October R.O.M- Jo Ann meth

Congrats to our Ultimate Fit October Runner of the Month, Jo Ann Meth!  Here is more on Jo Ann!

"My name is Jo Ann Meth and I am 59 years old.  My spouse’s name is Michael. We have three grown kids-Ryan, Katie, and Matthew.  I have worked for Harding, Shymanski and Company, P.S.C. for 23 Tax Seasons already.  I was born and raised in Haubstadt but have lived in Evansville for the last 35 years."
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What motivates you to run/walk?  
Our daughter, Katie first motivated me thru her participation in Team 13.  My husband and I went out to support her first year of the program and I then was motivated by this awesome team spirit and got hooked myself.  It helped me initially lose weight and maintain better health habits along the way.

How many races have you participated in? (Estimate if needed)
This will be my fourth Evansville Half Marathon on 10/5/19!  That will be my 40th race so far in those 4 years since I have saved all my bib’s and wrote times and dates on them and put them on two rings to hold them in place.

What age did you start running/walking for fun & competitively?
I did my first half marathon at the age of 56 so that is really when I got serious and I trained the entire summer.  This was after cheering for our daughter the year before and her asking me to walk with her in the fall Stache Dache I feel that is when I truly decided I had to try the fun/competitiveness the following spring. 
 
Favorite place to run/walk?
Eastside of Evansville as I like the flat running surfaces.  For casual walking like Evansville and Newburgh riverfronts the most.

Favorite local race?
Evansville Rescue Mission the Drumstick Dash 

Favorite race outside of the Tri-State?
Love the Bridge runs!  I have done the River Run from Henderson to Evansville and then also the Reo to Owensboro run!

Farthest you have traveled to do a race?
Not far-Would have to be New Harmony to do the Peace, Run, Harmony run the last two years.

Favorite race distance?
I like a running series where you start out at the lower miles and work up to Half!  In early spring, I just am not trained enough to participate in longer runs due to work commitments.

Favorite race memory?
Crossing the finish line for my first half marathon-just the accomplishment was emotional for my daughter and I.  Met my goal also!

Funniest race memory?
One of the Otters Race where we ran thru Bosse Field and my running/walking partner were pretending to play baseball & pitching.  Did lots of joking especially during this race.

Craziest thing you saw at or during a race?
One race I did they had hot bottled water just lying on the ground when I crossed the finish line and not much in the way of snacks so was real disappointed.

Favorite pre & post-race meal/drink?
Big meal night before which includes either pasta or potatoes.  Race day oatmeal and peanut butter toast. Post-race food varies! But always WATER, WATER, and more WATER while training and before-during and after races too!!!!  Well, I do drink Gatorade right after finishing the race. Sometimes I go home and have some Chocolate Milk also for extra recovery.

What is your favorite brand of running shoe?
I have had mostly Brooks or Saucony brand shoes, however this year, I have branched out to the New Balance shoes-but always rotate between 3-5 pairs of shoes.

How many miles do you run/walk a week?
Probably 6-25 depending on my actual training season verses the off season.

What are your future goals for running/walking?
To stay as active as possible.  Even if I can’t jog intermittently as much as before-I most definitely want to keep up the walking.  Last couple of years I have been focusing more on volunteering to help the new members of this group reach their goals, answer their questions, and to be their best support system with lots of encouragement, photos, etc.  Helping in that way makes me the happiest and I get the greatest reward of new friends.

Favorite time of day to run?
Most definitely in the mornings since I am more refreshed, verses in the evenings.

Favorite weather to run in?
Not to hot and not too cold would be ideal but moderate temperatures are the best.

Music or No Music?
No music EVER for me!-I encouraging ALL run/walkers that are doing the same route as myself as this is what helped me my first year so I am “Paying it forward”.  Love when the routes cross or go out and back since most everyone is very supportive and encouraging.
Also for SAFETY ISSUES too!!!!