Episode 15: Anne French – It’s Never Too Late To Learn A New Skill
by Nikki Parnell — July 10, 2020
This week we have on Anne French! Anne is a newish runner, a mom of two teenagers and does Taekwondo and Brazilian jujitsu. She shares about how she got into running two and a half years ago, what she’s learned in training for her first 50k, she describes her involvement in Bend’s local running community and more! Probably our greatest reminder from our time with Anne is that it is never too late to try something new in life and you never know — it could actually turn into one of your greatest passions!
In this episode, Anne starts off joking about how she actively avoided running until age 42 and only got into the sport because she wanted to cut weight and build fitness for jujitsu. A broken hand forced her off the mats and led her to run more. She joined a 10k training group at Footzone – Bend’s amazing running shoe store, and quickly fell in step with the running community. Anne describes the lessons she’s learned, the support she’s received from other runners and the excitement and empowerment that we all know and feel when you run a new distance you never thought you could run. We hear about how Anne built up to ultra distance training, what it’s like having a coach, and that anyone who has a goal of any kind is worthy of being coached to help them achieve it – coaches are NOT just for elites. I so agree with that!
We talk with Anne about her martial arts – how she got into it, how it gave her a fitness base which paved the way for her to get into running, how she and her daughter are testing for black belts this summer (SO COOL!) and how the mental strength and patience she has cultivated from her martial arts work has translated into her running. Her favorite running mantra is “Run the mile you’re in” which is such a great way to intentionally stay present to the task at hand.
One profound thing that stood out to me during this episode is the interwoven threads of support and inspiration Anne has with her son and daughter. Anne got into Jujitsu because of her kids. Then her daughter got into running because of Anne. They’re all in this together, training together, and that is so neat. Plus, the empowerment of knowing that you and your daughter are capable of defending yourselves, when you’re a woman running alone, is so powerful. And Anne’s daughter being a teenager in today’s society is also equipped with the valuable knowledge that running and exercise helps her care for her body in a healthy way. She can focus on being strong vs. focusing purely on body image, which is so easy to do in high school.
We loved our time with Anne and appreciated the reminder of how trail running is a skill that takes learning, relearning and practicing to keep getting better at over time. I constantly forget the basics I learned when I first started running and it’s so valuable to revisit them because they are the core of this sport.
So, hit the button below to play the episode or search “Run Hard Mom Hard” anywhere you get your podcasts! Give it a listen and don’t forget to subscribe and share it with you running buddies – or any of those friends you’re hoping to convert into running buddies! This will exemplify for them that it is not only possible to get into running but they also might fall in love with the sport!
Show Notes:
Nikki’s Favorite thing: Suunto Ambit 3
Stef’s Fave: Treeline Journal Running Hat!
Find Anne on Instagram
Anne’s Coach: Eve with Rising Mountains Coaching
Anne’s Favorite Race: Race for the Roses in Portland, OR
Anne’s Favorite Meal: Taco Bowls with Homemade Taco Seasoning
That’s it! If you enjoyed this podcast, consider supporting Treeline Journal by: (1) signing up for our weekly Rise & Grind Newsletter; (2) picking up one of our custom running hats or stickers from our shop; or (3) becoming a patron through Patreon for as little as $2 a month! Thank you so much!