Runner of the Week – Page 4 – Carrboro Run Club

Category: Runner of the Week (page 4 of 5)

Robin Richardson

Where are you from? I was born in Traverse City, Michigan and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina.

How long have you lived in the area? I’ve been in Chapel Hill for 23 years.

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Organized, Perseveres, Willing [to try]

Why do you run? I run for my health: physical, mental and social. I believe that health is a balancing act of these areas. Running helps me clear my head. I often talk aloud to myself while running - practicing a conversation, problem-solving or just thinking things through. I feel liberated while running.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? The Station Pub Run is a great public health initiative! It brings people together doing an activity to improve their individual health, while promoting social networks. I love that the Station Pub Run gets us out and running in rain, humidity, snow and dark of night.

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? The friendly people. The routine. The route.

Describe the most recent (appropriate J) photo you took with your phone: Pretty holiday decorations over the city streets for members of the public to enjoy.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? My father used to tell me: everything in moderation. I love this because it means you don’t have to say “no” to things, like dessert. You can enjoy, in moderation. I also like this advice because excess can ruin a good thing.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be? I would like to be able to apparate. Apparition is a wizarding skill from the Harry Potter series that allows you to instantly move from one location to another, anywhere in the world.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: I like to clean out the house - to simplify. When I come home after a trip, I get rid of knick-knacks and clutter.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? I recently ran my first marathon with goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. While I was training, a good friend told me that I could not quality for Boston with my first marathon… that I had no idea what I was getting myself into…that I had no idea how hard it was to run a marathon at all, let alone try to quality for Boston. I’m proud to say that I did quality for Boston in that first marathon. I’m most proud that I don’t let others get inside my head or disrupt my own ideas about what I can achieve.

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: #BeYou

Tom Arnel

January 8, 2019 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? Originally from Long Island (Woodmere, New York), moved with family to Chapel Hill in 1977.

How long have you lived in the area? Besides going to Appalachian State University, have lived in the area for over 41 years.

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Strange, one of a kind.

Why do you run? For the journey, for the friendships, for the races, for feeling better, plus it’s a full participation sport.

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? The friendships, the acceptance of all runners. the fun! Many of my friends from other pub runs decided to make The Station Pub run home. I find this run one of the most engaging and fun runs in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area. Just a good group people!

Describe the most recent (appropriate ☺) photo you took with your phone: Literally of my good friend finishing her first marathon ever!

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? It’s all about the journey.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: I played the national anthem on clarinet with my Junior High School Band terribly at Yankee Stadium.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? Just finished the Richmond Marathon with a 15 minute PR. Love the Galloway run/walk method. Love to find ways to remember things about what people are interested in and to help them out. I am proud of being interested in many different things. Being eclectic.

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: “The reason mainstream is a stream is because of its shallowness.” -- George Carlin

Lara Ingram

January 1, 2019 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? The Woodlands, Texas, which is a Pleasantville-like, master-planned community north of Houston. My high school, having 3000 students, produced some pretty good athletes like Danny Amendola (2-time Superbowl Champion), Kyle Drabek (MLB), and Laura Wilkinson (gold medal Olympian diver).

How long have you lived in the area? In 2015, I moved from Boston after my PhD with (then boyfriend, now husband) Theo for my postdoctoral research position in the Neuroscience department at UNC. Carrboro has been a fun, new home for us, so we got married last November locally at the Barn at Valhalla in Chapel Hill.

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Upbeat, driven, bubbly. Lab mates have deemed my spirit animal as a quokka. They’re small marsupials that smile a lot.

Why do you run? I run to stay fit and keep in weekly touch with friends. I’m a soccer player and a sailor, and sailing is a bit more difficult to come by during the week (unlike Boston), so running was a nice alternative to social exercise mid-week after a sedentary science day. Also, I like how running is inclusive on shape and ability while being a sport that you can improve upon, too.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? Lab mate Dan, aka Dantelope, recommended Station Pub Run to us. Then, when the Binkleys gave the stamp of approval, we knew it would be a good time!

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? We are sticking with it because the community really likes running and drinking. But the beer raffle and Crossties punch cards (especially a pooled family card) are additional perks!

