Name: Rebecca Watkins

Birthday: 9/22/76

Years running at the time of profile(2000): 2 1/2 consistently

Occupation: Administrative

How many miles a week do you run? Around 30-45 with an occasional 50+ week or two when mara training. I would like to see 70 mile weeks in the next couple of years.

How did you come to join Bayou City?: Researched the running clubs listed on HARRA and BCRR had the best web-site!

My proudest running accomplishment is: My first marathon! In training for my next (10/27/02 – Marine Corps)

My favorite training run is: A River Oaks, Allen Parkway Combo ~ 15 miles

My favorite race is: Not sure I have a favorite yet, but I really liked the Lookin’ Good 5K – not for the course, but for the food. The after party race is yummy, yummy, yummy! I’m planning to do SunMart in December – everyone seems to like that run, maybe it will be my favorite.

My best distance is: Not sure I have a best distance yet, but I’m working really hard to figure it out.

I run because: I started running for fitness, now I run because I have to – it is an obsession.

My philosophy for life is: "Failure is not as painful as regret" – no, I didn’t make it up, but it is mine now and I constantly remind myself of it especially when training.

My next goal is: Marine Corps Marathon, October 27, 2002 and after that the SunMart 50K

Favorite training food: Peanut butter and Mexican food, but not together.

When I'm running I think about: If I’m by myself and it is an easy run I take in the sights. If it is a tough run I count. When I’m running w/ my friends we chit chat most of the way. If we are running long I like to play word games. They take your mind off the distance.

The best running advice I could give would be: I’m sure there are many people out there that have more experience giving advice than me, but the best advice I give myself is to stretch and keep stretching. That seems to help keep me injury free although touching my toes is still not easy.

People would be surprised if they knew I: …I’m not very surprising.

The top thing on my dream list is: My vacation dreams include scuba diving in Australia or visiting the African safaris. Both would be an awesome experience! My running dream is to run a sub 3:30 marathon one day. I know I can get there with hard work.

If I could have been anything, besides my current occupation it would be: Dive Master in Cozumel – they have the life. Dive by day, beach bum by night.

Other hobbies besides running: I love to scuba dive and snow ski and my husband teaches me to play the guitar on a very sporadic basis.

I would love to spend the day with: George W. Bush or Deena Drossin -- it’s a toss up.

The most embarrasing thing that has happened to me is: I’m sure it is still to come…

The most profound thing that has happened in my life is: Has anyone heard of Enron?