Nickname: Elmo christened me as “Priscilla” after successfully completing Marathon des Sables.
Workplace: Financial Controller/Accounts Manager for various companies, BAS agent.
PB’s:
5K 22:08 2017 Albert parkrun #306
10K 46:54 2016 Xcr16 Rd 7 – Albert Park
15K 1:14:13 2016 City2Sea
Half Marathon 1:38:51 2016 Run Melbourne
Marathon 3:29:50 2017 Medibank Melbourne Marathon
Best Running Experience: Marathon des Sable – crazy out of body experience witnessing what people go through, their highs and the lows and camaraderie. Beside the heat of 54C and tough running conditions, the living conditions are what makes or breaks you. I got lost in the desert on the middle of the night, became very ill, sprained my ankle on day two, had to race the last five days with my ankle immobilised and managing the pain just to get to the finish line.
Worst Running Experience: Any 10 km race, just not my distance and I hate it.
Racing Shoes: Asics Gen Nimbus and FuseX, Brooks Glycerin, Mizuno Wave Rider, Saucony Kinvara 7, Peregrine 7, Ride 10.
Years Running: 4 years – had my first run on 2013 – Mother’s Day Classic to support my girlfriend who was diagnosed with breast cancer weeks before. Turned up at the run without any training and pushed myself through the crowd to the first line of starters (yes I was one of those people haha!). When the race started all these super fit fast people passed me like I was standing still – I wanted to become one of them… the rest is the history. I still have goose bumps thinking of that experience.
Why Do You Run?: To clear my head, test and challenge myself. Kind of a cliché but to be a good role model for my kids, showing that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and work for it.
Favourite Training Session: SLR or anything over 15km – I like the long runs. It’s time for myself.
Hobbies: Live concerts, cooking, entertaining friends, reading and writing.
Most Important Thing To Me: Happiness and health of my kids.
Biggest Dislike: (1) Arrogant, judgmental and self-centred people, and (2) where can you find a proper sauna in Melbourne?!!
Favourite Movie: Doctor Zhivago – the passion, the love, the struggle, the determination – all these emotions we experience as runners.
Favourite Music: Can’t point to one style, it depends on the situation and the mood. Ranges from Andrea Bocelli to Metallica.
Favourite Food: Summer – fresh salads with salmon, Winter – slow cooked lamb shoulder.
Favourite Drink: Champagne – don’t need a special reason for glass of Mumm, or a Tempranillo in winter. As for running – Zero hydration.
Favourite Event: Melbourne Marathon locally and Marathon des Sables.
Dream Occupation: Lecturer.
Most admired athlete: Estonian athlete – Erika Salumäe – an Estonian track bicycle racer who won the first Olympic gold medal for Estonia after the country regained its independence in 1991. Hero!
Little known fact about me: I used to put together a Kalashnikov rifle to be ready to use in 1 minute, and held a truck driver’s licence. I am freelancer columnist to various Estonian magazines and newspapers. Qualified sommelier.
Life Highlight: Become a mother to Mia and Joseph. I am first of 8 kids, by the time I left home I had done tons of nappies and loads of milk bottles, I thought I would never have kids of my own, but these two changed my life and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Life low-point: getting through complicated divorce process.
Three Things You Want To Do Before You Die: learn how to play piano, run few more desert races and write a book.
Favourite Quote: “ Life is short – Break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that made you smile” – Unknown.
