Pacer Karen

Where are you from?

Salisbury Vermont

Current P.R.

4:11

Typical pace

9:40

Number of marathons

Occupation

Hair Stylist

Favorite marathon

Anchorage Alaska

Hobbies

Coaching Middle School Cross Country and Track team , gardening

Favorite Running Food

Smoothies after a run

What are you reading now?

Lost City of the Monkey Gods

Who do you train with?

Group of friends

Personal goals

Attempting first Ultra trail race in September

A quotation you like…

Run, rest, repeat

Why do you run?

To challenge myself and to relax

Describe your best marathon memory.

Finishing my first marathon 14 yrs ago at Vermont City Marathon. I started running 6 months before the race having never really run more than a mile or so and then giving up. Registering for the race on a paper entry and mailing in my check, and then deciding I had better figure out a plan to be able to do it.

Why do you pace?

To help others achieve a goal and to hopefully share some knowledge I have learned from my mistakes over the years.

Tell us your best pacing experience.

Pacing a Mother’s Day ½ marathon 2 years ago I had an older gentleman who was in my group. He had started running 5 yrs earlier when his wife was diagnosed with cancer as a way to help cope being a care giver. The race is for cancer families and survivors as a fund raiser. As we got to mile 11 he started to slow up and I asked him if he was o.k. He said his wife had died 6 months earlier and this would be the first race that no one would be waiting for him at the finish. I had a great group of women who were all survivors and we all told him that we were going to be there for him. This past year he was there again and hadn’t trained as well so mid-way he ended up in the group behind me. I made sure I waited for him to cross so that someone was cheering him in again. We celebrated after with a bagel and banana and the agreement that we would see each other next year.

Why should someone run in your pace group?

I have used pacers to help keep me from going out to fast in races when you are excited and have fresh legs. Pacers also take care of all the “thinking” and you can just focus on running. Plus being with a group as you get tired at the end can be enough motivation to keep you going the final stretch.

Any tips for runners about to join your group?

With my pace group I usually run a slightly faster pace (10 sec) to allow for water stops. I feel like I have never mastered the art of drinking and running so this gives everyone a chance every 2 miles to grab a quick drink, regroup and still stay on target.

Anything else you’d like to share?

My husband and I are trying to complete a marathon in all 50 states. I am up to # 28 so I have enough “state” stories to get us thru 26.2 miles

What philanthropic activities do you have?

I coach at the local middle school for cross country and track. My husband & I also have a extreme winter running club we do with them during the winter.