Interview With a Runner

Stephanie Baker, is our featured runner this week.  We have known her for over 10 years, since our days at Hamilton College. Steph lives in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood in Washington DC. She's an international policy analyst with a federal agency who loves both running and lifting heavy weights. She's a force to be reckon with - both on the race course and off!

How do you know us - Hot Bird Running?
I went to college with both Meghan and Jessica.

What are your current running goals? Are you training for anything? 
I'm currently recovering from an injury, so my main goal is to get back to running pain free!  I'm currently signed up for the Cherry Blossom 10-miler and DC Nike Women's Half Marathon and am focused on staying healthy so I can cross both of those finish lines!

Who or what inspires you to run?
Just being able to be outside, exploring new and familiar places inspires me to hit the pavement as much as I can.  and moving my body motivates me to hit the pavement.  10 years ago you never would have been able to convince me that I would run a mile, let alone 2 marathons.

What is your favorite running route/place to run?
In DC, I have a great 10-mile loop that takes me around the Capitol, National Mall, Lincoln Memorial and Rock Creek Parkway.  It is such a refreshing and inspiring run.

I also travel a lot to Paris for work, so when I'm there I run along the Seine and just take in the beauty of the City of Lights. I always pinch myself on those runs - it doesn't get better than that.

Who is your favorite person to run with and why? 
My best friend.  I convinced her to run the Chicago Marathon with me last fall, but got injured during training.  Fortunately I was able to run the last 5 miles of the race with her and had such a blast.  I don't have many friends that run and now that she's caught the bug, we're constantly planning our next races.

What is the best piece of running advice you ever received and who was it from?
Well it came from the Hot Birds of course!  They told me to focus on quality not quantity.  That advice helped me to economize my training runs and gain speed.

What is your favorite running gear/piece of clothing?
My boyfriend got me a Garmin Forerunner 610 for Christmas and now I can't live with out it.

An Interview with a Runner

Martina Ladd, a Brooklyn Heights mom and runner, was part of our 10k training group for Brooklyn Moms. She loves being outside and traveling with her family. This lady is no joke - she's moved seemlessly from being an investment banker to a mom of twins to a 10k star!

How do you know us - Hot Bird Running?
I was introduced through Brooklyn Babes Running, which a friend started.

What are your current running goals? Are you training for anything? 
I am aiming to do a half marathon in June.   It's going to take a lot of training though!

Who or what inspires you to run?
The need to be outside and feel clear-headed. I am also still running off baby-weight.

What is your favorite running route/place to run?
I like to run along the river in Brooklyn Bridge Park and sometimes over the bridge but I really miss Central Park for running.

Who is your favorite person to run with and why? 
Jessica Green by far!  She has given me amazing advice and she's fun to talk to so it makes the time go by faster.

What is the best piece of running advice you ever received and who was it from?
Of course it was from Jessica!  She said to go against my instinct to open my stride going up hills.  You want to take smaller steps instead of larger steps.  That has helped incredibly.  She also got me through my first 5-mile road race by telling me to go slowly.  I did and had a blast!  She was there to give me a big bear hug near the end too. What else could you want from a coach?

What is your favorite running gear/piece of clothing?
My Adidas sports bra!