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marathon Archives - Britt Fit

Jun 13
0

Meet the Athlete: Chris Frias

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A Throwback Post

Last summer, I published a “Life Stuff” piece on my friend Chris Frias, Cal Poly 10k school record holder and 2016 Olympic Trials marathon competitor. He is currently training to qualify and compete in the 2020 trials. There’s a lot of good insight that comes with such high quality athletic experience. Chris has kindly packaged up a good chunk of it here in this “Meet the Athlete” interview format for you to enjoy. Thank you, Chris!

Current place of residence: Ventura, CA

Best Event (running): 5k/10k

Day job: Manager at Mile 26 Sports

Favorite hobbies (besides running): I love coaching.  I helped out with Buena’s cross country and track teams last year and have been a VYBA (youth basketball) coach the past two years.  I also like hiking and going to the beach.

Favorite non-sport accomplishment: Getting my Master’s degree from Cal Poly.

Current race goal: Sub 14 5k, sub 29 10k, sub 64 half/sub 2:18 marathon

When did you start running? Initially started running to get in shape for basketball my freshman year of high school.  I found out that year I was surprisingly pretty good at it so I decided stick with it. Thankfully I did too, because playing ball at the collegiate level probably wouldn’t have been realistic with my 5’7 frame.

What gets you out the door to go for a run? My dedication and love for the sport along with my strong desire to get better each and every day.  Running has been my passion for the past 14 years now and it will continue to be for the rest of my life.     

Who inspires you and why? My mom is my greatest inspiration.  She battled stage 4 pancreatic cancer for 17 months and never was negative or gave up hope.  She fought until her very last day. He strength, willpower, and bravery are things I truly admired.  

Best athletic encouragement you’ve ever been given:  The best encouragement I’ve been given throughout my running career has always come from Cayla.  She always tells me she’s proud of me after every race no matter the result. I’m usually pretty hard on myself if I’m not running up to my standards, but I can always count on her to give me the positive feedback I need to lift my spirits back up.   

What is your most significant “success” in sport thus far, and what did you learn from it?  Breaking the 10k school record at Cal Poly (which had stood for 31 years) is what I view as my most significant success.  I learned that all the sacrifices I had made leading up to that brief moment in time knowing what I had just accomplished had all been MORE than worth it.  In that moment I found out how much I truly loved the sport.

What is your most significant “failure” or setback in sport thus far, and what did you learn from it?  Last track season I probably had the biggest setback of my running career due to life circumstances.  My times and performances weren’t up to par with my expectations by any means. It’s taken me a while, but I’ve finally come to the realization that no matter how hard or how smart you may train, sometimes the ups and downs in life will ultimately determine how well you’ll actually perform.  I know things will get better, and therefore my running will improve, but for now I’m just doing all I can to continue to compete at the highest level possible.

Hardest race you’ve ever completed: Completing the marathon at the 2016 Olympic Trials was the hardest thing I had ever done in my life.  It pushed me to my limits physically, mentally, and emotionally. I had to stop at least 15-20 times to stretch to ease the cramps I was having in virtually every muscle in my body (or at least that’s what it felt like).  There were also times after stopping that I would have to just start walking to keep my momentum going. My ultimate goal was to finish the race so I was determined to cross the line by any means necessary.

Pre-race ritual or superstition: Be done eating at least 3 hours before my race.  And if I eat a sandwich, it’s GOTTA be from Subway.  

Training tips: Consistency in training leads to consistency in racing.  Not much of a secret but a very important concept to understand.  

What are 3 habits that you believe have helped you reach and maintain an elite running lifestyle? I get at least 8 hours of sleep every night, I drink in moderation, and I take care of my body on a daily basis (stretch, roll, etc).

What is the first thing and last thing you do each day? First thing I do is wake up and get ready for my run every morning; the last thing I do is get in bed, watch Netflix, and KO every night.

