Jen D
Wednesday, August 05, 2015
In this wonderful country that I live in we go without electricity for a few hours every couple of days. This post would have been up a lot sooner had I had electricity earlier on.
A few months ago I asked Jen to takeover the instagram account because I thought her instagram account had amazing pictures. To this day I think it was one of the best decisions and takeovers that the #RunRevolution movement has seen. Thank You @fueledbyfrosting ...
On who you are…
I’m a born and raised Northern California girl who loves to run. A lot! I turn 37 this month, and I’ve been happily married for 15 years. My best running buddy and sidekick is our 12-year old German Shorthaired Pointer who also LOVES to run. I work full time in higher education. I have a very busy schedule, but I wake up at 4:00 am during the week to make the time to get my run (or other workouts) in. You should also know I’m a sucker good glass of wine or a good dessert!
On running…
I didn’t discover my passion for running, and all things active, until my late twenties, and I’ve definitely spent the last several years making up for lost time. Since my first 5K in 2007, I’ve completed over 100 races including 40 half marathons, 8 triathlons (sprint and Olympic distances), and 6 marathons. I qualified for the Boston Marathon at my 5th marathon last December, so I ran another one with a friend six months later (this past May) to help her qualify. She did, and we plan to run it together next year.
I’m a member of my local Fleet Feet Racing team, and although I love training hard to race and compete in my age group in some of the local races and beat my own personal best times, I don’t take it all too seriously. I was never an athlete growing up, so I’m just happy to be participating in all of this! While I believe in putting in the hard work to chase my goals, having fun along the way and finishing every race with a smile is what is most important to me!
On your First Run...
Oh gosh, who remembers their first run? Haha! I can tell you I started out by following a “3 weeks to run 30 minutes” run/walk training plan I found online. It took me the entire three weeks to build up to running 30 minutes without a walk break, but once I did I was hooked for life. Within six months of that first step, I crossed the finish line of my first half marathon!
On Street culture…
Since I live in the suburbs, there isn’t a whole lot of street culture happening on my runs. BUT, when I get to run in my favorite city, San Francisco (within a couple hours from where I live); I soak up every vibe of the culture. Nothing opens your eyes to what’s around you quite like taking it all in on a run.
On an early morning run along the Embarcadero in SF, you’ll see everything from street performers setting up for the their day of work, delivery trucks bringing all the delicious food to the restaurants, the farmers market vendors setting up at the ferry building, and of course, TONS of other runners. The cool thing is you never know who’s a local and who’s a tourist in a place like that!
On running culture…
They say “Runners make the best friends” for a reason. I’ve never known a more compassionate, supportive, encouraging group of people than my local (and even virtual!) running community. It must be all those endorphins that just make us happy, caring people!
On gadgets…
My MUST-HAVE gadget (besides the obvious answer of my GPS watch) is my waterproof iPod shuffle. My music motivates me through my runs, bike rides (with just one earbud in for safety), and even swims.
On injury…
When you run a lot, injury is inevitable. I’ve had two “legit” injuries over my 8+ years of running: knee bursitis and peroneal tendinitis in my foot. Both were over-use injuries. Both presented themselves immediately following a marathon.
I’ve learned that injuries, while very depressing at the time, can be a blessing in disguise. We all need breaks from pounding the pavement from time to time. In both cases I was instructed NOT to run for a few weeks, so it forced me to cross train with cycling, swimming, yoga, and strength training. All activities I love but don’t make enough time for. I never would have built up to 3,000 yards (120 laps) in the pool if I hadn’t been forced to take time off of running.
On achievements…
Athletic activities weren’t encouraged in my house growing up. I was the awkward, uncoordinated girl in school who was always picked last for team sports. I vividly recall hearing groans from the outfield when I’d go up to bat in a softball game. Therefore, for me personally, the improvements I’ve made in running since I started are incredibly special achievements.
Bringing my 5K time down from 34 minutes to a sub-21, my half marathon time from a 2:10 to a 1:42, and my marathon time from a 4:08 to my Boston Qualifying time of 3:35, all took a tremendous amount of determination and hard work. I run for all the young girls out there who are told “they can’t.” Guess what? Yes, you can!! #likeagirl
On future goals…
The next goal I want to tackle is my half marathon time. For whatever reason, that distance (which happens to be my favorite) is the hardest for me to race. It took me three years to get my last PR of 1:42. I’m pretty confident I can break 1:40, but I know I’ll have to work for it.
On your social media…
You can find me on Instagram at @fueledbyfrosting. I started my public IG account last year when I sensed that my non-running friends were “over” seeing running pictures on my private account. Ha! I share all my pictures related to my fitness goals, whether it’s running, cycling, swimming, strength-training, etc.
I love having a place to document my training and share my journey as I chase various goals, but I mostly love the way social media has brought the worldwide running community closer. The support and encouragement that goes around on there is truly inspiring.
On Pink…
I fully believe you can be sporty while wearing pink! I’ve always been a girlie-girl - not to be confused with high-maintence! I‘m a tank top and flip-flops kinda girl, but I love the feminine touches. Yes, I wear a little makeup to races, and I’ve been known to run in a skirt. #TeamPINK
On Pain…
Because I was never athletic until I became a runner in my late 20’s, I really didn’t understand the concept of pushing through the pain. I believe that when I found that threshold in myself, and learned to trust the process of pushing past it (just enough to see improvement!) I became a real runner.
That may not be everyone’s definition, but it’s what changed me as an athlete and a person. The “pain” of racing a fast 5K or pushing through the last 4-6 miles of a marathon is what this sport is all about. Learning to embrace it, and grow with it, is what has made me feel like a runner.
On women’s running (why women should run)…
Running gives me so much as a woman. It provides unique life experiences, helps me feel more independent and self-confident, and even gives me a regular dose of physical and mental “therapy” to help me manage stress. All women should find something they do just for themselves to help them feel better.
We’re all dealing with so much pressure and so many demands all the time. Everyone deserves to feel the freedom of the mini-escape a good run can provide.
On the Past you…
I just really wish I would have known how much I would truly love this sport. I really regret not giving running a try in high school. I remember this cross-country girl from school that used to run around our neighborhood all the time. I’d see her out and think it was so weird. Who would want to just be out running like that? Ha! Now a 2-3 hour run is my ideal way to spend a weekend morning. I honestly crave that time. When I go on vacation somewhere new, the very first thing I think about is where I’m going to run. It’s crazy how much passion I developed for something I once thought was “weird.”
When I die…
I hope to be remembered as someone who lived a full and happy life, and inspired others to do the same.
#RunRevolution
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