Runner Profile

Lindsay Young

Age: 38

Job: Nurse Practitioner, Bone Marrow Transplant

Hometown:  Byron

Running mantra:  Forward is a pace. I wish I could take credit for coming up with it, but like many ideas and words of wisdom, it came from a running friend. I have employed this mantra not only on runs but also in academic and work pursuits.

Running has made me appreciate the ability of my body. Every time I run a marathon (or that one time I ran a 50K) I think, “Wow!, I did that!” Running has made me realize I’m capable of more than I sometimes give myself credit for.
Running has also introduced me to people I would have never otherwise met. I love meeting new people, making new friends, and hearing about the journeys of others. The people I’ve met and friends I’ve made through running are a big part of the richness of my life.

An invitation by Dale Pfrimmer to attend the annual meeting and awards night in January 2020 to hear Carrie Tollefson speak was all it took. I already knew many of the faces of the club from local running events and by-chance meetings on the trails, but for some reason had never joined. Once I joined the Rochester Running Club, I discovered the beauty of the supported Saturday long-runs (exposing me to new routes and people – both such wonderful things!) and the overall depth of support and spirit of the Rochester running community. I’m glad to be a part of this community of people.

I run for health, body, and mind. I run to be outside (that fresh air on my face on a post-work run after wearing a mask for 12 hours was one of the most refreshing and glorious feelings of 2020!). I also really love the seasons and running through all of them is the best way I’ve figured out how to appreciate the new spring blooms, green lawns of summer, vibrant colors of fall, and the clean, crisp look of snow. I run to socialize. Running has been my social outlet in our pandemic times. I am so, so grateful for this outlet. I run to explore. One of my favorite things to do when I travel is to run-the views I’ve found and discoveries I’ve made on runs while on vacation and mission trips have always added to my experiences. I also really love to explore new routes and trails at home – there’s something really exciting about going somewhere for the first time, even at home!

I prefer morning runs, especially in the heat of the summer-the earlier the better, but the availability of running partners and my work schedule are the biggest determinants of when I run. I never run before the start of my 6 am hospital shift, but will absolutely meet someone to run at 6 am on a day off. I love the feeling of having a run done early in the morning allowing me to fill up the rest of the day with other activities. I don’t mind a headlamp run after work, especially if it allows me to take a tour of Christmas lights or participate in a TerraLoco $5 5K!

This is a loaded question! Anywhere! I’ll run wherever there’s a friend to meet, a race to run, or scenery to enjoy. I do have a favorite Rochester route though – I love to park at John Withers Sports Complex, jump on the Zumbro South Trail, and make a nice 4-mile loop by running on the trail, then out onto Mayowood Road to pass the Mayowood Stone Barn, and back-I can’t get enough of that route. It feels really removed from Rochester even though it’s definitely not and I just love that I can see water, trees, farmland, wildflowers in the spring, and many times, deer too.

I’m a Brooks Glycerin shoe believer! Anytime I’ve tried to branch out to other brands or even Brooks styles, I find myself right back buying them again. Just the right amount of “cush” for me. Sunglasses – especially in the summer. Gooders were a really fun discovery for me! Neck gaiter/Buff – I’ve loved this piece of gear for winter running long before face coverings were an essential part of our daily wardrobe.

This year I want to run a real, live, marathon! 2020 was the first in 10 years I didn’t run a marathon and I really missed it! In the next few years, I’d love to run an international marathon – the perfect way to mix my love of travel and running, I think. Long-term, I want to run as long as I can. I never want to stop running because I’m a certain age, I just want to take good care of my body and keep running. I’ve got a lot of places and races to discover on my own two feet!