Jill Burnie

Q: When did you begin running and why?
I had to run a timed mile in sixth grade for gym class. Although I was athletic, I came in almost last and was dying. I was so upset about it that I started running daily, then in seventh grade I came in second in the school’s mile race and then ran indoor and outdoor track, and have been running ever since.

Q: How did you find out about DCRR and when did you join?
I went to races with friends, and found that the club was made up of a group of nice people, and so I started going to more events and track workouts.

Q: What are you training for right now?
I am getting over a really bad sprained ankle where I could barely walk for 2-3 months, so I’m just ramping back up, to a whopping two miles right now!

Q: What is the toughest run or race you’ve ever participated in?
The Boston Marathon was the hardest, but the most fun marathon I’ve ever run. It rained, it snowed, and it was pretty cold.

Q: What’s the most important lesson running has taught you?
To keep going, and I can endure anything with a little determination.

Q: What is your favorite route in the area?
I love to run down to the National Mall, to the Capitol, and sometimes Hains Point if I have the energy.

Jill Burnie at the Army Ten Miler

Q: What race day traditions do you have?
I always eat some peanut butter on an English muffin before I run, so I don’t get hangry.

Q: What’s your favorite post-race meal?
Brunch!

Q: What’s your proudest running moment?
Probably running the Boston Marathon and the Chicago Marathon

Q: What’s your favorite running book?
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami. His perspective is very interesting.

Q: What’s your life like outside of running?
I live in DC with my small dog, a Papillon named Zoe, who can run a 6-ish minute mile, we run together sometimes. In addition, I love to travel, swim, read, play golf and cook. I work as a writer, within marketing, writing about technology, specifically computer architecture and systems.