Latest / At Your Own Pace / Episode 15 - From Peer Pressure to Purpose with @this_blonde_runs
Transcript
- MikeRunsMarathons: Today's guest is someone whose running journey isn't just about chasing a version of herself in the past. It's about continuing to evolve. If you follow this blonde runs, you don't just see training or races. You see someone navigating change, choosing sustainability, and letting running grow with her as life changes around it. Her story is about staying curious, staying joyful, and proving that it's never too late to start, restart, or redefine what running looks like for you. I'm excited to talk about how running has helped build confidence over time, how she's learned to listen to her body instead of fighting it, and what it means to truly run at your own pace, especially for people who think they've missed their window. So I'm really glad that she's here. Let me go ahead and bring her in. I want to welcome Kristy. Thank you so much for joining me. Christi Dee: Hey Mike, thanks for having me. MikeRunsMarathons: Of course. ⁓ How are you? Christi Dee: I'm doing good. How are you? It's been cold out there. It's been cold here. MikeRunsMarathons: ⁓ my goodness. Today actually is the warmest it's been in about two weeks. It snowed. Everything is ice now. And when I say warmest, mean, like 39 degrees outside, but it feels the summer. I'm actually going outside in shorts, which is rather surprising. But yeah, this ⁓ I hope you're staying warm as well because this this weather is just brutal throughout the country right now. Christi Dee: Yeah, I mean, today the high was like, think 30. I mean, your 39 sounds amazing. So I would take that in a second. MikeRunsMarathons: Yeah, my my wife's grandma lives in Minnesota and every once in a while we look at the weather that's over there and it's like the low is like negative five negative ten and that's not even the wind chill. And I'm just like, God bless anybody that lives up there because I I wouldn't be able to survive. Christi Dee: Yeah, it's been unusually cold for a very long period of time here in the Midwest Indianapolis area, but we're surviving. We're hanging in there. ⁓ MikeRunsMarathons: ⁓ yeah. ⁓ yeah. So for today, I have ⁓ a bucket of questions for you that I want to jump into regarding your own running journey and how you've evolved over time with the sport itself. And just talking about the things that you've overcome and what running has taught you as time has gone by. So the one thing I want jump into first is to take a step back the beginning. of when running first entered your life. What was going on in your life and what did you need from running at the time? What led you to the sport? Christi Dee: Sure. So running hadn't ever really been on my radar as a standalone sport. I was a soccer player through high school you know, I did the minimal amounts of running and training for that. And in college, I didn't do ⁓ much activity I mean, ⁓ we played few intramural sports through my sorority and kind of try to do. ⁓ A little bit of exercising, we'd go visit the fitness center as a social occasion, it felt like. But running didn't really come into my life until I was ⁓ I ran my first race actually ⁓ 20 ago this year in 2006. And the way that that came about was ⁓ it was mere peer pressure. I had a group of friends that decided they were going to run the 500 festival mini marathon here in town in Indianapolis. ⁓ said, well, you should do it too. And I thought they were batshit crazy. Like I had, wanted nothing to do with ⁓ I actually asked them like, do you guys understand ⁓ far 13 miles is? And like, ⁓ even got out of Matt. like, I'm like, it's from here to there and here to there. Can you really think you can run that distance? And I was the advocate against it. the more that they talked me into it, ⁓ I kept feeling like this, ⁓ no, I'm gonna have FOMO if I don't join my friends and do this epic one and done situation of running a half marathon. And once we that line in ⁓ with the... ⁓ the little training that I even did, it still sparked something inside me that I knew I was going to foster and I was going to let grow much as it could ⁓ something that I felt like truly could be something that could continue through my life. Like even just from that very first finish line. MikeRunsMarathons: That is is awesome. It's so funny how peer pressure can can make you do these types of things because and kudos to you for jumping in with your first race being a half marathon. Mine was a 5K and even that by the time I finished, I was completely wiped. ⁓ That ⁓ that takes a lot of guts right there. Now, when you running it because ⁓ it sounds once you did that race, you kind of got bit by the bug. Christi Dee: Great. MikeRunsMarathons: Did you immediately feel like, like this is for me, like running is for me, or did you have to grow into the, the sport slowly? Christi Dee: I had to grow into the understanding of what it could be, that kind of makes sense. I guess what I mean is I ⁓ that finish line feeling, but the race all enough up until those last 10 seconds of crossing the finish line, it was miserable. So I clearly knew that there was more ⁓ to and more that I needed to dig in. ⁓ And I was very anxious to discover that though. Like it opened the door to say, maybe there is something here. Maybe there's more. Maybe you can learn how to give more. Maybe you can learn how this can, you know, help you just in general with life. mean, because once you accomplish something hard that you didn't necessarily think that you could set out to do, and then you do it, it's like, ⁓ Well, what else is out there? MikeRunsMarathons: ⁓ those limits that we think we have and then we finally surpass them is just like my favorite thing when it comes to these races is standing on the sidelines and watching those people cross the finish line because the amount of it's not even joy. It's just the feeling of I can't like disbelief. ⁓ I can't believe I did this. And it like I have goosebumps right now just thinking about it, because that's one of my favorite things to see is like, I don't care. Christi Dee: Exactly. MikeRunsMarathons: necessarily who wins a race. And I don't care what your pace is or what your finish time is. It's as you pointed out, it's the struggle to get to that finish line, because I agree with you. running can definitely become a stronger part of your life besides just the sport itself. And what did early running give you that weren't getting anywhere else? Christi Dee: