EBR Rock Star: Jessica Stevens
It’s EBR Rock Star time! Today we’re chatting with Jessica Stevens, who — on November 18 — will run a half marathon with her mom (how awesome is that??), and is part of our Fall Fun Run. (Have you shared your run with us yet? You really should!) Welcome, Jessica! You look adorable in a tutu!
When and why did you start running?
I started running last December 31. It’s been 10 months since my first run ever. My Aunt Anita from Texas signed my mother up for the Disney Princess Half Marathon and my mom kept telling me about it but she would never go out the door to run. I finally decided to look it up on the internet and discovered that it was 13.1 miles. I think my mom and I panicked so I registered so that I could make sure my mom crossed the finish line alive. It was so much fun training with my mom that we decided to keep running. We signed up for other runs after that. I love to run because it allows me to clear my mind and have some peace. I teach elementary students during the day and I am a mom of four children so running allows me to have a few moments to reflect and think about what I have to do next.
I love that your upcoming November 18 half marathon will be with your mom (and that you’re planning to run a full marathon with your mom!)! What inspired you to run together?
My mother and I started running together because of the Princess Half Marathon. Now we are addicted to running. We have fun and encourage each other along the way. We try to wear somewhat matching outfits when we do a race. Today we finally figured out what we are going to wear to the Women’s Half Marathon in November.
Talk to us about running with people. Particularly on long training runs and races do you chat or listen to your own music? Do you stick together the whole way or plan on some meet up points along the way?
I love getting together with friends to run. We usually will just meet up and go our own pace. It seems that everyone I know doesn’t run the same pace as I do. My mother even goes on her own as well. I have been averaging about a 10-11 minute mile. My goal for my fall race is to complete the Half at a 10:30 pace. It’s just nice to see your friends out on the road and we smile and meet up when we all are finished. Then we talk about how it went. I personally like to run without music. It’s nice to have some alone time to think about what is going on. I also use that time to pray and ask God for strength because I know in my own strength I could never even run a mile.
Let’s talk eating! What’s your favorite pre or post race snack or meal?
I have been blessed with an amazing husband who is usually ready to cook me pancakes as soon as I get home. Most of the time they are fresh off the stove. His pancakes are the best and my whole family loves them. Before I run, I like to drink a tall glass of orange juice and have a whole wheat English Muffin with peanut butter on top.
Are you inspired by any running bloggers? If so, who?
I LOVE reading the Skinny Runner blog. She is amazing because she runs so many miles a day. I wish I had her time and energy.
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Jessica is a wife, mother of four children, and teacher in a small town in Plant City, Florida. You can learn more about Jessica at Mom to Marathon. She developed passion for running 11 months ago and is excited to complete her third 1/2 marathon in November. When not running, Jessica is busy chasing her children around and driving them to their basketball games, church events, and track meets. She’s looking forward to her first full marathon in January.
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Wow, new to running, ran a half and training for a full marathon?! You go! And your mom too! Awesome. Keep at it and thanks for sharing your story.
I want to run the princess half sooo bad. I’m hoping to make it happen. I love those tutus!!
Running a marathon with her mom? I’m Impressed!
I got the tutus on Ebay. The Princess 1/2 was a great first for us. They have fireworks and nonstop entertainment along the route! I love reading the stories of everyone running. It’s such great encouragement to keep running no matter what age, size, or how slow or fast we are.
As Jessica’s Aunt I’d like to say a big “Thank you” to her for getting her mom, my sister Nancy out there running. When I first heard that both my sisters Nancy & ANita were running I just about fainted because they were the last two people I ever thought would be running much less doing marathons. I’m not a runner yet but as soon as I’ve healed from a recent surgery I’m hoping to be out there hitting the pavement. I’m so proud of all 3 of them!