April Runner of the Month | Lauren Eichler
When and why did you start running? I had always liked the idea of running but was not brave enough to attempt more than a 5K for the longest time. When thinking about setting fitness goals for 2019 the idea came to try running a half marathon, but that goal seemed impossible at the time. I met fellow MRTT runner Kate Armstrong through Camp Gladiator and knew she liked to run, so I reached out to ask her how she got started. She invited me to several local running groups (including this one!) and encouraged me to join her on an 8-mile run and I found that not only could I do it, but I loved it! I found a training plan online a completed my first half marathon a few weeks ago in Fredericksburg. Although I struggled with the hills, I placed in my age group! I’m already looking forward to the next one.
Pictured below: Kate Armstrong and I ran together for my first run and many milestone runs while training. This was after we ran 11 miles- the longest distance I had run at that point in training for my first half!
First race? My first race was a 5K with friends in the Fort Worth area called Color Buzz just for fun. The course went through foam pits, bubbles and splattering paint under black lights and it was in the dark. I remember the dye taking a few days to fully wash out, but it was worth it.
Most recent race? My most recent race was the Terrain Race with obstacles and lots of mud. It was pouring rain on us the whole time, but it was a lot of fun and the obstacles were pretty challenging. In picture: My friend Lori and I after finishing the Terrain Race a few weeks ago! You can’t tell in this picture but she’s six months pregnant. Talk about #goals!
Favorite piece of gear? I recently bought SoundPeats running headphones and they are the best running headphones I’ve used yet.
What shoes do you run in? A pair of New Balance that have extra squishy soles since I’m prone to knee pain while running longer distances.
Favorite way to cross train? Camp Gladiator! I love the trainers, workouts and the community.
Best running memory? A few years ago I was going though some hard things. After an especially rough day, I went on a run in one of my favorite parks through tall trees on a gravel path. It was amazing how much better I felt afterwards and it helped me put things back into perspective. Running is so therapeutic and can almost always cheer me up.
Bucket list race? I hope to run the San Francisco Nike Women’s half or the Disney Princess Half sometime in the next few years. It would also be fun to run a half in another country someday.
The favorite race so far? I loved the Hot Chocolate 15K in Dallas. The cold weather in February is perfect for running, the course was great, the spectators were super energetic and the chocolate at the end was fantastic.
Do you have a favorite distance? 8-10 miles. It takes a while for me to get into my runs. Usually by about mile four I’m feeling energized to keep going and have quieted my inner couch potato that could rather be at home watching Netflix.
What is something that most people do not know about you? I have synesthesia, which is a perceptual condition that is essentially an overlap of the senses (ex: when hearing music or seeing letters of the Alphabet your brain processes the sensation as a color).
Pictured below: April 6th - my friend Sabrina and I right before I ran my first half marathon.
Favorite tune to rock out to while running? Sia - Unstoppable.
Best part about running? The runners high and community. When we moved to this area we knew absolutely no one. Through CG and the running groups I’ve connected with, I’ve met so many amazing people I wouldn’t know otherwise. It’s rewarding to connect over a mutual love for being active and it’s so much more fun to run with others than alone.
Who inspires you? So many of you in the group have been an inspiration to me on my running and fitness journey. Kate Armstrong, Dawn Downham, Jeanette Caballero- Bell and Tracy Tesauro, you are all so awesome. I’m inspired by who you are as athletes and as people!
What has been your biggest challenge so far? Combating joint soreness while training. I found myself needing to take more rest days than I was hoping for, but it’s worth it to avoid injuries.
Any words of advice? Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. Even if you don’t achieve your set goal, you might be surprised by what you can accomplish and learn about yourself through the process. Also, even the most successful runners take rest days. Recharging is just as important as running while training :)