Well, early on, like those first few races and maybe that first couple of years, it was truly something that I was like a little bit selfish about. was about, you know, ⁓ I can better my time. I can, you know, run more miles within the week. And there some, you know, superficial things about it too. It's like, ⁓ well I ran X amount of miles. Like I can eat. ⁓ X amount of calories. And that was fun. In your mid-20s, you start to realize that your metabolism isn't going to be the same that it always was. And so this a little bit of a gap. And very early on, it was more superficial and just the surface level, I guess I could say, for what now I completely understand and believe that running ⁓ is and can be for people. So ⁓ wasn't until a years later that I truly got the opportunity to dive into what running can bring to me on an emotional and even I'll say spiritual and ⁓ like introspective and like solace, I guess. had ⁓ a friend who was killed in a drunk driving accident a few years after I started running. And that was probably the first time I realized that running can bring more than just like that, you know, time on the clock and the superficial feeling of like a finish line. And then you're like, ⁓ okay, that was fun for today. And then now what's next? It kind of just became a place where I could find ⁓ ⁓ piece within the process and really start to like lean into runs. ⁓ while they were training runs for goals, they gave me something, ⁓ and a, and a little bit of an outlet that I hadn't really considered running to be previously. MikeRunsMarathons: Mm Yeah, I want to hear more about that. How has the way that you use running in your life changed over the years? Because you talk about I was kind of the same way getting faster and your finish times and everything. And ⁓ what you're describing, it has morphed into something even more than just the sport itself. So how has that changed over the years? Christi Dee: Yeah, I think from that time period in my later twenties, when ⁓ realized that I could lead into running, you know, as an emotional support kind of, and even just like cathartic and spiritual, I realized that I started to feel more fulfilled when I was doing things to kind of give back to the community and to running. ⁓ the more that I did that, I was always still chasing my own goals. And yes, like I always had desires within the sport myself, but I was starting ⁓ picture was broadening for me. And realized there's, ⁓ there's that you can do that brings more fulfillment and therefore like a holistic kind of approach to this whole sport. And ⁓ MikeRunsMarathons: Mm-hmm. Christi Dee: So there's been various times over the years and it's grown more substantial in the past, I would say five or six years, I've started to really find those ways to give back. I've done fundraising for running. One in particular that I was proud of was raising money for this scholarship in my friend's name who was killed in that drunk driving accident. That was something that I like took on and felt like I think that was the catalyst that kind of brought me into this place where giving back to the community and giving back to the sport, makes such a more fulfilling journey. And, and I really appreciated that. So since then ⁓ I've things like, ⁓ coach girls on the run. ⁓ I've ⁓ pushed Ainsley's Angels five or six times. I believe Allie talked with you about that. MikeRunsMarathons: Hmm. Christi Dee: I brought her in ⁓ first or the second year that I had done it. It just, you know, so profound and such an emotional experience that I needed all my friends to experience that. co-race direct couple of local races with ⁓ my very friend. And I've paced in various ⁓ races ⁓ help find PRs. What I'm super excited about coming up within this like giving aspect is ⁓ I'm running Boston this year as a guide runner for one of my friends who is a brain cancer survivor. And because of having his tumor removed, ⁓ qualifies within the athletes with disabilities ⁓ division. I'm going to be a support for Boston Marathon. So I'm excited about that. MikeRunsMarathons: Mmm. That is incredible. mean, I love the runners who give back to society in some way. I've run, you and I are kind of similar except you've done Sydney, but we've completed the world marathon majors, but I ran four, With ⁓ a charity. I did Chicago, Tokyo and Boston with the charity. ⁓ I actually just found that I got into the boss in 5k and I've already reached back out to the charity. ran with them for the Boston Marathon to see if I can fundraise with them for the 5k. is such an additional feeling that you just is indescribable that you get when you work towards bigger than just running. ⁓ And the way like to describe it is like I'm doing something that I love, but at the same time, I'm helping other people. So it's kind of a win-win situation. Christi Dee: Such a beautiful world. MikeRunsMarathons: And I ⁓ you are a very accomplished running a 44 marathons and I'm Boston's number 45. ⁓ So this is like huge. ⁓ I can only imagine the amount of those marathons that you've run with some form of charity, which ⁓ you've And ⁓ you Ali have me very interested in Ainsley's Angels. I have to check this out because it sounds it sounds really incredible. And it sounds you had a shift. ⁓ Christi Dee: Mm-hmm. MikeRunsMarathons: from trying to prove something to on community building you went from this wanting to prove something of getting faster and stronger to all of this community work that you've done. When did you realize that you didn't need to prove anything anymore and you shifted towards this other focus on running? Christi Dee: I think it was a period of honestly, probably several years. I don't know that you wake up one day and you have an epiphany where you're just like, okay, now I'm going to shift my focus with this sport and this thing that I love. You kind of dabble in some things, you try something new, you reach out. The first time I pushed for Ainsley's Angels, I was extremely... ⁓ nervous about it. hadn't done anything like that within a race. know, raising funds prior to that's completely different than, you know, performing with inside the actual race for something or something bigger than yourself. And first time I did that and I reached out, I was nervous and I was paired up with another runner to push and ⁓ she and got along like very well and I was so thankful for that because I was part of the you know, the nerves, it's kind of like, ⁓ why did they pair me with someone who's, you know, like, they're