Runner’s World+ Member: Jennifer Woltjen
Jennifer is a Runner’s World+ member. Join her and thousands of others chasing their goals with day-by-day training plans, expert advice from editors and coaches, and unlimited digital access. We regularly feature members online and in print!
I started running about 20 years ago to get in shape for cross country ski racing. I needed to train aerobically year-round to maintain my fitness levels so I would be ready when ski season started. I fell in love with running and discovered a new passion. I now run through all seasons. In the past 20 years or so, I have participated in marathons, half-marathons, ultra-marathons and other distance races. My favorite distance is the half-marathon. I enjoy meeting new people and making new friends in the running community.
As a result of my passion for running, I enjoy learning as much as I can about running, the sport, the industry, new technology, etc. Since my retirement from a full-time position in education, I have earned credentials as a RRCA Level II Running Coach and as a Certified Personal Trainer. Currently, I enjoy helping others pursue their fitness goals through running as running coach. As I keep reminding myself and those that I coach–running is a journey, not a destination.
I have been a print subscriber of Runner’s World for many years. In the past, I used the Runner’s World print calendar to keep track of my completed workouts. I still have all these calendars to remind me how far I have come. Today, I use an online calendar. I joined RW+ to keep up to date on the latest in running news, technology, new workouts, strength training and just about anything running.
I run for many reasons–fitness, health, weight control, to feel better, to train for a race, etc. However, I have found over the years that I can solve so many problems during my runs. I also enjoy planning my day/week during my runs. My running has kept me focused on my non-running life.
I am definitely a morning runner. I like to get my workout done as I wake up. It makes me feel better for the rest of the day. I love to run anywhere and everywhere. In fact, when I travel, I make it a point to run in each town or city I visit (usually early mornings before everyone rises). When I run in a new place, I get a real connection to the area and I also get to see a lot more than if I were just driving a car. Some of my favorite running places are Zermatt (Switzerland), Lombard Street (San Francisco), Juneau and Anchorage (Alaska), Times Square (NYC), Zion National Park (Utah) and West Yellowstone, Montana.
Recently, I was lucky to run at sunrise in Zion National Park. No one else was around except for my husband and me. We enjoyed the silence and the sounds of nature as we gawked at the red rock formations and watched the sun rise over the cliffs.
My favorite running accessory is my Garmin watch. I love feedback–keeps me motivated and on track! I crave information and stats. I have my Garmin watch set up so it downloads the daily running data into my workout so I can run analyze even more!
To keep running strong for the rest of my life.
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