Meet the Athlete: Megan Niesen
Name: Megan Niesen
Age: 26
Hometown: CO -> SD -> NE
Current residence: Lincoln, NE
Occupation/Degree you are working towards: I’m a sales rep at Hudl
High School: St. Pat’s Catholic School in North Platte, NE
College (major/minor): UNL. Major is Nutrition, Health, and Exercise Science. Minors in Psychology and Family Studies.
What is your running background? I ran cross country during high school, starting road racing in college, and starting running competitively after college. That is when I joined Team NE ☺
Favorite distance to run? Half marathon! It’s quick, all-out, and you have to focus. It’s challenging, but equally rewarding.
What are your future running goals? I would like to qualify for Boston again, because going to Boston was one heck of an experience. I would also like to run a sub 1:30 half marathon.
I can’t run without…? Pepper spray haha!
Do you do anything to stay injury free? Cross-training and lots of stretching.
Do you have a favorite running book/podcast/movie/athlete? Favorite athlete is Shalane Flanane Flanagan. And I love to watch food network when I’m running on the treadmill 😉
What is your favorite race you have competed in the past? The Good Life Halfsy! Always!
What is your number one bucket list race you would like to do in the future? Sedona Half Marathon.
Do you have any advice to other runners? Always keep pushing. You never know when you might have the greatest race of your life, set a new PR, or complete an awesome training cycle.
What are your PRs? 5K 21:55, 10K 41:22, half marathon 1:31:05, full marathon 3:27:48
How long have you been an LRC-Nebraska member? Almost 2 and a half years. It’s been awesome!
What excites you the most about being an LRC-Nebraska athlete? I love the competition, and my teammates are always there to push me in races.
What does a typical training week look like for you? Walk us through your daily routine (training related and otherwise): Lots of coffee, currently running 4-5 times per week, 2-3 of cross training and strength. 1 run is 8-10 miles, another is speed work, another is a tempo run, and the last run of the week is easy.
We all approach training and racing differently, so tell us what your short-term and long-term goals are with running: Short-term, I want to become faster and stronger. Mainly for injury prevention. Long-term, I want to crush my PR’s for the half and full marathon.
Where are your 3 favorite places to do long runs at the moment? I love going out to the Jamaica Trail, anywhere in South Lincoln, or around some of the awesome lakes just outside or in Omaha.
After a solid race or long run, what is your favorite meal to demolish and replenish those calories? Please use details and give recommendations! I’m ashamed to call this a meal….but brownies and ice cream! It must be boxed brownies that I have freshly made. If I had to pick a real meal, it would be Toppers Pizza. Their buffalo chicken ranch pizza is crazy good!
Share a crazy training or racing story, or simply an interesting moment in time: I was once attacked by the smallest, most innocent-looking bird. I was supposed to be on an easy run, but I booked it all the way home!
What book are you currently reading or TV show are you binge watching? Currently watching the bachelor and anything on Food Network.
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? Everybody by the Backstreet Boys. Simply because that’s my favorite song to run to 😉