so fast and I can't keep up and like, I've never pushed something before and ⁓ it wasn't like that at all. It was just such an open, welcoming community. And also throughout that time, I was on my own journeys. Like I did still have time goals and I did still have the goal of finishing my six stars. But once I finished all the majors, MikeRunsMarathons: Mm-hmm. Christi Dee: I knew that there was room for more. I still wanted to continue on and do the additional majors that they've added and will continue to add. Those are the things that are close to my heart for my personal growth as a runner. But I to realize over time and over the years that there was room for so much more. ⁓ MikeRunsMarathons: Mm-hmm. Christi Dee: I'm actually a founding board member from one of the biggest running clubs that we have in this area. And about 15 years ago, Carmel Runners Club, Carmel, Indiana was founded and I was blessed to sit on that board and to start that running club. ⁓ So been bits and pieces of like getting in and getting involved and trying to spread the good joy of like what running can bring in the community. ⁓ ⁓ from my very early years. so, I think ⁓ was a gradual kind of like learning situation where, ⁓ you know, ⁓ didn't just wake up and ⁓ ⁓ I can give back. It's kind of like, ⁓ I get more fulfillment if I'm adding these other things into this journey. MikeRunsMarathons: ⁓ And ⁓ I from background with all of the marathons you've done, there have been probably so many things that you've needed to do in order to make sure that running stays enjoyable and also sustainable, because that is no easy feat. ⁓ blown away by fact that you've done 44 marathons because I hope to get to that one day. What did you have to unlearn? in order to make sure that running stayed enjoyable and sustainable. Christi Dee: It's been different each stage of life. I mean, there was a period of time in my early thirties, I thought I was invincible. didn't concentrate on any type of plan. I could just run my heart out and never feel an acre of pain. I could, you know, not focus on nutrition ⁓ and, know, ⁓ still fairly well. You know, as ⁓ we get older, we start to realize maybe there's things that we were missing and lacking in our earlier years. So part of the reason that I became a running coach a couple of years ago, I started like, that was like officially for a long time, I had been helping friends, writing plans, talking with them, like coaching through what it looks like to start the running journey. But officially, one of the reasons why I decided to become a coach is because I thought You know, I mean, there's a lot of information out there, almost too much. And when started 20 years ago, there wasn't that much out there. And I feel like what I could do as an individual who could meet each ⁓ athlete they're at is bring the table what I wish I had from my start and then help the noise ⁓ of kind of all the ramblings on social media and things like that. And kind of just help people dial in what it looks like to have a sustainable relationship with a sport of running for as long as you want. I mean, this doesn't have to be a one and done if you don't want it to be. It can be something that you carry with you through your life, if done properly so you can void off some of those injuries. Sometimes things are, you can't help but... ⁓ you know, for the most part, try my best to bring to the table a way that you can approach training as a lifestyle that fits in with whatever else you've got going on. MikeRunsMarathons: Yeah, and I love the support that you are describing that you provide to so many people. ⁓ It's like somebody opened like the floodgates for running influencers and so running information. And there's so much out there that is just wrong. ⁓ And it's so important to have people that are coaches who are able provide the correct information to kind of balance between what we see online and what is reality. And you do it also in a different way than other people. You are an author. You have ⁓ books, right? can you talk about those and what drove you to make those? Christi Dee: Yes, Yes. So I have two children's books. The first one that I went for was kind of like percolating in my mind for many years. I had a note in my phone. It's an alphabet book. It's called Can a Frog Jog? And basically you're following the narrator through the alphabet. He's looking for a jogging partner, but we've got to look through the entire animal kingdom. So we go through ABC all the way through the alphabet ⁓ and The lesson there is that there are people or like whoever out there doing these different things, you don't have to match them and they don't have to match you. But what you can find is like as you go through it, maybe you will find where your community lies and eventually you will find that person that can be your jogging partner or like someone that you can share experiences with. confide in, have that partner who will build you up. It's basically about finding your community. And that's kind of like maybe a mature subject matter for somebody, the child reading an ABC book. But I think ⁓ it can resonate when you realize the differences in the world and the different people you'll come across, or in this case, it's the animals, the different things that they bring to the table. But ⁓ brings something different. but it's all good and it's all great. And maybe you don't fit in with the gazelle or the elephant, but you'll find somebody that you do fit in with and that's where you can start to build your own community. So that was my first book. MikeRunsMarathons: Mm-hmm. That is awesome. you have, yeah. And you have Maya runs a marathon, right? Christi Dee: And yes, so then that kind of ⁓ whet my appetite for really diving into, okay, what else can I bring to the table here? ⁓ when it comes to running lessons that I've learned ⁓ those with maybe a younger generation. So of course we're not going to find ⁓ children that are like these amazing endurance athletes, ⁓ I think that the lessons that we've all learned this late in life when we all you know, most of us started our journey, you know, kind of later 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s even. We're finding these lessons about believing in yourself, trying hard things, don't give up, continue to show up. And Maya runs a marathon, brings us to the table and brings us to the forefront. And, you know, we follow Maya as she has this idea that she wants to run a marathon and she doesn't know