Member Spotlight: Suzanna Pittman
Suzanna joined Trail Roots in 2023 when she decided to take running more seriously after COVID put a pause on teaching fitness classes. As a consistent member of the group, she attends almost all of our classes as she dials in and trains for the Chicago Marathon. As a long-time hobby jogger, Suzanna is training for her first official marathon (this is my big secret 😱I’ve never run an official marathon race) and finds encouragement and community with Trail Roots. After recently giving birth to her 4th child, she hopes to have more “me time” that comes with training and, in turn, more capacity to parent. We wanted to ask her a few questions about her journey with running and Trail Roots.
What inspired you to start running?
My running journey started in college as a symptom of a debilitating eating disorder. Luckily I was able to come back to running in a healthier mindset later on where I used it to supplement teaching cardio kick and PiYo along with practicing Lagree. When COVID stopped all of my classes, I filled my time with more and more running. And, now I’m too hooked to go back to working out inside.
Why did you join Trail Roots?
I needed a coach to get serious about training and Reddit recommended Erik. Turns out this was the same run group I saw in my neighborhood on Tuesdays. It was kismet.
“This group meets you where you’re at. Whether you’re running fast (not me) or slow or injured or sobbing on a trail, there’s always someone either with you or checking on you. Also, the group is very funny. That’s probably the most important part.”
Has your training changed since joining a group?
Yes and no. I still run for fun. But now I want to run races and do events. Now instead of clearing my mind listening to This American Life on my runs, I get to clear my mind running and chatting with company I enjoy. It’s therapy.
“It’s freedom for me to be able to be proud of what my body can do versus how it looks.”
What do you love about running?
There is no right or wrong way to run. And anyone who says otherwise sucks. It’s freedom for me to be able to be proud of what my body can do versus how it looks.
What do you think is special about Trail Roots?
This group meets you where you’re at. Whether you’re running fast (not me) or slow or injured or sobbing on a trail, there’s always someone either with you or checking on you. Also, the group is very funny. That’s probably the most important part.
What made you want to run the Chicago Marathon?
My brother in law has an autoimmune disorder called Stills Disease, and we decided we’d celebrate with a marathon once he was able to control it. But it had to be a fun one. Anyway, it turns out he can only go about 13 miles before it flares. So I’m running it alone! Just me and 50k other people.
How do you juggle raising four kids and training?
You have to be fine with a little neglect. Kidding! I run before anyone wakes up. I have an incredibly supportive husband who wants to be able to go to all UT sports, so we trade off kid duty on the weekends. I also run the Austin races with my 10 year old. This will be her 3rd year doing Cap10K!
“I want them to have adventures where the path forward sometimes isn’t what they thought it would be but still have the mental fortitude to keep going and enjoy the journey. Like Miley says, “it’s the climb.”
What do you hope that your children learn from you by staying active and setting goals?
I get lost…a lot. But it’s in those times that I also discover a lot. I want them to have adventures where the path forward sometimes isn’t what they thought it would be but still have the mental fortitude to keep going and enjoy the journey. Like Miley says, “it’s the climb.”
What is your racing mantra? What keeps you pushing through discomfort?
For races: I can do hard things.
For training: This is for fun—if I’m not having fun, I don’t have to do it.
What advice would you give people who are new to running and want to join a group?
Be stubborn—new things and experiences are hard. That’s what makes them fun. And remember, no one is judging anyone’s running but their own. (Also, if you want to be really popular, always have an extra headlamp in your car.)