Hope Hill on motherhood and attempting a sub-2:40 marathon

What does running mean to you?

Goodness, running means a lot to me. I feel most alive and like myself when I’m running. It’s such a gift to be able to choose to move with a huge range of intentions. Recently, running has been a time for me to be with myself and get into my body a bit. It’s nice to tune into the movement and tune out of other jobs and errands that occupy my hours when I’m not running. I love that I can challenge myself and play a bit, too. Running is just so much fun!! 

What do you think about while you're running? 

This varies depending on the run. Sometimes I go through the to do list. Sometimes I brainstorm work stuff. If I’m in a good rhythm, I just kinda zone out. And if it’s a hard morning run, I always think about breakfast afterwards.

Most treasured running possession? 

Boring answer but probably my watch. It’s just so helpful with training and tracking times. I’ve recently started wearing to track my sleep again. I didn’t do that for the last few months because I didn’t want to know the lack of sleep I was getting (newborn probs!) 

How did you get connected to RCTC?

I ran with RCTC back pre-pandemic. This past marathon I did all the training alone and realized how much I missed having friends to run with and challenge me in workouts (you can only do so many 20 milers alone before you start going crazy). Lauren reached out and suggested I join again and I didn’t hesitate to say yes. I’m so stoked to be back and can’t wait to start training alongside friends! 

Tell us about Bowen! How do you approach running as a parent now?

Bowen is my favorite little running buddy. I was lucky enough to run through pregnancy with him so he has been running with me for a while now. Being a mom has made me be so in awe of what women’s bodies are capable of. When it comes to training, motherhood has made me recognize how valuable my time is. I have had to become more scheduled and deliberate with my workouts (while remaining flexible always… motherhood )

Running has become a space for me to be alone with myself, which can be hard to find as a working mom. But it’s also an incredible space to challenge myself and recognize my capabilities apart from being a mom. Being a mom reminds me daily that I can do hard, incredible things and I get to apply that way of thinking to my running. While I want to do my best and work hard, I also know that I get to come home to the best cheerleader ever so it puts things in perspective for me. Also, I am very lucky to have a supportive husband who values my time and my love for running who is always down to work with my schedule so I can get a run in. 

Any goals you'd like to share?

I'm trying to run a sub 2:40 at Eugene! I won’t know 'til I try so here goes nothing! 

What are you passionate about outside of running? 

Family! Friends! Coffee! Good margs! Perfecting GF chocolate chip cookies! Weekend adventures! Learning and growing and loving people well