Runner of the Week – Page 5 – Carrboro Run Club

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

Suzy Porterfield

Where are you from? The suburbs of Seattle (but I lived in actual Seattle after college so I have some street cred).

How long have you lived in the area? I moved here to be closer to family and didn’t expect to stick around long, but here I am settled in 5 years later.

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? I asked and got 4… opinionated, creative, enthusiastic? and fun.

Why do you run? For the pub run perks, duh.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? Ed Billings kept talking about how great it was, and I finally tried it out and realized he was SO right!

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? Everyone is so social and welcoming, even if you don’t know anyone when you show up you’ll know folks by the end.

Describe the most recent (appropriate 🙂 ) photo you took with your phone: My pup is doing PT for a bum ACL, so most of my photos are of her enjoying time using a water treadmill.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? “Are you crying? Why? It’ll be fine.” I blew up my car in college and was talking to my dad on the phone and started crying. He could not figure why I was so upset because it was so obvious to him that everything would be fine. It was true then and it’s true for most things in life.

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? The talent of NOT procrastinating, think of all the things I’d get done!

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: I lettered 10 times in high school and my long last name looked ridiculous on my little letterman jacket.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? This summer I’m officiating the wedding of 2 close friends, I’ve promised to keep the cuss words to a minimum.

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: “There is always something to be happy about.”

Anything else you’d like to share with us?! Buy Pub Run stickers, someone really great designed them. 😉

Nichole Kanopoulos

May 7, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? Raleigh, NC

How long have you lived in the area? Almost 2 years

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Organized, reliable, and competitive

Why do you run? I run because I always feel good after I finish, even on days I don’t have a great run. Our running community here is pretty fantastic, and it’s nice to see familiar faces while running through town and on race day. Also, I love being able to explore new places on foot, so running in new cities is always fun!

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? I heard from a fellow Pub Runner that the Station Pub Run was the place to be. In other words, Ed Billings recruited me.

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? Steph’s emails are always enjoyable (seriously, sign up for the emails if you don’t get them already), and I love the variety of people who show up each week. There are some really interesting people who come to Pub Run, and it’s fun connecting with them through an activity we share.

Describe the most recent (appropriate ☺) photo you took with your phone: A picture of a delicious breakfast sandwich I made: eggs, kale, avocado, and sriracha on a whole wheat English muffin.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? Deal with the closest alligator to the boat first. In other words, when you have a lot going on, don’t waste your time and energy worrying about what’s coming later, deal with the problem that needs attention now, and then go from there.

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? The ability to draw and paint. I have zero artistic ability, so that has always been fascinating to me.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: I cook and bake a lot, which most people know, but most people don’t know that I was burned (literally) pretty badly in middle school, which was followed by a phase where I was completely terrified of interacting with the oven.

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: “Let go or be dragged.”

Christen Campbell

April 30, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? Bainbridge Island, Washington

How long have you lived in the area? 9 years!!!

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Smiley, empathetic and energetic.

Why do you run? Because of the way I feel afterward...and I love my runner friends. They’re the best.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? Because I’m a Steph Bryant groupie. I’m an original member of her first running group with Fleet Feet...and when she left, it totally changed the vibe. While I haven’t been as active of a member of the Station Pub Run, due to managing mom life, Steph’s magnetic energy really draws out the best in everyone.

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? The diversity that the Station Pub Run brings...all sorts of people from all over the world. Runners are also just good people.

Describe the most recent (appropriate 🙂 ) photo you took with your phone: I usually take pictures of my baby, Henri cause I can’t help myself. This weekend he decided to help me “garden” pinching small grains of dirt, one by one. So I did my best to capture his cuteness.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? One day at a time. Idk who gave it to me, but life can get really busy and overwhelming, especially as a full time working momma. I didn’t know if I could manage working full time and momming, but then I remembered all the women who have done it before me. This phrase helped remind me to keep it simple.

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 probably be a professional ballerina. I love watching them--they’re so magical. But survey says it’s a little late for this to happen.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: I’m an aspiring urban sheppard and urban farmer. I’ve petitioned the town of Carrboro to allow me get a small flock of sheep, and they unanimously agreed to look into it. The goal would be to use them for urban grazing instead of mowing.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? I was awarded Teacher of the Year for my school (Chapel Hill High School). This is a big deal because it’s an award that is infrequently given to a language teacher. I am excited to use this as a platform to help advocate for the importance of language learning.

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: “Keep on rockin’ in the free world.” Neil Young

Shauna Griffin

April 23, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? Born in Hong Kong, raised in various parts of East Asia ‘til I was nine, then in New Jersey and California, but been in NC for a good part of my adult life, so….ya got me!

How long have you lived in the area? Since 2003. I came for grad school and decided to stay,

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Depends on the friends. The ones in high school would have said “not a runner.”

Why do you run? Mostly for the awesome people and the socializing.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? Because of Steph.

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? Oh totally Steph.

Describe the most recent (appropriate 🙂 ) photo you took with your phone: It was of a paper registration from someone who joined Godiva’s Running Start program (couch to 5k -- tell your friends!).

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? “Miles on feet is what counts.” And I don’t remember who, but it’s what gets me through bad runs -- so thanks, mysterious benefactor(s)!

