Babe Spotlight: Charline Woods
Charline Woods
Running Enthusiast, Customer Relations Superhero, and All Around Bomb Ass Babe
Charline is an avid runner, long time member of the House of Hops running club, in Raleigh, North Carolina and has tons of fun run stories you can follow on Instagram!
Do you remember your first race?
My cousin and her husband used to ask me to babysit for them while they ran races in downtown Raleigh, so I thought “what’s the big deal?!” I signed up for my first 5k in early 2012 and loved it soooo much that I immediately signed up for a half marathon the next year.
What is your most memorable or favorite race?
My favorite race ever was my 3rd full marathon. I trained well for my first two marathons, but hit a huge mental wall for the first and got injured for the second. I KNEW I could run better than I had raced. My friend Amy offered to pace me for the Richmond full and I immediately accepted. She had me laughing the whole time and got me to forget about the mental hurdles you experience during a marathon. She’s not a hugger, but she gave me the hugest hug after we crushed that finish line because she was so proud. That’s one of my top 3 favorite hugs ever.
What does a typical training week look like to you?
I’m a run streaker, so I need to run at least a mile a day. But that doesn’t mean I only focus on running! When I used to do that, I seriously injured myself and it was not worth it. Now I cross train on the Peloton and strength train. I typically run 30 miles a week, but I mix in plenty of light run days (ESPECIALLY if it’s a rest day, or if I rode hard on the bike). I ride 3-4 days a week and try to do about the same number of strength classes now! I work from home and some days can only sit in a 5 minute core class, but I’ve learned that short workouts are just as helpful and beneficial.
Anything else you want to share with our readers?
I used to fret over not having a “runner’s body,” which made me feel like I wasn’t a serious runner. Please never treat yourself that way!
Charline Woods
There is no “runner’s body.” You are not more than anyone else because you can run faster than they can, and you are not less than anyone because you can’t.
The same advice goes for any activity, but above all else, do it for YOU. Exercise isn’t a punishment, eating isn’t a reward. Don’t let anyone tell you who you are ever, but especially don’t let them define you based on your body. Apparently I’m obese (if you buy into the crock of shit BMI, but that doesn’t stop me from running daily, eating food I like, and LOVING myself.
We will never all have the same body type, nor should we want that. Love yourself for all that you have done, for what you can do now, and for what you want to do in the future. That will shape you for much longer than “being skinny.”
