Athlete Profile - Patty Swanger

Name: Patty Swanger

Age (Optional): 51

Occupation (Optional): Insurance Agent

Where do you live? Morgantown, PA

How many years have you been running? 10 years

What are you training for? What are your goals? Harrisburg Marathon on 11/12. “A” goal is to run 3:35; “B” goal is to beat 3:40

Why do you run? So many reasons. It is my “me” time. Running is a great stress reliever and it always clears my head from the clutter of the day. I love the sound of my footsteps on the road and the steady sound of my breathing. I love how I feel after a hard run. I love lacing up my shoes and heading out the door no matter the weather. There also is the added bonus of being able to eat whatever I want (within reason)!

What do you like best about working with Run Your Personal Best? Coach Cory is fantastic! He keeps my workouts interesting and challenging. I’m running paces that I never would have thought I could. Even my recovery pace is faster than my average pace was a year ago. I like knowing that my running week is planned out for me. No guesswork, just lace up and run. Coach Cory also taught me how to run by feel and not be a slave to my Garmin. I think this has been crucial in keeping me a healthy and happy runner.

What advice would you give to other runners? Run happy. Let your running be a gift you give to yourself.

What’s your favorite (or type) workout? Hills are one of my favorites and so are threshold and tempo runs. I like to push myself to see what I am capable of doing.

What’s your favorite race you‘ve ever run? Why? My favorite race is the Garden Spot Village Marathon. This is my hometown marathon and is always a challenging race due to the rolling hills and the weather here in PA in April. I have run this race in 20+mph winds with gusts over 50mph, beautiful sunny skies and one year it even snowed about 5 inches. That being said, the Marine Corps Marathon will always hold a special place in my heart, just because it is the MCM. Nothing in the world like seeing all of those Marines, the emotion of running the Blue Mile and being given your finisher’s medal by a Marine. Nothing in the world like it.

What gets you through tough runs or days you don’t want to run? I tell myself, just run one mile. If after that, I’m not feeling it, go home. I don’t think I have ever gone home without finishing my run. There is also the accountability to Coach Cory. Who wants to tell your coach that you skipped your run for no reason? As for the tough runs, I tell myself that this will not last forever. Just run the mile you are in.

Is there anything else you’d like to add? Enjoy your running. Run your own pace, your own race. Encourage beginner runners because we were all beginners at one point. One of my favorite memories is of pacing a friend to a PR in a half marathon. Greatest feeling ever is helping someone reach their goals.

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