Thursday, March 5, 2009

Celebrities In My Life

I am starting a new feature on my blog. I will be interviewing people I know who I always feel like bragging about. These will be people who are doing things that I wish I was doing, people who make me feel lucky that I know them, people who make me want to try harder.

So, today I would like to introduce you to Michelle Egbert.
Michelle grew up in Westchester County New York and New Canaan, Connecticut. She went to BYU and met her husband on a study abroad in Jerusalem. They have 4 beautiful children and are working hard to build their dental practice. Some how, Michelle finds time to run. Fast. She even wins races. She has a twin who looks just like her and that has caused confusion a few times – especially when her twin was 8 months pregnant and we saw her at the swimming pool. Michelle and I are about as different as 2 people can be - she does math problems in her head to distract herself from pain (math = pain for me). I like her.


How did you get into running?

I started running longer distances when I had my first baby. I decided running was the best way to stay in shape in a short amount of time and I could do it right out my front door. I'm all about multi-tasking and keeping things short. So that was my initial running goal. Losing baby weight and staying in shape by running 2-3 times a week for 30 minutes. My long term running goals are to run because I love it. With no time limits, pacing, and distance in mind. I just want to run outside for pleasure. And because I love feeling my body pound on the gound and feeling the stress leaving my body. That's the goal.



Lots of my readers (me especially) hate to sweat! Why is it important to you to run? What does it do for you?

Running is really important to me. It keeps me sane during the chaos of my life with 4 children spaced way too close. I am all alone while I run. A lot of runs I don't listen to music. I just enjoy being alone and seeing the scenery. If I'm on a treadmill I like to listen to music and watch 3 different tv screens at once. The treadmill is a pain. But running outside is a stress reliever. The pounding on my body helps me work out frustrations and come home happier. And nicer. My husband urges me on runs sometimes. The sweatier and more disgusting I look when I get home the better I feel. It's directly related. If I don't feel like I'm going to puke I haven't pushed it hard enough. Sounds crazy, doesn't it?

How many hours a week do you spend training?

I vary the distances and amount of time training. Right now I'm running at least 30 miles a week, but only over 3 days. In the summer and when I run outside I run fewer miles, but I run 5-6 times a week because It's so nice to be outside. I guess it's about 4-5 hours a week just running. Then probably 3 hours a week doing yoga to stretch out the sore muscles.

Jen, Paula, Kim, Debbie, and Michelle - these darling girls go to church with me and Debbie keeps inviting me to start running so I can do a race with them. Its an exciting and somewhat scary idea.
Look how cute they are!

What do you think about while you run?

I think about a lot of different things while I run. When I start on the treadmill I'm usually thinking how much I hate it. Especially if I'm running more then 10 miles. Once I settle in after the first 3-4 miles I really start enjoying myself. I think about my running goals, the marathon, pacing, my day, what I'm bugged at, and at some point during the run I almost always feel repentant about something I've done relating to my children during the day. I can work through lots of problems in my head. It's therapeutic. Usually for the last 4-5 miles of a really long run I start feeling miserable again. At that point I'm usually thinking how much I hate it again. But not for long. I eventually start doing math problems in my head. Lame I know, but I used to be on the math team in high school. Keeps my mind off the tired body. I've also counted my steps. I'm not sure how high I've counted. Lots of time I listen to LDS conference talks and feel like I've multi-tasked my spiritual uplifting with my physical exercise. Towards the very end of the run I feel strong. Capable. Like I'm awesome. It's a great feeling.

Tell us about your favorite race and why it is your favorite.

This is a tough one. I feel like I should say Maui because it was in Maui. But that wasn't the greatest. Probably the 5 mile run in Moab. I trained so hard for that run starting at my 6 weeks postpartum. I felt extremely proud of myself finishing as well as I did. The scenery was incredible, it was solitary, and it felt like I'd really accomplished something. I was on a high for weeks.

Have you ever cried during a race? Why? How did you deal with it and finish the race?

Never cried. I've wanted to. But I'm not one to let my emotions show. Ever. What I have done is nearly passed out, hit a wall, and had serious tummy distress. I just pushed through knowing my husband would be at the end waiting for me and cheering me on. And he's been known to tear up at the end of my races. That always keeps me motivated. It's nice to know I have a fan.

Do you follow a special diet?

No. Yes. Well I don't know I guess. I watch what I eat, for sure. I try to be careful about what I put into my body. I eat specific foods at specific times or I get a bellyache from the stress of running. I do get disgusted at myself when I polish off my 10th cookie. That happens to me too. But I don't really eat like an athlete. I should. I always mean to. I'm just too cheap and busy with the kids. I drink protein shakes before my long runs and after. I replace calories burned in a really long run as well as I can. I've downed an entire bag of cheddar chex mix while driving carpool. And I don't feel sick afterwards. My body craves food. All the time. I'm always hungry. But just writing this makes me want to do better eating protein and not crap. I'll think about that on my run tomorrow, I'm sure.

