All About Emma

All ABOUT EMMA

 

 

How did horseback riding help you overcome Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)?

I love horseback riding, and have been riding my entire life.  Horseback riding, is the perfect way to strengthen my legs and get blood pumping.  POTS causes pooling of blood in the legs, which leads to fainting.  Building up the strength in my legs helped my circulation so much that my episodes almost stopped completely.  It feels amazing to be healthy and riding, again.

How does horseback riding make you feel?

I am so passionate about riding.  I love being out there with my pony, riding free and wild on the trails.

Who’s your pony!?

My pony’s name is Aubrey, she is grey with brown dots all over.

When were you diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome?

I have been fainting since my early teens and it was very difficult to get a proper diagnosis.  I remember going to the emergency-room after having an episode, and the doctors were unable to figure out what was happening to my body. 

One med-student had the audacity to suggest that I was using drugs or faking, because he was stupefied.  Then, the actual doctor came in and asked me to stand up.  The machines went crazy; beeping.  My heart-rate increased by 50 bpm and my blood pressure dropped so low that I fainted, just by standing up. 

That med-student felt terrible, especially after the doctor had a talk with him about how to talk to teenage girls.  I actually ran into him three years later when I was in the emergency-room for an injury, he said that I completely changed the way he looks at patients.

How did POTS change your life?

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia changed my life immensely.  There was a point that I could not stand without fainting.  Being on sports-teams stopped being an option for me.

I went on home-bound tutoring, because I was just too sick to be in regular classes.  Having to find a new normal was really difficult.

How did you feel after your body started healing?

I literally cannot believe how sick this syndrome made me, and I am so grateful to be healthy again.  When life first started to turn around, I felt shocked.  It was shocking to feel healthy waking up in the morning because my symptoms overtook me for years.  I just started to feel better progressively over time.

Have you ever been riding your horse and then fainted?

Once, while horseback riding.  My trainer was talking to my mom at the top of the arena.  I rode towards them, because all of the sudden I started blacking-out during my event. 

It was so embarrassing, I really did not want to stop riding.  Leaning forward, I threw the reins on my trainer.  Everyone was so nervous. Thankfully, I was able to jump off the horse and lay down, safely. 

What helps your symptoms?

I drink about 100 ounces of water every day and eat plenty of salty snacks.

  I put salt on everything, it keeps my blood-pressure from dropping on me. Pretzels, crackers, sea salt on chocolate.

I took Midodrine to raise my blood-pressure for a while, and that significantly helped.

How is college going!?

College is a dream come true.  I am working towards an Agricultural Business Degree.

Do you have advice for anyone struggling with POTS?

Yes.  It is so important to wake up every day and do the best you possibly can.  Setting obtainable goals is the key to finding your new normal. 

Photography, courtesy of Emma Foster.

That Pretty Runner

All About Megan

Megan Kaminska

Team BIDMC: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Training for the Boston Marathon 2016

Cornell University: Finance and Marketing

Loves to Run: Ragnar Relay, Sprint-Triathlon and Half-Marathon

What is your inspiration for running the Boston Marathon in 2016?

I have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity to run the Boston Marathon, for the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.  The hospital has a total of six teams participating in the marathon and I am running for, Team Bowdoin Street Healthy Champions Program. 

The focus of this program is to educate every child about nutrition, fitness, community-building and maintaining a healthful lifestyle.  The Bowdoin Street Healthy Champions Program, supports economically deprived youth to be happy, healthy and alive. 

How did you become involved with your cause?

Currently, I am a professional fundraiser for the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.  My job is to meet with patients and physicians doing research, to help others be philanthropic. 

Everyone in my office, encouraged me to submit an application to run the Boston Marathon.  Shortly after submitting my application, I was placed on Team Bowdoin Street Healthy Champions Program. 

I truly have an adoration for children, and passion of educating the youth to live a healthful lifestyle.

What are your goals for the Boston Marathon?

I hope to reach my fundraising goal of $7500, for the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.  Finishing the 26.2 mile course, will be such a huge accomplishment.

When will your marathon training officially begin?

January!  My team has a coach and we will all train together. I hope that this winter is not as brutal as the last. 

There was seven feet of snow, covering the sidewalks.  Everyone training for Boston 2015, ran in the middle of the streets!

Where are your favorite places to run in Boston?

Minute-Man Bike Path!  The path is ten miles out, ten miles back, flat, and there is no vehicle traffic.  I also enjoy, the Middlesex Reservation on weekends. 

