Julie M. has the runs.

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The first installment of "People who have the runs"

"party starts at mile 20"

Why do you run?

I run because I absolutely love to run. It is a passion of mine. I  may be addicted to the endorphins created by the runners high. Having four children and being a working mom, my free time is limited and running gives me a chance to self reflect and unwind. Running is the best antidepressant! What many non runners may not realize is that running gives you energy. I couldn't keep up with my crazy lifestyle of chasing  four children without running to provide energy and stamina. 

How long have you been running? How did you get started? Why did you choose running over other activities? 

I have been running since I was 13 years old. I ran track in junior high because all my friends were signing up. I was assigned to middle distance. My event was the 400m dash. I was so surprised when I beat almost every girl in the school district without too much difficulty. I was first place every week. The big city meet was coming up and one girl from another school had times very close to mine. She was going to be tough to beat. I remember asking my dad.."What if I don't win this one, this girl is really fast?"   He said, very simply, that it will come down to who wants it more. "How can it be that simple" I asked. Of course I want it more!!"

That was the moment I realized how much mental game is involved in running. You can amaze yourself at what you can achieve. You just have to want it more  and make it a priority. And I did, and I beat her and I still have my 1st place medal and newspaper article!

I also participated in many other sports, softball, swimming, gymnastics, golf, but I always returned to running throughout the years. Probably because not much equipment is needed. I could take off for a run at any time.

Julie (black shirt) with Andrea her running buddy

How do you motivate yourself to run regularly? What about on the days the weather is bad or your are feeling particularly lazy?

I find there are two keys to staying motivated. Number one is having a running buddy. I can't say enough about how valuable this is. We make running plans and I know my buddy will be there all alone waiting for me, so I can't let her down. If I am in marathon training, I will run in any weather. My schedule is tight so I can't put off a day if its raining or snowing because I may lose the opportunity.  I even ran 12 miles in sideways freezing rain with a crazy running friend because he said we had to. See the power of a running buddy? I never, ever would have done that alone. After all I had the perfect excuse of terrible weather! I never wake up and "just see how I feel'. I plan the night before, set out all my running clothes and gear so everything is ready to go. No excuses in the morning. Of course I will be tired, but after the run I will feel great and have a great accomplishment to think about all day.

Do you use a running coach, or read any books to aid in your training?

I have a running coach who became a great friend of mine. He's not an official running coach, but he has helped me so much. He is an avid, excellent runner. He actually is seeded at races.  We worked together and I would ask him 20 questions about running, when I first started racing. He is very straight forward guy who would tell me if I was training too much or if I had unrealistic expectations about my abilities. I remember asking when I could carb load before  a 5k. He looked at me like I was crazy and said that carb loading before a 3 miles race wasn't necessary. "Darn," I said and we burst out laughing.  I have learned to find people who are succeeding at what your dreams are, then pick their brains at how they arrived there.

What is your favorite running terrain (road, trail, treadmill)?

I really enjoy trail running the best. I remember running through a wooded park (Imus park) by my house as a child. I would run through the park at top speed, zipping past trees, jumping over logs and stumps with the feeling I could run forever in the woods. I live in an area where there are beautiful areas to run; state land, rail trails. I do not enjoy road running with cars and traffic. Its hard to zone out during a run when you are constantly watching traffic.

Julie (green shirt), her sister and friends at 2010 Chicago Marathon

What is the hardest race you’ve run to date?

Defintely the Chicago Marathon. I started out with a head cold. The temps that day soared to about 85 degrees. they were announcing dangerous conditions and new runners should stop the race. I was in pretty rough shape by mile 17. I was dizzy and water wasnt working any longer to hydrate me. It was a scary feeling. By mile 23 I had to stop in a medical tent. the doctor said I shouldn't continue because my virus causing the head cold could travel to the heart with extreme cardiovascular stress. Running is supposed to make me healthy, not sick so I had to stop. Getting to mile 23 and not finishing was very frustrating and disappointing. 

What is the most enjoyable race you’ve run to date?

Disney Marathon, how can it not be the most enjoyable when its the happiest place on earth?  It was my first marathon. You  never forget your first!

Have you ever been injured due to running? What were the ramifications? 

Hahah! yes. I have learned alot from my injuries. I have had hip problems, IT band issues, stress fractures, tendinosis of my foot, plantarfascitis. thank god I am a PT and I can treat myself and fix things before they worsen.  I have learned pain means there is something wrong. Finding the cause is key, not running through certain kinds of pain. 

Julie (Nike shirt) and friends at the 2008 Crim Festival of Races

Do you use any music or run tracking devices when you run, or are you a naked runner.?

I must have music! I also use Nike plus which attaches to my ipod to give me distance, pace and time. I dont need or want to know anything else. Ive tried gps watches which are huge on my tiny wrist and sport watches that are impossible to use. a ton of tiny buttons I can't see when i'm running.

How do you get yourself through the difficult parts of your runs? Do you have a personal mantra or do you just give up?

I never look at a marathon as 26 miles. you have to trick yourself and set small goals..baby steps. Each small goal I set is celebrated to reach 26.2.  I break it up into manageable peices. My first goal is mile 5..then mile 10, then the half..party starts at mile 20..that is one of my marathon mantras. I once said that aloud to people around me and they all laughed and said "I want to run with her".

One thing that CANNOT happen after the gun goes off...no negative thoughts can enter my head. they will suck away energy and ruin my race. The mind is a powerful thing. Only tell it that you will succeed. no other options exist. Block them out asap!! Find a short mantra and say it again and again. "I am strong and powerful". "I am unstoppable." Whatever it takes, say it over and over again. It works I promise. One race the mantra "just keep swimming" kept coming to mind. I think it was a rainy day.

Julie and friends after the 2011 Swampfoot 4 mile

A lot of runners know that “Who has the runs” has a double meaning. How do you deal with the occasional “problem” that plagues every runner at one time or another?

Yes this can happen. Lucky for me it hasn't happened in a while. I think its all the jostling of your body that shakes up the intestines. Do not eat fatty hard to digest foods before a long run. They are bad news!! 

What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up running?

Its a great activity to keep in shape. Not much equipement is needed. Go to a reputable running shop and get a good pair of shoes. Do not cut corners on shoes. The rest of the gadgets can wait .Take it slow, start with walking and add short distances of running. after having my babies I had to start all over again buliding a base from square one. I would walk mostly and run from one mailbox to the next then walk again. Start with what you CAN do and bulid from there.

Do you have a way we can keep track of your progress (Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc)
Twitter: PTRunningMomOf4

Julie has also started creating a You Tube video serious using her physical therapy knowledge to help us runners get through those pesky injuries. Check her out here