Carrboro Run Club

Christianna Williams

Where are you from, and what brought you to the area?  I grew up in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC, went to grad school at Duke (and met my husband) in the mid-eighties, and after
moving around for fifteen years had the opportunity to come back to NC (this time UNC!) in 2001 and have been here since then.

Why do you run?  I started running in college because it was the most time-efficient way to get exercise. I continue to do it because all of my closest friends are runners, and running for me now is a
time-efficient way to stay in touch with busy friends and get exercise.

Why did you decide to join Carrboro Run Club, how long have you been running with us, and what keeps you coming back?  I think I first started coming in 2018, when I was looking to find more group running opportunities that were not early in the morning. What has kept me coming back is friends, Steph, and Craftboro (including but not only the beer)!

Tell us about your best/worst/weirdest running moment:  I think my best running moment was being runner #12 (finisher) in the Blue Ridge Relay in 2009. Completing something so challenging as part of a team of some of my very dearest friends was an incredible high.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be?  I’ve always wanted to be able to fly – without a plane or any other equipment – so, perhaps I mean running without having to touch the ground.

If you could eat only one meal or food for the rest of your life, what would it be?  It’s a toss-up between popcorn and pimento cheese sandwiches (with homemade pimento cheese, of course!)

What is something you want people to know about you?  I love to bake.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of?  Retire way earlier than anyone expected me to (or than I probably should have).

Laura Sonday

Name:  Laura Sonday (pronounced just like Sunday/Sundae)

Where are you from, and what brought you to the area?  I’m originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan. San Francisco, Santiago (Chile), and Ann Arbor are other places I’ve called home. I came to Carrboro after I was offered a job at UNC.

Why do you run?  To help offset the Trader Joe’s dark chocolate peanut butter cups that I eat every day, and to connect with kind and interesting people. It’s an open secret that I like runners more
than I like running!

Why did you decide to join Carrboro Run Club, how long have you been running with us, and what keeps you coming back?  A friend recommended CRC to me when I first moved here. I started coming in July 2021 and I keep coming back for the friendships I’ve made. It’s a great community, thanks to Steph’s leadership!

Tell us about your best/worst/weirdest running moment:  The worst was when I was mugged while running in broad daylight when I was in my 20s. It took me about six months to feel comfortable running outside again. On a lighter note, though it did not happen to me, this is the weirdest running moment I’ve ever heard of, and it still makes me laugh every time I think about it: https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a41196297/flock-of-sheep-follow-runner-on-the-trail/

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing  to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be?  Be fluent in all languages. I like to listen and chat with other people, and it would be wonderful to be able to do that with anyone.

If you could eat only one meal or food for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Tofu tikka masala with garlic naan-- or pizza-- and homemade pie (raspberry, chocolate, or strawberry-rhubarb) for dessert.

What is something you want people to know about you?  I love to dance salsa and bachata! My running endurance is terrible. My dancing endurance is impressive! I also love to read, so anytime you have a good book recommendation, send it my way.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of?  I’m proud of the work I do in the classroom with my students. Thinking critically and establishing loving communities are both important skills. I’m glad to be in a position where I can work on these skills in myself and other people on a daily basis.

Jason McCarter

Where are you from, and what brought you to the area?  I grew up in Oklahoma then decided to escape by joining the Air Force. That brought me to NC in the early 90’s and has been my home since. 

Why do you run?  Running burns the calories making room for another beer (or two) and cookies. Plus, it helps with my mental and physical health.

Why did you decide to join Carrboro Run Club, how long have you been running with us, and what keeps you coming back?  Because Steph and the run club members are amazing and generous with their support for our community and Craftboro Brewing Depot. I’ve been a member of the Carrboro Run Club for almost 3 years and keep coming back because I’m kinda trapped 😊 Seriously, the friendships and the fun keep me coming back for more.  

Tell us about your best/worst/weirdest running moment:  Running on trails are some of my best running moments. It’s quiet, peaceful and meditative. This said, the weirdest moment had to be trail running and seeing someone with what-may-have-been an assault rifle hiking the same trail. I have to say I probably hit some PR’s that day.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be?  I would travel the world and ride bikes. Mostly trail bikes with the occasional road/gravel ride thrown in for fun. 