how to begin. And so we follow her, she has her friends who support her. She goes out when the conditions aren't quite right, you know, it's raining one day, all the things that we all experience. But you know, she continues to show up for herself, she continues to believe in herself. And when self doubt creeps in, then she's got a support system that helps pull her out of that. her, she's got a coach and so her coach helps her through some of those hard times. And then ultimately she finishes her marathon goal and her friends are there cheering. So again, it's the community aspect, but really for the children that might read that it's, you can do hard things. What are your hopes and dreams? What are the steps you can take for that? And, you know, if you can follow Maya's example, you know, if it's not running great, maybe it's like to, you know, earn a spot on a soccer team or, you know, earn a place on the podium at your gymnastics recital. Kids can relate to some of those other things. And I think running simplifies it a little bit because it is one of the most simplistic sports if you really break down to exactly what it means to just put one foot in front of the other. MikeRunsMarathons: yeah, I love I'm smiling like ear to ear right now because I'm to go buy those actually after we get off of this because I want to read those to my daughter because I that they. Christi Dee: Well, congratulations. You are a very new dad and that's so exciting. And you can find them there on Barnesandnoble.com. Shameless plug. MikeRunsMarathons: Very new, not even too... I will definitely grab onto this. love that, because it's... ⁓ talked to coaches and I've talked to people that have ⁓ charity work and things like that, but to have somebody that goes one step further to inspire people a different way ⁓ is ⁓ I I've seen books kind of around that, but to be able to speak to someone... who has done that and explained their why, think is really, is a very powerful thing to share with others. Do you have anything lined up in the future? Christi Dee: For writing or racing or both or for writing, I am actually, I am working on something. It's not a children's book. Recently, I had put together a list of 20 lessons that I had learned from 20 years of running. And when I was putting this together and I actually made it as an Instagram post, there was so much that I wanted to say for each point that MikeRunsMarathons: Yeah, for writing. Christi Dee: it was hard to narrow it down into just an Instagram, like the graphics and just one post. And I thought, you know, I wonder if anybody would care to listen or read if I expanded on these points and gave my reasons why these were my lessons, gave the stories behind them and of expanded on those. So you're the first person that's hearing this actually, besides my husband, ⁓ to that I am working on an actual ⁓ Book for adults in the running community that might look for a little bit of motivation or some sort of other someone else's stories to these lessons. ⁓ They've so vital and important to me as I've gone through the years. Lessons in running, as you know, you don't learn them once. Like you revisit them ⁓ and get of them if you happen to forget and MikeRunsMarathons: Mm-hmm. Christi Dee: They always are there. And if that can resonate with anybody and I've done the job of inspiring and motivating one other person, then that will be the reason for this book. It'll take a while for me to get through this. It's a labor of love for sure, but that is definitely the project that I'm working on right now. MikeRunsMarathons: I'm very excited for that. And I will make sure to follow you as you get through that journey so that I can grab that book once you have completed it. Because I know from your 44 marathons and is it 19 ultras that you've done? ⁓ I'm sure that you have a ton of knowledge that would be super helpful to so many different people. it's ⁓ nice that you talk about this new book that you're going to create. I'm glad ⁓ the first person to hear about it beside your husband because Christi Dee: It is, yes. Yes. MikeRunsMarathons: Because I think, and you can correct me if I'm wrong, I think one of the things you're going to talk about is probably how running has changed the way that you listen to your body over the years that you've gone through all of your races. How, you can you just kind of expand on that about how compared to earlier in your journey, you've had to kind of change the way that you approach a race, for example. Christi Dee: Yeah, like I mentioned before, I really felt invincible for many years in my early running journey. And I don't know that that's a benefit. ⁓ think that it was. I think I should have been more cognizant ⁓ the risks that were out there and I should have been ⁓ prepared to handle aches pains and things that come up. should have known a little bit more about strength training and things that you do to prevent injuries. And I didn't do that. And I don't know that I really, mean, again, like as a coach, I talk with my athletes about this stuff straight away. That's within our first conversation because I know that I wish I had that guidance when I was a new runner. So the years have gone on, really developed a higher appreciation for what my body can do, but also a respect that, you know, if something's going on and I'm feeling certain types of things, then I need to shut it down and that's okay. One of my like biggest takeaways from 20 years of doing this is ⁓ fact that it's okay to pivot ⁓ that can be at any point. It can be ⁓ an actual training run where you need to pivot and you need to say, today is not my day, but you know what? Like I've been through this before and tomorrow I might show up differently and maybe I'll perform a little bit better. So today I need to honor my body and rest. can pivot within the entire training cycle. Like if an illness or an injury comes up and you several have been derailed, ⁓ then pivot and look at What does that mean for our goals ⁓ can we adjust those? So there's still something that we're excited about. You can even pivot in the middle of a race. ⁓ know, ⁓ don't get the point where you feel like you need to throw in the towel completely. Have various goals and have reasons that you're even out there. That helps to fuel it. And like, you can get back on track. Maybe it's not your A goal. MikeRunsMarathons: Hmm. Yes. Christi Dee: that ends up being if you have to pivot in the middle of the race, cause something comes up, but like a different