How long have you been
running?
I started running when I was in elementary school. I know that
sounds crazy but it’s true. I wasn’t a great runner, I didn’t identify as a
runner, but I was a runner. My mom ran almost every single day when I was
little – usually like 3-5 miles – and that just seemed normal to me. I would
sometimes ride my bike alongside her or try and keep up with her and run
alongside her (which I’m sure drove her completely insane). I could run the
mile faster than most of the kids in my class but I thought it was kind of the
same thing as being a strong speller or great test taker. It didn’t seem like a
real sport to me; running was just something people did to keep in shape.
Running was purely for maintenance.
When I was in middle school and high school, I kept running (as maintenance)
to keep in shape for all the sports I played. I would run a few miles at a time
before I would play tennis, swim or dance and I never wanted to do more. I
didn’t love running. I didn’t always want to run; running just seemed like the
normal thing to do.
It wasn’t until my last year of college when I really discovered
running. I had kept up my running maintenance until that point. I had spent my
junior year abroad in Italy and came back with a lot of extra weight. I was
really unhappy when I looked in the mirror and started running to shed pounds.
As I started running more, I realized how good it made me feel. I was able to
clear my head and have some real “me” time. I would invite my roommates to come
run with me and they would say, “you’re crazy” and turn around and run home. I
never realized I had the capacity to be a distance runner.
I signed up for a 10k trail run on a whim. To be honest, I had no
idea if I could even run a 10K. I wasn’t sure what kind of distances I was
running during my "shed the Italy pizza pound" runs so I just went out and did it.
And when I crossed the finish line, I heard people yelling “congrats!” And I
realized, I had won. Me. The non-runner. I had won a race. My first real race.
Awesome. And I was hooked.
From there, It was marathons. And from marathons it was ultra
marathons. And that’s where I am today.
What/who motivated you to
start running?
I really think my mom is the reason I run. She has been my
motivation to push harder and go farther and faster. When I was little she was
really dedicated to running every day. She set an example that will likely
stick with me for the rest of my life and I really can’t thank her enough for
that.
I got into running ultras because of a friend. I’m naturally
pretty competitive and went out to pace him for the last 15 miles of his first
50 miler and immediately thought to myself, I
can do this! I went home and signed up for a 50 miler later that night (and
I’m not joking).
What’s something that you
can’t run without?
This is going to sound so cheesy – haha – but I can’t run without
my heart. It’s the one thing that keeps me going when the going gets tough.
It’s how I’ve run farther, faster and better than I ever imagined I would be
able to do. It’s how I’ve managed to run 50 miles, 62 miles and even 80 miles.
I haven’t been the best trained, or in the best shape of my life…I complete a
lot of ultras because I have the heart to do so.
Cheesy? Maybe. But it’s true. To run an ultra, I really think you
have to WANT to run an ultra. You have to have heart. I’ve now failed to
complete two 100 milers but in my heart, the third one is going to be the
charm.
What is your favorite race
you have ever done or place to run?
Oh gosh, this is a tough question! I am so blessed and have had
the opportunity to run in some of the most amazing places with some of the most
amazing people. A couple experiences probably stick out for me and they
include:
·
Running the Chimera 100K: The Chimera 100K trail
was wild and beautiful. The hills were steep, the course was tough, and it took
me places I never knew I would go as a runner. I had some super high highs and
some super low lows. I was out for almost 15 hours on the trails and had very
little access to crew or aid stations. It was the first time I had ever really
experienced a night run and tested me both mentally and physically.
·
Pt Reyes Seashore: I have never run a race in Pt
Reyes but have done many training runs out there. There’s something almost
magical about the area. One minute you’re looking at the ocean – big,
beautiful, blue and almost peaceful and the next you’re looking at the
mountainside – wild, overgrown, and lush.
·
Born to Run 100 miler: I plan to complete the
Born to Run 100 miler in May 2014. I ran 80 miles of the 100 mile course in
2013 and had such an amazing experience running through a big, beautiful
private ranch. There was something about the way the moon shined overhead
during the night portion and how the cows eyes gleamed in the dark that I just
can’t get over!
What is the best advice
you would give a beginning runner?
Enjoy yourself. Running is supposed to bring you joy. When it
stops being a joyous activity, take a step back and think about why you’re
doing it. And remember, all you have to do is lace up your shoes and start
moving your legs. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far…it just matters that
you got out there.
Great interview! Jamie is a total inspiration and a amazing runner!!
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