Describe the most recent (appropriate ☺) photo you took with your phone: On Monday I took a photo of a spool of tungsten wire for making brain stimulating electrodes. For context, I’m a neuroscientist who researches how alcohol and stress interact in brain circuits using mice as models. We can electrically evoke currents to measure synaptic strength, so I sent my science friend a photo of the wire that we use.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” My high school world geography teacher gave me a paperweight with the saying on it. I like the bold statement about courage.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be? To be a polyglot, for sure. I speak Spanish and can understand some Tagalog (Philippines). Duolingo was good for learning basic French and Italian for international research conferences, but it would be a secret weapon to know the world’s languages while traveling. Gotta know all the local foods and drinks.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: In high school I was our region’s president of the National Charity League for mothers and daughters, becoming a “debutante” presented in a white ball gown equipped with manners and service to Texan society. Our emcee of the event was my influential high school teacher that eventually became Theo and my wedding officiant 12 years later.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? I just published my first, first-author paper of my postdoctoral research here at UNC. It describes how a single exposure to a fox scent, a threatening predator odor, for mice can have significant alterations in excitatory neurotransmission in specific neurons in the prefrontal cortex, an area that can deteriorate after chronic stress. We can reduce the stress signals on the brain and distress behavior by applying a drug that blocks receptors for a stress hormone.

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: My daily mantra is, “work hard, play hard.” I must say that this lifestyle almost killed me in college due to lack of sleep, so I have revised to “everything in moderation, including moderation.”

Anything else you’d like to share with us?! In my first year of graduate school I published a protocol that encourages mice to voluntarily drink large amounts of alcohol. It’s currently being used around the world to study the biology of alcohol drinking, and has over 100 citations (when others reference your work, not fines issued by law enforcement).

Allison Binkley

October 15, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? I was born in Marblehead, MA and raised in Cornelius, NC

How long have you lived in the area? 4 years

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Active, Planner, Intense

Why do you run? I like to eat, so I need a way to be able to eat what I want. I’ve always done individual sports, so running has proven another one where I can challenge myself to get better and having a group to do it with helps push me to work harder. It also is more accessible and less weather dependent than a number of the other sports I do.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? We walked our dog on the route on Tuesdays and finally after getting told by many of our pub runner friends that we should join we came out and haven’t looked back!

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? Friendly people, fun run, and of course Steph!

Describe the most recent (appropriate 🙂 ) photo you took with your phone: Picture of our dog Sadie on the motor boat this past weekend.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? My dad’s three favorite things to tell me have never steered me wrong – “Motivate” “Suck it up” and “Be Happy”.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be? I would like to be an elite athlete. It doesn’t matter what sport, but being Olympic caliber in anything would be awesome (specifically sailing, swimming, or running).

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: One of my bucket list items is to live and travel in a boat or van. I love the idea of the adventure and being free. My grandfather lived on a boat for 2 years so it’s in my genes. The boat is still in our family so who knows, it may happen sooner than later.

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: “You have brains in your head and feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself in any direction you choose.” – Dr. Seuss

Melissa Jensen Madrigal

October 9, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? A small-ish town in Costa Rica called Quepos

How long have you lived in the area? A little over two years

Why do you run? So that I can eat chocolate… ha! I am a happier person when I run. It adds balance to my life, a great way to meet people, and some of the friendships I cherish the most I have made through running.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? I have a hard time running alone! Back in Costa Rica I ran with a group called “P’alante!” twice a week to help keep me motivated. When I moved to the area, I tried the Mon-Wed FF pub runs where I met Agustín, who told me about the Station PubRun.

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? The punch card. And the people, of course. 🙂

Describe the most recent (appropriate 🙂 ) photo you took with your phone: Last night, with “Amigas en Salud” at the Seymour Center. Just a picture of our weekly Zumba to share on our Facebook page.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? I revised and resubmitted a research paper about unhealthy food marketing to children in Costa Rica, that might get published (fingers crossed!). Oh, and my first 50 km race coming up in 1 week!

Anything else you’d like to share with us?! I don’t really enjoy beer, so I feel a little silly when I wear our Station Pub Run shirt! Lol

Tim Thirion

September 25, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, more specifically Northwest Indiana.

