RWR:MEET STEPH, PRO-RUNNER, PICKY OWNER & MOM

"Stretch your limits....and then stretch a little more."

~ Steph Bruce

Today I'm really fired up to introduce you to Stephanie Rothstein Bruce.  She's a pro-runner for NAZElite and Hoka One One, a co-owner of Picky Bars, a mom to two little ones, a coach to athletes of all levels and a huge role model for me and so many others out there who follow her.  I had the pleasure of meeting and hanging with her last year in her home state of AZ when I was out for a Oiselle team meet up and to race the Phoenix Women's Half Marathon.  At first, she was super chill, pretty quiet and reserved.  In fairness, she was fighting a cold, so that likely had a lot to do with it.  But, as the weekend progressed, she did start to let her guard down a bit and eventually I got a little peak into her wilder side.  I have to give my friend Ashley some credit here as she was the deejay in our car throughout the weekend and her music choices often brought all of us, regardless of the state we were in, to a new level.  Think high volume and impromptu dance parties....in the car.

PERSONAL BESTS

Track
5000m: 15:49
10,0000m:32:24
Road
5k: 15:59
10k: 32:14
20k:67:59
Half Mar: 70:53
Marathon: 2:29:35

Steph has always been a fastie.  But unlike a lot of pros out there, she took a break in 2014 to start a family, having not one but two little ones before returning to the race circuit.  Her grittiness, determination and drive got her right back into it and eventually she was running times as fast, if not faster than she was pre-kids.  What I love about Steph is how honest and real she is.  Regardless of who she's talking to, she tells it like it is.  She shares a lot with her friends and followers on social media including the highs and lows of training and the challenges of balancing running and motherhood among many other things.  This woman is just such a rock star and I feel so fortunate to have gotten to meet and spend time with her in person.  Read more below and then follow her here.  Her journey up to this point has been pretty spectacular and as far as I can tell she's nowhere near done.  Go get 'em, Steph.

RWR:MEET STEPH BRUCE

Name: Stephanie Bruce
Where you're from: Born in New York
Where you reside now: Live and train in Flagstaff, AZ
Age: 34
Occupation: Professional Runner and mom
Website/blog: www.stephandbenbruce.com

RUNNING & MUSIC:
What do you love most about running?
I love that running is the only area in life where we can decide a lot of our fate. We get out how much we put in. We can choose to hurt more in a race if we want to test ourselves. Whereas in life you don't often get to choose how much you suffer or how much hurt gets thrown at you.

What do you love most about music?
Music can distract you and take you to a place mentally that can boot you physically.

STEPH'S FAVORITES:
Album: Yikes, I don't know. I'm a top 40s girl so I like anything currently pop.
Race venue: NYC
Race distance: Marathon
Show you've seen live show: Katy Perry
Ice Cream: Non-dairy cookie dough

THIS OR THAT
Sweet or salty? Sweet
Live or recorded? Recorded
Coffee or tea? Coffee
Summer or winter? Summer





MORE MUSIC INFO:
Which band or artist would you go see tonight if you could? Sam Smith
Which band or artist (wait...but no longer alive or playing together) would you go see tonight if you could? NSync
Which band or artist would you like to have dinner with tonight if you could? Keisha
Which band or artist would you like to be playing alongside you during your next race (or long run)? Anything from Rocky

LAST ONE:
Today, I feel like….(fill in the blank):
Surprisingly....a million bucks, like I need more coffee and I could sleep more.

Top 5 (or 1) Songs for running, dancing or both?
Turn Down for What - DJ Snake & Lil Jon
(note: Steph only listed one song here. So, she either listened to this one on repeat, which wouldn't surprise me, or she didn't see that I requested five, which is more likely.  Doesn't matter.  Either way, she's rockin' out.

Last 5 (or 4) Songs you listened to today? 
Silence: Marshmallow
Pray for Me: The weekend with Kendrick Lamar
Bad at Love: Halsey
Tell me you love me: Demi Lovato