I first started back in 2010, then after a few years break from NRC, came back in January 2019

I love the store, the people here, the customers, and the whole running community! It's great to be a part of it all

My favorite place to run in the world had to be Hawaii because COME ON it's Hawaii! In Naperville I love running through McDowell

I would say be patient! It's so easy to get carried away and push yourself harder than your body is ready for, and also frustrating when you don't see the results you want, but patience always pays off!

Walk my dog, play with my daughters, and watch my Real Housewives

March 2020

A majority of my milestone memories revolve around running and the Naperville Running community. What a better way to continue to create similar memories and to help others create similar experiences.

Relationships are super important, listen more than talk.

Find a partner or a group to train with, this makes getting out the door a no brainer. Also take it slow when increasing your mileage.

I love to run on any trail, preferably through a wooded area. In Naperville, my favorite place is McDowell Forest Preserve, especially before it was redone.

June 2022

The community and family! Every person that walks through the door is a new experience, and a new oppurtunity to find them the right shoe.

I am an avid fisherman! Most warm days you can find me on the lake.

5K! Not too long, but also not too short!

September 2023

Only believe, just believe. Everyday is a new day.

Enjoy family + friends, workout, shop, laugh, dance, read, travel!

As long as it's outdoors and not indoors, I am happy!

March 2021

I have been working in a Running Specialty store for 13 years. I love being part of the local running community where I can share my knowledge and experiences to help others enjoy running, health and competition as much as I do.

Flatwoods Conservation Park (Tampa, FL) Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve (Local)

Have FUN!

I love to spend time with my partner and two dogs. Spend time in my art studio painting and drawing, and I love to swim.

March 2016

North Central College, Sports Management

Just have fun with it, make sure you are doing it because it is something that brings you enjoyment. Putting too much stress/pressure on yourself is only going to make things worse.

2 Dogs. Murphy (Border Collie Mix) and Dot (Pug).

My freshman year I would just wear one pair of shoes all the time until it ran out of miles, which led to an overuse of some of those shoes. Now I make sure to rotate in a few different models and styles to keep it switched up.

March 2023

I am an Eagle Scout!

You can do it. You can. You will.

Watch, hat, jacket, shoes, socks, and apple sauce for the long runs.

I want to run the Boston Marathon!

May 2017

Coming to NRC for all of my shoe and nutrition needs during my time as a collegiate runner, I knew how much NRC cared about me and wanted me to succeed. I guess I finally decided that I wanted to be on the other side of that, to be the one looking out for others and offering advice based on experience from my time as an athlete.

My advice would be to stick with it while listening to your body! No matter your level of determination, it truly does take time to build muscle and fitness. So make sure to follow a realistic timeline that allows you to build into running and racing. Also make sure to refuel and rest in between runs, and, above all, keep it FUN!

My biggest mistake in running been pushing through injuries while not taking all of the proper preventative steps to fix it. For a while I just hoped things would get better while continuing to do the same things I had been doing. Maybe this was an attempt to deny injury, I’m not completely sure—but what I am sure of is that it doesn’t work. I eventually fixed this by becoming more in tune with my body and modifying runs to what I needed. I also now continue to perform strengthening exercises in my routine, and have had significantly less injuries as a result. Moral of the story—listen to your body, modify workouts to what you need, and don’t be scared to add in a strengthening program! If you’re commonly injured, preventative strengthening works wonders in reducing injuries!

April 2013

Naperville Central

  What “lesson from mom” do you still live by today?

Say thank you!

Chicago Marathon 2012 - the first time I qualified for the Boston Marathon.

Good shoes, good socks and a foam roller .  

Over-training. A stress fracture sidelined me just weeks prior to my first marathon.

August of 2022

Take it slow and listen to your body. Find some friends to run with!

In the world, probably Queenstown, New Zealand. 

You can hypnotize a ferret by holding it by the scruff and stroking its belly.

May 2021

Any mountain road or trail out west would have to be my favorite. In the Chicago area, the Palos trails are great and a bit more locally, St James Farm.

Listen to your body. If you're feeling beat down from your training, take a few easy days or even a day off. Being cautious isn't being lazy and it will make a huge difference in allowing you to stay injury-free and continue to enjoy running.

I have struggled with injuries throughout my running career, I often get really excited to start running again once I've started to get over an injury, but I've come back too quickly a couple times which lead to re-injuring myself. I have tried to focus on staying patient by reminding myself that coming back too quickly can push myself back to square one. 