Pick one:

Dirt, Pavement, Grass, Sand, Treadmill, or Track? Track

Hot or Cold? Cold

Snot rocket, sleeve, or tissue? Sleeve

Solo or group training? Group

Chocolate or cheese? Chocolate

Watch on your left wrist or right? Left

Morning or evening workout? Morning

Hat or visor? Hat

Cheerios or Wheaties? Cheerios

Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? Hot chocolate

Any other fun facts about you? I’m a fantasy football and basketball NERD.  I spend way too much time doing “research” to try to win in leagues I’m in with friends.  

What is your first thought when then alarm goes off for an early workout or race? Man it’s way too early to be doing this.  

Second thought? Don’t lay in bed any longer or else you’ll never get up!

What is the last thought in your head before the gun at a race? Try to relax.

First thought after the gun? Get out hard and GO!

Any final thoughts on mental game? Positive self-talk can significantly influence performance and can be the difference in having a great race or a poor one.  Negative thoughts can be very detrimental to performance and can ultimately lead to mentally checking out of a race/workout.  I feel like running is about 70% mental and 30% physical. You can be extremely fit yet never perform well in races if you aren’t mentally tough.  

With so many obstacles in my life right now, I’ve found having positive thoughts and positive self-talk to be even more crucial to my success in my training and racing.  I find myself having to use positive self-talk more frequently now than I have in the past to help me keep an honest effort in workouts and in races.    

Feb 26
1

Meet the Athlete: Rose

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I used to admire her as the girl who ran fast, rode horses, and worked at the local running shoe store. But after having had the pleasure of running alongside Rose Carlman and even chatting over a cafe au lait, I am an even bigger fan of the way that she lives her life with an attitude of gratitude. Rose is currently training for the Boston Marathon which will take place on April 16th. At just 22 years of age, you might think that this is one of her first ventures into marathon running. However, after discovering the sport only 4 years ago, Rose literally ran off with it. She has finished numerous marathons–including 2 previous Boston finishes–and has recently covered ultra-marathon distances. Perhaps most impressively, she broke the 3-hour time barrier over 26.2 miles last fall (that is 26.2 miles at 6:50 pace or below!)…and then did it again only 7 days later, just for good measure. While some might pride themselves on such achievements, Rose isn’t one to flaunt her many accomplishments but rather accepts them with a thankful heart, as gifts from God. If you’d like to follow Rose’s journey, you can find her on Instagram @arcarlman. Check out her interview below for some wise training and life advice!

Current place of residence: Ventura, Ca

Hometown/place of birth: Glastonbury, Cy

Day job: Sales (horse industry)

Dream job: Equestrian (riding and training)

Favorite sports or hobbies (besides running): Show jumping

Best Race distance/type: Marathon

Dream training camp location: Anywhere near the ocean

Dream race location: Either somewhere tropical or somewhere close to friends and family so we can all have fun together, but either way a place with good scenery.

Current race goal: I’d like to do the New York marathon and some races in Europe

Why do you want to accomplish this? Just for the fun of it- seeing new things, meeting cool people and trying new food.

When/why did you start running? I started really training in my first or second year of college because I wasn’t able to ride horses every day and I need to be active and moving all the time.

Favorite accomplishment in the sport thus far: Breaking the 3 hour marathon for the first time– I was so grateful to accomplish that and so excited when I realized it as I crossed the finish line because I try not to look at my watch too much when I race.

Favorite non-sport accomplishment: Graduating from college. College felt never-ending.

Hardest race you’ve ever completed: Some of the trail ultras I’ve done have been really difficult mentally, but it’s always so rewarding to finish and there really is no choice but to keep going when you’re in the middle of nowhere on a trail.

Most memorable race moment: Running the Boston Marathon the first time. It’s the most energizing race and there’s a ton support and people screaming on course-it’s amazing. However, it’s also humbling to run in memory of those who are unable or were injured in the bombing. People come up and are appreciative of the runners; it’s eye-opening to see being a runner from their point of view.

Best athletic encouragement you’ve ever been given: I guess what helps the most is being reminded to really just focus on what’s right in front of me and really just giving my all to what’s happening in the moment without worrying about the next mile or whatever else is coming up or has past. This goes for the rest of my life as well.

