Mary Ross

City: St Paul State: MN

Favorite Shoe: Asics DS Trainer Size: 6.5

Age: 53.6 years old

What I do for work:
I teach kindergarten. Not only do I love my job, it very conveniently leaves my summers free to run, run, run!

Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:
White Bear Lake, MN
St. Paul, MN
Hmm, aside from lacking mountains, it is a beautiful city to live, run and work in. A summer home in Colorado would be the perfect case of "best of both worlds".

When I started running and what got me started:
In 1998 I was a very casual runner (1-2 times/wk, max of 5 miles). My sister wanted to run her first marathon and wanted me to train and run with her. I somehow said "yes" after a few adult beverages one night... I was hooked!

What does running mean to me:
Determination, freedom, peace, nature, solitude, energy, perseverance, accomplishment... the great escape.

Running accomplishments: View my Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon results

What I like about trail/mountain running:
What is not to love?! No cars, no mile markers, new challenges, and what I lack in speed on the roads can be at least a tiny bit redeemed by my perseverance on the trails!

Favorite trail/mountain race and why:
Pikes Peak Marathon. It was my first mountain/trail race and I love the challenge.

Neatest thing found on a run:
A horseshoe!

Other hobbies and interests:
Camping, reading, biking, hiking, traveling and champagne drinking!

Other stuff:
A funny story: I'm a kindergarten teacher and after a race, my students ALWAYS ask me... "did you win"? No matter how much I've improved or how great my race was, the answer has always been "No, but I did well for myself, winning isn't the only important thing... blah, blah, blah". The one time I did win (albeit a tiny local 5k) I was quite excited to go to work the next day and share my news and get asked "the question". Not a single kid asked! I know I SAID winning wasn't important but come on!

Page last modified: 4/23/2009