Now it's time for another runner spotlight...my favorite time of the week! I love reading other runners' stories about their running journey! If you are interested in being spotlighted on my blog please email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com! I'd love to spotlight you! You don't have to have a blog to be spotlighted...you just have to be a runner! ;-) And I'm running low on spotlights so now's your time to shine!!!
Today I'm spotlighting Tanya from BQ Strong! She is working hard to qualify for the Boston Marathon in 2015! Keep reading to learn more about her and her running journey!
Name: Tanya Strauss
State: California
When and why did you start running?
I’ve been running for the better part of my life. My dad took me on my first “run” when I was about 16. I complained a lot. After about 2 blocks, I told him I was ready to go home. He said, “Are you sure? We’ve only been out here 3 minutes…” I wasn’t really finished. We ran together a bit and I loved those times with him so much. He died in an accident 3 years later and now I treasure those memories.But, my real running inspiration wasn’t my dad. It is my mom. Widowed at 45 after 28 years of marriage, running saved her and she saved me.
Now, thanks to all of her pavement-pounding role modeling, running has saved me again and again and again. Running saved me after my father died. Running kept me sane during my insane first marriage. Running helped me focus during my heart-breaking, nail-biting divorce. Running renewed me when I found myself single and 31. Running (and triathlons) brought me my real husband. Running helped me find my body after having my babies.
Now running will bring me the medal I’ve wanted for my entire life...BOSTON! Very appropriate for this Marathon Monday, isn't it?
What is your favorite race and race distance?
The longest race I've done so far is the half marathon distance. I love the half distance because I finish feeling like I've really accomplished something awesome, but I'm not ruined for the rest of the day/week. Ask me again after my first marathon (the Santa Rosa, CA Marathon) on August 24 and hopefully I'll have a new answer!
What is your race day routine?
Get up, eat a banana and a gu and drive like a maniac to the start line hoping not to miss the gun. (I am thinking about working on making this a little more zen-like and a lot less frenetic!)
What is your most favorite piece of running gear?
My iPhone and Map My Fitness running app.
Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your running?
I love to cook and I love to experiment with make old favorites healthier. That said, I don't follow any specific diet. I keep thinking about eliminating alcohol and sugar. I also consider myself Paleo-curious. That said, I love food and wine so much and I hate being limited. With my Boston-2015 qualifying goal in Santa Rosa, I'll probably start getting much more serious in the next few weeks.
What do you wish you’d known when you first started running?
The first 2 miles are MUCH harder than the rest. Once I learned that important lesson, running became so much more fulfilling and less arduous.
What is your fondest running memory?
I have so many. My weekly trail runs inspire me so much. I guess my fondest memory is running with my sister. She started doing half marathons a few years ago. We've run 3 together. Not having a running partner, running with her makes me so happy. It always blows my mind how the miles seem to float by when we're out there talking, laughing and sweating together.
I can't stand the sound of human flesh touching styrofoam. It gives me the same feeling as fingernails on a chalkboard. (I'm getting hives just THINKING about it! Ugh.)
Here are all the different ways you can connect with Tanya! (In addition to writing her own blog about her Boston aspirations, Tanya and her BFF run a women's wellness community called Fun Fabulous Fierce. Check them out - you won't be sorry!)
Twitter: @bqstrong or @funfabfierce
Pinterest: http://www.
Thanks so much for sharing with us Tanya! And good luck getting that BQ!