Depending on the darkness, I run home from work five-miles every day.  I have a zip-belt for my keys and credit cards.

What is your favorite way to stay active?

I absolutely love to play soccer.  Every week, I play league soccer with the Boston Ski and Sports Club. 

Soccer, is a sport that brings together people of all different shapes and sizes.  The teams are co-ed, and I am always being recruited to keep an even number of women in the game!

Do you enjoy coaching youth soccer!?

Yes!  When I moved to Boston, I thought coaching a soccer team would be a fun way to become involved in the community. 

My players are six years old and very funny.  We are the Tiger Sharks! They love chocolate milk, it is their special treat after every game.

How were your Ragner Relay experiences?

The Adirondack Ragnar is a 200 mile, twelve-person relay, I have been running for the past two years.  My team had two vans, both full of six people.  We ran from Saratoga Springs to Lake Placid, and had the most incredible time! 

The Ragnar, is not all about racing, it’s more for commemorating being on a team and enjoying the miles.  I just registered my team to run the Cape-Cod Ragnar, this upcoming May!

How were your Sprint-Triathlon experiences?

When I was still studying at Cornell, my dad drove up to Ithaca so we could have long bike rides together.  After all of our biking adventures, I signed up for my first sprint-triathlon in 2012.

 I have completed the, Finger Lakes Sprint Triathlon, for three years in a row.  It is grueling, to do three different activities during one event.  I love running and biking, but swimming can be a challenge. 

Growing up on a lake I always swam, but never competitively until my triathlons.  Every year, I have placed in my age-group!

How were your Half-Marathon experiences?

I ran the Empire State Half-Marathon twice, in 2012 and 2013.  It is a flat course down and back.  I enjoyed my training runs with friends and family, very much. 

When I crossed the finish-line, both times, I felt exhilarated.  My time improved by ten minutes, the second time around!

Who are your greatest supporters?

My family, have always been there to cheer me on! I need to know that my parents and sister are waiting for me at the finish-line.  They keep me very motivated. 

How long have you been involved with yoga?

My first class was two years ago, at a fantastic yoga studio in Ithaca NY.  Ever since then, I have been hitting a yoga studio 2-3 times a week. 

My favorite is knowing and fluidly transitioning through all the positions in class.  Recently, I tried something that was not quite hott-yoga, but simply toasty-warm.  I am a yogi!

What is your favorite running apparel?

I just bought a pair of new Saucony sneakers!  My favorite running tee’s and tanks are Nike.  In the winter, I always wear the Under-Armor thermal leggings. 

What are your favorite foods?

I love food.  There are all sorts of healthy recipes I whip up for dinner or work, with veggies. Almond milk is always my go-to beverage. 

Though, I am a dreaded sugar-candy addict and I eat way too much sugar!  Lately, I have been using sugar as my reward after working out.

How do you fuel, while running?

Watermelon flavored Sports-Beans are my favorite. They are so hard to eat on the run, usually I just swallow them whole. 

I like to call Sports-Beans "MAGIC BEANS" because after I started eating them my half-marathon time improved by ten minutes!

 

Please visit Megan's Boston Marathon Fundraising page: 

https://www.crowdrise.com/bidmcboston2016/fundraiser/megankaminska

Photography, courtesy of Megan Kaminska.

All About Chris Stogsdill

Chris Stogsdill

Iona College

Stotan Racing Team  

Loves to run : 1500m, 5k and mile

 

What are your running aspirations?

The 1500m, 5k, and mile events have always been my favorites.  After, sitting down with my coach and discussing my progress, we have made goals for the next two years.

I am hoping to qualify for Olympic Trials, the summer of 2016.  In 2017, I hope to compete in the USA Championships to qualify for Worlds.

What are some of your Personal Records?

• 1500: 3:44
• Mile: 4:06
• 3k:  8:18
• 8k: 24:11
• 10k: 30:36

Who are your greatest supporters?

My parents let me come home after college to pursue my professional running career.  My family has been there from the very beginning, cheering me on.  My girlfriend Kayla, is always there for comfort and support.  I am so blessed to have such an amazing support system.

How did you choose Iona College?

Overall, Iona College was the best decision for me both academically and athletically. My high school coach, Coach Jenson, and Coach Ricardo of Iona College sat down with me to discuss my running future over dinner.  

