Featured Runner “Carol Johnson” September 2017
September 6th, 2017 Tags: amazing, badassery, Being Epic, Featured Runners, motivation, perseverance, ultrarunning, unstoppable, why
Posted in Announcements, Featured Runners, Funny, Inspirational, Motivational, Personal Philosophies, Preferences & Opinions, Tips, Training
Carol Johnson was born and raised in the Kansas City area and currently resides with her boyfriend and four dogs in the Waldo area…typically you can also find a fifth dog wandering the premises as they like to foster for a local rescue called Chain of Hope. Carol attempted running in high school when she accidentally joined the cross country team, she showed up to a practice to meet her two friends who did not show up and was too scared to stop showing up after that. From there Carol went on to get her Bachelors of Drinking at Pittsburg State University. After gaining the “freshman thirty” and some legal fees, she strives to live a sober life today. Onward and upward, Carol currently works in clinical research and part-time at a dog treat bakery, while pursuing a degree in dental hygiene. Want to know about her running, training and races? Carol loves running…ultras specifically, mostly because she is allowed to pee wherever she wants and people (sometimes complete strangers) give her snacks during races. Carol tends to follow traditions and has her staple races each year, Flatrock 101K is literally “in the running” for her favorite race…though we think she could quite possibly be brown nosing ;-). If you see Carol at a race she’s not running, you will most likely find her working one of the world’s greatest aid stations with her fellow running mates, the Mud Babes (check out Mud Babe Mondays).
Carol is “all smiles” at one of her favorite trail ultras – the recent 2017 Floodwater 101K!
THE BASICS
Date of Birth: 8/19/1986
Place of Birth: Independence, Missouri
Currently Residing: KCMO
Marital Status: He let’s me control Netflix sometimes so I’d say things are getting pretty serious.
Job(s): I dog sit, sell specialty dog food at a dog bakery, and work in Clinical research.
Children: Four furry ones.
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 135lb (that’s probably a lie)
Shoe Size: 10
Best Physical Feature: Wrists or smile.
Worst Physical Feature: My butthole…but who honestly thinks they have a beautiful butthole?!?!
Educational Background: Bachelors of Science from Pittsburg State.
Personal Strength(s): I’m really good at continually moving forward, whether it’s life or running.
Personal Weakness(es): I keep going through phases where I think I can wear make-up, I was late to a wedding because of fake eyelashes.
Make Of Car You Drive: Hyundai
Make Of Car You Would Like To Drive: Jeep
Pets: Moose (pit mix), Gary (Midwestern Couch Hound), John Wayne Scott Dickson Spencer Johnson-Miller (deaf Jack Russell mix, call him whatever you want because he’s not coming), Lydia (German Shephard).
FAVORITES
Favorite Author: David Sedaris
Favorite Book: Bossy Pants by Tina Fey
Favorite Non-running Magazine: Anything at my dentist’s office.
Favorite Movie: Bride’s Maids
Favorite TV Show: AdultSwim shows
Favorite Actor/Actress: Kristen Wig
Favorite Music: Almost anything
Favorite Musical Performer: Matt and Kim
Favorite Artist: Matty Mullins
Favorite Spectator Sport: Ice Hockey
Favorite Subject in School: Lunch
Favorite Game: Capture the Flag
Favorite Vacation Destination: Florida…they have manatees!
Favorite Time Of Day: Before noon.
Favorite Item Of Clothing: Sweatshirts
Favorite Non-Running Leisure Activity: Hanging out with my dogs.
Favorite Running Shoe: I still buy Pearl Izumis.
Favorite Food/Drink Before An Ultra: Chipotle
Favorite Food/Drink During An Ultra: Coke and pizza.
Favorite Food/Drink After An Ultra: Hotel waffles.
Favorite Crew/Pacer Person(s): The Mud Babes
Favorite Place To Run: Lawrence River Trails
Favorite Type Of Running Surface: Trail
Favorite Famous Quote: “Just keep swimming.” – Dory
ULTRA STUFF
Number of Years Running Ultras: 4ish
Number of Ultras Finished: A bunch
Best Ultra Performance(s): Bandera 100k-2017
Most Memorable Ultra: Flatrock 101k-2017, besides the weather, my boyfriend came out and crewed/paced for his first time.
Typical Training Week(s) Before A Major Race: Eating lots, cut out caffeine, mental prep…lately life has been busy so it’s more like “oh crap, that’s next weekend!”
Injuries: Currently my big toe nail wants to come off…I kick a lot of rocks.
Ultrarunning Idol: Mindy Coolman
Why Do You Run Ultras: I’m not naturally gifted at much and so it’s nice to be able to do something that not everyone can do, it’s makes me feel really proud of myself.
Advice For Other Ultrarunners: Just keep moving forward.
ACHIEVEMENTS / GOALS / MEMORIES
Personal Hero: My Mom, cheesy but’s she’s awesome.
Personal Philosophy: Everything will be OK.
Short-Term Goal: Next year I’d like to train for a sub-2 half, speed is not my native language.
Long-Term Goal: I just want to live a happy life in the country with my man and our dogs…maybe more dogs;).
Most Prized Possession: A tiny heart pin.
Most Proud Achievement: Finishing any race.
Happiest Memory: Bandera 2017, my boyfriend came and saw me finish and then fed me pizza at our AirBNB :-).
Secret Ambition/Fantasy: Hike the PCT.
Greatest Adventure: 2015 I went on a 2 week solo road trip, I wish it was longer.
DISLIKES / FEARS
Least Liked Subject: Any class where they make you watch a video to pass the time.
Least Liked Household Chore: Dishes
Pet Peeve(s): Complainers or people who don’t seek solutions.
Greatest Fear: Being in a situation where I get seriously hurt and have to live in the pain for a long time before I can get medical attention, or having to do something drastic like saw off my arm to save my life.
SPARE TIME
Book Currently Reading: Naked by David Sedaris, I’ve been trying to read this thing for about 2 years, I also borrowed it from Leia Anderson.
Hobbies: Working on my yard.
Collections: I’m trying to down-size all of the crap I own.
What’s Next: Hopefully to keep moving forward and to continue trying to be a better person each day.
“Oh…what a feeling!” Terri & Carol Johnson experiencing FlatRock 101K bliss!
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