Thumbs Up Thursday...Erin

This week's spotlight is on Erin of Just Run With It (here). After you read her interview, head on over to her blog and say hello!

Erin: First – thanks for highlighting me this week, Jodi! I love your idea of Thumbs Up Thursdays and I’m flattered you chose me!
Jodi: You are more than welcome Erin!

Jodi: How long have you been running?
Erin: Since 7th grade. My older sister didn’t make the volleyball team, so she decided to run XC instead. My brother followed in her footsteps, so as soon as I could join the team (7th grade) I did.

Jodi: Why did you start running?
Erin: I wanted to be cool just like my older siblings. That, and my dad ran a lot when he was younger (5 marathons in his day!) and I really look up to him. Running is just a huge part of what my family does. A family that sweats together, stays together.

Jodi: How many years have you been racing?
Erin: 7th through 12th grade and all four years in college. I ran competitively for a D3 college and those years gave me experiences I’ll never forget. I loved the feeling of lacing up my 3/8” XC spikes, the butterflies, the team spirit. I miss racing as part of team.

Jodi: What is your favorite distance to race and why?
Erin: In college, the 5k was my thing. It’s so tough - mentally and physically - and I loved that. Now that I’m out of collegiate running, I dig the long runs. The ones where you’re out on the trails for 2+ hours, self-supporting, and down with nature. The long runs are my favorite part of running now.

Jodi: What is your favorite race memory?
Erin: The Cleveland Marathon (May 2010) as a whole, but specifically the last 1.2 miles. The idea of BQ’ing was just minutes away and distance running distilled down to its basics in those moments: survival, guts, heart, pride. I truly felt like a marathoner.

Jodi: What is your least favorite race memory?
Erin: I’d like to think my first marathon experience (Boulder Backroads Marathon) made me tougher… I ended up getting pretty badly dehydrated around mile 19. I crawled, puked, and walked my way to the finish line. Not exactly the first marathon experience I thought I’d have, but what doesn’t kill ya makes you stronger, right?

Jodi: What is your proudest running moment to date?
Erin: Winning the equivalence of “state” XC when I lived in Singapore. I out-kicked my competitor, sprinting into the shoot where my brother was waiting with arms wide open. I was proud to win it for my team and I was proud to come from a family that supports each other like that.

Jodi: What one item do you absolutely have to have with you on a training run?
Erin: My $10 target start/stop watch. How’s a girl to know when to turn around?!

Jodi: What is your favorite fuel during a race?
Erin: Mocha Clif Shots or Chocolate Gu’s. They taste like brownie batter!

Jodi: What is your favorite post race snack?
Erin: Pizza. Definitely, definitely pizza.

Jodi: Who do you admire most and why?
Erin: My hero is the old man, still out running in his 70s. My heroes are the quadriplegics who refuse to say “can’t”. My hero is the mom pushing a baby stroller despite the 9 months she just went through. People who love running and stay dedicated despite adversities.

Jodi: Do you have a favorite quote?
Erin: “The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, made to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars…” ~ Jack Kerouac

“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift” ~ Pre

Jodi: Finish this statement, when I run I feel___________.
Erin: Alive.

Jodi: What is your current goal?
Erin: A healthy recovery from my current knee injury and a successful (injury-free) training cycle and trip to Boston in April 2011.

Thanks again for the opportunity to give you a Thumbs Up Erin! Best of luck with your Boston 2011 training!

Keep running, you're simply the best, and Erin YOU inspire ME!!