September 2013

Waubonsie Valley High School

A national park exploring with my family..

You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

It doesn't matter how slow you run, you'll still be lapping those on the couch.

Not training for a half marathon. Holy IT Band issues! Rolling, hip strengthening and yoga.

March 2023

I am a devote animal lover.

Live to 100 years old so that I can see my son grow.

Prairie Path!

I fell in love with ultramarathons while doing the Leadville 50k. They are a transformative experience!

October 2021

I have loved working with the NRC staff to find the best shoes for me and to prep for my races. I wanted to be on the giving end of those interactions with others. 

Half of my family is deaf so I am fluent in American sign language 

Saugatuck dunes state park

Place a huge concert with my college band 

I love my Asics, they are my favorite shoes to run in.

October 2018

I was a long time customer and loved coming into the store where everyone was so friendly and knowledgeable. I wanted to be one of the family too!

I really love running the Disney races in Florida and California! My favorite local running spot is the Morton arboretum (not Naperville but very close!)

Take it slow and try to have fun! Don't compare yourself to other runners.

Follow the rules! I am a stickler for the rulebook..

February 2000

St. Olaf College, BA Biology, BA Exercise Science; St. Cloud State University, MS Biomechanics

Work your ass off every day. (I try, but I'm not as good as her!)

My senior year in high school. Two person 5 mile relay. You alternate quarter miles. On a cinder track. On a cold and windy day in October. My best friend Carson and I were going for the school record, but coach announced there would be no records set that day because the weather was so bad. Although we both had to run our fastest lap of that day on the last lap we set the record. And it stills stands today.

Country road in Ireland with my son. Late at night, mid-winter, no wind, heavy snow coming down, heading east on Jefferson coming down the hill into beautifully lit downtown Naperville.

Watch the entire Tour de France in person.

March 2007

Wheaton Warrenville South High School

 College Attended and Degree?

North Central College with a degree in Physical Education

 What is your favorite race ever (include the distance), or maybe two favorite races? Any specific reason why that is your favorite? 

Shamrock Shuffle 8k, very fun with all the people/crowds and running through downtown.

 What is your favorite book or movie? 

Harry Potter (yeah I'm that guy)

 Do you have a pet? If yes, what is it and what are their name(s)? 

A black lab/boxer named Bailey or Bae, she's the best

 Where is your most favorite place to run ever? Most favorite in Naperville? 

Morton Arboretum on the trails, McDowell Woods

 What is one thing you would put on your “bucket” list? 

Go to all 50 states (I'm missing Alaska, North Dakota, and Vermont)

August 2016

Always be honest and learn from your mistakes.

Two marathons that were well executed races: 1) Houston '06 and ran a personal best. 2) Madison '08. I was third overall female, first master.

Be consistent and patient with training and progress. Accept the troughs along with the peaks!

 What is one food you would not want to give up?

I could easily give up any food but could not live without hot tea!

If possible, trails or by a lakefront. In Naperville, the bike path along the river or Springbrook.

April 2012

Neuqua Valley High School

Elmhurst College - Early Childhood Education

Indy Monumental Marathon - ran my personal best and qualified for the Olympic Trials The Olympic Trials was also pretty much the most incredible running experience I’ve ever had.

Believe in your own training. Don't change or doubt what you're doing because someone else is doing it differently. If you believe in your training, it will work. If you are struggling (mentally or physically) or need a plan, consult someone who knows what they're talking about. Surround yourself with positive people.

Not staying hydrated. Still working on it! Putting too much pressure on myself and not believing in myself. It took a very long time but it took having a great coach/husband, having the best training partners, having a baby and running with a stroller five days a week to finally get it all to click! 

January 2011

I know I know how to dance.

STOP! TURN AROUND! No really - keep at it, go at your own pace.

Three cats, Smoky, Gloria, and Kyokyo

Taking a break that turned into a really long break. The only way to fix it is to start up again. The conditioning when starting again is the worst thing. 

January 2021

Take your time and enjoy the feeling. Try to set up a routine where you run on a schedule which best fits you. But, keep at it!

Twin Cities Marathon. It was my first ever Marathon. I took running classes and they really helped me do my best. .

Since I do a little acting, I think I could nail the part of acting like me!

March 2004

Westmont High School

University of Illinois at Chicago, Marketing

My favorite race ever was the hardest one ever. A trail marathon in Florianopolis, Brazil. It was brutal and beautiful!!!!

