Emma Calabrese

March 28, 2021

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