 Here is what we know as fact about Nikki Reinsbach. She takes awesome photos, loves her kids and runs really fast! Nikki proves that you do not have to be tied down by labels in running as she actively participates in triathlon, trail running and road races. We are thrilled to have Nikki on board as a pacer in the upcoming Sioux Falls Skedaddle and look forward to cheering her on throughout her upcoming race schedule. Enjoy getting to know Nikki in her own words! What/who inspired you to start running? I was always an active child; my parents would tell you they couldn’t get me off my bike and I was a pool rat at the local swimming hole. In high school I started to get more interested in health and healthy eating. I can’t pinpoint any one or anything in particular that inspired me, just that one day I pulled the trigger, went for a run and experienced my first runner’s high. I remember it so clearly, just that feeling of being able to go forever. That was the turning point for me, I knew running was my jam. When did you start running? I started running in High School when I joined cross county as a junior. I really wanted to join as a freshman/sophomore but was too scared to pull the trigger. I absolutely loved cross country, so I tried track which ended up being a huge no-go for me! Where is your favorite place to run? Anywhere outside!! Preferably on a trail, surrounded by nature. But I also really enjoy going back home to Iowa and running on country roads, taking in the smell of the corn fields and the lake in the summers. What is your favorite weather to run in? I would choose any amount of heat/humidity over cold, winter running because I love to work up a good sweat when I run. But ideal weather would be 50-60 degrees, no wind and sunshine. Do you prefer group runs or solo runs? I do 80% of my running solo, however I go back and forth between running solo and joining in with group runs. I think they both have benefits and they both have their place in a training cycle or just general hobby running. When I am training for something, it seems I tend to do mostly solo running. When I am feeling unmotivated or burned out, I tend to gravitate more towards group runs. Have you experienced any dreaded injuries, and if so, how did you cope and persevere? In my 18 years of running, I have had minimal injuries. Last September (2019) I rolled my ankle really bad, but like a typical runner, continued running on it anyways, until my gate was so distorted that it caused the worst knee pain I have even experienced. I ended up going to a sport chiropractor who was able to get me back on track with several sessions of Graston and ARP therapies. More recently, I am working through high hamstring tendonitis. I have figured out that this mostly flares up when my gate is off and I start striding out too much. Backing off on speed work and hill training is very helpful. Also making sure to incorporate weekly running drills is really helpful in making sure my stride stays optimal. Also making sure to strength train and stretch consistently. Really to stay injury free, I have found it to be so important to balance all components: strengthening, stretching, and making sure to get in a variety of cross training as a means to prevent overtraining. What’s your favorite post-run meal? Most definitely a cheeseburger and a good craft beer! What are some barriers you have faced in your running journey? As the distances get longer, finding the time to train gets more challenging. Learning how to run smarter has proven to be super beneficial. As my kids get old, I am learning to adjust my running times to fit around their activity scheduled, which generally for me means getting up much earlier in the mornings to run. Another barrier for me is working through burnout or working to not reach the point of burnout. I have such a profound love of running that I find it hard to back off even when I know I should. What advice would you give to somebody thinking about starting to run? Start where you are and do your best not to compare to anyone else or where you may have been at some other point in your life. Everyone had to start somewhere. Start with run/walk intervals. Over time, the running will get easier and eventually you will be able to eliminate the walking. Focus on the feeling you get when you are done. Sometimes getting going is hard, give yourself ample time to warm up. Sometimes I tell myself, I will just go for 10 minutes, then after 10 minutes I feel warmed up and more motivated to continue for a longer duration. Describe your best “runner’s high” moment. I don’t think I can say that one runner’s high is better than another. They are all a state of sheer bliss. Generally unpredictable. Sometimes they happen on an easy run day. Sometimes they happen on race day. Sometimes they make frequent appearances and sometimes they seem to go MIA for extended periods of time. The older I get, the more I am learning to appreciate and embrace them as the pop up.        AuthorThis article was produced by the 605 Running Company marketing team. If you would like to submit a story idea please email [email protected]
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