type of goal or like your B goal or like even just a goal of like, Hey, I've been through some hard things. just getting to the finish line today is going to be my success story. So ⁓ of the biggest lessons that I've learned in 20 years is like, ⁓ not be afraid to pivot and don't limit yourself from doing so. It doesn't mean that you're weaker. It shows your strength, that you can figure out what's going on in the moment then adjust accordingly. And so as a coach, I help my runners do that. I've been told by one of my athletes very recently that he's likened to even a life coach in a sense, where we kind of talk through, like he's had some injuries and some things and it's so like... ⁓ What does that look like? How can we pick ourselves up from here? And I'm in your corner and I'm going to be cheering you on and we're going to figure this out together. And to adjust those goals and expectations and pivot towards something a little slightly different or even completely different is 100 % okay. MikeRunsMarathons: Mm-hmm. I agree with you and I cannot stress how many times during a race I've had to quickly pivot from, you know, plan A, B, C, D, all the way to just get to the finish line because it's, you know, it our ego can get the best of us at times. But I really like that you said it doesn't make you weak when you when you make these decisions because you're being smart. And I think a lot of people forget that when we train for these races, it's not about training hard. Christi Dee: Okay. MikeRunsMarathons: ⁓ which obviously we do in some sense when it comes to different types of runs that we have, but training in a way that we are able to understand kind of all of the different nuances that can come up during a race and be able to make, as you pointed out, make that pivot. Because if we can't do that, then you're looking easily at a DNF, you know, because you just decide, I'm going to give up. Is there a race that comes to mind for you where you've had to do this? Christi Dee: Right. Yeah, I mean after 44 marathons and 19 ultra marathons, there are several that come up in my head. I will say probably the most recent situation I was in for that happened to be this past September at Prairie on Fire Backyard Ultra. I had gone in with ⁓ ⁓ big goal. For those that don't know, Backyard Ultra is running 4.16 miles on the hour every hour until there are no more people doing that. so kind of like mind boggling. ⁓ They for days, go through night, you never stop until you decide to stop. I had pretty big goals going into that. We recently even had a documentary premiere for particular race. ⁓ And it shows dropping out of the race well before that I thought I would. but at the end of the day, so I, I dropped out at 75 miles ⁓ and I that going into the race, I was prepared to go ⁓ a hundred miles and there wasn't day. story just didn't play out how it had in my head as much as I am. tried to manifest most amazing race for me that day. It just didn't work out. And early I knew that there was gonna be issues. But when your gives you different signals ⁓ and you to shut it down, I think it's a strength to ⁓ do that to listen and ⁓ to that will be another day. So I did a pivot. ⁓ pretty hard from going more than a hundred miles to going a lot less. But ⁓ was the right thing to do. And body wasn't cooperating. could barely hobble at the end ⁓ when did pull myself out. And so ⁓ it a little bit of a heartbreaking moment too. ⁓ And was angry and I was upset and disappointed in myself, disappointed in my body, like, you know, this body that I've taken through. MikeRunsMarathons: Hmm. Christi Dee: the ringer like to get there. And then it didn't perform for me. But at the end of the day, like 75 miles is 75 miles. And ⁓ I that. so you can walk away from a situation where there's a little bit disappointment, ⁓ and maybe anger and definitely frustration. But to know like if you can sleep on it and then wake up and ⁓ kind of like give yourself a tiny little pep talk and talk to the ones that you love. Like you did that. Like you didn't give up on anything. Like you just couldn't move any further. That's all that was for me. So that was definitely kind of like a pivot moment where I had to embrace that day brought instead of what was in my mindset going into it. MikeRunsMarathons: Yeah. Yeah, it's it's it's funny the way that you talk. You're like, yeah, I ran 75 miles and in my head I'm just like, that is nuts because I I've I've thought about getting into the ultras have actually signed up for two of them over the past couple of years and did not start either of them because I was just like, I cannot do this. So it's also funny as runners, especially long distance runners, when we just talk about, know, oh, you know, it's only 13 miles or it you know, it was only a 20 mile run for my training this, you know, today. because other people are, can't even fathom doing even a half a mile. And I checking ourselves, I love what you said about, you take a you wake up, you give yourself a little pep talk because there have been a number of races where I finished, most recently, I think that comes to mind for me is a half marathon I did last March, where I was just like, I was doing so well until like the last two miles and my body just said, ⁓ we're tired. I finished the race. Christi Dee: Thank you. MikeRunsMarathons: in a really good time. Like I was I should have been very happy, but in my head I was like, I could have finished so much faster if I had just pushed a little bit harder. And I had people actually yell at me online because I was just like, this run was a failure. And I like it makes me so upset. And people are like, dude, I would kill for that time. Like I you should be happy you finished. So that's that's ⁓ something is so ⁓ like talked so many runners that have gotten Christi Dee: So, I'm just going to say that we're going do this in the next few Yes. ⁓ MikeRunsMarathons: frustrated about their times and I have it's it's a nice mutual thing where we try to balance ourselves and check ourselves to be like, well, you know, you like somebody who finishes twenty six point two miles and they don't like break whatever PR that they want to hit and they get frustrated. It's just like, you know, you still ran twenty six point two miles. ⁓ we can't negate that. And it's like, ⁓ goodness, the the amount of races that are going through my head right now that are just like so. frustrating at times, it's ridiculous. But I want to flip to the other side. So more