Good morning!
I recently had the opportunity to interview, Angela Bizzarri, Brooks Beast and sponsored athlete, via email. She has quite the impressive running career, winning three NCAA national championships in Cross Country as well as the NCAA Track national championships in the 5000 meters (outdoor) and 3000 meters (indoor). It was such a neat opportunity to chat with her, and I hope you guys enjoy our Q & A below. Many thanks to Brooks Running for coordinating the interview!
When did you first start running?
I started running in middle school when looking for a fall sport. I tried Cross Country and fell in love with running on trails and being outside.
What’s your favorite distance to race?
I really like the 5k. It is long enough that I don’t feel like I am in an all-out sprint but short enough that I still feel fast!
Do you have any pre-race rituals or superstitions?
Normally before races I get ready, kind of like most people wear nice clothes or make-up to a big meeting with their boss. Before I race I do my hair and make-up, most people dress up when they want to feel powerful. Racing is the time that I dress up for my job. My power suit comes in the forms of running bums and a sport top.
What’s your favorite post-race meal (or treat)?
I really enjoy a glass of sangria or homemade popsicles when the weather heats up.
I heard that you enjoy wine. What’s your favorite variety/bottle?
I like most red wines but really love pinot noirs. I especially like Oregon Pinot’s because I have really fond memories of going to wineries in that area with family.
What’s the best piece of running advice you’ve ever received?
Have fun. Find new challenges that inspire you. Remember that progress is always slower than desired.
What’s a typical training day look like for you?
My typical training day changes depending upon the day of the week. Our usual week includes two specific workouts, a long run, and some easy mileage days mixed in between. As an example I will give you our track workout from yesterday. After breakfast and stretches, our hard workout days start with a 3 miles warm-up jog and then 10-15 dynamic stretching and running form drills. Next we do a few strides then hop on the track to do our workout. Yesterday we did 12 repeats of 500 meters with 45 seconds rest. It was tough! Next we do a 3-mile cool-down jog. The rest of the day involves icing anything that is tender from the workout and using a foam roller to roll out our sore muscles.
What’s your favorite and least favorite workout?
My favorite workouts are longer track repeats such as 1000-meter repeats. My least favorite workouts are hills workouts, especially at altitude. They make me sooo tired!
What’s the best part about being a Brooks-sponsored athlete?
Amazing performances from athletes take a village; Brooks provides the support structure to help me become the best athlete I can be. As a Brooks sponsored athletes I am fortunate to be around teammates that both train alongside me and support each other through good and bad races. Brooks allows me to have a network of people who are the best at what they do. I have a wicked smart coach that writes me workouts that train me in a way that is both hard and smart. I have amazing support from healthcare professionals and all the cute new gear to get me out the door with a smile.
13 Comments
I love what she said about dressing up for her job! It really shows a true passion!
YES to “have fun” and “…find new challenges that inspire you”! I’m in a bit of a running rut myself, so definitely taking this to heart!
Angela went to my high school! Neat that she is still running and able to make a career out of it!
That’s so cool! Small world! 🙂
I like that her warm up and cool down is a 3 mile jog each…thats my whole workout hehe
I loved this because it is so true!
“Remember that progress is always slower than desired.”
Good reminder to be patient with yourself.
Eeesh that typical training day sounds brutal!
3 mile cool down! Hah!
love her words about progress being slower than desired. so true, and so easy to forget!
I love how she gets ready to run because it makes her feel more confident. I think that is so awesome! 🙂
Great interview. So inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
I love reading these interviews! It makes me miss running so much. What an awesome career she has!
this was great! awesome to showcase amazing, inspiring female runners 🙂