What do you most enjoy about working in the run specialty industry?
I’ve always enjoyed being part of events because it can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for someone and to know you’ve helped create that experience brings a lot of joy to me. I always love hearing the excitement from everyone at our races, and I’ve seen some of the best smiles, heard the best laughs, and given the best high fives while standing in the road directing runners.
What is your go-to nutrition item right now?
Pizza. Great fuel for the night before a race. It has plenty of carbs and protein to keep you moving. My best races have always started with pizza the night before.
If you could have lunch with one athlete, who would it be?
If we’re talking running, I would have to say Leonard Korir. He most recently was one of the three Americans the compete in the marathon at the last Olympics, but I have briefly met the guy before a couple of times when I was lined up near him at the Gate River Run, which is the 15k National Championships. He seemed pretty chill, but I would love to actually meet him after having watched him won multiple USATF championships.
Favorite song, genre, or playlist to listen to while training?
I actually never run with music. I’m a bit of a nosey person, so I’ve always enjoyed just listening to the world around me. My favorites are early Saturday morning long runs when everything is quiet and you can just hear the birds. It has always been a great way for me to relax and forget about everything else. Worst case scenario I just talk to myself like a completely sane person.
What do you most love about working at Foot Traffic?
The way we connect with the community. Not all run specialty shops have quite as many ways to connect with the community as we do, and it keeps the excitement alive year-round. Bouncing from races to youth camps to training groups to free community runs from the stores means that we are always interacting with everyone outside of the traditional retail setting. It’s definitely not something that can be said for all run specialty shops.