Meet the Athlete: Nicole Norris

Name: Nicole Norris

Age: 37

Hometown: Lincoln, NE

Current residence: Lincoln, NE

Occupation/Degree you are working towards: I work part time at a local candle company, Wax Buffalo and am at home with my 2 girls the rest of the time.  

High School: Lincoln East

College (major/minor): UNL – Business Management

What is your running background? I began running recreationally my freshman year of college.  Some girls on my floor came by one evening and invited my roomates and I to go run with them on the track at the rec.  I don’t remember how far I went but I was instantly hooked.

Favorite distance to run? I think a full marathon. I’ve only done it twice but there is something about it that really special.  Maybe it’s the fact it took me almost 15 years to be able to run one after deciding it was a goal.

What are your future running goals? Break 3 hrs in the full marathon. PR’s in other distances.

I can’t run without…? good shoes. My feet are picky.  

Do you do anything to stay injury free? too much probably. I do some dynamic stretching before every run and pt exercises to strengthen my hips/glutes most nights. I also try to get in some core exercises every week and do a yin yoga class once a week. I’ve dealt with more than a few injures over the years.

Do you have a favorite running book/podcast/movie/athlete? book- run fast eat slow.  i also enjoy cooking and love the philosophy and recipes in this book! movie-not sure if its my favorite but recently watched McFarland, USA and it was great!

What is your favorite race you have competed in the past? Probably my first full marathon. Grandmas in Duluth, MN. It was such a beautiful course, and I was accomplishing what felt like a lifelong dream…and it happened to fall on my birthday:)

What is your number one bucket list race you would like to do in the future? Maybe the NYC Marathon or CIM or Big Sur….

Do you have any advice to other runners? Find people who believe in you and listen to them! Also,  take breaks when you need to. I think that’s really hard to do for most serious runners but can also be really healthy.

What are your PRs? Full – 3:13, Half – 1:25:45, 10K – 39:18, 5k – 19:07

How long have you been an LRC-Nebraska member? about 2 mos.

What excites you the most about being an LRC-Nebraska athlete? I hoping I get to meet more runners in Lincoln and maybe find a few people to run with occasionally.

What does a typical training week look like for you?  Walk us through your daily routine (training related and otherwise): Most days I’m up at 5:30ish to run or cross train. I usually run 6 days/week (though not at the moment due to a sore hip), Yin yoga on Wednesdays at naptime.  A power yoga class on Fridays, my rest day from running usually. Hip/glute/core/foam rolling exercises while watching netflix with my husband after we put the girls to bed most nights.

We all approach training and racing differently, so tell us what your short-term and long-term goals are with running: Short term – break 3 hours in the full – I’m not getting any younger.  Long term – continue to run competitive times for my age group, injury prevention, learn to self – coach, finish a triathlon, run a half or full marathon with one (or both!) of my daughters someday (but only if they want to:), run Boston again, when it is not freezing, raining and windy.

Where are your 3 favorite places to do long runs at the moment? My usual long run starts at my house and i run to the mopac but i would say my favorite long runs happen when i get to do a long run when i travel.  i love experiencing new places via a long run, you end up seeing places you never would have seen otherwise. Any long run by water or with the mountains within sight is a favorite run.

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 usually crave sweet potato fries. lazlos are really good.

Share a crazy training or racing story, or simply an interesting moment in time: Nothing specific comes to mind.

What book are you currently reading or TV show are you binge watching? Currently reading Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor. Currently watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.

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? U2 – I still haven’t found what i’m looking for….it started off my running playlist the year I was able to run next to the ocean any day I wanted to.  It never got old.