Friday Spotlight: RunningPT_Lauren
It's been a busy week! I'm pretty happy that it's FRIIIIIIIIIDAY! Today's featured athlete has been making herself known in the subreddit by hopping into threads and providing information to runners due to her expertise as physical therapist. She's been pretty knowledgeable thus far and I'm excited to see what else she has to offer as the community grows. With that said, let's get to it and see who we're shining the Spotlight on today. Ladies and gentlemen... u/RunningPT_Lauren.
Let's do this!
###The Runner:
First Name?
Lauren
Age?
27
Where are you from?
Originally from Massachusetts, currently in NYC
Occupation?
Sports and Orthopedic Physical Therapist
###Running Q&A's:
What are your PR’s?
Marathon: 3:49:50 (I have run 2 marathons- the third is this year) Half Marathon: 1:47:02 (I have run 3 halfs) 10k 49:18 (only run one) 5 mile: 37:37 (I have run two 5-mile races)
What is your distance PR?
26.2 miles
What’s your highest recorded weekly mileage?
~40-45 miles. I find that I run better with less mileage, and as a PT who often stresses the importance of rest and cross training, it is rare that I run more than four days a week.
What’s your comfy pace?
Typically 8:15-8:24 depending on the day
How long have you been running?
Since 8th grade
Tell us why you began running?
My Dad challenged my brother, sister, and I to start running the fall of my 8th grade year. I’m wicked competitive, so I grabbed my Discman (yep…) and ran around the block. I did it again the next day, and it was easier, so I was hooked. I ran track and field in high school, originally as a way to stay in shape for soccer. Then, because I tore my ACL and could not play soccer. I did not run track in college, because I did not like the pressure. I ran my first marathon my sophomore year of college. Now, it is a part of me. I find it relaxing, and invigorating at the same time.
Most memorable running moment?
I did not yet mention that running my first marathon was because of a bet I made in college, while imbibing in a few beverages. A classmate bet I would not and could not run Boston Marathon, because I did not have a number and would have to start training the very next day to even have a hope of gaining the endurance needed to finish. Long story short, I started training, earned a number (though luck, fundraising, and a local running club), and passed him on the course.
Do you have a running mantra?
Usually it’s “Just get through this next mile. I can always run a mile.” Otherwise, it’s typically me yelling the lyrics to Smashmouth’s All-Star in my head (pretty much the only song I somehow remember all the lyrics to).
What time of day do you prefer to run?
Early morning, but I work starting at 7 so most days that’s not possible.
Any big races coming up?
Chicago 2017! It is my third marathon, but the last one was in 2013. I work closely with the New York Road Runners and am present at a lot of their events, and at the NYC Marathon last year I felt major FOMO, so I began to train again.
What are your short-term running goals?
To continue using the training program I created, and kick butt in Chicago!
What are your long-term running goals?
Honestly, to just continue running and enjoying it. Super secretly, I would eventually like to qualify for Boston, but I am nervous, and not sure if aiming for this goal would take the joy out of my running, or add too much stress. I love my running as it is, and it took a lot of courage for me to even start running with a Garmin.
What’s one piece of running advice you’d give to the younger version of yourself?
Lean into those hills and relax on the down hills. Above all, continue to breathe.
What is something you need to work on to become a better runner?
There are a lot of things. I need patience, persistence, becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable, and to stop stalling after work before going out for my workouts (it drives my husband crazy) I am a professional staller.
What is your current shoe choice?
Brooks Ravenna
Trail? Road? Track? Or Treadmill?
Road, unless I have a show to binge watch, then treadmill. My distance PR on the treadmill is 10 miles.
What is your ideal running weather?
Temperature around 60 degrees, partly sunny with a nice breeze. Ideally, I would be running by the ocean.
Do you have any social media accounts you’d like to share? [Facebook, Strava, Twitter]
You can follow my husband and I on Instagram at RiccardiRunningPT. We post exercises and other tips so that runners can feel good and run better.
###Just For Fun:
What’s your spirit animal?
Probably a horse. According to the very scientific website I looked at to help me determine this (spiritanimal.info) “The horse symbolizes personal drive, passion and appetite for freedom. Among all the spirit animals, it is one that shows a strong motivation that carries one through life.” That sounds like me, with running and otherwise.
What hobbies and interests do you have besides running?
I enjoy nerding out reading recent physical therapy research, working my way through the NY Times Best Sellers list, spending time with my family, hiking, and drinking wine.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I have an affinity for winning the online ticket lotteries to see Broadway shows. In NYC, you can enter lotteries for last minute tickets, and I have won five in the past 9 months…yes, including Hamilton. (It was awesome)
Biggest pet peeve?
In running: waiting for my Garmin to connect with satellite. In life: a lack of respect or rudeness. Everyone deserves common kindness.
Dream job! What would it be?
Physical therapist for a New England sports team…or to somehow be present at the finish line of every Boston Marathon from here to eternity.
Favorite Quote or Poem?
“She believed she could, so she did” –R.S. Wilder
What is your favorite movie?
Remember the Titans I watch every time it’s on. Either that, or any Harry Potter movie. My husband and I are obsessed. We started dating in PT school by watching those movies at night, after studying. Nerdy? Absolutely.
What is your biggest character flaw?
I struggle with anxiety and am over-sensitive. I take things to heart, and can’t stop thinking about them. Running helps.
What songs have you been listening to recently?
I listen to Bruce Springsteen “Born to Run” at least once a workout, as homage to my dad.
What are some of your favorite non-running subreddits?
r/animalsbeingbros, r/aww, r/childrenfallingover
###One Last Question:
What is the origin of your username?
Well this is easy! My name is Lauren, and I am a running PT looking to help out the Reddit running community, along with my husband (to be fair, it was his idea. He also introduced me to Reddit. Hi, Mike! Am I Reddit-ing right?!),
That's it folks! Have a great weekend and enjoy the miles.
####Thanks for reading everyone!
#Please tag u/RunningPT_Lauren when asking a question in this thread.
Previously Featured Spotlight Runners:
##ATTENTION READERS!
I've been getting some more messages recently from a lot of people asking to be featured in the Friday Spotlight Thread. My response to them is the same every time. I do not get to personally choose who is chosen for each thread. With exception to Palindrome27 (which I randomly chose to get this started), every runner thus far has been selected by the person before them. It's one of the perks of getting nominated. There is no list of names. No spreadsheet with columns of people. Nothing. So for those confused, users like Philpips was chosen by Despoena. Despoena was chosen by Craigster38. So on and so on. You get the idea. Doing it this way eliminates the hassle of having to personally pick someone every week. This keeps me neutral. Some of you have expressed your opinion (via PM) on who's been featured this far claiming that I have only chosen runners who are fast, have been running for a while, or compete in longer distance races. Quite frankly, you're wrong. Just browse the table of previous athletes above and you'll see that a wide variety of runners have been on display. Being chosen is simply luck of the draw. There is zero favoritism here. Each featured runner gets to personally pick someone they find interesting. I apply no pressure to the runners to pick a particular skill level of runner. This is the beauty of the process. If you want to be featured, you can up your chances of being chosen by being an active member of the subreddit. Comment as much as possible. Submit quality content. Provide as much as you can as a runner to help keep this community growing and I'm certain your efforts will not go unnoticed. Just keep tuning in and making friends and eventually it'll pay off if you want to be featured. Thank you.
Posted Aug 11, 2017, 10:53 AM UTC