Get to know Annu Mehta
CS: What led you to becoming a runner?
AM: In high school, I competed in track and field. I grew up in India and was able to be involved in track and volleyball. I loved the feeling of running “free” and enjoyed time to myself. Then, I moved to the United States and had kids which put a pause on my running. It wasn’t until my kids were older that we signed up for a family 5k in Dallas, Texas. After running the race, I realized I needed to get back into shape. That’s when I started becoming more consistent with my training and incorporating other activities such as hit classes into my routine. When the weather is 90 degrees in the evening in Texas, you have to find ways to be creative in keeping yourself motivated!
CS: After moving from Texas to Chicago, your running seemed to really take off. Can you share how the move inspired you to run more.
AM: When I moved to Chicago I knew that I wanted to run and become involved in the local community. I had a treadmill I could run on but I hated running in the basement. I wanted to be outside with other people. I was referred to a club in my town named the Elmhurst Running Club. I was hesitant to come at first because I wasn’t sure I would be fast enough to join. Then, when I got there I had plenty of people to train with! I ended up finding several friends through the club that I still run with up to this day.
CS: What have you enjoyed most about being a part of the Elmhurst Running Club?
AM: It’s a really close group. People in the club have been running for several years. They are experienced running all distances. For my first marathon, the club provided me with a training plan to follow. We used the Hal Higdon plan and were able to run with other people for speed workout and long run days. They had a course marked out for us with water and gatorade stops along the way. I see being a part of a club like theirs as such a positive thing for our local running community.
CS: Not only are you a member of a local running club but you also are a part of a national running group that is specifically for moms who are physicians that also run. Can you please share more on that.
AM: Before I joined the “MomDocs” I was a part of a travel group for moms who were physicians. Then, someone on that group mentioned that there was a group for moms who were doctors that ran too! I joined the group and that was where I linked up with Emi Ponce de Souza. (She’s awesome!) Emi created attire that you could buy a race in and then, during COVID she organized a virtual running series to participate in. That kept me motivated throughout the pandemic when we were shut down. The group is so supportive and we lift each other up every single day.
CS: Now it’s time to fire away with some fun questions. First, what race has been your favorite to participate in?
AM: I loved the New York City Marathon! The athlete village, fans, and so many other things made it such a positive experience.
CS: How do you deal with running during the terrible winters of chicago?
AM: I actually love training in the winter! I have all the right gear. In fact, I prefer it over the heat of the summer. Once you get warmed up in the cold weather, you feel much better!
CS: What’s your go to dinner when you are training for a marathon?
AM: I am a vegetarian and I love rice and vegetables.
CS: What podcasts do you listen to when you run?
AM: Another Mother Runner, Trails and Racing, Mark Spewak’s Mission of Spe, and audiobooks.
CS: If you go anywhere in the world to run, where would you go?
AM: Paris! I want to run around all the monuments.
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