Coach Ricardo, expressed his enthusiasm to be my collegiate coach and made me feel like I was not just another pair of legs.  It meant so much that he traveled all the way to Upstate NY just to meet for dinner and he truly wanted me to run for Iona College.  

What is it like to run on the Stotan Racing team?

Stotan Racing, is a Nike sponsored running club.  The Stotan training week, starts on Monday with a 12-14 mile workout. 

Tuesday is an easy day.

Wednesday, is 11-14 miles.

Thursday and Friday, are recovery days.

Saturday, is the 18 mile long-run. 

Sunday, is an easy 7 mile run.

Typically, we run 85-90 miles every week.  It’s awesome to train with such an amazing team and I really enjoy competing in the meets.

Do you enjoy traveling to your meets?

Yes, I enjoy traveling to my races.   Most of my meets are in NYC and Boston.  Over the summer, I competed in some road races like the 8k in Chittenango, Cazenovia 10 miler on the 4th of July, and Plattsburgh 8k.

How did you start running?

When I was in seventh grade my parents told me, no football.  It was a toss-up between cross-country and soccer.  I decided to run on the cross-country team, and never looked back.

How did it feel once you found your sport?

I found validation through running, and felt confident after being recognized in my sport.

What was it like to be ahead of the pack in your races?

In the beginning of my cross-country career, I always thought that I must have been running in the wrong direction.  I would turn around, find everyone else in the race and realized that I was not lost.  It really made me appreciate my potential to excel in running.

At what point did your competition become intense?

Half-way through high-school, my competition became more intense.  My life-style changed immensely.  I made sure to eat healthy and add extra miles on every week.

What keeps you motivated?

I am motivated by my competition to push myself to my limits, become stronger, and reach my full potential.

What is your typical diet?

When I was in high-school, the night before every race I always ordered a pizza.  Later on in my career, my coach encouraged me to start eating right and not just order pizza. 

Now, the night before a race, I like to have a bowl of pasta without anything extra.  The morning of a race, I typically eat half a plain-bagel or a piece of toast.  My go to for munching, is always small rice-cakes or Ritz-crackers.

What is your favorite workout?

My favorite in college was going to, Long Island Sound for pyramid workouts.  We would build from an 800m distance to a 2k, then work our way back down.  

Currently, I enjoy doing reps of 400’s behind Green Lakes in Upstate NY.  The speed and turnover from running on soft surfaces improves footing immensely.  

What is your favorite running gear?

My go to trainer is always the Nike Zoom Elite 8. This sneaker is lightweight, but still strong enough to endure the long-runs.   As far as clothes go, I am not very picky. 

During summertime, I just wear split shorts and trainers.  My favorite running shirt for the cooler seasons, is a long-sleeve Mizuno thermal.

Where are your favorite places to run?

I love to run through Baltimore Woods in Marcellus NY, the back-roads going into Skaneateles and along the Pike-Line. During college, I enjoyed running through the long-trails at the Rockefeller State Park in Sleepy Hollow.

How does coaching Aim-High make you feel?

Amazing! Every year, is better than the year before.  During high-school, I attended Aim-High Summer Camp every summer and presently being a coach has made everything come full-circle.

When runners come to Aim-High, they make friends they will have forever.  Negativity goes away, and everyone is always running happy. The staff does a great job of setting the tone, and bringing the camp together. 

The Central NY high school and college running scene become one unit and it’s truly a spectacular program to be a part of.  Running is such a great sport because of the positive community.

Photography: Courtesy of Chris Stogsdill.

That Pretty Runner

All About Jesse Garn

All About Jesse Garn

Binghamton University

Studying: Biochemistry

Loves to Run: Cross-Country and Track

What is it like to be an elite-runner and full-time college student?

I have done my best to make sure that class-time and scheduled practice-time do not conflict, but there are some cases where it is simply unavoidable.  If it does happen, I find time to practice in the mornings before class.  Overall, I have been successful both on the track, and in the classroom.

What are your PR’s?

• Mile 3:58.37
• 800 1:46.98

What is your favorite distance?

The 800m is definitely my favorite.  It is short-lived, but a lot can happen in the two-lap race.  Keeps things interesting.

What is your favorite race, ever?

Running the Wanamaker Mile, in the Millrose Games is extremely memorable.  It is a highly regarded race.  I raced with the best collegiate, and professional runners in the business.

What is your favorite song to run to?

No favorite song in particular, music could range from classical to heavy-metal.

How did you feel after running a sub-4 minute mile?

