Runner of the Week: Niki Swan

Niki Swan is our Runner of the Week for this week!  She was my Career Explorations teacher in high school.  Niki has been running since 2010.  When she was in 9th grade, her parents ran the Saint George Marathon.  She remembers the feeling of admiration for her parents for being able to achieve this great accomplishment.  Since then, she wanted to start running, but never did until one day she realized that since she has to start sometime, the best time would be now.  She started running with neighborhood friends and training for the Couch to 5K event.  After she ran that, she did the Couch to 10K, Utah Valley Half Marathon, and finished her first marathon, the Santa Barbara Full Marathon about one year after she started training. 

Niki likes to run on the trail through Provo Canyon.
This trail takes her past Bridal Veil Falls.

Within the past three years while Niki has been running, she has completed about 20 races.  Her favorite one was the Santa Barbara Marathon.  That was the first marathon she ever ran, and right after she crossed the finish line, she told herself that she never wanted to run another marathon!  However, she was so happy about accomplishing her goal that she decided to keep on running.  Among the many races she has done, one of them was the Ragnar Relay in Las Vegas two years ago.  Running through the desert was difficult, but it was a fun race. 

Ragnar Relay, Las Vegas 2011

Since 2010, Niki has been pretty consistent with her running.  There have been a couple months where life has been too busy for her to get out there and run, but then she realizes that she misses the great happiness she gets from running and makes time for it in her busy schedule. 

In September of 2011, Niki ran the Top of Utah Marathon.

One thing Niki suggests is to find a running partner or two, or a small group of people to go running with.  That way a person is more likely to not miss their runs for that week.  It is also a lot more fun to go running with other people than just by yourself.  Some people Niki runs with are some neighborhood friends, her brother, and her daughter Tauna.  She and Tauna ran the Utah Valley Half Marathon together in the spring of 2012.  

Niki and her daughter Tauna ran the Utah Valley Half Marathon in spring, 2012.

Niki definitely prefers to run outside more than inside on a treadmill.  Even in the winter when there's snow on the ground!  One day while she was running with a friend through the snow, they looked back at the tracks they had made in the snow.  Her friend's tracks went in a straight line, but Niki's tracks were in a zigzag pattern.  She laughs at herself for running like this, but I know how she feels!  Sometimes I start weave too after I've been running for a while.

Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back, 2013

Another exciting experience Niki had while running was when she went to do a 13 mile run on the Bonneville trail.  She was running by herself and took a wrong turn on the trail, taking her into a game of paintball!  As she turned the corner, a man with a mask and a gun turned around and pointed the gun at her.  In that moment, she didn't know that the man was participating in a game of paintball and she got really nervous!  Once she realized it, however, she quickly left the game area and made her way back to the trail.  I'm glad she made it out of that situation unharmed and unpainted!

One thing Niki suggests is if you're going to run a lot or participate in races or other activities frequently, getting good shoes that fit is very important.  She suggests Brooke's PureFlow shoes or Sauconey running shoes.  It is very important to be comfortable while running, so having good shoes makes the world a difference!

Brooke's PureFlow Running Shoes

Saucony Running Shoes

Even though Niki is a mother of several young children and teaches high school classes, she still finds time to go running every morning.  I admire her very much and she has inspired me to continue with my running as well!