Jodi: How long have you been running?
Michel: I started running 2 years ago this month.
Jodi: Why did you start running?
Michel: I tried running a couple of years ago and never really got into it. I always felt silly when I ran and very self conscious about myself. Then I had a couple of kids and needed to change my life. My husband bought us a treadmill and I signed up for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K and had about 9 weeks to go from Couch to 5K to 8K. It was rough but I did it in 1:14.
Jodi: How many years have you been racing?
Michel: Two years now and counting.
Jodi: What is your favorite distance to race and why?
Michel: Last year it was doing the half marathon. My first half was a horrible little race, my second one a week later was the Rock and Roll Half and it was a completely different experience and I really loved it.
Jodi: What is your favorite race memory?
Michel: First one was at the end of my first Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle as I was about to cross the finish line the announcer said, "Look you're not last, there's someone behind you!" Nice. Second one was just crossing the finish line at the Chicago Marathon last year.
Jodi: What is your least favorite race memory?
Michel: The last 12 miles of trying to get to the finish line at Chicago. I couldn't run anymore. I thought my tendons were going to snap. All the aid stations had shut down. I am forever grateful for my husband waiting for me at mile 19. He pushed/pulled me to finish line. I ached and every step I took hurt.
Jodi: What is your proudest running moment to date?
Michel: Doing the Chicago Marathon in honor of my Mom. I raised money for the American Heart Association because she died from complications of heart surgery. I thought about her every step of the way. I never wanted to quit. I thought about it but knew I couldn't do it.
Michel: I started running 2 years ago this month.
Jodi: Why did you start running?
Michel: I tried running a couple of years ago and never really got into it. I always felt silly when I ran and very self conscious about myself. Then I had a couple of kids and needed to change my life. My husband bought us a treadmill and I signed up for the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K and had about 9 weeks to go from Couch to 5K to 8K. It was rough but I did it in 1:14.
Jodi: How many years have you been racing?
Michel: Two years now and counting.
Jodi: What is your favorite distance to race and why?
Michel: Last year it was doing the half marathon. My first half was a horrible little race, my second one a week later was the Rock and Roll Half and it was a completely different experience and I really loved it.
Jodi: What is your favorite race memory?
Michel: First one was at the end of my first Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle as I was about to cross the finish line the announcer said, "Look you're not last, there's someone behind you!" Nice. Second one was just crossing the finish line at the Chicago Marathon last year.
Jodi: What is your least favorite race memory?
Michel: The last 12 miles of trying to get to the finish line at Chicago. I couldn't run anymore. I thought my tendons were going to snap. All the aid stations had shut down. I am forever grateful for my husband waiting for me at mile 19. He pushed/pulled me to finish line. I ached and every step I took hurt.
Jodi: What is your proudest running moment to date?
Michel: Doing the Chicago Marathon in honor of my Mom. I raised money for the American Heart Association because she died from complications of heart surgery. I thought about her every step of the way. I never wanted to quit. I thought about it but knew I couldn't do it.
Jodi: What one item do you absolutely have to have with you on a training run?
Michel: I did my training run's last year with a group and having the conversation was a good mood booster and helped push me. Normally when I run on a regular basis I have to have music. I almost always make a new play list for a race.
Jodi: What is your favorite fuel during a race?
Michel: GU Chomps and Powerade. I despise Cytomax at least the Lemonade. ugh. horrible.
Jodi: What is your favorite post race snack?
Michel: I did my training run's last year with a group and having the conversation was a good mood booster and helped push me. Normally when I run on a regular basis I have to have music. I almost always make a new play list for a race.
Jodi: What is your favorite fuel during a race?
Michel: GU Chomps and Powerade. I despise Cytomax at least the Lemonade. ugh. horrible.
Jodi: What is your favorite post race snack?
Michel: Taco Bell. Probably the reason I didn't lose weight training for the marathon last year. lol.
Jodi: Who do you admire most and why?
Michel: Deena Kastor. After watching her story in Spirit of the Marathon after I had done the Chicago Marathon and seeing her come back from a foot injury and win the Chicago Marathon was just amazing. Injuries are the suck and working through them the way she did was devotion.
Jodi: Do you have a favorite quote?
Michel: The only way to define your limits is to go beyond them.
Jodi: Finish this statement, when I run I feel___________.
Michel: like my own person.
Jodi: What is your current goal?
Michel: Stay healthy! Get a good running base, hopefully do a spring marathon, and go back to Chicago and get redemption. I came in very last for women at the marathon last year. I don't want to be last this year. I at least want to see someone take my picture crossing the finish line!
Jodi: Please feel free to add anything else you feel will help others lace up their shoes and get out there and run!!
Michel:
Jodi: Who do you admire most and why?
Michel: Deena Kastor. After watching her story in Spirit of the Marathon after I had done the Chicago Marathon and seeing her come back from a foot injury and win the Chicago Marathon was just amazing. Injuries are the suck and working through them the way she did was devotion.
Jodi: Do you have a favorite quote?
Michel: The only way to define your limits is to go beyond them.
Jodi: Finish this statement, when I run I feel___________.
Michel: like my own person.
Jodi: What is your current goal?
Michel: Stay healthy! Get a good running base, hopefully do a spring marathon, and go back to Chicago and get redemption. I came in very last for women at the marathon last year. I don't want to be last this year. I at least want to see someone take my picture crossing the finish line!
Jodi: Please feel free to add anything else you feel will help others lace up their shoes and get out there and run!!
Michel:
1. Believe in yourself. Ten years ago I would have never thought I could run thirty seconds much less a half marathon or do a marathon.
2. Sign up for a race to have a goal to work towards. Put up a training calendar in a visible area and mark off the days as you go. It holds you accountable when you can see your goal in black and white.
3. If you start to hurt, scale back what you are doing and get an opinion from a sports medicine doctor. If need be, get a second opinion.
2. Sign up for a race to have a goal to work towards. Put up a training calendar in a visible area and mark off the days as you go. It holds you accountable when you can see your goal in black and white.
3. If you start to hurt, scale back what you are doing and get an opinion from a sports medicine doctor. If need be, get a second opinion.
Thanks again for the opportunity to give you a Thumbs Up Michel! Best of luck achieving your current goals!
Keep running, you're simply the best, and Michel YOU inspire ME!!
loved this! thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!! Love it!
ReplyDelete