Friday Spotlight: LadyMasterChemist
What it do runnas!?
Today's featured Spotlight athlete is a user that I've not had the privilege of interacting with prior to the interview process starting, so I was really excited to get her responses back and find out a bit more about her. Let's just say that this is the 3rd week in a row that the Boston Terrier is getting some love! I hope you all are excited to hear more about her because here we go...
Ladies and gents, introducing u/LadyMasterChemist!
Let's roll...
###The Runner:
Name?
LadyMasterChemist
Age?
27
Where are you from?
St. Louis, Missouri
Occupation?
Chemist (duh)
The Running Q&A's:
What are your PR’s?
5K: 28:11
10K: 1:03:03
15K: 1:42:40
Half: 2:21:54
What is your distance PR?
13.1 miles (give or take 0.1 mile or two)
What’s your comfy pace?
9:30-10:30 min/mile
How long have you been running?
Almost 8 years, started right before I turned 20
Tell us why you began running?
A girl who I thought was my friend made a comment about my body that changed the way I looked at myself. I decided to get in shape, and over the course of a semester, worked my way up to running 10 miles daily, which I don't do anymore. I lost 30+ pounds in the process, and have more or less kept it off. Now I run for the mental clarity and alone time it provides me.
Most memorable running moment?
I will never forget the first time I ran at a local park. The path had forest on one side, and a lake with a highway overpass on the other, with the path kind of weaving around underneath it. For whatever reason, this made me feel as if I were running under the legs of a brontosaurus in Jurassic Park. It was exhilarating. I will also never forget when I got third place in my age group. I've never been gifted in the athletics department, so it was a huge shock to me. I got second place the year after, but the first time was so much more memorable.
Do you have a running mantra?
I listen to music when I run, so I usually tell myself to just make it through the next song.
What time of day do you prefer to run?
St. Louis in the summer is pretty warm and humid, so morning runs then. Winters are cold so midday. I typically get stuck running after work though.
Any big races coming up?
One of my goals for 2017 is to do at least one race every month. My January race is a virtual run to benefit Midwest Boston Terrier Rescue. February is a local 5K for Bissinger's Chocolate. After that, I will need to figure it out, but mostly focusing on the races I do every year.
What are your short-term running goals?
I seem to be dealing with runner's knee right now, so I'm trying to get past that. I think its from being stuck on the treadmill for the past couple months...
What are your long-term running goals?
Keep running long enough that I'm the only one left in my age group and I win every race!
What is something you need to work on to become a better runner?
All my PR's listed above are from last year (minus the 15K), and I think speed work is without a doubt the reason why. I followed a half training plan that incorporated more, and I plan to continue working on that in order to improve again.
What is your current shoe choice?
Brooks Adrenaline. I also have Mizuno Catalyst for speedwork, but haven't broken them out yet.
Trail? Road? Track? Or Treadmill?
Trail, without question.
What is your ideal running weather?
Anything above freezing is good enough for me. St. Louis weather is so varied and unpredictable that I've learned how to run in just about everything. I've done lots of runs in 115 degree F heat index. Ideal would be temperatures that require only capris and a t-shirt, and cloudy skies.
Just For Fun:
What’s your spirit animal?
I don't know what this means, but I took a quiz and it said deer: When you have the deer as spirit animal, you are highly sensitive and have a strong intuition. By affinity with this animal, you have the power to deal with challenges with grace. You master the art of being both determined and gentle in your approach. I actually agree with that statement. But, to follow the past two weeks, I will say Boston Terrier!
What hobbies and interests do you have besides running?
I always joke that I'm an 80-year-old grandma stuck in a 20-year-old body. I like cooking, baking, gardening. I can my own jellies and jams. I make candy. I like to cook everything from scratch, if possible. Food is my number one obsession.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Biggest pet peeve?
People who are inconsiderate to others.
Dream job! What would it be?
Flavor chemist for a candy company. Or anything involving candy or pastries.
Favorite Quote or Poem?
You can't control how you are perceived, only how you are presented.
What is your favorite movie?
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (I admittedly have terrible taste in TV and movies!)
What is your biggest character flaw?
I worry a lot.
What songs have you been listening to recently?
I like EDM and songs that are happy and have a heavy beat. Some of my favorites right now are: Peanut Butter Jelly by Galantis, Trippy by Antiserum & Mayhem, and Sugar by Robin Schulz.
What are some of your favorite non-running subreddits?
Anything related to cooking or baking, r/succulents, r/RedditLaqueristas, r/BostonTerrier, shameless plug for r/BravoRealHousewives ... (see movie question above)
One Last Question:
What is the origin of your username?
I decided to forgo my go-to username, and wanted something that would display my gender, education, and occupation at a glance. Thus: Lady, Master (I have a BS and MS in Chemistry), Chemist.
That's it folks! Have a great weekend and enjoy the miles!
####Thanks for reading everyone!!!
#Please tag u/LadyMasterChemist when asking a question in this thread!
Previously Featured Spotlight Runners:
Posted Jan 13, 2017, 12:45 PM UTC · edited