice on shoes. Part of me being out of running for 9 months with Plantar Fasciitis was from running in shoes that were too narrow for my feet. Once i got the right shoes (and some shockwave therapy to repair the damage), I’ve never looked back. Chi Running has also ensured that I don’t injure myself while running.
What is your longest race distance and why?
Half marathon on road, and I did complete the 6 hour Jackrabbit Jubilee race this year where I achieved over 20 miles. The why? Because my crazy running friends talked me into it. And I am glad they did. Also, i got to 20 miles because there was a snake on the trail and i was too afraid to step off the track in case it was in the darkness. So i just kept running.
Do you have a bucket list race or distance?
My big goal for next year is to run the 31km loop at Javelina Jundred. I also want to get back to half marathon distance on road. And *whisper it quietly, if I ever did complete a marathon, my bucket list race is the Dublin City Marathon back in Dublin, Ireland. I would love to complete it once in my lifetime 🙂 I have completed 5 sprint/super sprint triathlons and am pushing to do more. Hopefully building up to an international/olympic distance (1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run)
What has been your favorite race and/or distance so far?
Ragnar Trail McDowell was super special. It was way out of my comfort zone and, yes there were tears after the yellow loop when my long suffering boyfriend had to convince me not to quit. But to complete it, running the red loop at dawn was my best running experience to date.
What is your favorite color?
Green of course 🙂
What is your favorite post race food and drink?
Beer, lots of beer. And good Pizza or Mexican food.
Anything else you want to share with the TRU TRIBE 😀
I met Lisa and lots of her tribe at Running for Brews. After moving to Arizona I was looking for a fun running group and Meetup.com suggested i get myself to Gordon Biersch on a Tuesday evening. What a great decision that was! Not only did i find my tribe, but I also met my lovely boyfriend Andre at RFB when i was just living my best life and totally not looking for a relationship. I moved back to Ireland in 2014 and have just returned to Arizona, this time for good. Excited to continue to meet fun people through the TRU tribe