How long have you lived in the area? I moved to NC in 2005 for grad school and ended up staying once I realized I wouldn’t have to suffer through another Chicago winter unless I wanted to. :0

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Tall, smart, funny … I hope. 🙂

Why do you run? I run because it’s one of the most effective ways to exercise. Plus, it builds character.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? I have a personal rule that I never turn down an invitation to exercise. One day a coworker invited me to the Pub Run and now I’m stuck doing it for the rest of eternity.

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? I really enjoy catching up on the previous week with my new friends and cooling off with a beer after the run.

Describe the most recent (appropriate ☺) photo you took with your phone: I have a great picture of my 12-person team from a long running relay race I did recently. I also took a picture of some gelato.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? I’ve heard it many ways from many different people, including loved ones, a physics professor and a former CEO—simply: be flexible.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be? I would love to know how to paint or to generally be a great artist.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: I had to be rescued by a lifeguard my first time swimming in the ocean because I got caught in a riptide. I was 21 years old at the time. (Midwest, represent!)

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? I just ran a 200-mile, 12-person relay race through New Hampshire. I personally ran about 13 miles total over 30 hours, which is quite a bit for me. It was a great adventure!

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: “Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.” ― Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Jeff Clemons

July 28, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Name: Jeff Clemons (Jeff Jeff on Facebook)

Where are you from? Boaz, Alabama

How long have you lived in the area? Moved to NC in 2011 and then to CH in 2015.

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Jovial, Passionate and Stubborn (that last one is how my wife often describes me – in a loving way, of course)

Why do you run? To socialize, compete and problem-solve. Running has provided me an opportunity to meet some pretty amazing people - that are also great athletes and competitors – in the area, while also giving me an avenue to have my “ah-ha” problem solving moments outside of the shower (replacing long showers with long runs has really helped my water bill).

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? One random Tuesday when I was having beer at the Station, this really friendly lady with a big box of stuff came up and invited me to run next week. I was looking for something that included beer/running/socializing, and this fit my schedule perfectly.

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? The $10 off punch card? Sorta. The amazingly witty subject lines to the weekly emails? Maybe. Running, drinking beer and talking current events/politics with my elders (Bill/Dan/Steve/Kevin)? Definitely.

Describe the most recent (appropriate 🙂 ) photo you took with your phone: Last picture I took was of a group of deer that live in my neighborhood. I see groups of them nearly every morning that I run, and it just makes me really happy to see them.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? “People are going to hear you (talk) and assume a lot of things. Don’t worry about it and be yourself.” – My Mama

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be? I would love to be able to hear song lyrics once and remember them. The things I do to the chorus of some of my favorite songs is embarrassing.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: Huge fan of the Pitch Perfect movies. Not ashamed.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? Ran a Ragnar Relay in May with a group of CH friends. Not so much proud of the run as much as the group that I got to be a part of.

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: “I guess if you keep making the same mistake long enough, it becomes your style” – John Prine

Anything else you’d like to share with us?! Too much for one question. I am definitely an over-sharer.

Janna at an aid station during the Umstead 100 miler

Janna Howard

July 22, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? Coopersburg, PA (about an hour and a half north of Philly. Near Allentown, like the Billy Joel song.)

How long have you lived in the area? FIVE YEARS holy cow

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Positive/upbeat, organized, and… umm, supadupafly?

Why do you run? I started running to improve my health, but over time, I came to genuinely love it – for physical health, mental health, and just plain old fun! I continue running because I feel driven to improve, and enjoy testing the limits of how long or fast I can go.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? I’m easily peer-pressured into running-related things, so Steph barely even had to try to convince me! Also because I enjoy having a shared hobby allow me to meet such kind people with diverse experiences and interests who I might not otherwise have ever gotten to know.

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? I love how community-driven it is – everyone is friendly, there are always updates or people reaching out about races and other things happening in the area. I’ve met so many awesome people who I wouldn’t have ever run into through school or work, and that’s really neat! AND now I have more running buddies.

Describe the most recent (appropriate J) photo you took with your phone: A picture of a pizza I got from the pizza truck last weekend, so that I could send it to a few pizza-lovers and make them jealous!

