Every week we highlight one of our members from the TRU TRIBE Run Team. Meet Dolly Stevens!  If we can do it, so can you!

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Every week we highlight one of our members from the TRU TRIBE Run Team. Meet Meaghan Coon!  If we can do it, so can you!

Why did you start running?
I started running when I was a kid because it was required for soccer, but I hated it – it was just a means to an end. It was also used as punishment when the team didn’t do so well in games or at practice, so I had a pretty strong aversion to running!

What age did you start running?
5th grade-ish, but that was bc of soccer.  I started running again around 2002, but again, that was to condition for adult soccer league.  I started running AGAIN without soccer at 37/38

How old are you now?
40

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far from your running journey?
That it isn’t about being fast!  That was the best lesson Lisa has ensured she teaches. It’s truly so much more enjoyable this way.  Thank you!!

What advice would you give a beginner runner?
Don’t try to push too far or too fast because then it might not be as fun, and will deter making it a life long healthy habit

What would you do differently knowing what you know now?
If I knew it wasn’t about pushing as hard as possible at all times, I would have picked this up for pleasure decades ago!  Even though I run for fun, I’m feeling so strong and so confident. I’m really pleased about where this journey is leading

What is your longest race distance and why?
Half marathon, because my first one was only in Feb 2019!  Working up to other half’s and maybe further distances.

Do you have a bucket list race or distance?
No, only because I don’t want to set myself up for failure or disappointment – unsure that’s the best approach, but that’s where I’m at.

What has been your favorite race and/or distance so far?
Sedona Half Marathon – I love that race, it is so beautiful!!

What is your favorite color?
Today, it is iridescent turquoise.  It might change tomorrow.  Who knows!

What is your favorite post race food and drink?
Hmmm – locally, a big mushroom burger with sweet potato fries and a glass of wine.  .

Anything else you want to share with the TRU TRIBE Run Team.
I’m so grateful for this group, as it has completely transformed my perception of running and what it can be. I’m so thankful to be a part of this group for a laundry list of reasons!

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Every week we highlight one of our members from the TRU TRIBE Run Team. Meet Jenni Pierson!  If we can do it, so can you!

Why did you start running?
Because all my friends were doing it!

What age did you start running?
I was almost 40 when I started running consistently.

How old are you now?
47

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far from your running journey?
I can do things!!! I’m not one of those people who find my zen in running – I don’t actually love the physical task of running. But I love how I feel when I’m done with a run, and I love how running makes me feel about myself.

What advice would you give a beginner runner?
It’s OK to start slow. And DO NOT compare yourself to others.

What would you do differently knowing what you know now?
Honestly, I’m not sure I would have done anything differently. My running journey has been a lot of second-guessing myself and telling myself that I’m not “really” a runner. But at the end of the day, I’ve done things I never thought I would/could do and I’ve met some really incredible people through running. I’m not fast and I don’t run far, but I finally feel comfortable calling myself a runner. I think my journey has been exactly what it was supposed to be..

What is your longest race distance and why?
13.1 is my longest distance. Why? Because I really have no desire to commit to the training involved in a longer distance. I often feel like I *should* want to run longer…but I really just don’t. I’ve accepted that I’m not a distance runner and that’s OK.

Do you have a bucket list race or distance?
I would love to do a trail half but the time cut-offs are intimidating to me.

What has been your favorite race and/or distance so far?
I have done several different Ragnars and those events are so fun! I love the camaraderie and the feeling of community in a sport that is typically not a team sport.
My favorite distance is the 5k. It’s short and sweet and gets me to the beer quicker. Plus, it’s easy to work on improvement, and see results, on that short of a distance.
What is your favorite color?
Green

What is your favorite post race food and drink?
A big, fat, juicy, drippy burger, fries (ooooh…or maybe onion rings?), and – of course – a beer..

Anything else you want to share with the TRU TRIBE Run Team.
Thanks for welcoming me into the group!

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Every week we highlight one of our members from the TRU TRIBE Run Team. Meet Julie Rose!  If we can do it, so can you!

Why did you start running?
As a way to destress. I returned to school at the age of 30 to complete an accelerated nursing (BSN) 12-month program. A couple of us would go trail running and quiz each other.

What age did you start running?
Truly running – 30. Prior to that, very active in team sports – field hockey and lacrosse, in middle, high school, & intramurals in college.

How old are you now?
54, soon to be 55.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far from your running journey?
Don’t let others define “running” for you.

What advice would you give a beginner runner? 
Start small (short timeframes vs distances) and celebrate often. Enter in 5ks – the people are so encouraging.

What would you do differently knowing what you know now?
Started Chi Walking/Running earlier, might not have such arthritic knees..

What is your longest race distance and why?
3) Marathons. Marine Corp were the first two – I trained after nursing school, and then I trained and ran by myself. The 3rd was Phoenix Rock n’ Roll – did not enjoy at all.