The day I broke the 4-minute mile, is very vivid in my mind.  The race itself took an enormous physical toll.  Knowing that I achieved that feat, made the pain worth it.

What was it like to compete in the USATF Championship?

I have competed in the USATF Outdoor Championships twice.  Both times have been extremely nerve-wracking.  I can usually cope with the pressure of race day, and intense competition.

What is it like to train at the Lake Placid, Olympic Training Center?

I spent two weeks this summer in Lake Placid, and the atmosphere is incredible. The staff at the Olympic Training Center is extremely professional, and there are many scenic places for running.  My favorite, is running around Mirror Lake through the town.

What is a typical week of training like at, Lake Placid?

My summer training has been straight-forward.  Simply, building up distance runs and getting the miles in.

What are your running aspirations?

The goal right now is to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Trials, in either the 800m or 1500m.  Along the way, earning a few more All-American statuses would be huge.

Who are your greatest supporters?

My parents, coaches and teammates do a phenomenal job of believing in me and my dreams.  Before the NCAA's, my mom wrote this amazing poem,

Jesse,

When you were 9 months old

You won your first race

It was a diaper derby

But still a good pace!

Dad at the starting line

Mom at the finish with a bell

What the future would hold

Only God could tell!

It was that same night

God placed on your heart the desire

You started to walk and then ran

Your feet were on fire!

You've nurtured that gift

With blood, sweat and tears

With miles and experiences

Over the years!

Modified and high school

Then off to BU

The sky was the limit

To what you could do!

Meets at Leagues and Sectionals

Then off to New York States

Next Conferences, Regionals,

USA Champs, now the NCAA's!

God bless you! We love you!

Good luck and have fun!

Oh and one more thing

RUN! RUN! RUN!

Love Mama Garn

What is the greatest advice a coach has ever given you?

The best advice I have been given is, "You will learn the most on your worst days.”  It is very true, I am progressively learning from race experience and strategy.

What are your favorite foods to eat before a race?

I usually stick with Subway as my pre-race meal.  Leading up to the race itself, I always snack on goldfish, and granola bars.

What sneakers do you typically wear for track?

I train in Nike Pegasus Trainers, and race in Nike Victory's.

Other than running, what activities do you like to do?

School keeps me busy for the most part.  In my free-time, I enjoy learning guitar and going to see live music.

Do you have advice for rising-running-stars?

My advice is to be patient, especially with those coming back from an injury.  You cannot have results in distance running, overnight.  I just concluded my tenth year of running. It has taken a long time, to reach my level of competiveness and success.

Poetry, written by Elizabeth Garn.

Photography, courtesy of Jesse Garn.

ThatPrettyRunner

ALL ABOUT RYAN MANAHAN

Georgetown University

Studying: Economics

Loves to Run: Cross-Country and Track

How does it feel to be an elite-runner and full-time college student?

Tough, believe it or not.  All of the traveling makes school really difficult, especially while being at Georgetown.  Being on a team, means that I am running for something bigger than myself.

We are like a family.  Day-in and day-out, I live and train with those guys.  Even though it is tough, I would not change it for the world. 

What are your PR’s?

• Mile 3:58.5
• 3k 8:01:0
• 800m 1:47.3

How did it feel to run, the 800m, in the USATF Indoor Championships?

Really, nerve-wracking and funny.  It was my first time coming into the preliminary.  I was freaking out about the preliminary, because there is so much pressure to make the finals.  I finished strong.

It felt awesome making the final and being top 8 All-American. I went into the final with a positive attitude, and finished 5th.  My coaches were stoked!

How did you feel, after running a sub-4 minute mile? How did you celebrate!?

It's not a typical story.  There were six runners from Georgetown, and two were pacers.  I felt like I was in a training run, because there was one teammate in front and one behind me.

Once we crossed the finish line it was 1, 2, 3 Georgetown. We all hugged and our coaches were screaming, “THEY DID IT!” It was really something special, to finish with my friends and teammates. 

That day in the United States, 36 people broke 4-minutes and we were four of them!

What was your greatest challenge this season?

After the USATF Indoor Championship, I went into surgery for a hernia. The following week, a diagnosis of mono, delayed my come-back even more.  At the end of the season I came-back, to run the 800m event in the USATF Outdoor Championship!  

How did you start running?

In the sixth grade, I joined the Marcellus Central Schools Running Club.  I remember winning a 3k overall, and finishing 2nd in my age-group for a 5k.  In the eighth grade, I started running modified cross-country. It was tough to drop baseball and soccer, but running was different.

