Big River Racing TeamBig River Racing TeamBig River Racing TeamBig River Racing Team
  • About the Team
    • About the Team
    • Meet the Team
      • Men
      • Women
    • Joining the Team
    • Big River Racing Team News
  • Schedules
    • Race Calendar
    • Training Schedule
  • Sponsors
    • Team Sponsors
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us

Big River Racing’s Athlete of the Week: Julie Spurgeon

    Home Racing Team News Big River Racing’s Athlete of the Week: Julie Spurgeon
    NextPrevious

    Big River Racing’s Athlete of the Week: Julie Spurgeon

    By bigriverracing | Racing Team News | 0 comment | 10 November, 2015 | 2

    Team member Julie Spurgeon had several PR’s in the half and full marathon this fall. Find out more about her training and racing below!

    Julie Spurgeon
    St Louis, MO (Dogtown)
    Original Hometown: New Orleans, LA
    Running shoe: New Balance Zante
    Favorite Race Distance: 10k
    Favorite PR: 2015 MO Cowbell Marathon 3:40:06

    Q: How long have you been a runner and what first got you hooked on the sport?

    Spurgeon: My dad was a runner and when I was about 9 years old he had me run a 5k race with him. I really enjoyed the experience and began participating in a youth cross country program. After we moved to St Louis I ran the St Patrick Day’s Parade Run with him yearly but that was the extent of my running. By the time I got to high school I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to keep running. The high school track coach, Jim Cary, along with my dad, however, encouraged me to at least give track a try. I ended up running on the varsity track team all 4 years and decided to run cross country my junior and senior years.  I loved the thrill of racing and planned to continue running in college. Knee injuries, however, ruined this plan and after high school I didn’t run for 13 years.  About 3 years ago I decided to try and get back into running. This is definitely one of the best decisions I have made!

    Q: What drew you to race some of the long distances like the half and full marathon?

    Spurgeon: I first decided to run a half marathon because my orthopedic surgeon told me I wouldn’t be able to do it. Now that may not have been the smartest idea but I can honestly say I have had no serious knee issues since I started running again. After running six half marathons I became pretty comfortable with the distance and felt I needed a bigger challenge. My friend John Kertz signed up for the 2014 Pittsburgh Marathon and I decided to make this marathon my first. I lived in Pittsburgh for 10 years and absolutely love the city. I decided if I was going to run a marathon I might as well run it in the same city I ran my first 5k.

    Q: What type of mileage do you run to prepare for either the full or half marathon?

    Spurgeon: I was averaging 50-55 miles per week during training but plan to increase my mileage in January. For half and full marathon training I mix track workouts, tempo runs, hill repeats, and long easy runs into my weekly schedule.

    Q: You raced the both the MO’ Cowbell marathon (3:40:06) and Rock n’ Roll half (1:43:31) last month. Tell us about those races and how you felt throughout the course.

    Spurgeon: This race was a game time decision. My fall marathon in Geneva, IL did not go as planned and I signed up for the MO Cowbell Marathon at last minute. I ran a huge PR at Cowbell (3:40:06) and was not sure if I would run the Rock n’ Roll half two weeks later. On race day, however, I decided to just run for fun and enjoy myself. I forgot my Garmin at home (I was not happy!) and had no idea what pace I was running. I felt pretty good through 10 miles. By mile 11 my legs were fatigued and I had a horrible knot in my left calf. I did my best fight through the discomfort and ended up running a PR. Can’t beat 2 PRs in 2 weeks!

    Q: You’ve done a couple of the Rock n’ Roll races, is there something particular about that race series that you like?

    Spurgeon: I enjoy the Rock n’ Roll St Louis course because it has a good mix of hills. I absolutely cannot stand flat races (Rock n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon was torture). There is also always good crowd support during this race. The Rock n’ Roll St Louis Half Marathon was my first half in 2012 and I think that is part of the reason I enjoy it.

    Q: What have you been up to since racing in October? Are you taking some down time from running or gearing up for another race?

    Spurgeon: I have been taking some down time but am about to start 5k/10k training. I am running the Hot Chocolate 15k in December and will also get some shorter races in over the winter. 

    Q: What is your favorite type of workout to do during training?

    Spurgeon: I love speed work on the track but also enjoy workouts that incorporate hill repeats. Hill running makes me feel stronger and more confident as a runner.

    Q: If you had the chance to go for a run with any athlete (famous or regular) who would you choose and why?

