Samara Roman-Holba
Member since 2020
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Current city: Portland, OR
Occupation: Dietetic Intern
Instagram handle: @samlilyruns
Racing highlights/PRs:
3:20 - 2018 Philadelphia Marathon
1:34 -2019 Brooklyn Half Marathon
20:28 - 2019 NYCRUNS prospect park 5k
6:02 - Brooklyn Mile 2018
2:35 -800m, Matthew Vassar Twilight invitational 2016
Best race experience: My best race experience was at the Philly marathon in 2018, which was my first marathon. I had no friends running it, so I was so nervous but ended up running next to this guy for most of it. We didn't say a word to each other, but every time I looked over he was smiling and giving me a thumbs up. I never saw him after mile 20 or so, but after the race I found a Facebook message from him introducing himself as Pedro, thanking me for helping him set a half PR, with a race photo attached of the two of us smiling with thumbs up that he bought for me. Pedro keeps me going!
Best running experience: The first time I ever had a 20 mile long run, I was terrified, but my friend said it wasn't a big deal and that he'd do it with me. I don't know what happened but I got so locked in and felt better and better with each mile and was so stoked the whole time. I finished feeling amazing and turned around to see my friend way behind me puking in a bush. He ended up buying me breakfast for playing it too cool :) Win win for me!
Passion(s) outside of running: Nutrition, dessert-eating, fantasy novels, painting, and my dog Billy.
Favorite post-run meal: Scrambled eggs with everything but the bagel seasoning, toast with peanut butter, honey, and sea salt, banana pancakes, and all the coffee.
