Renee High—Small-Town Runner Girl

ERM: How old were you when you made that first step to run marathons, and what pushed you down that path?

RH: I was 23 years old when I first met Jerry Frostick. At that time, he was the owner of Final Kick. He noticed that I didn’t really have a plan or a structured training for running, so he wanted to give me some direction. He sat down with me and began talking about my plans for running. He suggested I run the 2005 Shamrock Marathon, and offered to coach me for my first race. I thought he was crazy—but I was just crazy enough to believe him. It was his belief in me and his ability to motivate me that really made me think I could do the marathon.

I began my first marathon training program in January 2005. During one of my early long runs, I remember thinking that this whole marathon thing was crazy; but I kept at it. I never gave up, and I kept training.

I love training for marathon. It’s a tough race and it requires a lot of dedication. Training requires a lot of planning and attention to detail. It’s necessary to pay attention to everything, especially those things outside of the workout itself—hydration, nutrition, and how the body is handling the training.

ERM: How many marathons have you run so far? And can you tell us your favorite ones?

RH: I’ve competed in 13 marathons, and many of them are special for different reasons. My favorite marathon is my first marathon—2005 Shamrock. It was also the first marathon I won, and the first time I qualified for the Olympic Trials. It was painful, as I’d worn the wrong socks—rookie mistake. The socks slipped down inside my flats, and by the end my heels were bloody. I’d never been in so much pain, but I’d never been so happy. It was an amazing experience, and one I will never forget.

The Disney Marathon was also very special and very interesting. It’s so cool to be running through the park, because it’s such a unique place. When I was running there, it felt magical. I just loved the feeling of being in Disney World. And of course, the feeling of running in the Olympic Trials was indescribable. The emotions I felt from the crowd were overwhelming.

Renee High is in the Chicago Half Marathon

ERM: Tell us about your training. Who do you train with? What products do you use? Also, are you sponsored?

RH: I have an amazing training group of fellow athletes who are also wonderful friends, as well as a remarkable running community in Hampton Roads. I’m currently being coached by Jerry Frostick, now the owner of J&A Racing, and Ryan Carroll, a local accomplished runner. Together it’s like a small family, and the support is amazing. Love those guys!

I use Accelerade and UCAN for recovery. I really like them. I started using UCAN on the recommendation of Andriana Nelson Pirtea. I also use HUMA Gels during my long runs as a source of carbohydrates. They’re more natural and they settle better on my stomach.

I’m sponsored by marathonguide.com, and I’m an ambassador for J&A racing and its recently created LiveLoveRun Team. John Elliot, the owner of marathonguide.com, has been wonderful to me. He really provides a lot of support, which has been a godsend. Being the J&A ambassador is about being part of a family and providing support to the running community.

ERM: What is your family life like? How do you balance work, training and life?

RH: I have a wonderful boyfriend and we have two adorable dogs. I work for the University of Pittsburgh with Naval Special Warfare (though I live in Virginia Beach). I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in exercise science. I’m now finishing up another degree in nutrition, because I want to be a Registered Dietitian.

It’s a challenge to manage school, work, running and all my other training, plus my family and my friends. My boyfriend is very supportive, which is a big help. It also helps that the majority of my close friends are also athletes and are managing busy lives as well.

ERM: On your mental training: It takes a certain mental fortitude to do this sport. What drives you and keeps you sustained during competition?

RH: The marathon is a very tough race, mentally and physically. It can be challenging to stay focused for the entire race, even for the training itself, so it’s important to be able to refocus if my mind begins to wander. For me, I have to break it down. I never actually let myself think about the full 26.2 miles; in my mind, I break it up into different distances. It’s two half-marathons put together, or it’s 20 miles plus a 10k. I tell myself I can do anything for 1 mile, or I can do anything for 3 miles, or however I’m breaking it up in my mind.

ERM: What makes you keep running?

RH: It’s hard for me to describe how much running means to me, but I’m sure other runners get it. Running is about joy, beauty and personal accomplishments. The feeling I get after any run is amazing and euphoric. Running or training makesme a stronger person. Running has made me happier and better at all other areas in my life. I love running, and my love for running is really what drives me every day. I love the challenge that running represents: how deep I can dig inside myself to push harder or to keep going. For me, it’s always about improving myself and growing as a person.

Follow Renee High’s journey on her blog: http://reneehigh.com/