Q: Tell me a little about yourself (where you’re from what you’re doing now…etc)
A: I was born in Ohio, but raised in Custer, SD. I’ve also been physically active whether it was playing soccer, softball, basketball, or running. Currently I’m summer training for the fall cross country season as a new Augustana Viking.
Q: How long have you been running and how did you get started?
A: I have always like to run even when I was in elementary. I started to compete in 6th grade. That year I had to choose between playing soccer for the last year or if I was going to try cross country instead. To this day I am very thankful that I chose cross country.
Q: Would you rather run with a group or alone?
A: I prefer running with a group. It’s very encouraging to know someone is doing the exact workout you are. Plus if you have a group it’s easier to be pushed.
Q: Do you prefer roads or trails?
A: I prefer gravel roads or the Mickelson trail. It’s easier on the knees instead of concrete.
Q: What is your favorite distance or race?
A: My favorite race is the mile.
Q: How do you stay motivated when you don’t want to run?
A: I motivate myself by thinking how well I want to do. Practice makes perfect. Lately with the pandemic, I’ve been mostly running by myself and one of my top motivators is thinking that I can’t wait to run with the women at Augustana University.
Q: What do you find to be the most rewarding/inspiring thing about running?
A: I think the most rewarding part about the sport is running a PR in a race. That proves that the workouts that you are doing are making you better.
Q: Tell us a little trivia about your running?
A: If I had to choose to run on an extremely cold day or an extremely hot day, I’d choose the colder weather. I tend to run a lot better in the cold than in the heat.
Q: What is your favorite running memory?
A: One of my favorite running memories is at the 2019 state track meet. I was the last leg of the medley relay and I remember getting the baton handed off to me in first and I kept in the lead until the very last 200 meters. A competitor was trying to pass me and I kicked it in another gear and finished the relay in first for our team. I think I was smiling the whole rest of the meet.
Q: If I didn’t run I’d….
A: I could still see myself being active, whether I was in a different sport or in the weight room. Physical activity is such a big part of my life that it’s hard to see myself doing anything else.
Q: Do you have a pre-race ritual?
A: I usually eat oatmeal for breakfast on race day. Also like someone who might wear the same pair of lucky socks every race, I wear the same sports bra every race if I can.
Q: What are your future running goals?
A: My future goals are to compete well in college and continue running as a lifestyle after I graduate.
Q: Tell us something about yourself we might not know?
A: Out of all of my family (extended included), I am the only distance runner.
Q: What advice do you have for new runners?
A: Like any other sport or hobby, if you want to be good at something, it takes a lot of practice and dedication. The more miles you run, ultimately the better you’ll be. Even though sometimes you may not always get the results you want, just know that all the bad and good days of training are going to make you that much better as a runner.