Words of wisdom to someone considering training for their first endurance event: Don’t worry about your time or what your watch says. Go with how you feel and the pace that will make the experience both challenging and rewarding to the point where you really enjoy it and want to continue and improve.

Something you’ve learned about yourself through endurance sport: Usually “I can’t” is simply “I won’t”–we can all achieve more than we think.

What motivates you to keep training and competing? I don’t really get motivated, I just do it whether I want to or not. I have weekly goals that I hold myself to and I just accept it and do my best even if I don’t feel like it. Though, ultimately I train for my fitness and because of the people that have been positively affected. Racing has impacted those around me and it’s a million times better to inspire someone else than anything I do for myself.

What motivates you when it’s tough to start/complete a run? Usually food, sometimes alcohol.

Who inspires you and why? Those who have achieved more in the sport. We all know how demanding it is and everyone who has pushed further inspires me to do the same.

What are the first thing and last things that you do each day? I try to start, maintain and end my day with prayer, however long or short.

Favorite type of running shoes: I have a lot of different go-tos , but I think my number one right now is the Saucony Freedom.

Training tips: Listen to your body. There are times you can give more and there are times you just can’t. Sometimes a day off is healthier than adding an extra workout. Everyone is different; trial and error will show you the best way to train to achieve maximum performance.

Racing pet peeve: I hate when people stop or slow down without moving over. It’s really hard to maintain my pace if they stop right in front of me. People of course can stop but it’s nice to give a little wave or move over so others can pass.

What does “Fuel” mean to you? Fuel is what powers one through the race (or day) allowing the athlete to reach their full potential, and it’s gotta taste great.

What does being “Fit” mean to you? Fit means living a healthy lifestyle which enables me to strive to do my best every day; its living well, being happy and being the best version of myself. Exercise helps me physically, mentally and emotionally, and I’m so happy running is a part of my life.

Pick one:

Trail or track? Trail

Snot rocket, sleeve, or tissue? Sleeve

Solo or group training? I enjoy a mix of both, but I’m usually solo

Chocolate or cheese? Chocolate 100%

Watch on your left wrist or right? Left

Morning or evening workout? Morning

Cheerios or Wheaties? Cheerios

Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? Tea

Crocs or Birkenstocks? Birkenstock

Any other fun facts about you? I love to try new things, whether it’s exploring a foreign country, trying new food, or day trips . I really enjoy being outside and can’t stand staying still, so why not make the most of my restlessness?

Thanks, Rose! Hoping you have your best Boston experience yet 🙂

Jun 25
1

Meet the Athlete: Emma

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About 3 years ago, I was introduced to Emma Huebner through her mother and sister. Little did I know that we would become such close friends and training partners. I enjoyed reviewing her interview responses (below), as there are always little tidbits that don’t come out in everyday conversation–even with the close friends that you seem to talk about everything with–like the little thoughts that go through our heads when things get tough, or the pet peeves we have on the race course. It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you this go-getter medical student-athlete-writer; yet another local “super woman”.

Current place of residence: Splitting time between Ventura, CA (home) and Omaha, NE (school)
Hometown/place of birth: I was born in Boulder, CO, but my family moved to Ventura when I was a baby.
Day job/occupation: Second year medical student at UNMC College of Medicine
Dream job: ER doc volunteering at Everest Base Camp Medical Clinic
Favorite sports or hobbies: Running, skiing, surfing, hiking, writing

Best event: Marathon
Favorite type of running shoes: Brooks Pure Cadence
Dream training camp location: Tahoe
Dream race: Any race with awesome views and some dirt

When/how/why did you start endurance sports? After being sidelined for multiple seasons of track and cross country due to stress fractures, I decided to try a different distance. Longer and slower turned out to be a much better fit for me.
Favorite accomplishment in sport: Beating my dad’s old “record” time running up Mount Sanitas in Boulder, CO [disclaimer: neither of us hold any actual records]
Most memorable race moment: Finishing my first marathon and seeing my parents and sister waiting with open arms at the end. It takes a lot of love to hug someone who is that sweaty.
Hardest workout you’ve ever completed: A trail run I did in Aspen, CO last month. I inflicted the pain entirely on myself. The views were worth it though.

