Our first two were big hits so we decided to keep the master’s love rolling! Introducing a new batch of ladies with their master’s wisdom to share:
Robin Judice: Aging brings the necessity of flexibility ~ changing to Plan B when your body or life situation doesn't allow Plan A. My training philosophy radically shifted last year after I read Bruce Grierson’s delightful and informative book: What Makes Olga Run: The Mystery of the 90-Something Track Star, and What She Can Teach Us About Living Longer, Happier Lives. Olga’s life story and Bruce’s scientific analysis inspired me to shift from long distance running to short track races and all the training that encompasses (weight training, agility, balance, power, running form, strategy). For me, this new plan equals healthier aging and lots of fun.
Catherine Watkins: I love running and challenging myself. I’ve been able to run faster and stronger into my 40s, which motivates me to continue training hard. Aiming for provincial and national age group records also helps. As long as I’m having fun I will keep doing it!
Kimberlie Pearlman: Women in my family are cursed with cancer, including my mother who died from pancreatic cancer in 2010 at an all too young 61. If and when cancer comes for me, I'm going to try to out run it. Getting older is a gift and I have miles to go.
Lauren Fleshman and Kim Pearlman.
Jen Major: To train seriously you must thoughtfully manage your nutrition, sleep, stress levels, and other life components that will benefit long-term health no matter how fast you are. Training to run well is a holistic lifestyle commitment. I train to feel the reward of running longer and stronger than I ever thought myself capable of doing. And I'm seriously motivated by the process and the grand scientific experiment of becoming the best athlete I can be.
Erika Pierce: As someone who competed at an elite level long ago (1995 U.S. Championships and 1996 Olympic Trials in the 400 meter hurdles) my heart and my ego desperately want to train like I did then, but my body and my mind know that as a masters athlete “Less is More.” I listen to my body and don’t get stressed out when I feel like I need to eliminate the last two reps of a workout or take a few days off to let my muscles recover. My goal is to stay injury free at all costs. I am motivated daily by my two rad daughters (4 and 6 years old) who teach me every day about what it means to be a strong, fearless female. I am the American Record Holder in the W40 Indoor Pentathlon so I am also motivated to keep myself on that list!
Erika Pierce. Recently PR'd in the 60 meter hurdles at the SE Regional Masters Indoor Championships!
Andi Camp: My biggest motivator is running fast. I love running fast. But my training philosophy is all about patience. Sometimes wanting to run fast and needing to be patient can totally suck, but if there's one thing I've learned over many years, it's that you can't force fitness. You just have to be smart, do the right things, and let it to sneak up on you.
Anne Riggin: My motivation to train is to stay fit and balanced mentally. Running is a stress release and I enjoy being part of the running community. I love connecting with runners young and old. I feel psyched when I picture running with my two adult daughters (even when they are not there). They run with me on their easy days when we are together, but I am motivated to run so I can enjoy running with them. My husband also runs, so it's a family thing.
Molly Friel: I am a true believer in the statement "hard work pays off" - it just takes longer for some of us. My motivation to train comes from all the naysayers who DO believe age puts a limit on what a person can accomplish - my desire to prove them wrong keeps me pushing forward.
How old are you?
Robin: In March I’ll be 52 years old, but I can’t wait till I’m 55. In masters track, of course, you want to be the YOUNGEST in your age group!
Catherine: 43
Molly: 47
Jen: 42
Erika: 43
Andi: 40.5
Anne: 53 ( almost 54)
Kim: 41
Left to right: Volée member Laurel Mathiesen with mom, Anne Riggin, and Flock member, Jen Major.
What is your current athletic goal?
Robin: My athletic goal is to race the 400m and 800m on the track. I don’t have time goals for myself yet, although I’d love for 52 year-old Robin to beat 12 year-old Robin. (Yep, I’ve been running for forty years.)
Catherine: Sub 34:00 min 10k, sub 76 half and sub 2:40 marathon!
Molly: To run a sub 1:18 in the half and if the stars all align again - a 2:40 marathon by the end of the year.
Jen: To run my best marathon at Boston this April and notch a half marathon PR as part of that build-up.
Erika: My goal for this year is to learn how to pole vault which better happen quickly because I will be doing it when I compete at the USATF Masters Indoor Heptathlon Championships in March! My bigger goal is to place at a World Masters Championship meet.
Andi: To finish getting healthy without the use of IV iron and return my body to a place where I can run at the absolute fast end of my limits.
Anne: My current goal is to complete Eugene 1/2 marathon. I had carpal tunnel release surgery on both wrists and this is my goal to get a base back and finish a race. (No time goal this time)
Kim: BQ
Molly Friel at the California International Marathon.
What is your favorite strengthening move right now?
Robin: My current favorite strengthening move is not really strength training at all. Jay DiCharry, my local PT guru, taught me how to control my toes, transverse abdominus and hip rotators. I do this neuromuscular training before my runs, during my runs and in all my daily activities. These small actions help correct my posture, and carry over into every aspect of my running and life. I am now running pain-free running for the first time in 7 years.
Catherine: Lunges, lots and lots of lunges on off days, accompanied by drills and strides.
Molly: Push ups. I feel like I'm multi-tasking with the plank at the same time.
Jen: Hamstring curls on stability ball.
Erika: I am old school – planks and push-ups. I also do this squat thrust push-up combo move that is a killer!
Andi: I have many and varied things I do for prehab, but I recently added this strength routine from Runner's World twice a week. So far I love it. It's relatively short (15 minutes), but more intense than some of my other routines, and I swear I can feel it working!
Kim: Carrying groceries (aka strength training is currently not happening).
What is your biggest fear about growing older?
Robin: Not growing older! Being above ground always beats the alternative...
Catherine: injury. I want to keep running for as long as I can and recognize that as I get older and keep pushing myself that the risk of injury is higher. I make sure I have a massage weekly and take lots of time to foam roll after workouts.
Molly: The possibility of having to be dependent on others - of being a burden to loved ones.
Jen: I am afraid that growing older means that I will physically slow down. Since I've only been running seriously for 3 or 4 years now, and experiencing awesome gains in fitness and speed, I worry that my body won't be able to match my mental drive as the time horizon stretches out. That's why I get goose bumps of inspiration when I see other master runners kicking ass out there. It means I can do it, too.
Erika: Definitely having a career ending injury. It is devastating to think about my life without competition.
Andi: As related to running, I would say I fear that running will become less enjoyable as I get slower. Not that I plan to get slower. :) Outside of running, I would say menopause. I'm not looking forward to hormone freak out time.
Anne: My biggest fear is not being able to get back into running shape after setbacks due to physical ailments that are due to age or injury ( that's where I am right now due to Carpal tunnel).
Kim: Not living long enough.
Left to right: Andi Camp and Molly Friel.
What is your superpower?
Robin: My superpower is my sense of humor, but I’m not sure how that helps my running!
Catherine: Family! a hubby who supports my running and recognizes how big a part of my life it is, and my children who I hope to pass my love of running on to!
Molly: To be able to run 3+ hours without water - I may be part camel.
Jen: I will make you want to channel your inner Sport Spirit because you see me doing it and talking about it all the time. It's not that you'll want to be me or even run, but you'll want to find your own sport passion. It's infectious!
Erika: The ability to “leap tall buildings in a single bound.”
Andi: Reluctantly, I would say my ability to come back (from injury and ill-health) time and time again. It's a good superpower to have, but I wouldn't mind using it less often!
Anne: My superpower is the motivation I draw from others. I think others get me going most often.
Kim: Indestructible knees and stomach of steel.
