Member Spotlight: Jenny Waldron

Jenny has been running with Trail Roots for nearly 3 years, and she has really improved so much. We’re recognizing her not just because she has gotten faster, but she has also become really connected within the community by leading one of our small …

Jenny has been running with Trail Roots for nearly 3 years, and she has really improved so much. We’re recognizing her not just because she has gotten faster, but she has also become really connected within the community by leading one of our small tribes, teaching a yoga class, and inspiring other runners within her group to push to achieve their own goals. She has had her fair share of trials along the way as well. We asked her a few questions about her training and how she is doing during the Covid times.

What inspired you to start running?

After I moved from Minneapolis to Austin I joined some running groups to meet people and remembered that I really like to run!  TX is great because you can run outside year round.  I ran track in high school, then got away from running in my 20’s.  It’s good to be back.

Favorite post-run snack?

Tacos from Tacodeli; beer

What’s your dream run?

Trail run in the French Alps

Race ritual?

PB toast and 2 cups of coffee for breakfast!

Favorite Trail with TR?

Moonshadow (Joel’s loop)

Race Mantra?

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Run faster not harder. I’m not sure where that race mantra came from!  It helps me relax and not try so hard and still keep a smooth rhythm.  When I’m really focused and running with a good effort I often use more energy than needed by tensing up my back, neck, upper body, etc.  

You are also a Yoga instructor! How does yoga help your running?

Yoga helps running because it increases your self-awareness.  Yes it does stretch and strengthen your muscles and it helps you relax, but ultimately it helps you figure yourself out better so you’re more in touch with when you can push in your training and when you need to rest.  In college a friend and I took a class together and that’s when I got hooked.

Favorite thing about leading a yoga class?

I like when people share things with me that they have felt or discovered that really made a significant impact on them.  

How have you motivated yourself to keep training during this quarantine?

I may as well use this time to get in really good shape!  I have a pretty flexible schedule so it’s not hard for me to prioritize workouts.  I always thought I was a very independent, unstructured person who likes to do things whenever I want, but I have learned that I do better when I stick to some sort of loose routine.  If I think “I have all day. I’ll just run later” the day fills up, the temperature goes up, and my motivation and energy goes down and it doesn’t happen.  

How have you helped motivate your tribe?

I try to keep people engaged on GroupMe, and I also try to set a good example on Strava by not complaining and running my easy runs really easy.  People are motivated by different things, and I like to learn about what motivates other people.

What has been the toughest part (of quarantine?) and how have you handled it?

I really miss seeing friends, hugs, group runs, and going to restaurants!  I try to feel my feelings, to acknowledge my frustrations, but keep focused on things I can control.  Some things really suck, and some things are really good and that’s just the way it is.  I have done a few physically distanced picnics and happy hours with friends here in Austin where you bring your own blanket or chair, snacks, and drinks and hang out.  It’s a really fun, cheap, and easy way to have some social time.

And of course I have been connecting with friends and family through zoom and facetime.  It’s funny that I never really used these tools until I was forced to, and now I wonder why I didn’t use them before.  We did a family zoom call on Mother’s day with several cousins, aunts and uncles all over the country that I normally only see maybe once/year and that was really fun to see everyone.  

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How has training with a group helped you?  How did your running change after beginning to train with TR?

Oh this is such a good opportunity to reflect!  

Running with a group keeps me accountable, inspired, and connected.  I really look forward to seeing everyone at the group runs each weekend.  When you spend hours running with people you make some really good friends.  

Pre-TR I thought 10 miles was a long way, and that town lake was a trail, ha!  

I never thought I had the resilience to run more than 2 or 3 days/week without injuring myself.  Turns out I can!  With some coaching, my training has gone from 15-20 miles/week in 3 or 4 runs, to 40-60 miles/week in 6 runs during peak training times.  My confidence as a runner has grown so much.  I have learned that I won’t break from running through occasional soreness or fatigue, and that I won’t lose fitness from letting my body rest and recover or from cross training.  Probably the biggest thing is that I have also learned to ask for help.  I can be independent to a fault, but I have realized it’s okay to reach out to others for help and company to get me through long or challenging runs or workouts.  

Do you think the group has been helpful for you or your tribe right now during Covid to keep consistent and provide structure? 

The group has definitely been helpful during Covid to provide structure and connection.  I’ve really enjoyed seeing people who are normally quieter and less connected in our tribe become more engaged and contribute to weekly challenges.  It’s also been good to see how people who have fallen off their routines are learning about what motivates them and figuring out how they can find ways to get back to it.  

What’s next?

Survive TX summer by doing more biking and strength training!  Then I’d like to try another road marathon.  Hopefully something this fall?  


Thanks Jenny! We hope you’re racing this fall too! You’re doing great. We love having you as a member and leader of Trail Roots.

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