Interview with Monica Theis!At long last, we have a new interview! This interview is one worth waiting for. Monica Theis, a senior lecturer in the Food Science Department at UW, is not only a great runner but also a very smart one. She is the Bill Rodgers of sports nutrition and offers some of her valuable advice here. Listen up!
When or how did you start running?
I started running in 7th grade. That is when I switched from parochial to public school. On one of the first days of gym class in public school, we were told we would be running the 600. I had no idea how to pace that, because we didn't run in parochial school, so I just ran--fast. I finished first and almost broke the school record. I have been running ever since.
What is your proudest running accomplishment?
Breaking a 3 hour marathon in Minneapolis; I don't recall the exact year but it was a while ago.
Where is your favorite place to run in or around Madison?
I particularly enjoy what my running friends and I refer to as the south loop. We start somewhere around West High, run through the arb, take the left turn onto Seminole as we come out of the arb and then run down Seminore and turn right on to the capital bike path. I love running through the meadow area especially this time of year when summac is turned, the turkey foot is at its peak of height and the wild sunflowers are still in bloom. There are also some beautiful places to run where I live in Middleton. The pheasant branch conservancy is particularly beautiful. We see sandhill cranes there quite often.
What is your favorite area race?
I enjoy the Lake Monona Run. The course is challenging and beautiful. I also am emotionally attached to Syttende Mai and the Black Earth 10 mile run. These races have been around for 30 years and have a unique spirit about them.
Is there anything about running you don't necessarily like?
Not a thing
What do you think people need to do to be a healthy lifetime runner?
Listen to their body. It lets you know when it needs a break or to simply slow down.
Nutritionally, what are a couple pieces advice you would give to other runners?
First of all, make food and health a priority by putting time and thought into it. Eat whole, real food and think ahead about what, when and where you are going to eat every day. This will prevent common pitfalls of mindless eating, overeating and eating things that do little more than provide empty calories.
Also, be careful about overcompensating for calories burned on a run. I think athletes in general tend to overestimate how much they burn and then justify overeating. I am a huge Michael Pollan fan and agree that the best nutrition advice is to eat food, eat less and eat mostly plants. I am a vegetarian and find that it works particularly well for me for a number of reasons.
What race is next on your calendar?
The Berbee Derby on Thanksgiving Day. My husband, Craig Schiestl, and I run it and always have a great time. It serves as a great start to my favorite holiday.
Posted Friday October 24, 2008