Athlete Bio: Beka Johnson

I’ve “known” Beka for a couple of years – the perks of having a blog and reading other blogs. Beka spent the last year living and teaching in South Korea, before moving to Oklahoma to get married. Beka was the most beautiful bride, and it’s fun to read about her adventures as a newlywed (she just went skydiving!). I’m excited to feature Beka as an Athlete Bio and hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I have. Follow her adventures on her blog: http://sunshine2thesquareinch.blogspot.com/

Name: Beka Johnson

Age: 28

Location: Woodward, Oklahoma but I’m a Kansas girl at heart

Years Running: 8

Favorite race distance: It’s a tie between the 10k and the half marathon

PRs: 5K – 27:24

10k – 56:26

½ marathon – 2:06

Marathon – 5:03

How did you get into running? My sister. She started running and lost 40 pounds. I wanted to shed some pounds I gained during college so I began running with her. I wasn’t hooked until I ran my first race which was Race for the Cure 5K.

How many marathons have you run? 1 – Seattle Rock’n’Roll

Do you cross train or lift weights: I do Crossfit, which is an intense combination of both. I’ve never combined Crosffit and half marathon training until now. I’m hoping it takes some time off my mile.

How do you find/make time to train: I plan out my training and write it all in a calendar. I also tell my running buddies about my training plans so they can help me stay accountable.

Favorite place to run: Pensacola Beach, Florida as well as running through historic houses in my hometown of Wichita, KS

Favorite/most memorable race: Wichita River Festival 10K. It’s by far my favorite race because my brother, who finished way faster than me, ran back, found me and encouraged me to push to the end. He has done that at a couple of my 10k races and it makes all the difference

Favorite pre-race meal: Something with meat – I run better with protein than lots of carbs

Favorite post-race food: Any type of food, water and usually some coffee

Favorite quote: My brother always tells me “put one foot in front of the other”

Favorite running shoe: Brooks – Ravenna

Best running advice: Train with people who are faster than you so you can be challenged, train with people who run the same pace as you so you can enjoy the company, train with someone slower than you so you can encourage them.

Running accomplishment I’m most proud of: Kansas City’s Rock the Parkway half marathon. It was my first half marathon. There were brutal hills, rain and hail. It took everything in me to run hard and finish that race but I’m so glad I did.

What races are you currently training for? Wichita Prairie Fire ½ Marathon in October. It’s a great race in my hometown and I’m hoping to PR it by finishing in under 2 hours. It will also be my husband’s first half marathon as well as our first race as a married couple.