Fall Racing Series Feature: Stephanie True

 Throughout our Fall Racing Series, we have featured different runners participating in the event. Today we sat down with Stephanie True. Stephanie has been a very loyal supporter of our team and is an extremely dedicated runner. She's everyone's best cheerleader and truly a joy to work with. Read her story below!  CS: What was your inspiration behind signing up for our Fall Racing Series? ST: When it comes to running, I apparently like challenges. I like to always have a reason to wake up and go running. The best motivation is having some sort of race on the calendar. In particular for this year, coming out of retirement to lead a school on an interim basis for just one year (which just so happened to be a pandemic year), I am stressed in a way that I have never felt before. I have to get up between 4:00 & 4:30 to get in my runs. It would be so very easy to stop running during the week, but that actually would create more anxiety. The Fall Racing Series gives me the reason to get up, to challenge myself at different distances, and allows me to follow others who are participating as well. I love getting to know the other runners through Strava and the Facebook group.  CS: Running has looked very different these last 6 months. You have participated in several different virtual running events. What have you learned most in these experiences?  ST: I really am a solo runner so I train alone. But for a race, I love being a solo runner in a crowd. I have learned that I need the corral experience, lining up with fellow racers and taking in all of the nervous energy. I have learned that I can push myself when I do a virtual race alone, but I don’t push myself as hard as I do when others are watching. I thrive on the whole experience, from packet pickup to laying out my clothes the night before, to lining up with my fellow runners, to water stations (oh how I miss those) along the way, to a finish line with all the medals and amazing volunteers.I have also learned that I am still competitive at 55. I have only been running for 10 years, so this racing stuff is new to me. I watch all of the other participants and so want to be like them. I am learning to accept my limitations. While I am signed up to try to PR in each of the trials this fall, I have an ankle injury that is holding me back. I have to learn to accept the current reality so as to not cause more issues down the road.  CS: What you have enjoyed most out of participating in our spring and fall series? ST: What I have enjoyed the most is meeting new runners. I see some of the other participants on Strava and Facebook, and Mark has created safe situations for group runs so I have been able to meet a few in person. I also have enjoyed the encouragement of a good running coach!  CS: I believe everyone has their why for why they participate in distance running. What is your why?  ST: My “why” is pretty simple. I run because I can. It took me 45 years to discover this, and I sometimes think that what I am able to do is unreal. I am a wife, mother, and grandmother, and I devote so much of my life to taking care of my family. But running is for me. I actually asked Mark if I have hit all my PRs, if I have reached that age where I no longer will surpass my previous hard work and training. I mean, last year was a big one for me. But he has me thinking that I may still have potential. So I may take a step back until I re-retire at the end of this school year, and then  I might still have another good Fall ahead of me in 2021! CS: What advice do you have for people first starting off in this sport that are looking to simply be consistent? ST: My advice would be to do as I say, not as I do (because sometimes I ignore my body). Truly listen to your body. Train smart. Figure out what motivates you and go for it. To be consistent takes planning, and planning sometimes involves others. Use the running community. We have a tremendous community of runners in this area. Sign up for races. Virtual or in person races keep you training.