Stephanie Devlin

Q: When did you begin running and why?
I began running in the fall of 2000 to maintain and improve my overall fitness. I spent the summer of 2000 studying away from home, along with hiking and biking with friends. As with almost every first adult trip away, it was a transformative experience. When I returned, I had a renewed interest in staying in shape, so I could take advantage of similar opportunities in the future. I was drawn to running, because it kept me outdoors and improved my fitness.

Q: How did you find out about DCRR and when did you join?
I found out about the DCRR club through a friend and fellow member, Nick Geboy. He spoke highly of the Saturday Long Runs (SLR). As a way of joining others and learning running routes around DC, I started running with SLR and it’s remained my go-to weekend long run. I live in Bethesda, so SLR has been the best way for me to experience running in and around DC.

Q: What are you training for right now?
Right now, I’m training to be injury free with a focus on being ready for Oiselle Team running camp in August. Recently, I have been struggling with knee pain with flare-ups in October and again in mid-January. I’m working with a physical therapist to strengthen my support muscles, realign my stride, and increase my cadence. All with a focus on immediate and long-term minimizing the forces that load my knee while running. Once my knee pain is under control, I will set racing goals for the season.

Q: What is the toughest run or race you’ve ever participated in?
The DCRR Bluemont 5K! My experience is that race is always held on a day close to 100-degrees. With the day’s heat and that horrible Rt 66 noise wall radiating more heat onto the trail, I often suffer a lot during that 5K.

Q: What’s your favorite part about being a DCRR member?
The low key race series. Inexpensive, healthy, social, and fun.

Q: What’s the most important lesson running has taught you?
Running has taught me the value of a training plans and follow-through. With proper training, one can race strong, finish strong, and still walk and function as a normal human being the next day.

Q: What is your favorite route in the area?
It’s hard to choose. For short daily runs, I love the Bethesda Trolley trail, which I use to run commute to and from work. For longer runs, the network of Rock Creek, Capital Crescent, and Georgetown Branch trails is amazing. I can make my way along those mostly shaded trails from home all the way into DC and back.

Q: What race day traditions do you have?
Nerves, stomach butterflies, and dynamic pre-race stretches

Q: What’s your proudest running moment?
In 2012, I PR’ed at each race in the Runner’s World Festival, so the 5K, 10K, and half marathon all in one weekend. I had not expected to do so well and was thrilled.

Q: What’s your life like outside of running?
My life besides running is filled with science, cooking, my family, my fiancé’s bike racing, and trips to the dog park. I work as a Geophysicist for the federal government. I read a lot of food blogs and love cooking the recipes I find interesting. I’m constantly on the phone with my sisters and/or Facetiming with their kids. Sunny’s (my fiancé’s) racing allows us to travel to bike races throughout the mid-Atlantic and beyond through the spring and summer.

Q: What is one thing you wouldn’t run without?
Let’s be real here, a sports bra. Next most important, a hat for sun protection.