With that being said, it’s time to meet a member of #teamsparkle. Up next is Brea, aka @babydoll_brea on social media!
Tell us about your past race/running experience:
Brea: I began running 16 years ago out of desperation; every time I left my infant son at the gym childcare, he would start crying until he started dry-heaving. I started off running a few blocks with him in a baby jogger. It took a year of running before it was something I looked forward to doing, and then I was hooked: I began competing in 5k and 10k races, and then summoned the nerve to register for a half marathon. Racing 13 miles was the hardest I have ever pushed myself running…until I ran my first marathon. Two years later, I ran a second marathon to celebrate my 40th birthday. Last January, the runDisney Star Wars event was my 20th half marathon. It’s been a wild ride and running has pushed me farther mentally and physically than I have ever thought I could go.
We are so glad you are a part of #teamsparkle. When did you first join and what color was your first skirt?
B: I unknowingly joined #teamsparkle in April, 2014. A friend was getting a team together to participate in an obstacle course-style race called the Warrior Dash. My daughter and I ran the event with several women we met that day. One of those women was Brenna Savage, and she gave me my first sparkle skirt (black and silver). It turned out that Brenna is the niece of one of the Sparkle Athletic founders, Carrie Lundell. I had never heard of #teamsparkle before that day but Brenna had visors, arm sleeves and sparkle skirts for all of us to wear. It was so much fun! Despite the fact that we were covered in mud, we all still sparkled!
What/Who inspires you to continue running?
B: Running is one of the few things that truly clears my head. Not only has it been great for my cardiovascular health, but my mental health as well. I’m inspired by the fitness accounts that I follow on social media; they’re people who aren’t out to sell anything and get out there daily without excuses. And last, the event that surpassed any PR was running the Disneyland Half Marathon in August 2014 with my daughter.
We all know how much #teamsparkle loves their treats as much as they love running… What’s your favorite indulgence?
B: I love good chocolate, particularly ‘exotic’ bars with orange peel or flavors like lavender or chili. Yes please!
Which Sparkle Athletic product is your favorite “go to”?
B: My skirts! I absolutely love them! My instagram post of ‘flat Brea’ with my runDisney Star Wars sparkle outfit is probably the most liked photo on my account.
What is one of your favorite parts of racing in a Sparkle Athletic skirt?
B: It helps take away race-day nerves. It’s hard to be too serious when I’m rocking so much sparkle!
Thank YOU so very much for “joining the team.” Individually each & everyone of you is amazing, but as a “team” we ROCK.
Everyone has a story, and we want to hear YOURS! The #teamsparkle community is such a loving and inclusive group, but often times we are tackling our runs solo. Knowing your teammates can help you to feel more a part of the running community.
If you would like to share your story, whether it is about how you got started running, what motivates your running, why you love running, or how running has changed your life, please let us know! We would love to feature you on an upcoming “Meet The Team“ post – so email us at meettheteam@sparkleathletic.com!