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? I think the best life advice I’ve gotten was from my mom, years ago, and it was to value my own happiness.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be? Oh man this is tough. I’d love to be able to play classical piano. I took piano lessons as a kid but hated it and stopped once I got to the point where I couldn’t get away with not practicing. As an adult, I regret it! Alternatively, if money wasn’t an option and I could hire someone else who had the skill, I would hire a personal chef.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: I did karate for years as a child. Sometimes, I really miss it.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? I’m pretty proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone after undergrad and moving to North Carolina for an 8 week summer internship, sight unseen with no real established connections. I met lots of wonderful people and figured out what I wanted to go to grad school for, and now five years later I’m still here!

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: I’ve never been a huge “quotes” person. I have some written down that have really popped out at me over the years, but since they all require me to go back and look at them to remember them, that probably means they aren’t my “favorite”. Slogan… when trying to encourage others (and myself), I usually go with “YOU GOT THIS!” Short, gets the point across, and can be a mental pick-me-up and boost your confidence if you take it to heart and know that someone else believes you can do “it” – whether it’s running, a tough work situation, a big test.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?! Maybe one of my three words should have been “verbose”…

Yik Lam

June 25, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? What is more important: where I’m from, or where I’m going? Where I’m going is to a place in life where I have a satisfying job, contribute a little good to the world, and can have fun and adventure with loved ones. Where I’m from? California.

How long have you lived in the area? 6.5 years per the western calendar.

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Funny, over-the-top (is that one word?), and ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Why do you run? Some of my closest relationships have been formed because of running. Running is a great starting point to share stories and get to really know people. Also, zombies.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? When you drink the Steph Kool-Aid, you don’t make your own decisions.

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? Keeping up with friends, meeting new people, and the post-run stench of achievement.

Describe the most recent (appropriate J) photo you took with your phone: My co-worker Evan and me eating Arby’s.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? “When you floss, you have to really get in between your teeth and into your gums.” – My dental hygienist. Symbolically, I take this advice to mean that whether working or traveling, it’s important to take the time to really understand other people and places. On a more surface level, a good floss reduces gum bleeding.

I would like to submit a second piece of advice: “Put away your cell phone.” – My girlfriend Emma

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be? I would be fluent in all the world’s languages so I could commune with all of humanity. There is nothing more rewarding than having a conversation over dinner, a beer, or a cup of tea wherever you are in the world. Also, you can more easily talk about people behind their backs.

Oh, I would like to be a great dancer too…

Oh, and I wish I could sing better…

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: I’m a middle child, and middle child syndrome is a thing. I’ve spent a large portion of my life trying to break out of the anonymity associated with such an affliction. Some of my prouder achievements associated with flailing my arms around for attention include: Spending two years teaching math in Africa as a Peace Corps volunteer, running my first marathon, and achieving the status of backup-backup run club coordinator.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? Over a four-week span in early October, I hope to: run my second marathon, run a 5K, run my first ultramarathon, and participate in the Tuna Run (200-mile team run). Will I succeed in all these endeavors? Probably not. But one can take pride in glorious failures, right?

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has” – Margaret Mead

Applicable to Station Pub Run, I believe.

A close second is: “Tally Ho!” – Steph

Anything else you’d like to share with us?! A couple of thoughts: I like bringing my running shoes on vacation. Most recently, Emma and I ran around Paris. This was a great and different way to see the city. Also, it built up an appetite for chocolate croissants.

Never take for granted a good pub run coordinator. You can thank her with candy.

Ted Richardson

May 14, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? Born in Charlotte, and have lived in NC my entire life.

How long have you lived in the area? I’ve lived in Chapel Hill for 22 years.

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Spontaneous, focused, adventurous.

Why do you run? To experience places, to meet people, to generate endorphins.

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? The fast (but conversational) 5-mile run, and the fast (but conversational) beer-drinking afterwards.

Describe the most recent (appropriate 🙂 ) photo you took with your phone: My shadow among the cacti at Tucson Mountain Park before an early morning trail run last weekend.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? “See the news, don’t be the news” — My first photojournalism boss.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be? Flight

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: I went to middle school with Zach Galifianakis.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? Qualified for Boston this year - for the first time since 1996.

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: “It’s the journey that matters” - Ernest Hemingway.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?! Thanks for being part of my running community.

Carrboro Run Club