Road Runner Girl: Runner Spotlights #70

Hey all! Yes I am having an amazing time in Disney...who wouldn't??!! I can't wait to tell you all about it! Be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter where I am posting pictures for you! :-)

Now it's time for another runner spotlight...my favorite time of the week! I love reading other runners' stories about their running journey! If you are interested in being spotlighted on my blog please email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com! I'd love to spotlight you! You don't have to have a blog to be spotlighted...you just have to be a runner! ;-)

Today I'm spotlighting Julie from Tri-ing to Be Athletic! If you've never read her blog then you need to! She does the most amazing drawings! I love it! Keep reading to learn more about her!

Name: Julie Erdmann
State: Washington

When and why did you start running?
My coworkers had convinced me to sign up for the Danskin triathlon with them. That is what got me running. I hated it until I was able to run 3 miles. Once I got over that hump, I was in love.

What is your favorite race and race distance?
To date, my favorite race was the Portland Marathon. I just ran it a few weeks ago and I want to run it again next year! My favorite distance is probably the half marathon. It is challenging, and every training cycle makes me better.

What is your race day routine?
I don't think I have any crazy rituals. I get out of bed, usually not having slept enough, get dressed--I NEVER wear my race shirt on race day, have breakfast, and (usually) have my husband drive me to the race so he can cheer for me! After the race, I treat myself to whatever I want to eat afterward. It usually involves lots of salty fries.

What is your most favorite piece of running gear?
My Lululemon running shorts. They have just the right size, placement, and number of pockets for my phone, keys, fuel, emergency TP (I've never needed it, but I would if I didn't have it.) They don't sell them anymore, and I'm constantly on the hunt for a pair of shorts that measure up.

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your running?
I don't follow a specific diet, but I have a sensitive stomach. Through a great deal of trial and error, I have figured out what I can and can't eat in the hours and days before varying running distances. For anything beyond an easy 4 or 5 miler, I just need to make sure I've eaten enough carbs and dairy-free protein during the day. I'm sensitive to gluten, as it tends to hurt my stomach and make me sluggish so I eat very little of it when training. On long run days, I eat gluten-free oatmeal with a banana and a side of chia about an hour and a half before heading out.

What do you wish you’d known when you first started running?
I had no idea that running would bring me such a wonderful community of people, change how I identify myself, and help quiet the voices that tell me "I can't".

What is your fondest running memory?
Aside from last month's marathon, I love how much running has taught me to ignore what I was always certain were my limits. It has gone beyond my perceived running limits, to what I can do in every area of my life.

What is one thing that most people do not know about you?
I have a pink birthmark on my hand and forearm. When I'm hot it gets brighter, and when I'm cold it turns purplish/blue. When I was little my mom would call it my thermometer and ask to see it when I pretended I wasn't freezing while playing outside.