Runner, Jessica Eastman

Jessica is a member of the RAF Running Club. She and I started running together back in, well we don't really know, so we're going with January . We actually met in HIIT class though and one day the topic of shopping in Cambridge came up. She had never been to Cambridge & I couldn't believe it, so I offered to take her. From there our friendship bloomed and blossomed and then one day in the Sauna I said, "Hey, you wanna do this mud run with me". She agreed, not really knowing what she'd just signed herself up for. 

Every since then I have asked her time & time again, "Hey, you wanna..." She has agreed all but once...I'll tell you a secret, Jessica does not like heights! So she climbed a mountain with me but not a monument. She likes to keep her feet on the ground, not skinny, spiral staircases. I love how willing she is and that she is always game for coffee! She is a great friend. I'm so glad we met and I'm really going to miss her! 

Now, let me introduce you to my friend JESSICA!!!  

First tell us a little about yourself:

Age: 33

Married: Married to James

Parent: Mother of 4 boys

Do you work outside the home:  I don't work outside the home. 

We're getting ready to move to Shaw AFB, South Carolina.

How do you find time for running along with your everyday life: I give myself permission to have a few dust bunnies in my house and not define my worth by how OCD clean my house is. I get a far greater sense of worth from running and my fitness accomplishments.

How and when did you first get into running: My running journey started when I ran a 5k for Breast Cancer on RAF Lakenheath in the autumn over 2 years ago. I had just started working out on 9 July 2011 to lose weight. When I brought the idea of running up to my husband-- the crazy look he gave me was enough to make sure I went and did it. He looked at me like yeah okay chic, no way you're running 3.1 miles. I was still over 200lbs. I finished dead last carrying a then 5 year old on my back, with my other three kids running along side me. I collapsed at the finish in the grass and cried. I went home telling myself never again. I couldn't walk without limping for a few days but my kids were so incredibly proud of me. I started running around my village. I kept entering 5ks. I took my boys with me. I told the eldest two to grab my arms if I tried to walk or quit and pull me along. They kept me laughing, even with tears streaming down my face, and their blind love, devotion, and sometimes shouting "Don't you QUIT on us MAMA" kept me running through the pain and the feeling of "I'll never REALLY be a runner." I kept working out. I kept running. Before I knew it, I entered my first half marathon on RAFM Sept 9, 2012. I finished second to last in 3:20:55, didn't receive a coin for completing the race, and couldn't walk for 3 days after and felt defeated again by this crazy thing called running. I sobbed to my husband, "never again." HE was incredibly proud of me and encouraged me to try again. I ran another half in Reading, and I went back and ran RAFM half. This time getting coined by the commander. To date, I've run and bettered my time in 4 half marathons.. My favorite distance is the half. 

How has running impacted your life: I'm a completely different person because of running. It's impacted my life by being able to chase and play with my kids without being out of breath, being able to be fit and healthy, being happy with the girl looking back at me naked in the mirror.

Does anyone else in your family run:  Everyone in my family now runs. My husband James for his PT test focuses on the 1.5mi run but has committed to training for a 5k/10k with me at our next duty station. My sons Logan (15), Grant (13), Hunter( 11), and Mason (7) all run with me and at school. The furthest I push them to run is a 5k. The oldest two could probably run farther but I want running to be fun and easy. The 5k distance is short, sweet, and we crack up laughing as we do it.

Do you run alone or with friends: I like to run alone and with others. It all depends on the mileage and my mood.

What was your fitness like before running: NONEXISTENT.

I run because: It's my ME time.

Your favorite running gear: I love Nike running bottoms, Mizuno Wave Rider shoes, my Garmin Forerunner 210, my Moving Comfort Maia sports bra, Nike Dri-fit socks, and all my race shirts. My husband swears I sign up just for the shirts.

What has been your biggest accomplishment as a runner: I may hurt, have blisters and bleeding toes...but I don't quit. I always, always finish. Each time I cross that finish-line it is a wonderful accomplishment and I feel blessed that I am able to do so.

