Member Spotlight: Adriana Morales

Each month or so we like to recognize one of our runners for their improvement, dedication, and for just being a great person. Adriana has been training with us for over two years and has made significant improvements in her running. She is a key part of our community and we are excited to share what makes her unique and how she came to where she is today.

What inspired you to start running?:

My dad :) He was a 2:38 marathon runner at the Air Force Academy back in the 80s. My earliest memories are following him on a tricycle during a run while we lived in New Mexico with Sierra Madres behind the neighborhood. I started running and training seriously after my uncle passed away from cancer in 2017. I have one life to live, I’m going to do my damn hardest to live to be 100. 

We’d love to know more about some of this. What about your dad inspired you to start running? 

Since the day I was born, I’ve always known my dad to be a runner. His passion for running was manifested in the annual subscriptions to Runner’s World, Roadrunner catalogs, and sweaty running clothes left in the laundry room. My dad has been running for over forty years since he was in high school and has used running as a way to maintain both mental and physical wellness, recharge from work and explore new places. I picked up running from him when I needed more structure in my life after college and to give myself time to think and reflect. He always says running should come from a place of peace and that’s what lead to my personal mantra. 

Dream Run:

Montserrat, Spain

Outside of Barcelona, lies a jagged mountain range with stunning views of the Spanish countryside. At the base of Montserrat is a hiking trail that crisscrosses the mountain and leads up to a beautiful monastery at the top. My dream is to run to the summit in the early morning, catch the sunrise, tour the grounds, shop at the local farmer stands near the gondola and run back down to the base before the tour buses arrive. 

 What’s your run ritual?:

Coffee, fuel, stretch

What difficulties have you faced while training? 

There’s a certain point in an intense training cycle when I experience burnout and begin to question why I’m putting myself through it. In order power towards achieving my goals, I have to stoke willpower through two things: rest and self-belief. To mix things up I’ll let myself get creative with workouts or routes like climbing stairs on Townlake, climbing boulders on the greenbelt, or replacing a run with a hike.

Go on….

As a creative and professional designer, burnout is something I experience quite frequently. Especially when I’m working on a very intensive project or training hard for a race. There are certain points where I’ll hit a mental rut because I’m exhausted. To overcome burnout, I learned that my body and mind need different movement and actions to jumpstart my passion. 

No joke marathon training is long and can be shitty at times. We’re out there running for 2-3 hours on a Sunday (sometimes in the rain) or running more hill repeats than the rest of the group. It can be a little isolating at times because I’ll be doing a run by myself or letting my friends know I won’t be able to join them for drinks at 10pm on a Saturday because I have to be wake before 6am the next day. Running fast, chasing a sunrise or chatting with a running friend makes the challenges worth it. 

Favorite post run snack?:

Bagel with avocado, chicken and red pepper flakes and veggies

Favorite trail/route you do with Trail Roots?:

Forest Ridge is my favorite. It’s the closest I get to running in the mountains with the elevation change, ridge lines, and tree tunnels. 

What’s your race mantra?

Life is a marathon; run your own race. 

I learned this mantra on my own while being a little inspired by my dad. I reached a point in running, my career and life where I compared myself to others. I found myself going on a downward spiral and becoming unhappy with myself no matter what I did. 

 Like the starting line of a marathon, everyone’s journeys can begin and end at the same place. People will run their race differently, experience different obstacles/challenges, and adapt their goals to where they want to progress. No person’s journey is greater or harder because it’s all relative to their experience. It took me a while to learn that. What matters most to me is running the race and living life that is best for me.  

You just completed CIM. Did your race live up to it? Why/why not?

Yes! Originally, I was shooting for a 3:30 BQ, but I got close :) Clocked in at 3:35, the old BQ time. I was thrilled and proud getting that time because it was great progress. 

4) Tell us a little more... You want to qualify for Boston, but you said you wanted to focus on improvement and "effort" to an extent. That was a huge PR, so what was different about this race that helped you improve so much. Did you change anything in training, diet, preparation mentally and physically? 

CIM Family!

CIM was my fifth marathon and the first shot at shooting for a BQ. My training and diet has stayed consistent over two years of training, so I don’t think that was the groundbreaking change. I try to eat as cleanly as possible, consume enough protein/carbs/vitamins, etc, and give myself a some “cheat” meals. 

The biggest shift was my mental state. Before going into the race I made three promises to myself:

1. Focus on having a good time and enjoying the journey to get to CIM

2. Listen to your body and evaluate where you are at the half-marathon mark. If you feel like a badass, then go for the BQ. If things aren’t going too great, then focus on finishing. 

3. You deserve to be here. 

In November I started binge watching Queer Eye and feel in love Jonathan Vaness and his infectious energy. I kept imagining him being on a sidelines rocking those red heeled pumps shouting things “You go you gorgeous runner!” and “Damn girl, who gave you permission to run this fast!” This was the first race where I focused on the spectators, hanging out with the pace group and cheering other runners on. 

 What’s next? 

Gonna chill a bit, run some half-marathons to pick up speed and get ready for round 2 at Marine Corps Marathon in 2020. I’m still pursuing a BQ ;)