Team Run Hub 2018: Will Borrevik

Leading up to the Eugene Marathon and Half Marathon, we are featuring a few of our Team Run Hub athletes who have been training with the group since the end of January. If you’re interested in joining a future Team Run Hub training group, click here. Our next training program starts in August for the EWEB Run to Stay Warm. Registration will open in July.

Meet Will Borrevik, young runner who is excited to run his first half marathon

Why did you start running? And how long have you been doing it? 
I started running when I was in first grade. When I was younger I always liked to run around and be active, so when I saw a flyer for a local track club I immediately decided I wanted to do it. Unfortunately, I was a couple of years too young to sign up, so I waited until I was old enough. When I finally started running, I gravitated towards long distance, which I still run today as I approach my eighth year of running. I’ve loved running since I began and I can’t wait to do more.
 
Why did you join Team Run Hub?
I’ve wanted to do a half marathon for some time now, but I haven’t really been able to find a good training program. This is mainly why I joined Team Run Hub, as the training plan is made up by people who know far more about preparing for marathons than I do. I also like doing the long runs on Saturday.
 
Which race are you training for? And what’s your goal for race day (could include time, feel, effort, experience, etc.)?
I am training for the Eugene Half Marathon. On race day, I would like to run under 1:40, feel good about my effort, but also have fun during the whole process. I think that I can achieve all of my goals if I really work hard over the next two months while also making sure I feel good.
 
What motivates you to run?
Last September, I had surgery on my right tibia which caused me to miss all of my cross-country season. Being unable to run for so long made me appreciate running so much more than I did pre-surgery. I was feeling a little burnt-out throughout last year, but now I feel rejuvenated. I also have a Garmin watch that I use to record my runs and if I have low totals on there it makes me feel bad, which also makes me run.
 
What stands out as your favorite aspect of the training program so far?
So far, my favorite aspect of the training program has been the written plan. It motivates me a lot because I know I have to follow the plan it in order to succeed, so I can’t not run when I’m not really in the mood because I know I have to follow the plan. 
 
What is your favorite during run fuel? Post run recovery meal? 
I love Run Gum! I use it before I run and it makes me feel very energized. After long runs, I normally get protein bistro boxes and hot chocolate from Starbucks.
 
Do you have a running mantra you repeat in your head when things get tough? 
When running gets tough, I try to remind myself that I have to keep it up, or else I won’t finish as fast which means whatever is going wrong will continue for longer.
 
What is your biggest running mistake that you have made and would caution others to avoid? 
The biggest mistake I have made is probably ignoring an abnormality in my gait which continued to show for many years before I finally got it checked out. I feel like I wasted time as I could’ve gotten my problem fixed a lot sooner. My advice is to listen to your body and not wait if you think something is wrong. 
 
What is another activity you enjoy when not running? 
I love to read, both fiction and non-fiction (books about sports, American history, etc.).
 
Do you have a most memorable run or workout? Or favorite place to run? If so, tell us about it. (It doesn’t have to have been during training since we’re only a few weeks in.)
My most memorable workout would probably be a track workout I did a few years ago. It was in the middle of summer and the workout was 10×400 meters at 1500m pace. After doing all of the 400s, everyone I was running with felt horrible due to the heat. I still remember that workout! My favorite place I’ve ever run is the cross country course at Western Oregon University.
Good Luck, Will! We hope you have a great first half marathon!