Interview with a Runner

This week's runner is Liz Oldenburg. Liz is from Seattle but she's lived in cities across the country - LA, Durham, North Carolina, and currently Portland, Oregon. She moved back to the Northwest because she loves the active and outdoor lifestyle here. You can find her skiing, hiking, camping, backpacking, basically doing anything outdoors, especially in the summer! Liz works at one of the best sports brands in the world, adidas, as a Digital Marketing Specialist. She spends all day on Facebook and Twitter and gets paid for it, and she loves it!

When did you start running?
I've always been active and played sports growing up. I liked team sports though, and never thought of going for runs until college, when it became an easy and convenient way to stay in shape. When one of my best friends signed up for a half marathon, I thought it sounded fun, so I signed up too! We trained separately but encouraged each other via long distance, and ran the race together when we were both back in Seattle. I've done multiple half marathons since then and 1 full marathon, and I'm getting ready to run my 2nd marathon in March!

Are you running for fun or sport? Current running goals?
Both. Running with friends is a great way to catch up and have some fun. I also like to compete, and training for races keeps me focused and pushing myself.

What is your favorite running route? Why?
I love running by water, or anything that's not an out-and-back course. I like doing loops of the waterfront in Portland and running along Lake Washington when I'm back in Seattle. It's very peaceful and helps me relieve stress.

Favorite post-run meal?
A turkey/bagel sandwich from Nuvrei, this awesome bakery in Portland. It's definitely my favorite treat after a long run!

Best piece of running advice?
One foot in front of the other.

Who inspired you to run? 
My best friend, Leah, who I ran my first half marathon with. Then I just kept going!

Who would you love to run with? 
Beyonce. How is she so in shape!?

Favorite way to sweat other than run?
Spin class is a great workout and gets me real sweaty. I also love hot yoga, especially when I need to stretch out my tight hamstrings!

Monday Motivation - Running in the Rain

by Meghan Reynolds

I moved to a rainy city and kept telling myself that I was prepared for the rain - I've got the gear, the dedication and races scheduled. Then, the rain didn't come. It was a pretty dry November, December and January. Sure, it was cold, but I was use to that coming from the Northeast. Suddenly, the Portland rain is here and I'm having to actually run in the rain. I realized that I'm not that prepared for constant running in the rain and I'm having to give myself pep talks to get out there and run. It's really easy to say you are okay with the rain but getting out there 3-5 times a week when it is raining is WAY different!

Meeting up with friends is helping and what I do love about Portland is that people actually do run in the rain. In NYC, it was really only the most dedicated runners who ventured outside in the rain. Here, it's everyone. This Saturday morning, Jessica and I coached a group of runners from adidas who are training for the Shamrock Race on March 16th. I got up, looked out the window and thought, "this sucks, it's raining". Despite that, I got ready to go, sure that no one would show up. I was wrong! 7 women, mostly beginners, showed up to run. It ended up being an awesome, fun run despite the cold and constant rain.

After the run, after I showered and after I finally got warm again, a rainbow came out and Portland was green and beautiful once again. It's easy to assume you are ready and prepared for different situations.   I'm not as prepared for the rain as I thought and will have to work on changing up my attitude because I have months of running in the rain ahead of me.

Here are a few ways I'm making sure that I continue to run all winter long and through the rain:

1) Signing up with a run group and meeting them every Saturday morning

2) Doing fun runs like the Fitness Dash with Athleta.

3) Committing to Pilates and barre classes at least one time a week so if I don't run, I still get a workout in.