Q: When did you first join R4R and how did you learn about us?
A: I first joined R4R around Thanksgiving 2023. I had signed up to run my first half-marathon (Shamrock’n 2024), and realized I needed a group that I could train with. I had been reading Martinus Evans’ book, Slow AF Run Club, where he described some of his bad experiences trying to find a running group that would include him as a slower runner, so I knew I wanted to find a group that was open to runners of all levels and experience levels. I found a list of local running groups online, and R4R sounded like it might fit the bill, so I signed up for a free trial on Meetup and started going to different events in Sacramento and Elk Grove. I live in Arden, so the Sac group workouts are close to my house, and I work at the Southgate Library in South Sac, so Elk Grove is close to work, and I ended up bouncing between the two areas on different days. Everyone I met was super welcoming and friendly, and they were happy to share their knowledge and experiences running different races. Eventually, I found a running buddy who was also training for Shamrock’n, and we were able to run together on Sundays and stick together during the race, so my experience with the group so far has been incredibly positive and awesome!
Q: Congratulations on training for your first marathon this year! Many of our Blue Crew members have run a marathon or are considering running one in the future. What made you decide to run a marathon?
A: My original inspiration was Martinus Evans, who has run many marathons as the leader of the Slow AF Run Club and who is focused on raising visibility and making space for slower runners in the amateur racing world. His book is about running in whatever body you have and enjoying the experience, which was something that got me interested in trying out running. His attitude that running is for everyone made me feel a lot less nervous about being new to the sport in my 40s. Previously, my only experience running was having to do laps as punishment or for the once-a-year Presidential Physical Fitness Tests in school! This also empowered me to think about going after big, audacious goals. I figured if Martinus can run all of these marathons, and have fun doing it, then why not give it a try?
Q: What are you most excited about?
A: I’m excited about training, both with the First Timers program (which I am doing online, so a lot of it is done on my own) and with the Blue Crew. I had a lot of fun training for Shamrock’n, so part of the reason I signed up for CIM was to go through the training process again, this time with the full 26.2-mile goal. I’m also excited to run from Folsom to the state Capitol! It sounds crazy but in a good way.
Q: What is your biggest concern?
A: My biggest concern is getting my pace fast enough so that I will finish in 6 hours. I’ve heard some folks say that the race cutoff time is strict, but others say the organizers are lenient about giving medals to folks who finish a bit later, and when I was handing out First Timer medals last year I know some of the participants said they didn’t get a race medal, so that is a scary thought. My current pace is somewhere in the 14-minute range, and CIM suggests a pace of 13:44 to finish in 6 hours, so I’m going to work on speeding up my intervals and overall pacing to make it in time.
Q: How do you like to spend your free time? Any hobbies of note?
A: I love to read, so when I’m not running I am usually reading. My latest favorite authors are Mona Awad (Bunny, Rouge) and Otessa Moshfegh (Eileen, My Year of Rest and Relaxation). I started a Book to Movie Club at the Southgate branch of the library, where I work, so if you enjoy reading novels that have been made into movies (or TV shows!), we meet for discussions on the 4th Saturday of every month, and I would love to hear your suggestions for books and movies we should be discussing. 😀
Q: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
A: I’m a writer, and have published three books for teens that you can find at the library (Careers in Gaming, Careers If You Like Music, and Careers in Digital Media). Just before the pandemic hit, I was about to release a self-published Sacramento guidebook that would’ve been the third in my A to Z Guide series about cities I’ve lived in (the other two are about Montreal and San Diego). I have a couple of ideas that I’m kicking around right now, including one for a mystery inspired by something that happened at the Walnut Grove branch of the library.
Q: What has been your proudest moment since being a part of the R4R family?
A: My proudest moment so far has been crossing the finish line of the Shamrock’n half marathon in 3:05:30 with my running partner, Jessica Skogebo! Before the race, she told me she’d run another half marathon back in college, and the friend she’d run with had suddenly smoked her at the finish line, so I was trying to let her cross the finish line first, but I think she was trying to let *me* finish first because it was my first half, so there is a funny picture of us both laughing as we are holding back at the very end of the race.
Q: If you were a vegetable, what would you be and why?
A: I’d probably be a beet, because although they may not be everyone’s favorite, they are packed with antioxidants, can provide more stamina when exercising, prevent heart disease, and lower your blood pressure! They are also a beautiful shade of pink, which is usually what happens to my face when I exercise. 😉
Q: How would you describe your Runnin’ for Rhett experience to a child?
A: Runnin’ for Rhett is a group where adults get together to play!
