Member Spotlight: Stephen Wong
Stephen joined Trail Roots in 2023 after a brief hiatus from running and then two members reintroducing him to the group. He is dedicated and consistent, attending 2-3 runs a week and works with a coach as he aims to qualify for Boston. Since joining, he’s hit some major goals, most recently he ran a PR at the Tunnel Marathon. A lover of fast cars, good food, dogs, travel, and of course, running, Stephen lives life to the fullest and is a warm presence in Trail Roots. As a queer runner, he’s found a home with us and we wanted to ask him a few questions about his journey with running.
What inspired you to start running?
When I moved to Austin in 2018 my friend convinced me to sign up for the Austin half marathon. I self-trained and completed it, and I had a blast. I’ve been hooked ever since.
Why did you join Trail Roots?
I got my first taste of Trail Roots in 2021 through a friend of a friend, shoutout to Mar Schmidt, and subsequently injured my foot. Turns out my shoes didn’t fit.
Fast forward to 2023: the Austin Marathon had kicked my butt in 2022, I had taken a running hiatus and wanted to get back into it. Luckily, my neighbors Sally Ng and Steve Sebastian were ready to pull me into another trial of Trail Roots. I joined last April and have been enjoying training with the group since.
I also love how inclusive the Trail Roots has been. As a not-so-obviously queer runner, it is nice to be able to be authentically myself with the group.
“Since joining the group and setting up some 1-on-1 coaching, I’ve really seen progress in my training consistency and speed. I’ve also made a bunch of friends and found a community to be a part of.”
Has your training changed since joining a group?
Definitely, before I joined Trail Roots I found it hard to stay consistent with my training schedule. Since joining the group and setting up some 1-on-1 coaching, I’ve really seen progress in my training consistency and speed. I’ve also made a bunch of friends and found a community to be a part of.
What do you love about running?
I love how meditative running can be. Most of my runs these days are for improving my base at a steady pace, so I can really disconnect and enjoy the wilderness of a trail run or the city sights and sounds of a road run.
I also love that I am competing with myself, trying to make improvements on my own goals instead of trying to outdo other runners.
What is your favorite trail to run with Trail Roots?
Turkey Creek from the Motocross Course. Moderately technical, great views and the drive there involves some twisty backroads.
You’ve been marathoning for a bit now, what do you like about the race distance?
I’m very long-term goals driven, and my current goal is to BQ, so marathons it is for now. Looking forward to some trail ultras someday.
Do you have any race mantras for when the going gets tough?
The pain of not giving it my all will be worse than the aches from going all out. I also recently read in Endure by Alex Hutchinson that smiling while running will help you have positive memories about the experience.
Did you work with a coach or train differently for Tunnel that allowed you to PR?
I’ve been working with coach Rachael Blair for a year and she has coached my training through two marathons. Both races I’ve had a PR in. Before coaching and running with TR I had no idea that I should focus mostly on base heart rate runs and consistently practicing my long run routine. Practicing the same nutrition, wake up routine and schedule for each Sunday long run really helped exercise all the other parts around a race that I wasn’t prepared for in the past.
Do you have any races or goals that you’re working towards in 2024 or have you hit them?
Like I said earlier, I’d like to BQ someday, so I’m actively working toward consistently improving my marathon times. So far so good in 2024.
What advice would you give people who are new to running and want to join a group?
Everyone has different reasons for wanting to find a community for an activity they enjoy. I’d tell them that it’s important to find a group that welcomes you as you are and can be there for what you’re looking for.