    Spurgeon: Lynn Swann. I am a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan and he won 4 Super Bowls with the team in the 1970s. He also ran the 1993 New York City Marathon in 4:26:41 (not bad for former NFL wide receiver). It would be fun to talk football with him and also hear what he has to say about marathon running.

    Q: What do you like best about training with the Big River Racing Team?

    Spurgeon: I love being surrounded by so many talented runners. There is always someone challenging me to work harder and become a better runner.

    Q: What’s your next big race going to be?

    Spurgeon: I will be running the 2016 Illinois Marathon. I’m excited to up my training and see what I can run on this course.

    JSpurgeon2

    Athlete of the Week, Lynn Swann, Marathon, Spurgeon
    Avatar

    bigriverracing

    More posts by bigriverracing

    Related Post

    • Mike Flynn Wins Age Group @ Nippy Niner

      By Mike Flynn | 0 comment

      Big River UCity Store Manager, Mike Flynn, places 1st in the Male 35-39 age group at the Nippy Niner 9 Mile run at Spanish Lake County Park. The Big River Racing Team is not justRead more

    • Marcus Walton Places 2nd at NHL All Star 5K

      By Mike Flynn | 0 comment

      Congratulations to Big River Racing’s Marcus Walton on placing 2nd at the NHL All Star 5K this morning in downtown St. Louis. Way to go Marcus, and Let’s Go Blues!Read more

    • December 2018 Wrap Up

      By admin | 0 comment

      The Big River Racing Team raced into December to finish off the year in mild but at times cold weather seeing temps as low as 25 or so degrees at start times.  Despite this, theRead more

    • Marathon Monday

      By admin | 0 comment

      Marathon Monday, the 3rd Monday in April has become my favorite day of the year. Nothing comes close, not my birthday, not Easter, nor Christmas. The atmosphere in Boston on Patriot’s Day is unmatched. No matterRead more

    • Missing: Fitness!!! Call if Found

      By admin | 0 comment

      Uh-oh! Fitness!!! Fitness!!! Come back!!! Where did you disappear to??? Fitness!!! “Excuse me sir, have you seen my fitness? I’m agonizing over my lost friend and the suffering is nearly unbearable.” “Can you help meRead more

    Leave a Comment

    Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    NextPrevious

    Recent Posts

    • Winter 2020-2021 Recap
    • October/November Recap
    • Flint Ridge Trail Race Recap
    • June Recap
    • Castlewood Cup Recap

    Archives

    • February 2021
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • June 2020
    • March 2020
    • January 2020
    • January 2019
    • April 2017
    • May 2016
    • February 2016
    • January 2016
    • December 2015
    • November 2015
    • October 2015
    • November 2014
    • October 2014
    • September 2014
    • August 2014
    • July 2014
    • June 2014
    • May 2014

    Recent Comments

    • Fitoru on Big River Racing’s Athlete of the Week: Shaunta Pleasant
    • TestX Core on Workout Write-Up: Backwards (Retro) Running
    • Ron A on Workout Write-Up: Backwards (Retro) Running
    • Curt on 2016 USA Marathon Olympic Trials Preview!
    • Curt on Big River Athlete of the Week: Tony Hilkin

    Recent Posts

    • Winter 2020-2021 Recap

      Big River Racing Team members made the best of a challenging winter

      23 February, 2021
    • October/November Recap

      The last month-and-a-half has featured a number of in-person races as well

      22 November, 2020
    • Flint Ridge Trail Race Recap

      Congratulations to Big River Racing’s James Campbell and Nicholas Loyal for placing

      3 October, 2020
    Big River Racing

    Big River Racing is about running in its purest form. We encompass racing and pushing one’s limits, accepting anyone who shares our passion for running. The team is a dedicated group of like-minded individuals who train, race and socialize with the goal of improving the St. Louis running community through advocacy, openness and volunteerism. The team exists to support runners from post-collegiate athletes to those relatively new to the sport and anyone in between.
    Copyright © 2021 Big River Racing Team
    • About Big River Racing
      • Meet the Team
      • Mission Statement
      • Joining the Team
    • Big River Racing Recaps
      • December 2018 Wrap Up
      • November 2018 Wrap Up
      • October 2018 BRR Recap/WrapUp
      • September 2018
      • Turkey Trot Season 2018
    • Big River Racing Team
    • Big River Racing Team News
    • Contact Us
    • Men
      • Brendan Davis
      • Curt Gilker
      • Matt Kruger
    • Race Calendar
    • Team Sponsors
    • Training Schedule
    • Women
    • Links
    Big River Racing Team