Friday Spotlight: Ahf0913
It's tomorrow's yesterday and that means only one thing... FRIDAY SPOTLIGHT!!!!
This week the ladies are keeping it locked down but bringing it back to the frigid US. Today's highlighted runner seems like the kind of person that couldn't tell you 'no' when you ask them to join you for a run and I like that. Let's give it up for our athlete of the week... u/Ahf0913!
Let's do this.
###The Runner:
First Name?
Ali
Age?
25
Where are you from?
Boston/Southern CT
Occupation?
Baby Scientist
###Running Q&A’s:
What are your PR’s?
1 mile: 8:36 (unofficial)
5k: 29:06 (in the middle of a 5-mile race), or 29:22 in an official 5k
10K: 1:03
13.1: 2:22 (mid-marathon) or 2:25 in an official half marathon
26.2: 4:49
What is your distance PR?
26.2 miles
What’s your highest recorded weekly mileage?
44.1 miles
What’s your comfy pace?
11 minutes/mile. I like it leisurely.
How long have you been running?
January 2015 is when I first got serious about it.
Tell us why you began running?
It started out as a bonding experience with my MIL (then, boyfriend’s mom). She invited me to run one of those electric run 5ks with her, and as a non-runner on the inside I said lol no, but apparently my mouth and brain got a divorce so on the outside I said “Sure!”. I did zero training and probably was slower than molasses, but it’s not a timed race, so maybe I broke a record. Who knows? I felt super accomplished because who even runs a whole 3 miles? Repeated the same thing the following year. At this point we had obviously mastered the 5k, so we decided to up the ante to a 10k at our big family trip to Disney for the marathon weekend. This time, I trained! On an elliptical, which is obviously a good stand in for the treadmill, because, you know, your knees and stuff. On race day I went out way too fast, way overestimated my ability, and spent most of the race convincing myself I was not going to die. I finished and swore off running forever. Then I went back to my hotel, saw my pathetic time, and thought “Damn, I can definitely run faster than that.” I’ve been running for real ever since.
TL;DR Thought I was hot shit for hobbyjogging the electric run, got my ass handed to me at a real race, and got my act together.
Most memorable running moment?
I’ve had the exact same feeling twice: once at mile 9 of my first half, and once at mile 22 of my first marathon. In both cases I realized that, despite my self-doubt, I was going to finish the race, I was going to do it under my goal time, and I was having so much fun.
Do you have a running mantra?
A few, depending on what the situation calls for:
“Run easy, run long.”
“How bad do you want this?"
“Don’t be a whimp!”
And sometimes I just sing Hamilton in my head. That works pretty well.
What time of day do you prefer to run?
At sunset. The views of Boston’s harbor and skyline are incomparable while the sun is setting.
Any big races coming up?
I don’t totally have my race schedule together for next year, but I’m thinking a road half in April or May (New Englanders—I’m open to suggestion!), and I just found out they’re bringing the North Face Endurance Challenge to Massachusetts, so I’m eyeing the trail half there.
What are your short-term running goals?
I have two major goals for 2017: significantly reduce that half PR (and maybe the 10k too), and break into trail running/racing. Oh, and also finish a race ahead of my MIL.
What are your long-term running goals?
Continue running, and enjoying it, for many many years to come. Running Boston might be cool too.
What’s one piece of running advice you’d give to the younger version of yourself?
Just try it, you don’t have to be a rebel in everything.
What is something you need to work on to become a better runner?
Patience. All of my best runs are those that I take one mile at a time, but they’re few and far between. Instead, I often push the pace too early or take a walk break when I really don’t need one because I’m simply not willing to wait.
What is your current shoe choice?
I love my Kinvaras. I alternate them with NB Zantes.
Trail? Road? Track? Or Treadmill?
Any/all depending on my mood. History says road though.
What is your ideal running weather?
50F & overcast.
Do you have any social media accounts you’d like to share? [Facebook, Strava, Twitter]
I’m in the Runnit groups. Folks who are also there can find me there.
###Just For Fun:
What’s your spirit animal?
Ocicat. Looks wild, but isn’t.
What hobbies and interests do you have besides running?
Hiding blocks from infants and waiting for them to find it,
eatingcooking, hiking, and alpine skiing.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I can raise each of my eyebrows individually. Take that, people who can sing or draw really well!
Biggest pet peeve?
Grown adults who behave like they’re in high school.
Dream job! What would it be?
What I’m doing now, but with a higher salary.
Favorite Quote or Poem?
Poem: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” It’s the last line in Mary Oliver’s The Summer Day. It was read at a close friend’s funeral 6 months ago, and it has stuck out to me ever since.
Quote: “…you sort of start thinking anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.” That ones a Harry Potter quote I pretty much live by. Bonus points to anyone who knows who says it.
What is your biggest character flaw?
I often do not make a great first impression. I have a very sarcastic sense of humor, I tend to tell it like it is, and I am ambitious to a fault. So, I sometimes come across as intimidating or harsh when I don’t intend to be. People who are willing to get to know me anyway quickly learn that I laugh at my own jokes, embarrass myself often, and just generally try not to take myself too seriously.
What songs have you been listening to recently?
So many. Among them:
Anything off of The Hamilton Mixtape
What are some of your favorite non-running subreddits?
/r/Boston, r/rupaulsdragrace, r/askscience, r/tattoos
###One Last Question:
What is the origin of your username?
I joined reddit on a whim without realizing that people actually put thought (and usually not numbers) in their usernames. I just based mine off of an old school email and never bothered to change it to something more interesting.
That's it folks! Have a great weekend and enjoy every mile.
####Thanks for reading everyone!!!
#Please tag u/Ahf0913 when asking a question in this thread!
Previously Featured Spotlight Runners:
Posted Dec 16, 2016, 12:51 PM UTC