Featured Runner “Polly Choate” September 2016

September 5th, 2016 Tags: amazing, badassery, Being Epic, Featured Runners, motivation, perseverance, ultrarunning, unstoppable, why
Posted in Featured Runners, Inspirational, Motivational, Personal Philosophies, Preferences & Opinions

Polly Choate (in her own words): I started running about 15 years ago. I fell in love with it when I discovered trails. Mother Nature…the people…the escape…every single aspect of it.  Trail and ultrarunning is an opportunity to think, to feel…to experience life in its simplest form. Heading out on a run, with virtually nothing but a decent pair of shoes…and just run for hours – that, for me, is an almost indescribable experience. A reflection into your own soul, to meditate on the purpose of one’s existence and find balance and harmony within.

THE BASICS

Date of Birth: May 9, 1971

Place of Birth: Tulsa, OK

Currently Residing: Tulsa

Marital Status: Widowed seven years ago after being married to my first love, Jeff, for 20 years – Now, very happily coexisting with my man, Craddock.

Job(s): Tech Instructor / Rules Admin – REALTOR Association –17 years

Children: One – Lauren

Height: Five Seven

Weight: LOL Depends on the day

Shoe Size: Men’s 10

Best Physical Feature: My eyes (right Jorge Gonzalez?!)

Worst Physical Feature:  My saddlebags

Religion: Love

Political Affiliation: Hardcore Libertarian

Educational Background: BBS from NSU – Marketing

Personal Strength(s): Grounded, giving, analytical

Personal Weakness(es): Critical of myself

Make Of Car You Drive: Chevy HHR

Make Of Car You Would Like To Drive: I love my car

Pets: No thank you

FAVORITES

Favorite Author: Mitch Albom / Scott Blum

Favorite Book: Atlas Shrugged, of course

Favorite Non-running Magazine: I don’t read magazines

Favorite Movie: Grease

Favorite TV Show: Amazing Race

Favorite Actor/Actress: The Rock

Favorite Music: Anything with a good rhythm and purposeful lyrics

Favorite Musical Performer: MJ

Favorite Artist: Myself…or my buddy Todd Sparks – his paintings are amazing

Favorite Spectator Sport: Football

Favorite Subject in School: Math

Favorite Game: Pretty much any game where strategy is involved

Favorite Vacation Destination: Culebra Island, Puerto Rico

Favorite Time Of Day: Morning

Favorite Item Of Clothing: My brown, long shorts that look ridiculous but I could seriously wear them every day

Favorite Non-Running Leisure Activity: Relaxing with my family

Favorite Running Shoe: Men’s Brooks Cascadia

Favorite Food/Drink Before An Ultra: Day before, Subway / Morning of, Perpetuem (HAMMER) or Purely Elizabeth granola with milk

Favorite Food/Drink During An Ultra: HEED (HAMMER), Justin’s maple almond butter, Pepsi and McDonalds oatmeal (Saved my life at the Honey Badger 100!)

Favorite Food/Drink After An Ultra: Recoverite (HAMMER), Mexican food and anything but water

Favorite Crew/Pacer Person(s): Like I’m going there…Hello!

Favorite Place To Run: In the woods

Favorite Type Of Running Surface: Trails

Favorite Famous Quote:  If This Were Easy It Would Be Called Your Mom! (Thanks Patrick Hupp!)

ULTRA STUFF

Number of Years Running Ultras: First Ultra was Double Chubb 50K in April 2011

Number of Ultras Finished:  Over 40

Best Ultra Performance(s):  That’s a subjective question. Does one quantify it based on pace, or how one felt, or how good one looked doing it?  Or maybe which I waddled least after?

Most Memorable Ultra: Usually the last one.

Typical Training Week(s) Before A Major Race: What’s “major”? For my last 100, I ran a min of 60 miles/week. Otherwise, I run a minimum of 40 on surfaces similar to upcoming races.

Injuries: No thank you

Ultrarunning Idol: Hands-down, no question…Joseph Galloway

Why Do You Run Ultras:  I love to run. I run year round – race or not.

Advice For Other Ultrarunners: Lofty goals are fine, but be realistic.  Doing long distances right out of the gate is just setting yourself up for injury.  Life’s about the journey, not the destination. Enjoy every single step.

ACHIEVEMENTS / GOALS / MEMORIES

Personal Hero: My daughter, Lauren

Personal Philosophy:  Worry about yourself

Short-Term Goal:  Maintain my health and happiness

Long-Term Goal:  Maintain my health and happiness

Most Prized Possession: Photos

Most Proud Achievement: Continuing to raise my amazingly beautiful, talented, loving daughter.

Happiest Memory: It’s not one big thing…it’s all the little things. When I think about those, that IS my happiest memory.

Secret Ambition/Fantasy:  If I told you it wouldn’t be a secret…and I’d have to kill you!

Greatest Adventure:  The over 300 wild caves that Jeff and I explored.

DISLIKES / FEARS

Least Liked Subject: History

Least Liked Household Chore: Dusting

Pet Peeve(s): People who don’t worry about themselves

Greatest Fear: Not being there for Lauren

SPARE TIME

Book Currently Reading: “Faithfully Religionless” and “The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto”

Hobbies: Poetry, painting (abstract art – acrylic on canvas)

Collections: Finisher medals

What’s next: Depends on when this is published. Do-Wacka-Do 50 miler in Erick, OK on Labor Day Weekend (Editor’s Update: PR’d and finished in 12:55:56). After that, no telling. I rarely sign up for winter races…I’m a heat runner. So, I’ll just keep logging miles and hope for mild weather so I can throw another race or two in there before the year is up.

Polly’s “all smiles” after finishing her first 100 Miler at the Kansas Rails-To-Trails 100!