Run It Fast Club Member Profile – Robin Mancinelli #134

RIF #134 Robin at the Vermont 100 with RD Julia Hutchinson

This week’s RIF Club Member profile is Robin Manicinelli #134. Reading Robin’s answers reminded me that you don’t always have to play by the “rules”. What rules did she break? Read her profile to find out!

Meet Robin:

INFO
Name: Robin Mancinelli
RIF #: 134
Twitter: @Robinmrr2
Facebook: Robin Balint Mancinelli

STATS
Years Running: Not quite 5
Favorite Race Distance: 100 miles, I’ve only done one, but it was a blast!
Favorite PR: Hmmm, probably 24:31:54, for the Vermont 100.
Favorite Race: Expedition Everest, my sons ran it with me.

Favorite Bling: NJ Trail Series always has cool bling!  And extras! (Thanks to Rick and Jen)
Next Race: Right now, registered for the Steamtown Marathon, then JFK 50.  But I’m hoping to get at least one more in before Steamtown.  I have a few on the radar.
What Makes You FEEL Fast?: I don’t think I EVER feel fast.  But the great RIF shirt forces me to try harder! 😀

FUN RUNNING QUESTIONS

Who inspires your running and why?  It is not so much “who” inspires my running, as it is “what” inspires my running.  I run: when I am happy, when I have a problem I need solved, when I had a bad day at work, when I have the time, when I don’t have the time, when it’s the first snowfall of the year, when it’s raining, when it’s a beautiful autumn morning and the leaves are changing, when my training schedule dictates I run, when I have a friend to run with, or when I just want to run and smile.

Which of your running routes makes you the happiest and why?  I LOVE running trails!  I was a hardcore road runner, then a friend of mine was talking about off road running.  Since I started, it has become something I really look forward to.  People say I run with a smile on my face, the atmosphere is laid back, the trees, streams and wildlife tend to do that.  It also explains the bugs in my teeth!

What is your favorite go-to pre-race meal?  Pre-race meal is a banana, Special K chocolatey delight (dry, no milk) and a Gatorade-AM Tropical Mango. No substitutes.

Why do you race?  I race to test myself.  I was running a few months, registered for my first marathon and someone told me that I should run it just to finish.  This person was an experienced runner, and someone I admire, but I took that as a challenge!  I ran that marathon AND qualified for Boston, after taking up running within the year!  I immediately crossed the finish line, grabbed a phone, and called them to say, “Look at the clock!!!!!  I Boston qualified!”, ( as a side note, this person has still not BQ!)  I also love meeting other runners, especially at ultras.  I have made some great friends by racing.  My dream races: Western States and Badwater.  I better RIF, I’m not getting any younger!

Big races or small races? And why?  Oh, that’s hard.  The big races, like Disney or Boston, for example, have the excitement, the bands, entertainment, crowds and such.  It’s a good thing once in a while.  But I think I prefer the smaller races.  It seems the other runners are friendlier and the atmosphere is relaxed.  It’s when the RD knows your name and is not afraid to use it!

Robin at NYC Marathon and the Princess Half

***

People tell you there are “rules” to running. You shouldn’t try new food or gear on race day. You shouldn’t go out too fast in a race. You shouldn’t “race” your first marathon/ultra/etc. But some rules are made to be broken! I love that Robin qualified for Boston in her FIRST marathon and then ran 24 hours and change at her FIRST 100 miler. She is not letting anyone put limits on what she can do and that is really inspiring. Rules are there to help us when we start out, that’s true. But I think the great thing about running is that it really is an individual sport. What works for one person may not work for another. And NO ONE knows what you can do better than YOU. The most important thing I’ve learned is to trust myself and my body. Robin obviously knows that too. I bet that’s another reason she smiles so much. 🙂

Thank you for letting us get to know you, Robin. Good luck with your races this year! Run It Fast!

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[All photos submitted by Robin Mancinelli]

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This post was written by:

- who has written 717 posts on Run It Fast®.

Lisa (RIF Club Member #5) has completed 27 half marathons, 13 marathons, 5 50Ks, 2 12 Hour races, and 1 100K. Her favorite races to date are the Disneyland Half Marathon, the Leading Ladies Marathon, the Bataan Memorial Death March, and the Jackson Jackass 50K. You can follow her on Twitter @runlikeacoyote

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