positive. a race that stands out as a reminder of why you keep coming back to the sport? Christi Dee: gosh, there's so many. I'm gonna say that... That's a very good question. I have so many amazing memories of this. MikeRunsMarathons: You can give me a couple if you want. Christi Dee: Yeah. Okay. I'll say first, I'm going to point out Sydney marathon. So I know that's on your list. It has to be. And if it's not, should be, it should be on everybody's list. It's amazing. so beautiful, but, ⁓ that race was super special because my husband, ⁓ had run previously. We, ⁓ he had ran a couple of marathons prior to me knowing him. ⁓ then when we first met, had run, he was still running. MikeRunsMarathons: ⁓ yeah. Christi Dee: half marathons. So for a few years after we first met, he was running some half marathons, we'd run them together. And then he just decided he's like, I'm done running. I'm like retired from running. I'm not doing this anymore. ⁓ a year before we ran he said, know what, like, I'm so inspired by you and like what you're bringing to your athletes and I overhear your conversations and want to try to run again. So he trained for Sydney also. And so we both ran it. And normally this was the first major he's come and run as well instead of just being a spectator. So ⁓ while was kind of like a little bit selfish, I was like, ⁓ he won't be out there cheering for me. I was so inspired by his drive to not only train for a marathon, 20 plus years since he ran his last marathon, but to choose it to be Sydney. And because he knew that I wanted to do that so bad, he was so gung-ho and us doing this, ⁓ you know, trip and, the marathon together. We did not run together, which actually ended up being even more special because after I finished, I walked back along the, the race course and I found him. prior to his finish and I was just blown away. Like it was emotional to just see him finishing after all those years and he had put himself back in the game and came out really well in Rand Sydney. So was definitely ⁓ of those times. ⁓ MikeRunsMarathons: Hmm. I love that. My wife made the mistake after I did the Disney Marathon in 2021 saying, I want to run a marathon one day and I have not forgotten. So I will make sure that one day she runs with me. I have a feeling it's probably going to be the New York City Marathon because it's an important marathon to me and it's the one that she's always watched me finish the most. So I love hearing that story because it gives me hope that I'll be able to get my wife into running because she does not like to run. But that's wonderful. And I can't even imagine just like finishing and then seeing your husband on the course and cheering him on. Because that's ⁓ just it's like a 180 moment because it's you're used to him cheering you on now you're able to cheer him on. And I can't even imagine the emotions that are probably running through both of you when that happened because that sounds absolutely... Christi Dee: Absolutely. Yeah, it was very special. Yeah. And the same actually happened. We just ran CIM in December and I was able to find him on the course again and cheer him on. And I'm starting to love this little tradition that we have, like where I can ⁓ find as he's finishing and like give him the support that he gave me for so many years. ⁓ MikeRunsMarathons: That's wonderful. Do you guys have another marathon lined up? Christi Dee: We do actually. So I already told you I'm running Boston. He'll be out there to cheer for me and our friend Jason. But we are running Cape Town in May. Both of us. Yes. MikeRunsMarathons: ⁓ wow. ⁓ that's awesome. Hopefully, hopefully it's good this year because last year got canceled. So think it's cross for you with that. That is that is awesome. ⁓ Christi Dee: ⁓ my gosh, I know. Yeah. A little bit nervous about that. Yeah. Well, they changed the time of year, so hopefully it being in May, maybe some of those same weather situations aren't as prevalent. I can only hope because it would be ⁓ real bummer to travel that far and have it canceled. ⁓ MikeRunsMarathons: ⁓ my God, I felt so bad for all those people that went to South Africa and got canceled. ⁓ my goodness. But yeah, fingers crossed. Everything's going to be fine. It's different, different time of year. Weather's going to be great. I'll make sure to cheer both of you on when you when you run that race, because that that is awesome. Are you going to are you going to do Shanghai after that? Yeah. Christi Dee: ⁓ my gosh. Thank you. Yes. We will, yes. I think you can see this pattern that I've got. So not only has it been really fun to continue on the world marathon major's journey, but my ultimate goal is to finish all seven continents. So on that track. We Rome last year because he had a European race yet. And then when we run Shanghai, that will be his... MikeRunsMarathons: Mm-hmm. Christi Dee: Asian race, even though I've, so I've done Tokyo, but I'll still do that because I really enjoy continuing on this marathon majors and even the candidate race, races, like checking those out. So that's kind of like where we're at for that. ⁓ MikeRunsMarathons: I'm going to try to help him complete his six-star journey. Christi Dee: I don't know that he really needs the six stars. He's not expressed that. I think he likes the idea of the seven continents though. So I think when it comes to our time, we're saving Antarctica for last. So when it comes to that, then we'll both finish there together as seven continents club members. MikeRunsMarathons: That is so awesome. So you you are a wealth of not just knowledge, but inspiration for so many people ⁓ on online the people that you coach in person. There might be people listening who are thinking based off of your story and what you've been able to accomplish that maybe I could do this. But I I'm not sure. ⁓ You know, I I don't know whether it's the knowledge or maybe they feel ⁓ self-conscious about their body or things like that. What do you wish they understood before they ever worry about things like pace or distance? Christi Dee: I think you have to be open to embracing ⁓ figuring out your own way to love the journey because race day is one day, but the journey can be ⁓ entire year. It could be your life. ⁓ be ⁓ you make it to be. You have to enjoy those small steps in between. to really make it as fulfilling as it can be and look at the bigger picture, right? Like so, okay, we talked about yes, getting goal times is great. But if you need to pivot, if you need to adjust