Yahooooo! I’m so excited ya’ll. I’ve been thinking about launching an athlete interview series on the blog for a while now, and am finally making it come to fruition. I’ve really wanted to feature some amazing runners and triathletes (from all abilities and walks of life) to help inspire and motivate you on your own athletic journey.
Today, I’ve got an interview with someone who will seriously make you want to lace up your running shoes – Ruben Sanca. Ruben is an amazing runner who has had stellar performances in varying race distances throughout the US, and in 2012 represented Cape Verde in the 5000 meter run in the London Olympics. {I lucked out in getting this interview since Ruben knew my hubby from their days at UMass Lowell.}
His story and passion speaks for itself. Enjoy!
Photo from Ruben Sanca’s Instagram. Photo Credit: Emily Maye.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself and your athletic background…
I was born in Cabo Verde, an archipelago off of the northwestern coast of Africa. When I was 12 years old, my family moved to the US in hopes of better education, health care and other opportunities. We lived in Roxbury and Dorchester areas of Boston. I attended the Boston Public School system where I played soccer and eventually began my running.
2) How did you get started in the sport of running? Were you a runner as a child, or did you start later in life?
As a soccer player, my teammates and coaches invited me to be on the team because they noticed my speed and stamina on the soccer fields. Eventually, through running programs like the BAA Middle School Championships, I eventually learned about cross country and other forms of running. I ended up giving up soccer to focus solely on running.
3) What’s your favorite race distance?
My favorite race is the marathon. Although every race distance has its own set of challenges, I prefer the marathon because of the amount of discipline, commitment and patience over a longer period of time that it requires. It can be very challenging to plan and even more difficult execute, but the rewards are greater.
4) Do you work with a coach, or are you self-coached?
I do a bit of both. I find it helpful for my work-life balance to plan my own workout days and training schedule. However, for overall training guidance and advice, I seek the help of my college coach, Gary Gardner, whom has helped me for over a decade. I also seek help from training partner Nate Jenkins, in particular when I’m going into big marathon blocks. A lot of my training and racing schedule is done around my work schedule.
5) Can you give us an overview of what a typical training week is like for you? Within that week, what’s your favorite type of training workout?
My training can vary from time to time depending on which race distance I’m training for. A heavy week of training for me leading up to the Boston Marathon would look similar to this:
- Monday- am 6 miles easy, pm 12 miles plus hurdle drills
- Tuesday- am 6 miles easy, pm 3x3miles at race pace w/ recover mile floats at 90 %
- Wednesday –am 6 miles easy, pm 8 miles easy plus weights
- Thursday – am 6 miles easy, pm 10 mile progression run starting at 90% marathon pace, finishing at half marathon pace
- Friday- 12 miles easy
- Saturday- am 6 miles easy, pm 10 miles plus hurdles
- Sunday- 20 miles Charlie Spedding fartlek 5-1-2-4-1-3 w/ 5 minute recovery in between at 80% marathon pace
My favorite workout during the week is probably the 3×3 miles. It is my “go to” workout that I can tell exactly what kind of shape I’m in.
Photo from Ruben Sanca’s Instagram. Photo Credit: Emily Maye.
6) Take us on a journey through your most memorable athletic moment – when was it, what happened, how did you feel, how did it impact you…
One of my most memorable moment in running was when I earned my first All-American honors in college. It was my junior year in cross country. I had worked so hard for some many months. When it finally happened, it was an unreal experience. I actually almost cried at the finish line.
7) Of course, as a dietitian, I’ve got to know – what’s your favorite pre-race meal? What about recovery meals or snacks?
I have recently changed my diet in ways to try to increase my energy level and decrease chances of injury. I hired a nutritionist whom I’m currently working with and have adopted a modified version of paleo for marathoners. I haven’t had the chance to try the new nutrition plan in races. However, most foods I consume are low in carbohydrates and high in protein. I don’t eat processed foods from packages. I stay away from any unnatural sugar and I prepare most meals on my own. So far it’s working out great. I’m feeling extremely healthy and recovering faster than I’ve ever had in the past.
8) Is there any running gear or type of product that you love? Anything you must have with you while going out on a run?
Swiftwick socks. I just couldn’t imagine running without them!
{Side note from Chrissy – I LOVE swiftwick socks too! They are by far my favorite type of socks. I have a few of these grey pairs (affiliate link) and I am desperate need of a few more.}
9) What motivates you to continue training and racing?
Reaching my individual goals. Having had many injuries in the past, I know that the best years of my running are still ahead of me. I’ve had some very unlucky circumstances but I know deep inside me that I still have so much left. It’s just a matter of putting the pieces together at the right time.
10) What are your goals for 2016?
I would like to return to the Olympics again. I will be running the Boston Marathon again in 2016 as my last chance to qualify.
Photo from Ruben Sanca’s Instagram.
11) Do you have any tips for people new to running? Or for those people reading this saying “I could NEVER be a runner!”?
The tip I always tell people new to running is: it only takes three weeks. If you can stay consistent and patient for three weeks, you too can become a runner!
12) Anything else you want to share with our readers?
Running is a life style that leads to success in many other areas in people’s lives, but it is important to keep everything in perspective, not just the running part.
THANK YOU Ruben for sharing your story with us!
*All photos in this post were shared with permission from Ruben.*
Share with me in the comments: Which part of Ruben’s story resonates with you the most? Can you IMAGINE being in the Olympics? Are you feeling inspired to get out and go running right now like I am?!
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What a fun series!! Ruben is such an inspiration and this is such a great series… I can’t wait to read more!
He is definitely an inspiration! I look forward to sharing more athlete stories too 🙂
What a wonderful interview. Props to hubs for the hook-up! Such dedication is amazing. I have heard this a lot lately…21 days makes a habit. That’s pretty much what Ruben says about becoming a runner. That’s pretty interesting. Thanks for sharing his story with us. I hope he make the Olympics!! So exciting it must be to be anywhere near that fast!
I know, can you imagine being the fast? Ruben and I ran in the same half marathon once. He finished it in less than half the time I did, hahaha.