RWR:MEET BETH MOM, FORMER DJ, & COACH

"We gotta get out while we're young

`Cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run"

~ Bruce Springsteen, 'Born to Run'

Today I am thrilled to introduce you to my dear friend, fellow runner & coach and former deejay, Beth Baker.  I first met Beth out in the social world; Twitter I believe.  We connected through the Oiselle team, which we are both members of, and we instantly hit it off due to our shared passion for running, music, sarcasm and dumb jokes.  We finally met in person back in the summer of 2018 at a team Birdcamp, where we spent four intense days together sharing both a cabin and random toiletries like dental floss and earplugs.  We have obviously stayed connected on account of our friendship but it was not until weeks ago that I learned that she used to be a legit radio deejay.  And not just a deejay.  She majored in audio engineering assuming she'd be on the radio long term.  But, of course, life doesn't always happen the way we plan it.  In her own words:

Before I started running, I was on the radio. I got my degree in audio engineering and I wanted to go into radio to make people happy with my music choices. My debut on the radio was an intern for a classic rock radio station at the tender age of 18 years old. I was the one who would laugh at the morning comedy duo, and to run "the board".  My first day of being on the radio, the station got a record number of calls to get me off the air...my laugh was "too much" (for those who have not met me, I have VERY loud laugh). But they kept me on and I continued to work in the radio industry till I started Running Evolution and got pregnant.  I hated running, but my love of porter beers started brewing, so I figured I might need a balance.  It took me a year to train for a 5k, and then I was hooked.  I began helping friends start running and created Running Evolution fourteen years ago.  I've worked with over 2500 new runners. One of my favorite things to do is to make rockin' running playlists.  And I get to use my engineering degree making my podcasts, Why We Run. 

So, yes, she took a different path, including motherhood, to get to where she is today but her love for music and running continues to be stronger than ever.  Listen to her playlists.  They're awesome.  Listen to her podcast.  Also awesome.  But first, let's get to know her a bit more here on RWM.  Without further ado, meet Beth Baker a RUNNER WHO ROCKS.

RWR:MEET BETH BAKER

Name: Beth Baker
Where you're from: California, in the southern part 
Where you reside now: Seattle, WA in the southern west side
Age (if you're ok sharing): 46 or 12...depends on the day 
Occupation:Mom & Running Coach for people who aren't competitive, who like beer & doughnuts 
Blog/website: https://runningevolution.com
Podcast: Why We Run
Fav Radio Station:KEXP.ORG

ON RUNNING & MUSIC:

What do you love most about running? 

One of the biggest gifts that I love about running is that I used to hate it, and I kept at it, and learned to love it.  It reminds me that I can change, evolve and be a better person.  I also love the way my legs look when I run.  

What do you love most about music? 

Music raised me, literally.  I was a 70's/80's kid and my parents weren't around.  It was me, FM radio and my MTV.  It's been the chorus throughout my life, and whenever I get lost in the muck, I turn to music, and it's a big billboard saying, "This is you.  Music is in your heart".  I also went to school for music engineering and production and was in radio for 15 years.  It shaped me.  When I run with music, it's like this weird moving dance that allows me to express myself on a very elemental level. 

BETH'S FAVORITES:
Band (current, all time or both): UGH! I want to pick all of them, but Built to Spill is pretty wonderful. 
Album (current, all time or both): Led Zeppelin 'Houses of the Holy'. I know, cock rock...but I love it.  
Race venue: Avenue of the Giants marathon in Weott, California 
Music venue: Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco
Race distance: 1/2 marathon. I can still walk the next day. 
Show you've seen live: I've seen The Mountain Goats many times, and cry each time. They're great. 
Ice cream flavor: Anything that has something crunchy in there. 

THIS OR THAT:
Sweet or salty? Yes. 
Live or recorded? Yes. 
Coffee or tea? Coffee. 
Summer or winter? Summer. 

MORE MUSIC INFO:
Which band or artist would you go see tonight if you could? PJ Harvey
Which band or artist (wait...but no longer alive or playing together) would you go see tonight if you could? Otis Redding or Aretha Franklin or both together. 
Which band or artist would you like to have dinner with tonight if you could? Tom Waits.  I've always wanted to meet him and I know so many people who have and say he's so great.  I also want to meet his wife, Kathleen Brennen, who is an amazing producer. 
Which band or artist would you like to be playing alongside you during your next race (or long run)? Bruce Springsteen...cause tramps like us. 

LAST ONE: 
Today, I feel like….(fill in the blank): making soup and being cozy. 

Top 5 Songs for running, dancing or both? 

This Year - The Mountain Goats (a 2020 anthem)
Mr. Blue Sky - ELO
Juice - Lizzo
Comeback Kid - Sharon Van Etten
Straight to Hell - The Clash
Huffer - The Breeders
Oops. That was 6. 

Last 5 Songs you listened to today?
Moonlight Mile - The Rolling Stones
September Girls - Big Star
Pretty Good - John Prine (another good 2020 anthem)
Sweet Baby - Ted Hawkins
Mockingbirds - Grant Lee Buffalo 

Listen to this:

Sir Duke - Stevie Wonder

STEVIE WONDER · Sir Duke