things and also don't be afraid to ask for help. Like find a coach that you relate with or find that community, whether it's online or so many running clubs are popping up all over the place. Like they continue to. And I love that because that's someone's desire to bring people together. And I just, love that aspect about this sport. I think you and me are actually both part of an online community, the Everyday Athlete ⁓ Clubhouse. ⁓ So that's super cool. So, you know, find support ⁓ figure out how you can embrace ⁓ figure out how to love the journey, whatever that looks like for you. MikeRunsMarathons: Mm-hmm. ⁓ yeah. And now kind of expanding on that, there are a lot of misconceptions about running. So many that like there's just too of a list to name. In your mind, what do think is the biggest misconception that people have when it comes to just just running in general? Christi Dee: I think that some of this stuff is becoming like a little bit cliche. We hear it all the time now, but it really is important to embrace your easy pace. That's your foundation. That's what's going to build that endurance to help you run faster and further. So if people can understand that that's an important aspect of it, then that's truly going to take you within the discipline. take you further than what you actually think it will. Embracing nutrition, it's my peeve when I see whether it's an influencer or just somebody that I know or whatever, they say they run fasted or they're doing all these weird things with their nutrition and hydration. It's straightforward. We need carbs to run. You need protein to rebuild your muscles and you need to be hydrated with electrolytes. ⁓ There's like... is pretty straightforward. And if you can cut out some of that, excuse me, like bullshit with what else you need and the things, if you can start with a foundation, maybe there's room for other things like, ⁓ this supplement in this powder and all the things, great. But if you don't have that foundation, none of that is going to help you. So I think that that's kind of where we're at. Like I want people to understand that and then ⁓ know that ⁓ MikeRunsMarathons: Yes. Christi Dee: you can do hard things. do think that for every single individual and that might look different from person to person and that's okay too because everyone's journey is different and if you can truly absorb like immerse yourself in a place where you respect that about yourself and your own journey you can't compare your step one to somebody else's step 100. or like what you see online to, you know, what's on your personal garment. Let's, you know, kind of break it down and embrace where you are and love yourself for what your body's giving you. I mean, those are some really huge points, I think. MikeRunsMarathons: Mm-hmm. ⁓ absolutely. And I think it's great hearing that from a coach because it has an extra gravitas behind it. And I agree with you that the online community with running can be super helpful, depending on the people that you speak to. Shout out to Jason and run tri bike. But it also can be super to your own growth and your own progress. ⁓ I seen ⁓ so many who have come online and they They bash people and say, you're not a runner if you don't do this or you're this body type or you're not this pace and this and that. And it's really frustrating to see that because there are probably I mean, I don't have to tell you this, but running has exploded over the last six years. And it there are probably so many people that want to get started with running. But then they go online, they see that they think, ⁓ I got to be fast. I have to be this certain body type. I need to be able to run this type of race like you don't even have to run races. You can just run to get healthy. or just run for fun. You don't have to do any of that. And there's just so much like, do describe it? The bullshit, there's so much bullshit out there that is just like clouding everyone's mind. ⁓ And it's nice to able to find those people that you pointed out who will be able to guide you in the right direction and accept you for who you are. we've talked about being able provide that support to new runners or people that are about getting into the sport. I want to go on the flip side. we have ⁓ Christy running that first half marathon because of peer pressure. If you can go back to that person and give them one of advice, would be? Christi Dee: The pain is worth it. Today's pain, that pain and that half marathon, it was worth it. It opened up doors for me and brought an aspect to my life and purpose that I wouldn't have known otherwise if I didn't take that risk. So take the risk, go ahead. Even if it's just because your friends tell you to. ⁓ pain ⁓ that. point will be worth it and you're going to learn to love it and lean into it. MikeRunsMarathons: I agree with you on that. remember so many races. my first race I finished and then we went to go see a movie and I fell asleep in the movie theater. ⁓ It was totally worth it because I felt so accomplished after that. yeah, until you a race like that, ⁓ it doesn't to matter what distance it is, or when you finish your first run for the first time without stopping, that feeling is just... Christi Dee: Thank MikeRunsMarathons: indescribable and you'll feel invincible, which is absolutely the best feeling in the world. Now, one question that I ask everybody because the name of this podcast is At Your Own Pace. What does that phrase mean to you right now? You know, it could be about running, it could be about you as a person. But what does that mean to you? Christi Dee: Yes. I think I've touched on maybe some of that a little bit ⁓ because I truly love the name of this podcast because you know exactly what you're going to get when you start listening and that's really, really good. It's embrace you are. Embrace the step that you're in. And that look from others, but that doesn't mean you won't continue to evolve and grow as well. We're all on our own special journey. And I think that the specialness, the uniqueness comes from the fact that it's not like everybody else's. We all can forge our own way and find our own path and figure out how running fits with our lives and what our dreams and hopes and goals are with it. And all of that is good. And it doesn't have to look like somebody else's. MikeRunsMarathons: So this next round of questions is what I call the hot seat. These are questions that I ask everybody. These are just very quick, rapid fire questions. Don't even