Completely ignored it! Plantar Fasciitis!!!! Most painful thing ever. Kept running and running! Ouch!

Ever -- Lake Shore Drive. Naperville -- Riverwalk with the Marathon Training Group.

Cook, entertain, go out to dinner, laugh, spend time with my family and friends, teach my classes at the gym, chat, organize, get a massage, read, sleep, repeat!!!!

January 2006

North Central College, degree in Accounting

 What “lesson from mom” do you still live by today?

Anything worth doing is worth doing well.

 What is your favorite race ever (include the distance), or maybe two favorite races? Any specific reason why that is your favorite?

Bix 7 Miler. It's always been my favorite race due to being back in my hometown area. It's a huge race, great crowd support, and a fun, challenging course.

Be patient and enjoy what you are doing.  Consistency is the key but you won't stay consistent if you don't enjoy what you are doing.

 What is the biggest running mistake you have made? Did you fix it or ignore it? If you fixed it, how did you do it?

Probably too many big mistakes to only put one down. If I needed to narrow it down to one, I would say ever since my first major injury, I have struggled to build up as slowly or patiently as I did the first time I started running a lot. I have tried to fix that after my last foot surgery to not push back so quickly and have been doing pretty well so far but it's a constant battle of falling back into old habits.

Coach

February 2021

I wanted to join team NRC because there is an amazing sense of community no matter what level you run or exercise at, NRC is ready to help and I want to help others achieve their goals.

Consistency is key! go out and do a little bit every day and you will fall in love with it. Start slowly and don't do too much too soon.

Comparing myself to others. Naturally as a competitive person it is easy for me to look at others and try to beat everyone. This backfired majorly and I ended up running worse and worse. I fixed it by not worrying about what other people did and focused on myself. There are always going to be people who are better than you are, so control what you can control and focus on doing what is the best for you.

August 2012

I have been working in the automotive industry for almost 40 years. I started as a parts driver in the 70s with a local store and later with a Chrysler dealer as a parts advisor. I have been with Chrysler most of my career, working all aspects of the dealership parts department, including management, retail, wholesale, collision and restoration. I'm currently working as a advisor at a local dealership. I'm really excited to be taking a new path and working for NRC!

I started running in 2005 when my wife talked me into running the Last Fling mile. I had never really run, except a few times on a treadmill. I realized how out shape I was and really needed to get moving. Since than I have run 24 marathons, a 50-mile ultra and a 100-mile ultra. I'm also the 10-minute pace leader for the NRC Chicago Marathon training group and have paced local marathons. The greatest was when I qualified for the Boston Marathon. It took a lot of hard work and many attempts, but I finally made it. It was the best.

My favorite thing about running is the community. When I started to run, I ran by myself. I trained for my first marathon alone and struggled with most of the runs, especially the long ones. When I decided to run a second marathon, I joined a running group. What a huge difference! I would look forward all week to Saturday and my long run. The support and dedication from my fellow runners was amazing. I could always count on my fellow runners. I've made many great friends over the years and we're still running together.

I enjoy being part of this team. NRC and the staff have done so much for me. The knowledge, advice and support I received from everyone every since I began running has been amazing. I'm thrilled to be able to give back and be part of this crew!

July 2023

My Poppa and cousin Andrew. Both have now passed, but are still my daily reminders to be the happiest version of myself and treat others in a way that they may also be that for them.

Run all of the major marathons!

Waterfall Glen

July 2022

My favorite place in the world to run is a country dirt road in early spring time in the morning (before it gets hot). 

My biggest running mistake was not properly preparing for my first attempt at a marathon. Unfortunately after 17 miles, I discovered my mistake.

The “lesson from mom” that I live by is that family is what you make of it, and anyone CAN BE family.

December 2011

St. Procopius Academy (Now Benet Academy)

Rocky Mountains Family Reunion

“Give ‘em a little extra”--From my Dad

1st Ironman – IM Canada in 07 – Fastest time and didn’t crash on bike.

Forgot to double knot in a race. It only happened once. I double knot my dress shoes now.

February 2023

I’ve always loved the vibe in the store. You walk in and everyone is friendly, knowledgeable and upbeat. It feels like the “happy place” and I wanted to be a part of that. I love helping people.

I would have to say my favorite place is the Morton Arboretum and being surrounded by nature.

Be patient with yourself. Take one step at a time, one day at a time.