We are excited to feature Alicia Loran as our May Runner of the Month. She headed up our local MRTT chapter 4 years ago!
When and why did you start running?
2003 after my first son was born. I started running for one purpose only - to earn more activity points on Weight Watchers so I could eat more. I can’t even lie about it. I thought running was stupid before that.
How long have you been a runner?
14 years which sounds like forever when I think about it but I still feel like a rookie!
First race?
My first race a 5k in maybe 2005? I’m not sure. It was one to commemorate 9/11.
Most recent race?
Ragnar Luckenback with the Dirty Dozen team! So much fun! It’s amazing the friendships you make with people when you live in a van with them for 3 days!
Favorite piece of gear?
Man, I have a lot of favorite pieces so I will narrow it down to my favorite few. 1) Garmin - I can’t run without it. 2) A good running skirt. (TStar Running, Sparkle Skirts) 3) 2Toms Rollon to prevent chafing in the summer 4) Tailwind - orange is my favorite flavor
What shoes do you run in?
Sketchers Go Run
Favorite way to cross train?
Camp Gladiator all the way! I have done CG for over 2 years now and I love it. It makes me feel strong and the vibe at camp is always so fun and so positive. You can’t leave a CG workout and be in a bad mood….You always leave with a smile and lots of sweat…
Best running memory?
My best running memory was actually part of a bigger race. It was my first half ironman. I realized on the run portion of that race that I was about to complete a huge dream for myself. I had always wanted to complete a half ironman but had always doubted myself and was still doubting myself 6 miles in to the 13.1 mile run on race day. Then when I got to 10 miles, I started bawling. I knew I was going to finish it and reach my goal. I knew in that instant, that there was nothing I couldn’t do. I just had to want it bad enough.
Bucket list race?
It’s not really a race, but I would love to hike rim 2 rim of the Grand Canyon. I have lots of races on my list, but I’m not sure what my knee is going to allow me to do yet, so I’m holding out on those.
Favorite race so far? Redman 70.3 in 2012 my first one! Check out my write up on my blog, click here.
Do you have a favorite distance? Not really. I like things that challenge me and that changes year to year. Some years I like to do distance, some years I like triathlons, some years I want to work on speed…I get bored easily and have to change things up.
What is something that most people do not know about you? I have epilepsy and take medicine every day and have since I was in 6th grade. If I don’t take it, I will have grand mal seizures.
Favorite tune to rock out to while running? I have a really good playlist that my friend Catherine sent me years ago. I have no idea who is on it, but it’s mostly rap. I like anything by Ludacris, Dre, Snoop, B.O.B, Eminem, TI, Drake
Best part about running? The feeling it gives me when I am done and the friends I have met along my running journey.
Who inspires you? There are several people who inspire me - mainly they are people who give of themselves unconditionally and who look fear in the face and tackle life head on no matter what their circumstances are. I would like to be more like them and channel their strength and their love.
What has been your biggest challenge so far? Ha…knee surgery! It really hasn’t been that bad as far as pain. The worst part is knowing this is my favorite time of year to run - summer and I can’t do jack. But I know in the grand scheme of things, this too shall pass and I’ll be back to running. I figure God is teaching me a little patience and forcing me to step back a little and refocus. I just wish He could do that and let me run - ha ha ha!
Any words of advice? My only words of advice are - enjoy running. Don’t get caught up in anyone else’s journey but yours. Embrace your pace and your distance. Don’t get intimidated by others on the FB group who you consider a more advanced runner. In the end, we are all here for the same thing - a little stress relief, a sense of accomplishment, and a little extra calorie burn so we don’t have to always feel guilty. It is your running story, so you write it, because no one else can.