Friday Spotlight: Caitlionator
What? What? Friday already? No way! Yes way!
Today's featured athlete is breaking the men's streak on the Spotlights and coming to us from an area of the planet that we've not visited yet. I say it all the time but it's a breath of fresh air to highlight a runner who I've not had the chance to talk to much prior to these interviews. It's always really fun learning about folks who aren't here day in and day out and just getting started. Another great addition is the uniqueness each person brings to the discussion. I feel like our featured athlete could run with anyone and have a blast! So let's get to it and see who we're becoming familiar with today. Here she is peeps! I present to you... u/caitlionator
Let's roll...
###The Runner:
First Name?
Cait
Age?
25
Where are you from?
Chicago, currently living in Indonesian Timor.
Occupation?
Peace Corps Volunteer (Secondary education)
###Running Q&A's:
What are your PR’s?
5K: 28'02"
What is your distance PR?
5.5 miles
What’s your highest recorded weekly mileage?
25 miles
What’s your comfy pace?
What's cool is that since I've started challenging myself in the past few months, I've discovered my comfy pace is faster and faster all the time. It used to be 13'00" in August but now it's down to 9'30"ish. I imagine it's going to keep decreasing...a bit!
How long have you been running?
Technically since I was 17. But I never ran more than two miles at a time before this year. I went through a bad breakup around July and sadness makes me productive. One time a guy dumped me and I started taking Arabic classes. This time I started running more seriously. Unfortunately for my productivity, I'm feeling a lot better now.
Tell us why you began running?
I was starting to gain weight and I was 17 and wanted to look hot in my prom dress. I decided running the occasional mile was the answer?
Most memorable running moment?
Probably when my mom visited my old Peace Corps site. She rode my bike while I ran and she got to greet all my neighbors like I do every morning--my neighbors were pleased as punch. She was dreading it, but after, she said it was her favorite thing she did on Java, including hiking an active volcano!
Do you have a running mantra?
"You are not fucking stopping right now." I'm a mean coach.
What time of day do you prefer to run?
Lately, evening. My new site in Indonesia is actually the 5th circle of Hell so just before sunset is best. Evening, before the bugs come out--I'm fairly certain they hit me and drown in my sweat so I'm often covered in dead bugs if I run too late.
Any big races coming up?
I'm running a 10K in the city of Kupang (where I live) in February, hopefully! Unfortunately, specific dates in advance are a luxury here and I may be on vacation. But fingers crossed it's while I'm here. I'm training regardless!
What are your short-term running goals?
Make it out at least 5 times a week during my December vacation to Maluku.
What are your long-term running goals?
I really want to run the Chicago marathon, especially after seeing some of the write-ups on this sub and how quickly I've progressed once I actually started challenging myself.
What’s one piece of running advice you’d give to the younger version of yourself?
Stop thinking you're a shitty runner. You could be better but you're setting your standards too low.
What is something you need to work on to become a better runner?
I'm focusing on form right now. I want to be both faster and injury-free.
What is your current shoe choice?
Asics Gel-Contend 3s. They're my only shoe because I make the equivalent of $200USD a month.
Trail? Road? Track? Or Treadmill?
Road. But a road in Indonesia is practically a trail. Potholes for days!
What is your ideal running weather?
60° and cloudy. I'm pale.
Do you have any social media accounts you’d like to share? [Facebook, Strava, Twitter]
Strava ID: 18519038
Instagram: Caitlionator
###Just For Fun:
What’s your spirit animal?
Not an animal, but a cactus comes to mind. I'm a bit prickly.
What hobbies and interests do you have besides running?
Horror and sci-fi. Also hiking and wine but usually not at the same time.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I have a preternatural ability to scoop ice cream into perfect spheres.
Biggest pet peeve?
People who keep toothpicks in their mouths.
Dream job! What would it be?
Something in pubic health. I'm a field work kind of woman.
Favorite Quote or Poem?
"This is Just to Say" by William Carlos Williams:
I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
What is your favorite movie?
Goon. I'm a big hockey fan. Go Hawks!
What is your biggest character flaw?
I am a real talker and should listen more. (She said as she responds to an entire interview about herself.)
What songs have you been listening to recently?
"Chelsea Dagger" by the Fratellis (again, Go Hawks!)
"Nobody Speak" by DJ Shadow
"Six Shooter" by Coyote Kisses
"I Wanna Dance with Somebody" by Whitney Houston
What are some of your favorite non-running subreddits?
/r/hockey, r/Chicago, r/xxfitness, r/Indonesia, r/PeaceCorps
###One Last Question:
What is the origin of your username?
In middle school, I frequently mistyped my own name--Caitlin--as Caitlion. Lion became my nickname for a long time. My friend made a username for me once and suggested Caitlionator and it stuck.
That's it folks! Have a great weekend and enjoy every mile.
####Thanks for reading everyone!!!
#Please tag u/Caitlionator when asking a question in this thread!
Previously Featured Spotlight Runners:
Posted Dec 9, 2016, 1:12 PM UTC