think about what your answer should be. Just give me first thing that comes to mind. So we'll start with trail or road? Christi Dee: Right now, road. I'll say road. MikeRunsMarathons: What is your favorite running shoe brand right now? Christi Dee: ASEX, always. MikeRunsMarathons: I agree with you on that. Are you an early alarm or late run person? Christi Dee: You Early, early. MikeRunsMarathons: bless you. hate running in the morning. I can't wake up. Well, now that I have a daughter, I'm up every day at seven, which just blows my mind. When you run ⁓ for long runs, do you run them solo or with others? ⁓ Christi Dee: solo. MikeRunsMarathons: Yeah. What is your favorite post marathon meal? Christi Dee: Hardly anything can top a deep dish Chicago style after Chicago Marathon. MikeRunsMarathons: Ooh, I've actually never had deep dish pizza and I'll be back in Chicago this year. Christi Dee: ⁓ my gosh. Well, you need to get out of New York and go back to Chicago and run that one again to get some deep dish afterwards. MikeRunsMarathons: I'll be there. I'll be there in October and I'll make sure that I get it this time because we tried to go back. So I ran Chicago in twenty twenty two and we fell in love with this Italian restaurant. We couldn't stop talking about it. And then when I found out that I got in last year, we were like, we have to go back. And we did. And it was not as good as it was before. So we were very upset. So this year we're going to we're going to figure out where we're going to go. But I will make sure that I have a deep dish pizza this time. Christi Dee: Okay. ⁓ that's a bummer. All right. MikeRunsMarathons: for easy runs. Do you prefer music, or silence? Christi Dee: I am a zero headphones person. ⁓ MikeRunsMarathons: Wow, ⁓ my goodness. Have you always been like that? Christi Dee: It early on, I don't know, it's been at least 15 or 16 years ago. I forgot my headphones one day and I didn't even realize it until I was three or four miles into the run. And I kind of was like, wait a second, I didn't have my headphones in. I was like, I actually really like this. And I put them back in after that. MikeRunsMarathons: Wow, I just, I give so much credit to people who run with no headphones, because I just can't. Like I'm, I need the cadence. just, and my music is so like bombastic to get me pumped up. it, wow. I also, I don't want to be alone with my thoughts, because I can just ruminate over and over and over again on something and worry about like, am I doing this right? Is this, what's happening at home? What's happening at work? So it's, ⁓ my God. So power to you on that. That's crazy. Christi Dee: Thank MikeRunsMarathons: 15 years. the one piece of running gear that you can't live without and you can't your shoes? Christi Dee: It would be my watch for sure. MikeRunsMarathons: And then I think I probably know the answers to this, but what is your dream race? Christi Dee: My dream race is actually, I don't know if you call it just a singular race. I would love to do the 777. So there's two of them, the great world race or the world marathon challenge, which is actually going on right now. They just finished in Dubai, uh, earlier today. And I think they're headed to Madrid right now to run the, I guess that would be the third, the fourth or the fifth, um, in this series. So. MikeRunsMarathons: Yes. Christi Dee: 777 means seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. So that's my dream. MikeRunsMarathons: And if you could run those races with anyone, living or dead, who would that be? Christi Dee: Wow, that's a really good question too. You know, I think I'm going to throw this back to saying, bring my husband back into this again. ⁓ with the amount of support that he's given me through starting this coaching career and him picking this back up and all of that, I think, that would just one of the most epic adventures that we could do together. I don't know that anything could ever top that. MikeRunsMarathons: That would be such an epic comeback for somebody who just came back to marathon running after 20 years. I agree with you on that. that would be. ⁓ Christi Dee: Yeah, I will say he has zero interest in it. I already know that. But if he did, that would be my choice of person. MikeRunsMarathons: I love it. Those are actually all the questions that I have for you today, Christy. I really want to thank you for sharing your story today. Your inspiration from ⁓ of the work that you do within the community, from charity work to your authorship with being able to inspire young all the way up ⁓ is that I think ⁓ is so to the running community as a whole, both from what you post online and also the coaching that you do. as well. if you are listening and you do not follow Christie already, her ⁓ username is this blonde runs with underscore in between each word. So make sure you go check her out. Her journey is such a reminder that it does not have an expiration date. ⁓ And it is something that as long you train smart, you can continue to push past any limits that you potentially thought that you had. So Kristy, thank you so much. Christi Dee: Thank you, Mike. This has been great. MikeRunsMarathons: I want to thank Christy for joining me today. It is always a pleasure to speak with runners that have such a wealth of knowledge and have so much experience when it comes to the races that they run. Completing all the world marathon majors and having the other ones lined up, including Sydney already completed, is something that I hope to complete as well one day. But from her 44 marathon, Journey 19 Ultra Marathon, completions, it is paramount that we have these individuals who can inspire us within the community and be able to provide that helping hand when we need it, especially if you're new to running or if you're just starting out. So like I said, if you are not following her, make sure to give her a follow so that you can absorb that wealth of knowledge that she is. But I also want to thank you so much for tuning in to At Your Own Pace. You know, it is a pleasure. It is an honor to be able to provide these stories to all of you who listen, not only is it something that I think will help others, it helps me. And just want to remind everybody that whether you're walking, jogging, running, or just dreaming about getting started with your running journeys, ⁓ I you to remember that you belong here at every pace. So until next time, I want you to keep running your story one mile at a time, and I will see you in the next one.