Kristine Gift

Q: When did you begin running and why?
I started running in high school because I needed another sport on my schedule to avoid 6:00 am gym class. I signed up for cross country with a friend because we figured they can’t make you run at practice for 2+ hours every single day (we were right). After a couple seasons of cross country, I started running half marathons instead because I thought it was more fun to run one race every few months and get a shirt and a medal at the end than to race every week.

Q: How did you find out about DCRR and when did you join?
I heard about DCRR from some of the Oiselle Volee members that came to my Wednesday am runs, and I officially joined last November so I could participate in the Snowball Series.

Q: What are you training for right now?
I am training for the Philly Marathon in November. I’ll be trying to nab a marathon PB since my current one was set over seven years ago!

Q: What is the toughest run or race in which you have participated?
One year I did the Fingerlake 50s with the intention to do the 50K, which is two loops. Conditions were terrible! It was nearly 80 at the start at 6 am, 100% humidity, and it was pouring down rain off and on throughout the race. The course was almost entirely gloopy, steal-your-shoes mud, and I bailed after the first loop because I was so miserable after doing so much sliding around.

Q: What is the most important lesson running has taught you?
Running has taught me that it is worth it to persevere . . . most of the time. I have a good sense of when it’s right to call it quits versus keep pushing through, and that applies to lots of situations outside running. I’ve never regretted a DNF at a race or a DNF at a job, a TV show I don’t like, whatever!

Q: What is your favorite route in the area?
My favorite route is Quadruple Bridges. I usually run it from Courthouse by going down to Mt Vernon trail and heading south to 14th St Bridge across to DC, then up Ohio Drive to Arlington Memorial Bridge back to VA, then up Mt Vernon trail to the Roosevelt Bridge to the Kennedy Center and then up Rock Creek trail and the Georgetown waterfront to Key Bridge for the final river crossing. When I run it from home it’s 10 miles, but you can start at Teddy Roosevelt Island parking lot and get about 8 miles in!