Do you have a bucket list race or distance?
I’m good with Half Marathons.

What has been your favorite race and/or distance so far?
Marine Corp Marathons – the crowds are three deep (except Haines Point) even in rain, so motivating.

What is your favorite color?
Blue

What is your favorite post race food and drink?
Beer and typical eggs/bacon/hash browns breakfast – as long as someone is making and cleaning up.

Anything else you want to share with the TRU TRIBE Run Team Love this community. Is Lisa P. our cult leader?!?!

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Every week we highlight one of our members from the TRU TRIBE Run Team. Meet Valerie Brodeur!  If we can do it, so can you!

Why did you start running?
I’ve been running off and on, mostly for weight loss reasons, my whole life. Any time I would think I needed to drop weight, I would start running more. I didn’t run much in my early 30’s because my focus shifted to weightlifting, but, about 6 years ago I started running the Ragnar trail run. I was sick of “just getting through it” and not training for it, and once I decided I actually enjoyed trail running, I wanted to get better at it…..and found Lisa!

What age did you start running?
Off and on since I was about 14 years old. More off than on, but it’s been an intermittent part of my life.

How old are you now?
I’m at Level 42 🙂

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far from your running journey?
It’s not easy for me, at all, and it takes practice but it always feels so good once you get it done! Plus, you meet amazing people along the way.

What advice would you give a beginner runner? 
Stretch. Oh……and stretch some more.

What would you do differently knowing what you know now?
I would’ve stretched. lol Honestly, give myself some grace through the process. I always get so frustrated when I go out and have a “bad run”. In the past I’ve let it spiral and I end up giving up, but not any more. I just go out and do what I can do, and then be proud I got out.

What is your longest race distance and why?
31k – The Jackass run last October

Do you have a bucket list race or distance?
I would love to travel and do one of the Vacation Races in Zion, Glacier, Yosemite, etc…..or maybe even all of them. Also, a Ragnar Trail run somewhere other than AZ)

What has been your favorite race and/or distance so far?
I truly love the Ragnar McDowell run. I’ve done it 5 times and I just love the vibe. The Jackass run was a blast though and I’m excited to do more Aravaipa runs.

What is your favorite color?
Aqua/Teal

What is your favorite post race food and drink?
For some reason I always want a Diet Coke after a hard run or hike. I don’t drink much of it, just want a little…….and a burger and fries!

Anything else you want to share with the TRU TRIBE Run Team 
I’m so glad I found Lisa and this community. I love how everyone is so supportive and encouraging and it’s just a great group of women.

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Every week we highlight one of our members from the TRU TRIBE Run Team. Meet Rocio, our first international member! I met her while assisting Danny Dreyer at Kripalu in 2016 and trained her for her first 50K last year!  I was able to do her video analysis over Zoom while she was in an Uber in Mexico City (in 2019 before Zoom was a thing 🤣).  If we can do it, so can you!

Why did you start running?
I had an accident doing mountain bike; it was kind of hard, not only for the rehabilitation, but to gain confidence on biking again. So, in order of not losing conditioning I start doing 10K’s

What age did you start running?
37 years old more or less

How old are you now?
52 years old

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far from your running journey?
I passed all the cycles in running; wow period, technical period / perfectionism; obsess period / competition to others ( vanity ); and now I’m – I think – in a more matured relationship with running, I want to enjoy it and for example, help blind people to run ( running can serve others ).

What advice would you give a beginner runner? 
Don’t be so hard with your self, that doesn’t help. If you are gentle and patient, this back to your running better

What would you do differently knowing what you know now?
Never forget enjoy doing this. Make friends doing this,  consider this a privilege and take pictures !  .

What is your longest race distance and why?
50k it took me time understand that I’m not a speed person. I’m more endurance person. That’s why I ran my first 50k in 2019

Do you have a bucket list race or distance?
Bhutan and India marathon; Sidney and New Zealand; Tokio and Stockholm. I have this crazy idea of doing half marathon in Antarctic ( the full race scare me )

What has been your favorite race and/or distance so far?
All of I have done have something special. I would repeat every single race I have done

What is your favorite color?
Primary colors

What is your favorite post race food and drink?
Hot cakes or pan cakes / waffle with scramble eggs and coffee

Anything else you want to share with the TRU TRIBE Run Team 
Everybody or the most part of runners I have met especially in Mexico (we are teens with the sport), are crazy about the speed. I like to have found a tribe that has more transcend view about the sport and more purposes as well.

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Every week we highlight one of our members from the TRU TRIBE Run Team. Meet Stacy!  If we can do it, so can you!

Why did you start running?
Originally to lose weight. I hated it at first. Now I continue to run because I play tennis competitively and it really helps my stamina. AND because I have met some awesome women through this group!

What age did you start running?
25ish

How old are you now?
49

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far from your running journey?
My body is capable of more than I believe.  .