There is such a great community in the running world.  Runners are so competitive with themselves, but not with competition.  During a race we challenge each other, but afterwards we congratulate everyone.  

How did you choose Georgetown?

Following my junior-year of high-school, on July 1st, coaches could start recruiting.  After getting fifteen different offers, I started researching my options. I really clicked with my current coaches, and teammates.  Georgetown was the best decision for me, both athletically and academically.  

How did running change, transitioning from high-school to college?

My mileage significantly increased from 40 miles a week, to 80 miles a week.  I went from being a big-fish in a small-pond, to running with national champions every day. 

It is humbling when you’re not the best anymore, and the expectations are higher. 

Who have been your greatest supporters?

My high school coach, Oscar Jenson (OBJ), without him I would not be the runner I am today. I still talk to him on the phone several times a year.

This is a tough question, because I have so many supporters.  I always have support from my family, friends, teammates, coaches, and even my biggest rivals.  I need to thank everyone. 

What is the best piece of advice OBJ has ever given you?

My coach’s advice was more important than running advice. OBJ, showed me how to be a man.  My coach, teaches athletes to be grown people in society and he is always there for support. 

In running, everyone loves everyone and appreciates individual success.  Runners really care about each other, and that’s what makes the sport so great. 

Over this summer, what has been the greatest part about training in Mammoth, California?

This summer, I have been training at altitude.  At 6,000 ft. there is about 83% oxygen, versus, if you are up to 8,000 feet it drops to 76% oxygen.  While running, breathing feels more like fighting for air.  

The best part about Mammoth, has been hiking with my friends.  We hiked to, Clouds Rest, eight-miles at 10,000 ft. elevation.  After that, we almost turned around and headed back to the car. Instead, we hiked 12 more miles to Valley. 

The shuttle that was supposed to bring us back to the parking-lot, had already departed.  Everyone was toast.  We hitch-hiked to the car for 16 miles, ration-portioning the last cliff-bar, until someone finally picked us up.  

Every time we go for a hike, something crazy happens!

What is a typical week of training, at Mammoth?

Monday's and Friday's, we have a morning and night session. Tuesday's and Thursday's, we have a morning workout followed by strides. On Wednesday, there’s a recovery long run.  Saturday, we take it easy.  Sunday, we go out on a hard morning-run.

What is your favorite distance?

The mile, is for sure, my favorite distance to race. I feel like it is the American event, because of our metric system!

What are your running aspirations?

My eyes are on the 2020 Olympics!  2016, might be too soon. If I keep progressing the way I have been, my coaches think I can do it.  I hope to run professionally.

What is the most memorable race you have ever ran?

This year, definitely the DMR. It was basically versus Penn State, on their home-track. We were all sophomores and freshman, our legs ran the perfect race.

Everything was right, you would just get amped up! It went 1200m, 400m, 800m, Mile. I ran the 800m. My roommate had the last leg and passed the Penn-runner during the final-lap. 

We won and crushed the school record! After that race, I knew that this year would be something special.

How do you warm-up before a race?  

We run 14-21 minutes, do some drills, and then strides.  I do leg-swings, and sometimes punch my legs to get them loose. Typically, I change up the drills depending on what I need to stretch.

What are your favorite things to eat before a race?

When it comes to eating, I’m not that picky. The night before a race, I try to eat chicken parmesan.  For breakfast, I eat a bagel with peanut butter and a banana. The whole team loves peanut butter!

What is your go-to for cross-training?

Running is the best form of cross-training, for running! I do like aqua-boarding and swimming, too.

Other than running, what are your favorite activities?

Slack-Jumping! I take a tight rope, put it between two trees and jump on it.  I started doing this to strengthen my legs, after having chronic shin-splints. If I were not running, I would play Basketball. LeBron James, is my favorite athlete!

Favorite music to listen to on a run?

I have never listened to music on a run. I just think about stuff or run with someone.  Warming up before a race, I like to listen to bands like Hozier, Mumford and Sons, Kings of Leon, or slow hip-hop acoustic stuff.

Do you have advice for rising-running-stars?

When it comes to running, you have to do it for the right reasons.  Some people run just to get into college, and are miserable once they are there. 

If you enjoy what you do, you will be more successful. I really have a passion for running.  Nothing feels better than being in great shape, and running ten miles for fun!

Photography, courtesy of Ryan Manahan.

That Pretty Runner