Inspiring Runner of the Week : Hello from Florida!

I dropped the ball on my blog last week...mostly because I was trying to pack for our family beach vacation. So, hello from the Sunshine State.

Being that I'm in Florida for the week, I thought it'd be fitting to feature a friend from high school as my inspiring runner of the week. This gal happens to be vacationing in FL this week as well, but alas, our paths will only cross on the internet. However, reading over her words while being in FL takes me back not only to our 20th high school reunion last summer, but to our actual days at Buchholz High...this friend was (and obviously still is) a bad ass. I always admired her strength and talent and was happy to know her better as a classmate in "Teen Aiders" (yes, we were teens who aided others).

Sooo, without further ado, I present to you Sasha B., working mother of 2, pregnant with triplets, psychologist, and still faster and more dedicated than I will ever be!


(above:Walnut Festival 5K 2010)


At what age did you start running and what motivated you to get involved in the sport?

I first started running when I was 12. I was unwillingly recruited by a classmate to run the mile in my 8th grade county meet in rural Florida. I did not even consider myself an athletic kid and had never really participated in sports. Much to my surprise, I won the mile and broke the county record! That was my first experience running and it definitely made me think that running might be the sport for me.

How has running changed your life?

Running has instilled in me a lifelong value for my health and body. Even though I took several years off from running during my college years, I always ate healthy and worked out. Once I rediscovered running after my first child was born, I remembered just how much I loved the sport and how good it made me feel in my body and mind.

What do you get out of running? Why do it?

I love to compete. Unfortunately, I have never been one of those runners that just loves to go out and do long distances for the sake of running. I have the best time running when I'm running hard and pushing my body to it's limits.

Running for me has become a tremendous outlet since having children and settling in to my career. When I run, I feel free, powerful, and strong...like I can conquer the world. It really is an amazing feeling.

What is your favorite race (distance) and what is your best Personal Record (PR)/ fastest time?

My current favorite race is the 5k. It's fast and furious! So far, my PR is 17:26. I'm currently pregnant with triplets so I'm taking a break from running, but I'm already looking forward to getting back out there and seeing just how far I can go.

Where is your favorite place to train?

The place I train most is actually on a treadmill at my gym. Being a working mother of 2 young children, I have very little time to train on the road or track. So, while my kids are in the daycare center I do my training on the treadmill. I actually love the treadmill because it gives me such control of my pacing and allows me to do it all; distance runs, tempo runs, and speed work.

Do you have a favorite or most meaningful running experience (a race or a day when you pushed further than you thought you could go?)

My first 5k after I returned to running following the birth of my 2nd child was probably the most meaningful. It was about 2 years ago and was a large women's 5k in the San Francisco Bay Area. There were over a thousand runners and I placed second with a time of 18:45. That race helped me rebuild confidence in myself as a fast runner and inspired me to train harder and do more 5k's.

Do you have a favorite song on your ipod to run to?

I listen to lots of fast electronica and industrial music. When I'm training, I loved music that matches how I like to run...hard and fast!

What do you find most difficult about running and how do you overcome this difficulty?

The most difficult challenge for me is balancing running with my family responsibilities. The way I manage this is by focusing on shorter race distances that take less training time and less distance work. The childcare center at my gym has been a lifesaver when it comes to training.

Do you have a race coming up? When and where?

My next race will hopefully be next summer somewhere out in the Bay area. I'm about 5 months pregnant with triplets but I'm already chomping at the bit to start training and racing again!

Do you have a favorite movie or book about running?

Not particularly. I don't have much time to read books or watch movies with my schedule but I love reading inspiring stories about runners in Running Times.

Who is your favorite running hero?

Any woman with children who still manages to get out there and run is my hero. I think having a family makes training and racing that much more challenging. It takes a real commitment to the sport to be a mother and still manage to train.

Can you offer me any advice on how I can best train to get to the 2011 NYC marathon finish line?

I haven't trained for a marathon so the best advice I can give is to train with others, get as much information as you can about how to train properly to avoid injury, and take amazing care of your body. And most importantly, believe in yourself!

What's your best advice for fighting negative thinking when faced with a challenge like running 26.2 miles?

Just take it one mile at a time and keep remembering how amazing it's going to feel when you cross that finish line!! It's an experience you will never forget and an amazing legacy to pass on to Konjit.

Anything else you want to say about running?

It's an amazing way to connect with your body and mind at a very deep level. For me, it's a spiritual experience that I hope to have in my life for many years to come.

Sasha! Thank you for your wisdom about spirituality and leaving a legacy! And I just love how you discovered you could run as an 8th grader! How cool to discover such an awesome gift so young! Thanks for sharing your story!!!