"If you bet on yourself, it's contagious, and others will bet on you and wanna bet on themselves. Whether it's running, family, work, or a different hobby it's contagious positivity."

-Gabi Rooker

Close your eyes and think back in time to remember your first two marathons. Most of us were out there to challenge ourselves and prove we could finish... Gabi Rooker ran 2:54:57 in her debut at Grandma's 2021 and then proceeded to slash another 20 MINUTES at Grandma's 2022—running 2:34:57—easily beating the challenging new 2:37 OTQ standard! I'm so excited to share her amazing story to INSPIRE more ladies to get after that new target.

Gabi was a competitive gymnast who started at the age of three! She loved the routines, the order, and the discipline required to continuously improve and won three Division III individual national titles and three team national titles, competing for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. It's where her competitive fire was forged and her love for the grind has really helped her running flourish. Gabi only ran one year in high school and that was focused on sprints.

We discuss:

-️her college coach, Barbara Gibson, who was her most impactful mentor

-finding running, joining Mill City Running, chasing OTQ goal with teammate Kim Horner

-the husband-coach team dynamic

-️gratitude for running a 1/2 PR of 1:17 with Shalane Flanagan at the Eugene Marathon in May & learnings from the experience

-the initial frustration at the drop to 2:37 OTQ standard—and then turning that frustration into FUEL

-a dream day: running a 2:34:57 with a 1:18:12 first half & 1:16:45 second half for a BIG negative split and a new 1/2 PR

-️betting on yourself & inspiring others to the new OTQ standard

-community—volunteering at Tracksmith races, giving back

Gabi is focusing on speed this summer and will be racing and volunteering at the Tracksmith Twilight 5000 Series. I'm so stoked to follow her inspiring journey as she chases even faster times at CIM in December!

If you enjoy the episode, it would mean the world to me if you would rate the podcast or write a review and share feedback wherever you get your podcast groove on.

Connect With Gabi:

Instagram: @gabirooker

Connect With Ron:

Personal Instagram: @ronrunsnyc

Podcast Instagram: @runchats_with_ronrunsnyc

Facebook: https://fb.me/runchats

Website: https://ronrunsnyc.com

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