January Runner of the Month | Nicolle Block
When did you start running? I started running when I was 10 years old. I had tried other sports and none seemed to fit my lack of coordination. I joined a youth track team in North Carolina. Three decades later I still love the sport.
First race? My first track event as ten year old was 100 meter sprint and the long jump. I soon discovered I was better suited for longer distances. I ran the mile and 2 mile in middle school and high school as well as cross country. My first half marathon was much more recent, in 2014, and my first marathon was in 2018.
Most recent race? Dallas Half marathon on my 40th birthday :)
Favorite piece of gear? My watch-I typically run with an Apple Watch. I love that is so lightweight and I can use it all day. It is is also more accurate then my gamin. I use my Garmin on track days since the buttons are easier to press.
What shoes do you run in? I have run in mizunos wave inspire shoes for the last decade.
Favorite way to cross train? I love to bike. I do not ride my road bike as much as I have in the past due to time. We got. Peloton in June and I have really enjoyed this. I am starting to incorporate more core and arms too.
Best running memory? Breaking a 6 minute mile in high school- I ran a 5:55.55 and then the following week I ran a 5:45. I never got close to those times again. More recently- I ran my first marathon with my husband at New York in 11/2018. Finishing in central park with so many other runners was incredible. The crowd support was amazing.
Bucket list race? I would love to run all the abbott major marathons (New York, Chicago, Boston, London, Berlin, Tokyo),. I have done NY so far and running Chicago for a wonderful charity called Alex’s Lemonade Stand in October. See https://www.alexslemonade.org/mypage/2045558 if you would like to donate. My frunner group is talking about Big Sur and marine core marathon in 2021.
Favorite race so far? I love the Dallas half Marathon, Showdown/Fairview half marathons, and the NY Marathon.
Do you have a favorite distance? I love racing a half marathon. I love the challenge of the distance.
What is something that most people do not know about you? I was born in South Africa and lived there for the first 6 years of my life.
Favorite tune to rock out to while running? I run with people most of the time. If I do listen to music, I like a random assortment of pop.
Best part about running? I love the challenge of running. It always gives me a chance to push myself. It also helps me clear my head. Lastly, It gives me a real chance to catch up with my frunners.
Who inspires you? My MRTT 5 am funner group from Allen inspires me in so many ways. We have run together for 4.5 years and I have grown tremendously as a runner from this group and am constantly inspired by these fabulous women.
What has been your biggest challenge so far? Injuries- I can not count how many times I have been injured over the years. I hate loosing months of training but these forced breaks are good in a lot of ways and make me a stronger runner and make me appreciate it more.
Any words of advice? My favorite quotations from Helen Keller and is “One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.” No matter what distance or pace you are going- running gives you the opportunity to soar.
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