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 fly unaided by mechanics. But since that’s a fantasy, being able to sing happy birthday without causing ear pain in others would be nice.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: I love shrimp chips.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of?

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate?

Anything else you’d like to share with us?! I have two adorable nieces and a vicious four-legged nephew who will totally rip your throat out. When he’s not busy getting belly rubs.

Bill Harris

April 16, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? South Jersey, Mullica Hill. Exit 2 on the turnpike. That’s jersey humor.

How long have you lived in the area? Since 1995. Came to school in UNC and never went home. Philly urban sprawl engulfed over my small hometown while I was at school, so there really wasn’t a hometown to go back to.

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Dorky, Energetic, Annoying

Why do you run? To maintain an active lifestyle and stay in shape. Basically - so I don’t die at age 55 from a heart attack.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? I was going to Fleet Feet Monday night runs, and Michelle Becker, Tina Clossick, and Avery Cheves told me to quit messing with that perpetually cancelled run and come to Tuesday night at Station instead.

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? The organizer. Srsly. You do a great job with your passion and inclusiveness.

Describe the most recent (appropriate 🙂 ) photo you took with your phone: The march snowstorm in North Carolina to show to friends the stupidity of our recent weather.

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? Be able to dunk a basketball.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: I’ve been to two Taylor Swift concerts and thoroughly enjoyed both.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? Ran that first marathon and put up a semi-respectable time.

Anything else you’d like to share with us?! If you want to run faster, run with faster people!

Sofia Goldberg

April 6, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

Where are you from? Originally, Seattle, WA, most recently from Fort Collins, CO

How long have you lived in the area? 8 months

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Adventurous, driven, and intense

Why do you run? Why do I run… well before moving here I thought I had given up running for good! Needless to say, running and I have had an on-again, off-again relationship since I trained for my first ½ marathon back in 2010. I find myself pulled back to running for the community; and I also love the sense of awe and accomplishment I feel after a long run. It’s pretty dang cool that our bodies can move us so far!

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? After living here a few months, and living the making-friends-as-an-adult struggle, I was reminded that pub running has always been a reliable way to form community. I’ve joined pub running groups in Portland, OR, Tampa, FL, Fort Collins, CO and now here in Chapel Hill!

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? Chuckling every week at Steph’s emails?! Oh – and the community!

Describe the most recent (appropriate 🙂 ) photo you took with your phone: Me, kissing a child-sized, orange weasel at 21c in Durham.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? “Balance your equilateral triangle.” – random guy at art fair at New Belgium Brewery… using a triangle visual/metaphor to evaluate how balanced different components of life be it work, play, family, etc.

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? Backcountry downhill skiing.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: In Colorado I did volunteer trail maintenance on backcountry xc ski trails for the Forest Service. Every Friday I hopped in a truck with three retired men with my coffee, pack, skis, and saw to head up to the pass and mark trails, shovel bridges, and cut out/down trees obstructing the trail. I became quite the sawyer!

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? I took a solo-bikepacking trip in Pisgah when I first moved here. 85 miles and ~9,000 ft of climbing in a day and a half was pretty freaking epic!

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: Not all girls are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. Some girls are made of adventure, fine beer, brains and no fear.

Anne Mandeville-Long

March 5, 2018 / Steph Bryant / Comments Off

How long have you lived in the area? 24 years

What are three words your friends would use to describe you? Strong, fast and faster. (My husband wrote that.)

Why do you run? I run for a lot of reasons - like most people, to stay in shape, control my weight (I get to eat a lot and drink beer!) and for overall health. But, more personally, I started running when my sister was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and I had to do something, anything! So I started training for the NYC marathon in 2011 to raise awareness and funds for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. I hated running for the first 3 years! Really! I was just so motivated by my sister - my mantra was “she can’t but I can.” My husband Robert and I went on to run London, Chicago and Marine Corps marathons and we’ve raised over $50k for the MMRF.

Now it seems as if some woodland gnomes have been tinkering with my brain because no matter how challenging running can be, my brain associates running with friends, beautiful places and a great sense of freedom and satisfaction. And speaking of running with friends, this April, I’ll be running Zion 50k with a few pub runners! Finally, I am most inspired to run because of my dear husband, Robert. I’m so lucky to have a partner that loves running as much as I do and one who tolerates my occasional bragging.

Why did you decide to join the Station Pub Run? I had to change my life around but the pressure was too much! I gave up one of the best yoga classes in town to be with this extraordinary group of pub runners!

What is your favorite thing about the Station Pub Run? Friends and Wicked Weed.

Describe the most recent (appropriate 🙂 ) photo you took with your phone: A selfie with my 89 year old mom.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you? “Engage your glutes!” - Elizabeth Towe of Balanced Movement.

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 young enough, tall enough, talented enough to play basketball for Roy Williams.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know: My favorite ultra trail race aid station drink is pickle juice mixed with ginger ale.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of? Trekking to Base Camp Mt Everest March 12-April 1st and raising almost $10,000 for MMRF!

Please share your favorite quote or slogan: “If your dream doesn’t scare you, it isn’t big enough.”

Anything else you’d like to share with us?! If you would like to help us reach our goal of $10k by March 12, Please visit and donate: https://endurance.themmrf.org/2018EBC/AnneandBobbysBigAdventure

Carrboro Run Club