Current goals: Finish medical school in one piece and run some more marathons
Why do you want to accomplish these goals? As much as the nerd in me loves school, running is a much needed stress outlet. It is easier to squeeze miles into my daily schedule when I have a training goal, so my plan for next year is to sign up for a few races. Hopefully those goals will make my daily jaunts more motivating, especially during the cold winter months. As far as finishing medical school – I have wanted to be a doctor since age five, so it has been a long-time dream of mine, and I am finally making it happen! It isn’t easy, but blood and guts are fun. Patients are pretty fun too; it is humbling to learn how much each patient I encounter – whether they are 5 or 95 – can teach me about life in general. People are so smart.

Emma (far right) at the 2017 Clif Mountains 2 Beach Marathon, on her way to a 3:18 Marathon PR

Best athletic encouragement you’ve ever been given: 90% of your performance is psychological.
Words of wisdom to someone considering training for their first marathon: Long runs are the most important element of training for a marathon. No matter how “fit” you are, you have to train your body to withstand running for hours on end. Don’t run your long runs too fast! Save the speed for shorter runs and for race day itself.
Something you’ve learned about yourself through endurance sport: I can always go a little bit farther than I think I can.
Who inspires you and why? My friend Brittany. She is one of the most generous people I have ever met. She gives her all in racing, in training, and in day-to-day life with her friends and loved ones. She’s definitely a keeper.

Pre-race ritual or superstition: I haven’t nailed down the perfect routine yet. What I learned from my last race: don’t eat pesto the night before.
Pre-race pump up jams: I usually don’t like listening to music right before I race – I have enough adrenaline going as it is. I do remember Uptown Funk playing at the start of the San Francisco marathon last year though, and that was pretty fun.
Post-race treat: ICE CREAM

What is the first thing and last thing you do each day? First: drink a glass of water, then a cup of coffee. Last: get through a few pages of whatever book I am reading. Currently it is Rules of Civility by Amor Towles.

Training/racing “secrets”/tips: Don’t rely on your watch too much. I try to do the majority of my runs watch-less. It is so much more enjoyable, and I find that it is easier to go the pace my body wants me to go that day.
Racing pet peeve: “Keep it up” is one of the worst things you can yell at a runner while they are racing. What, does it look like I’m just about to fall over and give up? I must say, though, I do appreciate the sentiment.
What motivates you to keep training and competing? That feeling when you are in peak shape and it feels like you are floating instead of running.
What motivates you when it’s tough to start/complete a workout/race? Usually I remind myself that no matter how painful it is, it is better than studying histology.
What does “Fuel” mean to you? Delicious food that powers my muscles to perform the way that I want them to. As a poor medical student, fuel also takes the form of any and all free food. I love free food.
Any favorite recipes to share? I just posted my favorite vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe on my blog – <https://emmahuebner.wixsite.com/emmaretigan/single-post/2017/06/20/Storied-Lives>
What does being “Fit” mean to you? Venturing outside and getting your blood pumping at least once a day, whether it is for 20 minutes or 2 hours.

Pick one:
Long swim or long run? Long run
Open water or pool? If the water is at least above 65°, open water. If not, pool. I am a wimp.
Trail or track? Trail
Snot rocket, sleeve, or tissue? Rocket
Solo or group training? Small group
Chocolate or cheese? Chocolate
Watch on your left wrist or right? Left
Morning or evening workout? Morning
Hat or visor? Hat
Swim cap or no cap? Cap
Cheerios or Wheaties? Cheerios
Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate? Coffee
Crocs or Birkenstocks? Birks for days

Any other fun facts about you? I have broken a total of 10 bones (not including toes). Klutz much?