June Runner of the Month | Jennifer Haigh
When and why did you start running? I started running in my mid 20’s when I worked at the Plano PD. I had been very overweight in HS and lost the weight in college and wanted to keep it off. We would run the track at Williams HS in Plano. I picked it up again in my 40’s for stress relief of having a daughter with attitude getting ready to graduate. The poor pavement took a beating!
First race? I did a few 5ks in my early 20’s and scattered in my 30’s and early 40’s, but I consider the Showdown Half Marathon my first Oct. 12, 2013. I finished in 2:37:20! My mother-in-law met me after I crossed the finish line with a 13.1 charm! This race kicked off my obsession for running.
Most recent race? The Frisco Trail Race 15k June 15th. This was my first trail race and boy did it confirm that I am NOT a trail runner! I had been on a couple of the trails here two other times, but this is the first time I’ve run all the trails and it was BEAUTIFUL!
Favorite piece of gear? If I can only pick one, I’d have to go with my Garmin Fenix 5s.
What shoes do you run in? I’m a Saucony girl at heart, but since they stopped making my go to shoe, I now run in the New Balance Beacon. Thanks to Jennifer Globensky at Frisco Running Co., I am now wearing a wide and my feet have never been so HAPPY! The shoe weighs NOTHING and is so cushy!
Favorite way to cross train? This is not my strong point and I am not regular about cross training at all. I do love to row and I’ll take a runners strength and conditioning class at Craig Ranch Fitness periodically.
Best running memory? Crossing the finish line at the New York Marathon in November 2018. Crossing that finish line meant I had completed 3 marathons in 29 days-#2 and #3 were exactly 1 week apart!
Bucket list race? One of the Tunnel Marathons when I am 51 years old in 2021.
Favorite race so far? The New York Marathon in 2018. I started to get down on myself about how the race was going and I realized how stupid I was being. I decided I was the luckiest runner around (I entered the NYC Marathon lottery exactly 1 time and got in!) and decided to have FUN! I high fived as many people as I could, responded to signs (the best being: Mind the rat! With an arrow pointing to a massive dead rat in the street), belted out whatever song the crowd had going and took it all in! I had very small negative splits the last 3 miles!!
Do you have a favorite distance? Probably the half marathon. There are so many great ones all over and if you find a great travel one you can still enjoy sightseeing and exploring before and after. I like to stay half marathon trained and ready!
What is something that most people do not know about you? I feel like I’m an open book so I really don’t know!
Favorite tune to rock out to while running? Don’t laugh! Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum. I will belt that out when it plays. I love Imagine Dragons and I’m on a Pink kick right now-Walk Me Home is a favorite.
Best part about running? I LOVE the people I have met and the friendships I have made through running. I also love that I have found a small way to give back to the running community by pacing and by pushing for Team Hoyt Texas. At the last race I pushed, we stopped just shy of the finish line and helped him out of the blade and he walked across the finish line! Oh, my heart!
Who inspires you? I find inspiration from so many. Whether a runner is a seasoned runner or a brand new runner, I think there are lessons to be learned or reminded of by listening to their story and watching their journey.
What has been your biggest challenge so far? My gut. Always my gut. I have IBS and my body does not always like running. Running can trigger it, heat can trigger it, distance…. I have walked the last 10 miles of a marathon because of stomach issues, but I finished. I have completed a total of 9 marathons since Oct. 2015 and had stomach issues in all but 2. I can only do what my body can do on any given day and I have to be ok with that.
Any words of advice? Set goals and work toward them. Enjoy your running journey and know the path is not without setbacks and lessons to be learned-kind of like life in general. Also, be kind to yourself and show yourself grace and compassion in all areas of your life.