Annalise McNear – Featured Runner of the Week

Annalise McNear – Featured Runner of the Week

In our 26th edition of our favorite weekly post, we spotlight Annalise McNear as our Featured Runner of the Week. The aim of having a Featured Runner of the Week is not to necessarily single out any individuals, but we want to feature runners who through their uniqueness may one day inspire you to run or reach for new running highs. Every runner has broken down their own barriers, whether it was the big obstacle to take the first running step or entering a race. Each runner will have their own story and to most these stories to others are very inspiring. Annalise McNear – Featured Runner of the Week is a great way to kick off our weekend!

We welcome your feedback and nominations of runners who you feel deserve to be featured here. Our Featured Runner of the Week is selected at random on a weekly basis. Every runner deserves to be mentioned and we will do our best to select a wide field of runners to bring their stories for you to enjoy.

Let’s take a few minutes and get to know Annalise this week!

Annalise McNear – Featured Runner of the Week

Name: Annalise McNearAnnalise McNear - Featured Runner of the Week

Age: 28

Where are you originally from? Titusville Florida

What is your favorite distance to race? Probably a 5k. Why? It’s easily obtainable. However, I don’t have much experience. The farthest I’ve ran was the Savannah bridge run 10k, which was honestly brutal for me, that incline was NOT playing! What originally got you into running? Honestly, I have never enjoyed running…. because of that, I only started in July. I’m more into resistance and strength training, which I’ve been doing for almost 3 years. I had reached goals I’ve set for myself, from my physical appearance to my performance. Once I got “the body” I had been chasing, I started to realize that fitness is about what your body can do, not how it looks. And at that point in my fitness journey, that’s when things got fun. I had gotten used to hearing that voice in my head telling me to stop, that I was tired, and that I couldn’t do anymore… and I learned how to push past it. I wanted to keep testing myself and my mental ability to shut that voice down. That’s when I started running, because it’s not natural or easy for me. I have to really work to shut that voice down. I wanted to push myself in ways I hadn’t yet.

What is your main motivation to keep going? The gratification and empowerment that comesAnnalise McNear - Featured Runner of the Week from doing things that I didn’t think I could do, and bettering myself each and every time. There’s really something to be said about putting your mind to something and accomplishing it.

When you’re not running, what do you do? I’m a Florida girl, I love the water. Outside, on the water, in the sunshine, and barefoot….. my natural state.

What is your next race? February 3, the Chilly Bean 5k. 

Describe your perfect run: Call me crazy but I love a nasty humid summer morning run! Early enough that it’s not too hot but the humidity is so high by the time you’re done you’re sweating buckets. Oh, and loud music. Like…. LOOOOOUD MUSIC.

What piece of advice do you have for someone who is just starting out? Just go. Doesn’t matter if it takes you 2 hours or 20 minutes. Run and when you want to stop, don’t. The growth that comes from that will keep you coming back. The beautiful thing about fitness is that if you use your mind to push your body, and you are consistent… your body will always repay you.

What has been the single greatest thing you have gotten back from running? Just further Annalise McNear - Featured Runner of the Weekreinforcement that we can do whatever we put our minds to. I’ve placed in my age group the past two races and that honestly just blows my mind, because I never in a million years thought I would be “competing” with anyone but myself. It’s not easy for me, at all! I have to really really push myself. Having gained more control over quieting that voice and bettering myself every race is 100% the most gratifying.

Goals for this year? At least one race a month for all of 2018.

Thank you for taking the time to tell us your story this week Annalise and we wish you the best this year in meeting all of your training and racing goals! #staygrounded #runbeaufort #runwithpassionGrounded Running Beaufort

Grounded Running Beaufort

Grounded Running Beaufort

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