What got you out running/walking for the first time?

I’ve always been a runner per se; I played soccer and ran track in high school. After I tried to keep it up by sporadically running here and there. It wasn’t until around 2014 when a friend asked me to run the MOMA 5K, then we ran a 10k up in the Napa area… by 2015 I ran my first Modesto Half and joined my first running groups Team In Training and ShadowChase. And I’ve continued to add more miles and groups since then!

What’s a song that helps pick up your pace?

There really isn’t a single specific song that helps me pick up the pace. My playlists are so sporadic that they cross many languages and music genres. The only one constant in the playlists over the last 4 years has been BTS… their songs seem to help me find my zone when I may have lost it!

What is the race medal you are most proud of and why?

This is a tough one. There isn’t really one that is more important than another. However, for the purpose of this interview I’ll say that 2 stand out: Chicago 2019 because it was 2 weeks after Berlin and I managed to PR and Big Sur 2019 because I met Christy Turlington Burns supermodel and founder of Every Mother Counts!

What is your dream race or location for a run?

Boston, London, and Tokyo for sure are races I want to check off my list!! Hoping I can do so sooner than later haha. Also hoping that things in the future return to what we knew as “normal” and I can travel more and knock some trail runs, national and international, off my list!!

What is your favorite trail to run?

My favorite trails to run are anywhere in the North Bay (Marin Headlands/Muir Woods) area! The views are breathtaking and worth every climb!

What’s your favorite race distance?

Currently, I think the marathon distance is a good spot for me. I am however slowly working into longer distances and hopefully, I can later say a 50K is that sweet spot. Not too long or short!

What’s the funniest thing that has happened to you or that you have seen on the trail?

There are too many to count. I usually have a great time with friends on training runs. There are always plenty of laughs and great times! Which makes each run that much easier and makes the time fly by!!

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not running? 

I love spending time with my family! In my downtime, I love reading and anything art/fashion-related!

Who are your running heroes? Who inspires you?

My friends are the heroes that inspire me! I’ve seen them all push through rough times to achieve personal goals! They always have great information to share, which has helped me reach my goals. They are a great bunch and make me feel proud to call them my friends !!

Describe the moment you realized you were a “runner”.

It definitely was when I ran my first half marathon and received my first medal! Something about that piece of metal somehow validated the work I put into it! Now I feel like I don’t need that validation, it’s more about the fun times out on those long rungs with friends!

What are your goals?

I would love to finish my major 6 marathons, which means I would get Boston, London, and Tokyo out of the way. On the trails ill be running my first 50 Miler with AR50 and hopefully that leads me to a 100 mile run sometime in the future!

 What’s your favorite beer (or other drink if you don’t drink beer)?

Currently Belgian-style beers! But to celebrate after a run any beer is good!