Julie Hansen

Julie is 47 years old, married to Rodney and has two children Russelle 14, Isaac 11, Pets- Morrie- Italian greyhound and Breka-chocolate lab.  Julie is an Adjunct professor in nutrition at WSU, private practice dietitian.

Hometown: Cheney, Kansas, we moved here in 2004 from Ft. Collins, Colorado.  The year we moved, Ft. Collins was ranked the #1 place to live by Money Magazine, it was an awesome place to live but I have adjusted to life in Utah.

Here are a few facts about Julie when we asked her about her running:

Years running:  30 years (counting high school), one of my first road races was a couples run in Wichita Kansas.  Categories were based upon the combination of age and time with your partner.

Weekly mileage:  Not worth counting, I run 3 days/week. 

Favorite race distance or race: Can I just say it is not a marathon? I do not mind half marathons but I will frequently run the Bolder Boulder which is a 10k. 

PR's - (5K, 10K, ½, mara, Ultra) or proudest running accomplishment: When I was a freshman in high school, I was part of a 400 yard relay team (with all juniors and seniors) that set a school record.

Favorite training run: "The Starbucks run".  When I first moved here in 2004, the only Starbucks was in Riverdale which is 11 miles from my house.  So, I would drop a car off the night before at the Target parking lot or Schneiter's Golf Course.  HOWEVER, we no longer do that because when I last dropped off one of our vehicles the night before (my husband's F150 black truck) at Schneiter's Golf Course, it had no tires when I arrived the next morning.  Yes, it was sitting on cinder blocks.  My husband was out of town at the time and was quite upset when he heard the news.  He did not speak to me for two days (it really takes a lot to get him angry).

Why run - (motivation, inspiration):  It is easy, makes me feel athletic and it is also my social life, O.K. that is scary.

Goals:  Half ironman

Favorite music to run to:  No favorite music, just white noise created by myself and my friends as we talk nonstop about nothing.

Favorite running gear - (shoes, apparel, etc.): Yak trax- those are so cool!!

Best advice you've been given as a runner: "Maybe you should do a triathlon?"

Best motivational quote:  "It was a good idea 4 months ago".

Your role model: My friend Kelly O'Reilly who lost her battle with lung cancer in February of 2007.  She was an awesome athlete; we knew each other in college and enjoyed running together then.  Her PR in a marathon was 3:07 and she won many of the races she entered.  She moved to Salt Lake in 2005 and I got to spend a lot of time with her.  She walked on a treadmill 2 days before she died.  She was very courageous.

Favorite food:  Starbucks Soy Chai, no water, no foam, extra hot.  It is especially good when the red holiday cups arrive!!!

Hobbies or interests other than running:  Lots!! My kids do entertain me.  I also enjoy digital scrapbooking and keeping up with my Colorado friends.

Anything else the world might want to know about you:  I have a twin brother who used to be a lot faster than me.  I can keep up with him just fine now!!