If you could eat only one meal or food for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Nachos in their various forms.

What is something you want people to know about you?  I don’t really know what I’m doing but doing my best to learn and sort it out.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of?  Wake up, get out of bed and leave the house!

Tracy Eldred

Where are you from, and what brought you to the area?  From the Northeast, NY, NH, then VT, but I’ve lived in this area for 28 years. I came for a job at UNC.

Why do you run?  It started for me as just a way to exercise, but now it’s mostly about being social. I also love to run in the woods, even if I have to go by myself.

Why did you decide to join Carrboro Run Club, how long have you been running with us, and what keeps you coming back?  Christianna and Henrik already went to CRC, so we decided to try it. We come back because lots of friends do, Steph’s enthusiasm, and we also love Craftboro.

Tell us about your best/worst/weirdest running moment:  Most embarrassing? Once on a long run “in the country” with Amy I turned and looked down a driveway and saw a big dog. Even though it was quite far away and turned out to be just a statue, I screamed really loudly.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be?  I’d love to be better at playing the piano, without practicing, of course, because who has time for that?

If you could eat only one meal or food for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Vegetarian sushi rolls.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of?  Ed and I hiked to Phantom Ranch at the bottom of the Grand Canyon last summer. It was amazing.

Guana Island, British Virgin Islands

Sailboat, check. Rum in pint cup, check. Successful vacation.

Zambezi River, Zimbabwe

Those hippos look thirsty for whatever is in that pint cup!

Cougar, Washington

If you look at the horizon on the left,  you can see Mt. St. Helens peaking out!

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

The Pint Cup accompanied the Zimmermans on their trip to the GALAPAGOS! Wildlife was seen, and a newfound appreciation for evolution was formed for our beloved stainless steel mascot. 🙂

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka

Back in action after 2 years off, the pint cup travelled internationally once more!! To the ancient city of Sigiriya, atop a giant rock, in Sri Lanka.

Emma Calabrese

Where are you from, and what brought you to the area?  I grew up in Louisville, Colorado, and moved to Chapel Hill in 2011 to start grad school at UNC.

Why do you run?  To prevent my body from permanently adhering to my couch’s microplush fabric cushion covers.

Why did you decide to join Carrboro Run Club, and how long have you run with us?  I first became a Fleet Feet Pub Runner in 2013 when I realized that, if I didn’t do something to reach beyond the weird, isolating, intense environment that is grad school, I might lose my mind. Little did I know that I would find a running community with its own brand of (fun) weirdness! From there, I followed Steph to The Station in 2016 and then to Craftboro in 2020, loyal disciple that I am.

Describe the most recent (appropriate ☺) photo you took with your phone:  Our new cat, Kiki!

What is the best piece of advice you ever received, and who gave it to you?  “Let’s add some more butter.” – various trusted people in my life

Favorite book? How about a book you think everyone must read? (They can be different.)  Because having to choose a single favorite book paralyzes me with indecision, I will just say that my original favorite is Ramona the Pest. RIP Beverly Cleary!

The last book I finished reading is Tommy Orange’s There There, and I would classify it as a must-read.

If you could have any talent or skill in the entire world, without needing to practice and money was no limitation, what would it be?  K-Pop sensation.

If you could eat only one meal (not just a single food) for the rest of your life, what would it be?  Pasta with my dad’s pesto, a simple green salad the way my mom makes it, maybe some nice white beans on the side. A glass of wine.

Tell us something about yourself that not many people know:  If I told you that, how would I maintain my air of mystery?

Obviously Pub Run has looked very different for the past year…

Did you pick up any new hobbies or interests during the pandemic?  I joined the Great Sourdough Craze of 2020 for approximately 3 months. My starter is now languishing in the refrigerator, hoping to be rediscovered one day.

Were there any silver linings that came out of the pandemic for you?  Feeling life slow down.

What is something you have done recently, or are about to do, that you are proud of?  After spraining my ankle this past winter, I recently ran again for the first time in a couple of months, and even though it made me very sore, I did it again a few days later. #perseverance #butwhy

« Older posts

Copyright © 2016 - 2023 - Steph Bryant | Station Pub Run

WordPress Development and Support: Triangle Web Tech