What advice would you give to new runners:  I'd tell new lady runners to get a proper sports bra, good running shoes, and find someone to run with.

Races:

    What distances have you ran: I've run 3k, 5k, 10k, and halfs. I've done Santa runs, mud runs, and looking forward to my first color run this weekend.

    What are your favorite distances & types of runs: My favorite distance is the half.

    What do you look for in a race before signing up: I look for good support (will they have water, gels, toilets, medical personnel). I also look at the bling because I love being able to display my accomplishments

    What are your current personal records: My current PB is 2:39:27 for Edinburgh's half.

    What was your most memorable race: My most memorable race was a 10K night run in Victoria Park, London. I ran with some awesome ladies and felt in my heart for the first time that I actually have some business calling myself a RUNNER. I finished under my goal in 1:09:23.

Motivation & Inspiration:

    What motivates/inspires you to lace up your shoes and step out the door time & time again:  I am motivated watching people do their best no matter their fitness level. I cry watching women run for the first time who are struggling but they don't quit. I am amazed watching elites blast by running effortlessly. There's beauty in all of it for me.

    Have you experienced a runner’s high:  I do experience the runner's high once I finish the race.

    What about those miles that make you feel like quitting, how do you push through: When I want to quit, I tell myself there will come a day when I can no longer run. Today is not that damn day and I pray to the Lord to help me find it from somewhere to keep going. I sing aloud, I dance, I cry when it hurts but I don't let myself stop. Laughing while it hurts keeps me moving and going. I never want to disappoint or hold back the people I am running with and it pushes me to go even when my legs want to fall off.

    Do you have a running coach or mentor:  Jessica & I were talking about runners, more specifically women runners, thinking that they are nothing special, that nobody cares or they don’t matter. Women in general just do not think to highly of themselves uh? That was the question I asked Jessica and this is what she said, “Wow. Bad bad bad. Cuz they all rock! They are special because look how they change their families lives. Look at what Cindy did for me! My whole family runs now, we're really healthy, my mom runs, my brother is back into running and I've inspired my cousins. All because Cindy encouraged me. She ran with me and told me I was doing well and she really made me feel like I could do this. It was a 4mi run and I was going to quit. I was crying and Cindy ran back around and ran with me. It was just so sweet and positive and I am convinced god put her in my life in that moment as my angel to keep me running and going”.

     When did you realize you loved running: When I was running a trail to the Honington Camp Post Office I had this moment running in the sunshine under an arbor of trees where i could feel my feet flying and one step to the next was effortless and easy my legs didn't hurt my lungs didn't burn and it was magic.

Diet:

    Have you lost or gained weight due to running:  I went from being 230lbs to now weighing in at 165lbs. I still want to lose or shift 15lbs from fat to muscle.

Music:

    Do you run with it or without it & why:  If I run by myself I like to run with music. If I am running with a group I like to run without it and just talk to each other.

    Top 3 fav songs on your running playlist right now: Top three songs : Skrillex featuring the Doors - Breaking a Sweat, Alicia Keys-- Girl on Fire, Bruno Mars-- Locked out of Heaven.

Injuries:

    Experienced them & did they make you want to quit: I've been very fortunate to not be injured from running.

    Have you lost any toenails:  I've not lost any toenails and am very thankful to have been properly fitted with my Mizunos in a 9.5 ( I walk around wearing a 8 or 8.5 in regular shoes). I also keep my nails lacquered and cut well back from the edge of my toe. I think this helps.

Dreams & Goals:

   What is your running goal this year:  My running goal this year is to run the Hard Rock Café Nashville Marathon on November 9th.

   What is your running dream:  My running dream is to run the London Marathon or the NYC Marathon and finish in under 5hrs.

   If you could run your weekend run with anyone in the world who would it be: I'd always pick my best friend Tonya because she's easily the best person to run with, get lost with, and have a good time with.