Christina Schnor
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Q. Tell us a little bit about who you are and what you do for a living?
I am a 41 year old Dane, living in Copenhagen with my two children age 9 and 11. I have a background in public health science and a PhD in health sciences. I am self employed as an expert in work-time management and I also work as a performance coach. Running-related I am a technical trainer ad hoc for running teams, runners stores and other interested. I am part time employed at University of Copenhagen teaching in health promotion and disease prevention.
Q. How do you balance your exercise regime and your professional life?
Being a part time teacher and self employed I have flexible work hours and every opportunity to plan my exercise regime.
Q. When and why did you start running?
My dad started the first officially timed public race in Europe back in 1969 in the forest outside Copenhagen. Since I was a child, running has been part of my family. I have always led an active lifestyle, and in 1986 I followed my little brother to a little meeting in our summerhouse in the Finnish archipelago. I only competed there because my brother did it, and I won by far distances to children older than me. It took almost a year before my dad convinced me to try joining the local athletic club - meanwhile I was busy swimming, playing tennis and piano. I loved it from Day 1 and have been running ever since.
My motivation is always that that I love the feeling it gives me afterwards, which I have to remind myself when I don't feel like it.
Q. What is the longest distance you have ran?
Q. What gives you the confidence to run in the streets?
I have 38 national championships mostly in sprints, relays and heptathlon. That gives confidence to any running related activity
Q. What do you think about the lack of exercise among the youth?
That is a tragedy since there are both physical and psychological consequences that are detrimental both on a short and long term. Since there are no negative side effects from being physically active with children, I think it should be mandatory that kids all ages exercised daily in kindergartens and schools - and that parents should be and inspire to be physically active with their children.
Q. What was your best running experience?
I have several! And by principle, it is my latest run ;) But obviously my first national championships stands out. And my latest run, Comrades 2016 will be in me forever. That was epic.
Q. What was your worst running experience?
I have never had any bad running experiences as they have all been part of the runner I am today.
Q. How do you push through the pain?
I recognize the pain. And say hi. And ask if pain will come along. When being invited to come along, pain tends to step back a little. I can also use the technical things that always pick me up. That also helps.
Q. What advice can you give somebody who wants to start running?
That is easy to tell you. Take it slow but be persistent. It may take up to a year before you are able to actually enjoy it, but it takes a certain (high) number of runs before that kicks in. If you stop after 2-3 months, you probably didn't reach that point. Rather than 4 times a week for 2 months, you should take 2 times a week for 4 months. Suddenly you feel addicted.
Keep it simple.
Q. Which Social media sites are you on and how can one follow you?
Facebook (in Danish) and Instagram (cwschnohr)
My best running shoes is … Saucony are my absolute favourite
I love running because … it is my natural antidepressant
Injury is … easy to avoid if you take one weekly alternative training to build your body with supplementary training
My body is … my best signal to how I am and what direction my mood is going
My running playlist has … never been an issue because I normally run and listen to my surroundings and my heart
I hate running when … ..?... as if!!
Pain is … relative and you should get to know yours as it has important information for you
The road … ahead is my goal
Sweat is … necessary
In future, I would like to run … three times a week until I grow old
Indie means … unleashed
I do not like runners who … jump up and down when they wait for green light; they should run a tad faster instead
#RunRevolution
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