Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/701910
torrancememorial.org PULSE | 25 H E A LT H I E ST P E R S O N I K N OW years. Just keeping track of everything is its own reward. I set a goal at the beginning of the year for how many miles I want to run over the entire year. Last year my goal was 1,000 miles, and I ran something like 1,050 miles. I also run a half marathon each year although 10K races are more my normal distance. Why half marathons? TM: It gives me a goal; I'm a goal- oriented person. e half marathon is perfect. It's not too long and it adds to my training , but the extra training doesn't take up too much time. When I'm signed up for the half, I do kick my mileage up beforehand. It's really fun to be with all of those people running , and it's awesome to see people out there supporting runners they don't even know. Watching the people who really compete and win those things— they're amazing. For me, the challenge is mainly just trying to get a better time each race. What do you do to minimize the wear and tear of running? TM: I haven't had knee problems, but I have had some back problems, so I started taking yoga classes through Torrance Memorial. My mom is huge into the exercise classes here at the hospital—she takes six classes a week. On Saturday mornings I take yoga with Mom, and since I've done that I feel a lot a better. I have an SI (sacroiliac) joint issue, and all of the breathing and stretching has helped with that. So I do stretching and yoga, and now that I'm a little bit older I don't run every day. I do vary my routine: during the summer I run 25 to 30 miles a week, but in the winter it's more like 15 or 20 miles. In the g ym I pretty much do the elliptical or ride the recumbent bike. On those machines there's no impact really. Do you have to watch your diet? TM: Yes, I do have to watch what I eat. I wish I could eat whatever I wanted! Exercising more regularly makes me want to eat more healthfully, so I eat pretty well all during the week, and then on the weekend I eat more treats. I love ice cream—any chocolate flavor—and I love Mexican food. But I've also just discovered Brussels sprouts. ey're my newfound thing. I never ate them until about six months ago, and now I love them, roasted. Sometimes I add a little bacon—but only sometimes! What's the most memorable place you've run? TM: My husband is from the Bay Area, and we're Giants fans. Last year I ran a half marathon that ended in AT&T Park, the Giants' stadium. at was really cool. And my daughter is a student at Virginia Tech. I run the Huckleberry Trail there at least three or four times a year when I visit her. It's six miles and a really nice run. She's graduating this year so I guess I will have to run it one more time before she leaves!