Birthday: 12/31/1961
Years running: 6+ yrs. Started running in June 1995--Had NEVER run before in my entire life.
Occupation: Administrative Assistant-State Farm Insurance/Claims
How many miles a week do you run? Average 30-40 miles
How did you come to join Bayou City?: My mom and I began participating in fun runs in 1996 and there would always be this crazy group of people having a good time who were very friendly. They kept encouraging me to join BCRR, but I was a little wary & very intimidated as well. After 3+ years I told mom if she would join, I would join.
My proudest running accomplishment is: Running my very first marathon EVER this year (Houston 2002) in 3:43:47 AND qualifying for Boston. Having Paul and my mom so very proud of me for doing this made me even more proud.
My favorite training run is: Houston: Sunday a.m. Memorial Park/River Oaks run. Las Vegas: Downtown Las Vegas to "The Strip" and back to Downtown (10-12 miles) early, early a.m.
My favorite race is: Favorite 10K--Conoco 10K. Favorite 5K—all 43+ I do every year.
My best distance is: I’m still working on having a "best distance".
I run because: It has become my passion and it makes me feel so healthy mentally and physically
My philosophy for life is: Be yourself--don’t be fake or hypocritical. Smile & be kind to everyone. Do one random good deed every day for a stranger.
My next goal is: Goal #1. Get caught up on laundry. Goal # 2. Run a consistent pace of 6:38 on 5K’s. And, I’ll probably reach Goal #2 first.
Favorite training food: Mixture of black beans, brown rice & a chopped up hard boiled egg. For dessert a glass of VERY cold fat free milk with fat free devil’s food chocolate pudding.
When I'm running I think about: Coming up with resolutions to issues/concerns/problems. Try to clear my mind of irritations and de-stress. If I have a pending project, I work through details and methods for completing the project.
The best running advice I could give would be: Never think you have reached your limit in running. When I was running a 29:00 5K, I never thought I would be able to run any faster. I have improved my 5K pace each year I have been running. I never thought I would be able to run further than a 10K. Since then I have completed several 20K, 25K, 30K, and one marathon. Never feel pressured to do anything you are not ready to do. That is why I waited so long to do my first marathon. I wanted to run a marathon when I was ready---not because everyone else was doing it.
People would be surprised if they knew I: I am really a very serious and intense person.
The top thing on my dream list: Two top things: 1. To be independently wealthy so that my mom could quit work and she could live off our wealth. 2. Paul and I could take our dream vacations to Rome & to Greece.
If I could have been anything, besides my current occupation it would be: A vigilante.
Other hobbies besides running: Reading, collecting teddy bears, swimming, trying to play the piano, shopping for clothes and shoes, working crossword puzzles and word games, reading the dictionary, hanging out with my mom when possible, embroidery, military history, following sports (esp.professional football) discussing politics, organizing "stuff".
The most embarrassing thing that has happened to me is: Let’s come back to this one later.
The most profound thing that has happened in my life: At age 24 I became seriously ill with an eating disorder. At the time, I had been dating my now husband (Paul!!!) for 3+ yrs. He was EXTREMELY supportive and caring and loving even though I was not very nice to be around and I had major mood swings. Paul and my mom were so forgiving, understanding, supportive and loving--this taught me the true meaning of "unconditional love". I finally went into the hospital for a month because I was on the verge of literally wasting away. Ever since then, I realized how precious life is and how you truly learn who you can depend on and trust when things are at the worst point in your life.
