Donna Sterns (center) has been a fixture in HARRA and the Houston running community for as long as one can remember. Owner of lifetime PRs of 17:39 (5K), 35:41 (10K), 1:17:12 (Half Marathon), and 2:38:51 (Marathon), Donna is a two-time USA Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier (1984 & 1988) and has continued her amazing longevity as a Masters (40-49) and Veteran (50-59) runner.As a Masters, Donna has compiled best times of 18:00 (5K), 38:21 (10K), and 2:52:39 (Marathon). Her best Marathon as a Veteran was her 3:23:33 performance from the 2009 Chevron Houston Marathon.
HARRA News recently caught up, literally, with the great Donna Sterns after her 2010 Chevron Houston Marathon performance...
HN: Donna, can you please give us some insight into training in Houston in the 80's and 90's and the group dynamics of that time period? What has changed, for better or for worse?
DS: In 1979 I started training with Jim McLatchie and the Houston Harriers. In a few years we had a group of 25 - 30 totally dedicated distance running athletes that met at Houston Baptist University on Monday and Wednesday nights for track workouts and Saturday mornings for long runs. On the track we were separated into groups of 4 - 5 runners that could run close to the same times. Jim would have our workout in his "black book" that he brought to the track. Lots of Mondays we would run 6 x 1 mile or 12 x 800 with a 200 jog between. On Wednesdays we might have a mile breakdown of Mile, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 with 1/4 jog between. We always ran hard on the track, holding nothing back; my heart rate was over 200 bpm. Our long runs were 18 - 30 miles. During marathon training I did 2-a-days by running 4 miles in the morning Mon - Fri and 6 -12 miles during the evening (including our track days) with a 20 plus mile run on Saturday and an 18 on Sunday. I always built up from 70 miles per week in the off season to 100 - 120 miles peaking before a marathon.
We had a group of 4 - 8 women that consistently ran together and pushed each other to the limit. One of my best friends, Debbi Briggs and I trained together several times a week for 15 years. Sometimes we would divide up the weekend races so we could both win. In 1984, Jim coached 8 of us to the Womens' First Olympic Marathon Trials in Olympia, Washington. Many of us PRed that day It was an awesome experience and McLatchie's training really paid off. Five of us returned to the 1988 USA Marathon Trials in Pittsburg.
Now there are lots of training groups around Houston, but not many focused on winning and running fast times to qualify for the Marathon Trials. Many of the runners today are new to the sport and run for the social atmosphere and general fitness rather than the competition. I think improving your fitness and developing a healthy lifestyle are very important so I welcome all these new runners. I still believe that there are some top athletes that could make it to the next level if they did more work and set higher goals. In the 80's, women ran 17 minutes routinely in 5Ks and 35 minutes in 10Ks and 2:40's marathons; you don't see those times locally any more.
HN: What are some of your best experiences in running?
DS: It's the people! Most of my best friends are runners. We share so much together. No one knows you better than your running buddies. Even if you don't live near each other anymore or get to run together very much, the bond is always there.
I was fortunate to travel on Nike's team to Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Japan and also competed in many major marathons: Boston, New York, Marine Corps, Grandmas, Las Vegas, L.A., Rio de Janerio (with my good friend, Kathy Molitor) and of course all the local Texas and Louisiana marathons. Each race offered great experiences with people and the environment.
HN: Any favorite races, most memorable races?
DS: My most memorable race is the 1984 Women's Olympic Marathon Trials. I had an achilles injury 3 months before the race and after healing I only had 12 weeks to pull it all together. I had also lost both my parents a few years before and they knew this was a huge goal race of mine. I had run 8 other marathons between 2:43 - 2:46 all while trying to break the 2:40 barrier. During the race, I ran the perfect pace I had planned, running negative splits for 2:39.11. The last 8 miles I was running scared and running amazed! One leg cramp and you could be out. I thought of my parents, my hard training and I was thankful that God had allowed me this opportunity to be fit and successful with this goal. During the last mile when I knew I would break 2:40, tears ran down my face and when I crossed the line a friend of mine called my name and I pumped my fist in the air and said "I did it!" I remember it like it was yesterday. The local newspaper caught my reaction on camera and put it in the paper the next day. They sent me a photo so I'll always remember this exciting moment.
HN: You used to train for the Olympic Trials, what keeps you motivated these days? Why train so hard?
DS: I run to eat! It's all about Blue Bell Ice cream! Really, I enjoy being fit. I have a Masters in Education focused on Exercise Physiology so I have always had an interest in being healthy. I also work in the industry, selling Brooks Sports footwear and apparel, Moving Comfort sport bras and apparel, Thorlo socks, Spenco insoles and Zensah leg sleeves so I'm literally covered top to bottom in running gear so it makes sense to keep up with training. If I'm showing product at a race I still need to get my workout in so I might as while run. But if you toe the line, be prepared to get beat if you haven't done the work! That keeps me motivated to keep training!
HN: You keep an amazing figure, any diet tips for HARRA?
DS: Run more! I don't eat any special foods. I follow the Sea Food Diet, see food, eat it!
HN: Your whole family is actively involved in running, how did that unfold?
DS: My husband, Darrell and I met at an All Comers Meet at Rice and then later at the water fountain at Memorial Park. We knew a lot of the same runners so it didn't take long for us to become a permanent couple at the races. My kids started in the baby jogger, graduated to 1Ks then ran middle school and high school track. My daughter, Kristen is a senior and had knee problems early in high school, but she now runs 4-5 miles several days a week for fitness. My son, Jordan, is a high school freshman and ran varsity cross country, earned his letter jacket, and starts track this season.
HN: Anything you would have done differently?
DS: No. Running actually changed my life. I met my husband, Darrell running, switched careers because of running and my closest friends are runners. It defines part of every day.
HN: Anything else you would like to share with HARRA?
DS: Running distance races and marathons has always been easier for me than shorter races. I can mentally focus for a long time and have confidence in having a good finish. I visualize the race course and see myself doing well. I use a lot of positive affirmations and prayer to keep me focused and relaxed. I enjoy cheering on others as it also motivates me. I try to stay in the "now" and the finish takes care of itself.
HARRA News would like to thank Donna Sterns and her wonderful insight and candid thoughts, and we wish her well in the upcoming HARRA Spring Series! Go get 'em, Donna!
