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Ok, guess it's my turn...<br><b>Why do you run?</b><br>
When I turned 40, I decided I was NOT going to be one of those women who lose muscle tone and decline in fitness as I got older. I started working out in the gym, lost 14 pounds, got totally cut from weight lifting and cardio, etc. Total gym rat action. Then I got bored with the gym and needed something new so started running a bit, doing fun run 5k’s, etc. Set my sights on the Equinox marathon in 2005, found the forums at Cool Running and was hooked. Running gives me such a sense of freedom and helps me find “me time” that’s hard to come by when you have two teenagers, work full time, etc. It also satisfies my anal goal-oriented nature. I love crossing off completed workouts on my schedule!<br><br><b>What is your greatest accomplishment?</b><br>
Seems like everyone says “my kids,” and that is true. I’d like to think I’m somewhat responsible for how they turned out, they’re really great kids. Other than that, I’ve had some wonderful accomplishments along the way but life is a journey and the road keeps unfolding. I set new goals all the time and adjust along the way if necessary. (that being said, hitting silver level of marathon maniacs in January was pretty cool…)<br><br><b>What is your motto/theme song?</b><br>
Well, sometimes I think my motto is “suck it up” but I guess I’d have to say I usually say “ok, what’s next?” because I’m always trying to look forward, planning, plotting, doing. I don't really have a theme song, but I love Rock.<br><br><br><b>How do you deal with bad runs?</b><br>
See above. Here’s where “suck it up” comes in handy. Learn from it, what happened and why? Then move on (see above, part II).<br><br><b>Do you reward yourself for good runs? How?</b><br>
After a good run, I’m so pumped I’m a little hard to live with. That high feeling after a good run is reward enough. But I love a good hard long run and then a soak in my ice tub afterwards (33 gal trash can filled with icy well water… summertime treat). I also love a nice glass of wine after I’m all recovered…<br>
I love how my DH brings my trash can filled with ice water to the end of the Equinox marathon.<br><img alt="" src="http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/evanflein/4f3e08bf.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br><br><b>Who do you admire most?</b><br>
My mother. She’s smart, sensible, kind to a fault, a lot of fun but totally no nonsense. I’ve told her if I could be half as good a mother to my boys as she has been to me, I’d be doing great.<br><br><b>What is the greatest advice you have ever received?</b><br>
Don’t worry about what other people think, do what’s right for you.<br><br><b>What do you wish you had learned younger?</b><br>
See above. Actually, there’s tons of things I wish I’d learned when I was younger. Then I wouldn’t have spent so many years trying to fix or undo stupid stuff. Also, I really wish I’d figured out how much fun this running thing was when I was younger.<br><br><b>What do you wish you could do but can’t?</b><br>
Oh, there’s lots of things but in the long run I don’t know that they matter. I wish I could run a 6 minute mile (PR is 6:3<img alt="cool.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/cool.gif">. I wish I had a better sense of direction (I get lost pretty easily). I wish I could afford to travel to all the places I want to run…<br><br><b>How would your friends describe your personality?</b><br>
Strong, determined, optimistic, energetic, sometimes bullheaded and stubborn (ok, I asked a couple people and that’s what they said… was that cheating?). I’d like to be thought of as someone who always tried to do the right thing and make the world a little bit better…<br><br><b>What do you wear running? Favorite outfit?</b><br>
I like to wear as little as possible. In the summer, I’ll be out in just running bras and shorts when others are in singlets, t’s, capris, etc. In the winter, I layer up because I’ll do long runs at -20F. I look like a frosty bag lady. Always wear my Asics…<br>
Winter Fashion:<br><img alt="" src="http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/evanflein/IMG_0009.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br><br><b>What has been your favorite race?</b><br>
Marathon: Equinox Marathon here in Fairbanks. It was my first, and I’m still hoping for that 4:15 finish. I’ve done it three years in a row and I’ll do it every year I’m able.<br>
here's the profile (starts at just under 500, peaks at just under 2,500 ft)<br><br><img alt="" src="http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa132/evanflein/EquinoxProfile-1.jpg" style="border:0px solid;"><br><br>
Shorter distance, my favorite is our 16.5 mile Gold Discovery Run which starts up by the Fort Knox gold mine and ends down at a local brewery. Free beer and burgers afterwards.<br>
I love hills, especially downhills, and the Gold Discovery Run is considered hard because of the long steep descent. I love it.<br><br><b>Do you have a goal race right now?</b><br>
Boston Marathon on April 21.<br><br><b>What makes you happy?</b><br>
Hanging out with my hubby, watching my kids play soccer, playing in my garden, puttering around in my house when no one else is home (love that…), a nice bottle of wine with good food to match, and of course, running, especially on trails.<br><br><b>Tell us one interesting thing about you that you haven’t said (at least not often) on this forum in the past.</b><br>
I have a degree in Animal Science, horse production specialty… training, breeding, genetics, etc. I wanted to work in Kentucky on a horse farm but life had other plans for me. I currently work in human resources...<br><br><br><b>Tell us one interesting thing about another user of this forum that has not been posted (at least not often) on this forum in the past.</b><br>
Hmmm, not so sure I wanna go here…<br><br>
Thanks for reading, hope it didn't put you to sleep!
 

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Erika, my favorite Eskimo,<br><br>
I enjoyed your POTD. It really gives us a sense of your strength of character, spirit, and dedication. You are an excellent runner. It always amazes me that you can train in the stuff you train in.<br><br>
I'm still bummed we couldn't meet and run when I was up there last year. You'll just have to come down here sometime!<br><br>
Bill
 

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I loved reading this Evan! I had no idea that you didn't start running/working out til you were 40. I guess I always thought you spent a lifetime of being super fit and toned and athletic.<br>
I'm so glad one of my favorite master goddesses played the POTD game <img alt="banana.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/banana.gif">
 

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Great POTD Evan! Good to get to know a little more about you and looking forward to meeting you in Boston! Thanks for sharing some of you with us.
 

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Great photos! I enjoyed "meeting" you here, and maybe meet you in Boston. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">
 

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Cool, Erika! Nice to learn more about you.<br><br>
Your ice bath pic always reminds me of that line from <i>Better Off Dead</i> about folks throwing away a perfectly good white boy. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">
 

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Ha! I post my marathon training schedule on the wall at my office and highlight each week as I finish them! <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
And as someone who just found running in his 30s, I hear you on wishing I'd gotten into this a long time ago. But the way I see it is that I'll be a fresher runner for the years to come! <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">
 

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Nice report, Erika! You are a real asset and inspiration to our virtual running community. Thanks for sharing a little about yourself.
 

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This was great Erika! Thanks for letting us get to know you more. It was an honor to run with you at Carlsbad and be on your team at Ragnar del Sol. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">
 

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Erika:<br><br>
You are too cool. I like that you know a lot about wine and you went from newbie marathoner to silver level MM. Woooot!<br><br>
Also, I think you had a pic of you and a DS in your CR profile for a while. You really don't look look like that lady. Was that you, or some other person?<br><br>
Have a great race in beantown!<br><br>
Benj
 
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