As a part of our Runner Spotlight series we want to introduce the Running Philly community to Brittany B. Brittany is currently training for the Philadelphia Marathon (her first full!) by running 4 – 6 days per week and has been running since 2012. You can usually find Brittany running in North East Philly.

A little more about Brittany…..

What was your first official race? What do you remember most about it?

The Broad Street Run 2012. I remember being very nervous and overdid myself with the carbs. Since it was my dad’s birthday the day before the race, my family and I had eaten at Olive Garden, one of his favorite restaurants. I also thought it’d be perfect for me to stock up on the bread sticks and pasta. Never again! Anyway, the whole time I was running, it didn’t seem so bad! Once I got to the finish line, I couldn’t believe that I had actually ran 10 miles! I wasn’t even aware that I would be getting a medal and that made me feel even more proud of myself. My hard work of training had paid off and I didn’t wanna stop there.

What made you start running?

I was watching The Biggest Loser (Season 12) and all of the contestants ran a marathon for the finale. I had already gotten into working out and was a member at a gym so after watching them run a marathon I thought to myself “If those people were once obese and ran a marathon, then I don’t see why I can’t do it either.” This was in January of 2012 and I had heard about the Broad Street Run many times and had thought about registering for the race as a way to motivate myself to run. This was the year it sold out within a few hours and I missed my chance…or so I thought. I then saw that there was a second-chance lottery so I entered for that and got in! By that time, there was no turning back so I had to start training.

Your favorite race so far? Why?

This is a tough one! I’d love to say Broad Street but I am going to go with Rock ‘N’ Roll Philadelphia. The music, bands, spectators, volunteers, and the finish area! It was also my first half marathon that I ever completed and it’s a race I now do every year.

What run is still on your bucket list? Why?

Besides Disney? I’m going to go with Pittsburgh. It’s a city I’ve always wanted to visit for quite some time now. I hear it’s absolutely beautiful and that the course for their marathon is amazing. I also know they have other races for that weekend if one wouldn’t want to run the full.

What do you like most about the Running community in Philly?

That it’s growing! I may live in the northeast area but not a day goes by where I don’t see someone running, regardless of the weather! For a while, I’d only hear about running groups in the city but then I heard there is a running group up here that I plan on looking into soon. They’re called the Torresdale Beer Runners.

What does running mean to you?

Staying healthy and active! Since I’ve gotten into working out, most especially running, my confidence has given me a nice boost. Even on days I don’t feel like running, I feel fantastic after I do it. It’s like my body is thanking me for having it move.

What is your proudest running accomplishment?

Placing for the first time ever at The Northeast Philly 5 Miler on October 2014! Not only did I place but I placed first in my age group! Placing at a race was my top goal but I thought it’d happen at a 5K race instead. This was something I wasn’t expecting it at all! What made it even better was that I ran the race with my best friend and a couple of other people and I knew they’d make place but I was shocked when my name was called since the weather was horrible with the strong winds, the cold temperature, and the fact that I ran The Color Run Night the night before! When I had the chance to check my official time on the website, I had seen that I just made PR by a few seconds so I became even more proud of myself.

What’s the best thing about your local running community?

There’s more of us than we think and when we discover that there’s another runner, it’s like we found a connection!

Where can people find you online?

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

*Note: I post more about my fitness and running accomplishments on Facebook and Instagram. I am still a newbie on Twitter but feel free to follow me anyway!

Where can people usually physically find you? 

I usually tend to do local races in the northeast area or the suburbs such as Jenkintown. When on my training runs, I run on Verree Road in the northeast, Jenkintown area, or Huntington Valley. Now that I’m longer distances, you may find me run around Northeast High School or Lincoln High School.

More info about Brittany:

I workout 4 to 6 days a week. Besides running, I workout at Lucille Roberts and take boot camps at Dan Campos Fitness. I personally think that it is one of THE best gyms in the northeast! I am also currently training to run for my very first marathon right here in Philadelphia which is in November. After running numerous races since 2012, not only do I finally feel ready to conquer 26.2 miles but it will also be the weekend of my birthday! I know it’s common for one to run a race to celebrate their birthday but I don’t believe many can say they’ll be celebrating their 26th birthday by running 26.2 miles! I plan on getting some kind of customized shirt to let everyone know that that’s how I’m celebrating my weekend!