Runner Profile

Brianna Kammel

Age:  30

Hometown:  Byron

Running mantra:  It doesn’t get easier you get stronger.  I certainly didn’t coin this quote nor do I know the true author but I have felt like I can relate to it, and have continued to agree with it since 2016 when I decided to make a lifestyle change, and running and working out was part of this change.

In 2016 my youngest was born and I knew then I needed to make a lifestyle change. I picked up running, why I have no idea because I was honestly the one who would get called out sick on the 1-mile day in school. Logically that was the worst because then you just had to make it up later and more of the class was sitting out waiting for you to run. Anyway, I would say that running has changed my life in so many ways but two that stand out the most are my motivation to do more and the community. As a family, we go hiking, biking, and even sometimes my girls will run. I am a lot more active now in everything and seek adventure. The second is the running community. They are friends and many are like family! They are there to not only run with but to support my family and be there to help. They’ve babysat the girls, talked through life like therapy on a run, and really become a part of our family

I joined RRC to meet more people and become more involved with the running community. I wanted a way to find more people to run with and more ways to involve not only myself but my girls, and husband in community events. We have helped with Save the Track events, attended a number of other RRC fundraisers, and community fun.

I run for many reasons but the number one is I run for myself. It improves my mental health, helps me stay physically active, and has helped me realize I can set challenging goals and reach them.

Whenever I can! I am going to school, working, and have a family. I also love to run with friends and they are all busy with work, family, etc. so we run when we can. We run early in the morning, mid-day, and in the evening.

Anywhere!! Really. We hit Cascade when we want some faster terrain (well minus the big green bridge of course), and we head to the trails like Oxbow, Gamehaven, and Quarry Hill. I like going on the same route and finding new routes with different scenery. I am open to just about whatever, especially with good company.

My Saucony gloves in the winter! I do like podcasts and audio books but I only use those when I am running solo.

YES? I run for fun, and I have goals. This year I started out planning to do a Fall trail 50k with my dad and trying to PR my 5K. When my great-grandma passed away I convinced myself I was going to run a marathon. I know she would have been impressed and seeing her face when we told her would have been priceless. I got a stress fracture in the spring doing a long run on Mother’s Day so I put it off until Fall. Which worked out great anyway because Joann was signed up for Mankato and I told her that if it was canceled and went virtual I’d run it with her. Guess what? It was canceled! Lots of great weekend long runs and good conversations! I ended up running 26.2 Sparta to La Crosse with my dad and then running the virtual Mankato with Joann (you know her if you shop at TerraLoco). We shall see what 2021 brings!