Meet the Athlete: Haleigh Brouillette
Name: Haleigh Brouillette (pronounced like Juliette)
Age: 29
Hometown: Elkhorn
Current residence: Lincoln
Occupation/Degree you are working towards: I’m Corporate Operations Manager at Hudl
High School: Elkhorn High School
College (major/minor): UNL, minor in Textiles, Merchandising, and Fashion Design and minors in Marketing and French
What is your running background? I ran cross country my senior year of high school because I got cut from volleyball and the coach pestered me enough into finally joining the XC team. I didn’t think running was for me, but really enjoyed the team and my coach and fell in love with the sport after that first season.
I continued to run on my own throughout college, sticking to half and full marathons because…I don’t know why. It was college and I had the free time? I didn’t really know there were other distances people raced? I was trying to avoid the freshman 15? Whatever the reason, it helped me find a network of friends in Lincoln and gave me a foundation to continue running and enjoying it today.
Favorite distance to run? If it’s a race – marathon. If I’m just going out for a run, I love long runs because I treat myself to a Velvet Elvis from NuVibe after.
What are your future running goals? My husband and I are expecting our first child at the end of January, so my goals have changed quite a bit over the last year.
In the short term, being able to run without stopping and learning how to use a jogging stroller (other parent runners – advice is welcome!). I’m looking forward to seeing the different ways my mind and body have gotten stronger throughout pregnancy and how that impacts training.
Long term, I have three goals all focused around the marathon: break 3:05:00 (current PR is 3:05:23, but that was a few years ago), then break 3:00:00, then qualify for the Olympic Trials.
I can’t run without…? being outside. I’m not a fan of the treadmill and will pretty much always opt outside.
Do you do anything to stay injury free? I’ve been a slow learner in this area. I’m finally learning to slow down and take care of my body though – take time off when my body says it needs it, actually stretch instead of fake stretch after runs, and do strength exercises. One of the reasons I run is to take care of my body. If I’m constantly injured, then I’m not meeting that goal.
Do you have a favorite running book/podcast/movie/athlete? Lately, Alysia Montano. She has a great attitude and shows how motherhood doesn’t stop an athletic career. Give her a follow on Instagram if you need a little extra inspiration.
What is your favorite race you have competed in the past? The Twin Cities marathon. I had a great race, it’s so well supported, and the course is awesome.
What is your number one bucket list race you would like to do in the future? Oh man, that’s a good question. The London marathon comes to mind. I’ve knocked out Chicago and Boston, so London and NYC are next on the list. London tops NYC because it also means I’d get to take a trip overseas 🙂
Do you have any advice to other runners? Find people you enjoy running with. They’ll hold you accountable and make the miles that much more enjoyable. My running friends have been the best listeners (it doesn’t hurt that they’re a captive audience) and advice-givers I could ask for.
What are your PRs? Marathon – 3:05:23
I keep track of the others because I love spreadsheets, but this is the only one that matters to me.
How long have you been an LRC-Nebraska member? Technically since January, but I joined Team Nebraska in…2009? I think? It was a while ago 🙂
What excites you the most about being an LRC-Nebraska athlete? Having a network of people with similar goals who understand what running means.
What does a typical training week look like for you? Walk us through your daily routine (training related and otherwise): Well, right now a typical week is walking my dog ~1 mile a couple times a week. I was able to run (I use the word “run” pretty loosely here) up until about 35 weeks pregnant, then my body decided that wasn’t going to happen anymore.
When I’m not growing a human, I usually run 6 days a week and try for yoga on day 7. How far and when depends pretty heavily on the time of year.
We all approach training and racing differently, so tell us what your short-term and long-term goals are with running: See above 🙂
Where are your 3 favorite places to do long runs at the moment? I live near Billy Wolfe and Rock Island trails, so those are go-to’s. Otherwise, I like starting at Holmes Lake and taking the trails around Lincoln from there.
After a solid race or long run, what is your favorite meal to demolish and replenish those calories? Please use details and give recommendations! Velvet Elvis with a shot of espresso from NuVibe. Depending which barista you get, it tastes a little different each time, but 13/10 would recommend it.
Share a crazy training or racing story, or simply an interesting moment in time: I’m sure as soon as I send this off I’m going to remember a really good story, but right now only one comes to mind.
Shannon Suing and I were doing a morning long run in Lincoln, only to finish and find out that there’d been an earthquake during it. Neither of us had any idea, but friends said their walls were swaying and things fell over. The one time in my life I’ll probably be in an earthquake and I had no idea.
What book are you currently reading or TV show are you binge watching? My husband and I started watching Cheers on Netflix. Compared to Game of Thrones, which we recently made our way through, it’s a nice light-hearted watch.
You’re the star of a running movie, and the opening scene is you running on a winding dirt road, with a beautiful sunrise. What song is playing in the background? I’m so bad at music, all I listen to anymore is the opening theme music to podcasts and background music at work. So, I guess the opening to Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me or the ‘coffee table jazz’ playlist on Spotify. Anyone who makes it through that opening scene will be so confused as to why the producers chose that soundtrack. It’ll make for a great movie I’m sure.