Children often copy their parents, are your children interested in running? If so, what do you do to encourage them?

My kids are really interested in running. They've done some fun runs for kids. And they love to run on my treadmill. Ashley already talks about getting her legs strong so she can run with me as she gets older. I sure hope so. That sounds incredibly fun. I encourage them by daily walks/runs on our 2 mile route. They do great. And by running on the treadmill. Ashley is up to running 1 mile on the treadmill. Just lots of praise and encouragement. They just want to be like me still. I'm nervous for that to go away.

You are mom to 4 sweet young children and you are helping your husband build his dental practice. What advice do you have for those of us who aren’t exercising, and use our kids, jobs, and busy lives as an excuse?

Don't use it as an excuse! Running and exercising can be social. It can be a stress reliever. It can be a time to listen to books on tape. It is so much more then just sweating. Just don't look at it as a time to sweat. It's a part of your life. And it doesn't have to take much time. Especially running. It's very efficient. That's why I picked it in the first place.

.................................

I'm going to follow Michelle's advice and go for a walk today. I haven't run a mile since college, so I think that is my new goal for the year! Thanks Michelle!

16 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting gal! And great looking family.

I was jogger back in the early 80's and took up walking in the 90's... now my feet hurt and I can't do either, well, walking, but not uphill anymore. I miss how wonderful I felt during that time.

DI
The Blue Ridge Gal

Melissa said...

I see people running and just can't imagine it.

I love how Michelle admits to hating it for minutes here and there--- that is important to me, I thought all runners loved it completely.

I need to move.

I want to know, what do you do with your young children when you go running and what about when it is tooooo cold outside?

Sally said...

Totally inspiring. Michelle, thanks for sharing your thoughts on running. I love what you said about feeling powerful and awesome at the end of your runs, that is the best feeling ever, and reading that makes me feel motivated to start running again!

Cumorah said...

Loved this. I hate running - I've been in the middle of races thinking, why am I doing this!? I HATE running! It's amazing for me to hear the inside thoughts of a person who is so dedicated to it. And math problems? Wow. If someone made me do math problems while I was running, I think I would cry. Talk about torture. But, again, that's what I loved about reading this...realizing that while we are all VERY different people - we can still learn from and motivate eachother...and be great at whatever we choose to do. Way to go Michelle! Thanks for sharing a little slice of you!

Anonymous said...

this was amazing!!!! i love that you did this Robin. We all love to learn a little more about the great people in our lives and Michelle was the perfect pick! I think we are all in amazement how other moms do things and especially one like her - great for your to do this!!!!

Paige said...

Wow. I was a runner last year. I hated it but I did it. Your friend is a superstar.

Berly said...

I LOVE THIS GIRL AND SHE DEFINATLEY INSPIRES ME. SHE ACTUALLY GOT ME RUNNING. I am so glad you did this and Michelle was the perfect pick.

Emily said...

Great interview! I have friends that remind me of Michelle, we are so different, and I admire them and love being with them. I feel like it enriches my life and I learn so much from them.

Hans and Michelle said...

Hey! Thanks everyone for making me feel pretty neat:)Melissa - I run early early in the morning before my husband goes to work or I take them to the YMCA daycare to run on a treadmill. And I hate the cold too. I ran last weekend when it was 11 degrees. As long as you have the right gear, it's okay. But I only run outside when it's that cold if I have someone to run with. I'm not dedicated enough to run alone in the cold.

Tamzen Fleming said...

Michelle is amazing! I just love her! She inspires me to walk a little faster on my treadmill! ;)

Linda Austin Hart said...

You know, Michelle gives some of the rest of us, who also hate to sweat, a little hope. I always thought those die hard runners loved every minute of it..
Remember when I used to go jogging every morning with Chris Tolbert,and then with Diane Young when you kids were growing up? The "Royal Canadian Airforce Exercise Plan" was our routine until we discovered racquetball was more fun. I hated getting up early, going out when it was cold & still dark, and oh, the pain! Then for years it was aerobic dancing at the church.
I hated the whole workout, regardless of the sport. But I loved that time away from the demands of kids, home, & husband, doing something for myself, with a good friend.
I think to be rewarding #1 it has to be an escape, and #2 it has to be with a good friend. I wish this old body would let me do that now!

Kristen said...

Michelle, thank you for sharing your dedication with us. I am impressed and inspired by you!

Paige said...

OK, you know this is a good post because I was thinking about it today as I was walking in the gym, ran extra long on the treadmill, and kept thinking about the therapy of how Michelle enjoys the pounding. And I have a lot of pounding. I enjoyed it today!

Jake said...

Great interview! Great topic!

I have started running late in life...I enjoy it most when I am not trying to get skinny or trying to go fast. Just feeling my body move makes me feel good.

Jessica said...

It's so fun to read about something you get, you know? Thanks Robin and Michelle.

calibosmom said...

She's my kinda girl! Great interview!