With that being said, it’s time to meet a member of #teamsparkle. Up next is Katie, aka @runtheimpossible on social media!
Tell us about your past race/running experience:
Katie: Living near Walt Disney World, I had always wanted to participate in runDisney events. In 2016, I made the choice to run the Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon and never looked back! We made it a goal to run every Disney race there is! We are currently running every race between Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend 2016 and Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend 2017. Next up is Disneyland Paris! Running is a wonderful outlet, great exercise, and a super fun way to express your creativity. As a former cosplayer and gym-goer, I realized I could combine the two and make fun running costumes!
We are so glad you are a part of #teamsparkle. When did you first join and what color was your first skirt?
K: I joined #Team Sparkle in February of 2016! I had borrowed a few skirts from friends for local races and I wanted my own! My first one was my Neon Pink Specialty skirt for my R2-KT costume. It is still one of my favorite skirts because it is so vibrant. I have well over 30 skirts now because I like being able to have a skirt for every costume that pops into my mind.
What/Who inspires you to continue running?
K: I really love to set challenges for myself. I am inspired to keep running to keep improving. Running is incredible because even if your time is 5 seconds better than the last one, it is still a huge personal achievement. I may not be the fastest runner, but I have an amazing time on the course. Running is a wonderful blend of physical endurance and mental strength.
We all know how much #teamsparkle loves their treats as much as they love running… What’s your favorite indulgence?
K: Ice Cream is my favorite treat!! I love to have a cold bowl of Ice Cream after a long training run. Training in Florida can get super hot, even year round! Ice Cream is the perfect treat for a long run. My tradition after a Disney Half Marathon is to get a bag of Cheetos and walk around the park. I tried to think of something I don’t let myself eat very often and decided I can cheat after 13.1 miles.
Which Sparkle Athletic product is your favorite “go to”?
K: For the last few months I’ve been relying heavily on my Pretty Cosmos skirt. It has just a little bit of Sparkle in all the right places so it looks amazing in photographs. It also has so many colors it is easy to pair with any solid color running top. It is also fantastic for a rainy day run, the rain blends right in with the galaxy print and it sparkles even more!
What is one of your favorite parts of racing in a Sparkle Athletic skirt?
K: I feel faster in a Sparkle Athletic skirt. I like the way they swish and move when I run. I LOVE the way they look in photographs. I also love that I can wear any bottoms I like with them. If we travel for a run, sometimes I’ll pack two or three different bottoms if the weather is changing. It’s an easy switch the morning of the race and my skirt looks great with everything!
Thank YOU so very much for “joining the team.” Individually each & every one 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!