What advice would you give a beginner runner? 
Start slow and learn ChiRunning early.

What would you do differently knowing what you know now?
I would have run through high school. I would have learned ChiRunning from the beginning.

What is your longest race distance and why?
Half marathon. I hated it after mile 9. Swore I would never do another. Then trained for Lake Havasu this year just to prove I could do it again!

Do you have a bucket list race or distance?
Not really. My goal is to still be running at age 80 and win my age group for once!

What has been your favorite race and/or distance so far?
Big Pine 6K/13K. So fun!

What is your favorite color?
PINK (duh!)

What is your favorite post race food and drink?
Burger, fries and a good beer!

Anything else you want to share with the TRU TRIBE Run Team 
I was diagnosed with breast cancer  in January 2018, two months after I completed my first night trail run. I KNOW I was able to get through all my treatment, mentally and physically, because of my training for races and the support I had over the 18 months with 3 surgeries and lots of recovery and very little running. Love this group and the positive women involved! Now go get your yearly screening!!!

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Every week we highlight one of our members from the TRU TRIBE Run Team. Meet Catherine!  If we can do it, so can you!

Catherine Kent-Murtaugh  was our most engaged person in TTRT last week!  (Every Monday I pull the member engagement report from the week before and pick the most engaged person who hasn’t been spotlighted yet🥰 )

Why did you start running?
I’m going to answer as if the question was, why did you start running AGAIN, :). In order to create the life I want now,  I needed to include running again. I feel the most beautiful, happiest, and strongest when I run.

What age did you start running?
High school track team when I was 14.

How old are you now?
54

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far from your running journey?
You are stronger than you think.  .

What advice would you give a beginner runner? 
Don’t let your ego get in the way, relax , pay attention to your body, and not times, or compare your skills to anyone else’s.

What would you do differently knowing what you know now?
Treat running as a holistic practice by nurturing my mind and body. Stay balanced, flexible, and strong.

What is your longest race distance and why?
Marathon. For the challenge.

Do you have a bucket list race or distance?
Boston.

What has been your favorite race and/or distance so far?
Boulder to Boulder 10k race in Boulder, Colorado

What is your favorite color?
Green

What is your favorite post race food and drink?
Beer, hamburger, and potato chips

Anything else you want to share with the TRU TRIBE Run Team 
You can do anything with a community of women.

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Every week we highlight one of our members from the TRU TRIBE Run Team. Meet Andrea!  If we can do it, so can you!

Why did you start running?
I started running to lose weight. And medals. I had a friend who would post pictures of herself at finish lines with medals, and that looked really cool. I knew I could burn twice the calories in half the time compared to walking, so I started running.

What age did you start running?
Around 40

How old are you now?
Around 50

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far from your running journey?
It’s OK. It’s OK to be fast, slow, walk, sprint, wog, all runner are runners. It’s OK to be confident, it’s OK to be vulnerable, its’ OK to be first, last or somewhere in the middle. Back of the pack is a great place to be. It’s OK to be the most imperfect perfect self.  .

What advice would you give a beginner runner? 
Start with a good coach.  Learn the right form right out of the shoot. But most importantly, just start.

What would you do differently knowing what you know now?
Start with a training coach. I wish I met Lisa in the beginning. But even though I didn’t, and I had to unlearn some bad habits, it’s all good.

What is your longest race distance and why?
30K because I was training for a 50K.

Do you have a bucket list race or distance?
50K. I would like to complete Crown King, and I would like to conquer 50K with more training and strength.

What has been your favorite race and/or distance so far?
Utah. I say Utah because I attended two half marathons in the state and both were more about the experience, both during pinnacle points in my life where I had to choose my path.

What is your favorite color?
Purple.

What is your favorite post race food and drink?
Grilled cheese, beer, or a big burger and fries with lots of ranch!

Anything else you want to share with the TRU TRIBE Run Team 
{forgot to answer}

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Every week we highlight one of our members from the TRU TRIBE Run Team. Meet Marian!  If we can do it, so can you!

Why did you start running?
My son left for college and it was time to take care of myself.

What age did you start running?
55

How old are you now?
65

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far from your running journey?
That I can and this body does amazing things.

What advice would you give a beginner runner? 
Do not give up on yourself and baby steps are ok.

What would you do differently knowing what you know now?
Not much maybe a little more strength training. And of course I took Chi running as soon as I learned about it.

What is your longest race distance and why?
Half marathon distance is a challenge and realistic training time

Do you have a bucket list race or distance?
Now

What has been your favorite race and/or distance so far?
Half marathon

What is your favorite color?
Don’t really have one

What is your favorite post race food and drink?
Something sweet and wine or beer

Anything else you want to share with the TRU TRIBE Run Team 🥰 
Love the support for all the ladies especially when I returned back to Arizona in January with a healing broken ankle.

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