Jennifer Hart Leisten, 42, Bakersfield, CA, Mom/College Student
What inspired you to start doing races?
One day back in February 2013, I went for a walk with my cousin. At the time, I was around 320 lbs. Halfway through the walk, I had to call someone to be picked up because of my chronic lower back pain and the sciatic nerve pain that ran through my left leg – it hurt so bad I couldn’t finish the walk. That nigh,t I was sitting in front of the TV still in pain and all of a sudden I just said to myself, “What the heck are you doing? Why do you keep living this way? In all this pain, miserable, and unhappiness?” (I had also tested one point pre-diabetic). So, right then and there, I decided I needed a plan; a goal that would inspire me to change my life and habits. I love Disney and Disneyland is my favorite place in the world, so surely something Disney could motivate me. I had heard of the Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland and made a goal to run it in 2015. That would give me two years to lose weight and to start running/training. I immediately started going to the gym, doing the elliptical and strength training ,and dropped 50 lbs in about five months. By that October (and after losing some more weight), I started with the Jeff Galloway 5k training app and was on my way.
Do you walk, run or run/walk, swim, cycle, do obstacles?
I run/walk, go on walks, sometimes use the elliptical, sometimes strength train, and I swim during the summer. I definitely need to get back to strength training more.
What distances do you do?
The distances I’ve done are 5ks, 10ks, and half marathons. I plan on signing up for my first marathon in the next year or so, and I plan to take on Dopey in 2018.
How many have you done?
So far I’ve done about 18 5ks, eight 10ks (nine, if you count the Wine and Dine Half Marthon (cut short) of 2015), and eight half marathons.
What do you feel is your greatest race accomplishment?
That would have to be finishing the Star Wars Half Marathon in 2015 while recovering from pneumonia. The week before, I was swept from the WDW Half Marathon after suffering some breathing attacks caused by the pneumonia. I really didn’t think I would be able to finish the Star Wars half just one week after that. But I got some great advice from my teammates to talk to Jeff Galloway at the expo. He told me to switch my intervals, because my body wasn’t ready to handle my normal 30/30 intervals while recovering. I switched to 15/30, as he suggested, and was able to finish the race. I was beyond happy and relieved!
Favorite race and why?
I have two favorites: The Star Wars Half Marathon at Disneyland, and the Yosemite Half marathon. The Star Wars Half is my favorite because I just love the course, especially seeing my friends and teammates running back on Harbor Boulevard as I’m heading out. Focusing on finding my friends makes the time go by faster, and it just makes me happy when I do see them. Also, I love the Cosplayers lined up out there; I have loved these movies since I was a kid and to see the characters out there is just too awesome! The Yosemite Half is my other favorite, because despite the first 10 miles being all downhill (which apparently they’ve lowered some of the downhill miles a bit this year) it was just so beautiful, and not to mention almost all of the race was in the shade. Who wouldn’t love that?
Do you travel for races?
Yes, I have traveled for the Disney races to Anaheim and Florida, to Yosemite for that race, and to Santa Cruz, CA. for the Wharf to Wharf.
Does your race schedule become expensive?
Yes, the race schedule has been expensive, but I have a few benefits that help out for the Disneyland races in California.
How do you afford to make it happen?
I’m only a two and a half hour drive from Disneyland, so no flights needed. My nieces live about 10 minutes away from Disneyland, so I stay there and don’t have to pay for a hotel. I also usually don’t sign up for any local or non-Disney half marathons, so that I can use that money for the Disney races. I have to say I do prefer the Disney medals over other medals too.
Must-have gear on race day:
I must have Music! So basically, I need my phone. And I’ve learned recently that not forgetting your ear buds helps a whole lot too. I must have my hydration belt also, not really for the water, but mostly just to carry all my stuff. Plus, I love the bib holder on it. Makes it so worth it.
Weirdest place you’ve ever chafed:
I think the weirdest place I’ve chafed so far would be the middle of my back to the left during the Dumbo Half. Don’t know how that really happened since it’s never happened before or after that.
Do you prefer to run in warm weather or cold weather?
I definitely prefer to run in cold weather. I whine when I have to run in warm weather, which happens a lot here in Bakersfield, CA. It gets very hot here.
Favorite pre-race meal/snack:
Either a bagel or an English muffin.
Weirdest/funniest thing you’ve ever experienced at a race:
The funniest and weirdest thing I’ve experienced at a race is my teenage daughter during the Princess weekend races. When she gets extremely tired, she gets really wacky and funny. She had only had a few hours of sleep during the 48 hours beforehand, so it brought out her goofy and silly side. She had me laughing the whole time through the 5k. We had a great time!
Worst experience during a race:
Worst experience would be the breathing attacks I had at the Marathon Weekend Half. I’d never experienced anything like that before and it was pretty scary.
Most awesome moment you’ve ever had at a race:
Being with my daughter as she finished her first 10k is the most awesome. Also, I love seeing friends out on and along the course, running with some, some cheering, some meeting you at the end – just all the support and inspiration. Those are the most meaningful things to me at these races, so much more than the medals. It has literally brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion in the best possible way. I was so happy my daughter got to experience some of this along with me.
Your favorite part of participating in races:
My favorite part of participating in races, again, is being with my friends. I don’t necessarily like running and I don’t think even the lure of Disney by itself would keep me at it in the long run. It’s been the friendships and support that has kept me going, and has made me want to return over and over and over. I’m sure the feeling of accomplishment helps bring me back too.
Do you wear costumes? If so, what’s been your favorite?
I have just started to wear costumes thanks to my friend Ann, who kind of made me. LOL! But it’s been a lot of fun. It’s especially fun when my kids run in costumes too.
How important are awesome medals to you?
I do like getting the medals and some are pretty awesome, but they aren’t the most important thing to me at these races. I’ve done races without medals. It’s all about the friends to me. If my friends invited me to a race that wasn’t giving out medals, I’d still definitely be there.
Best medal you’ve earned so far:
Getting my Tinker Bell Half medal was by far the most special to me. It was the race that started it all for me; the one that got me off the couch and onto the path for a better life. That medal will always hold special meaning to me.
Do you prefer to run alone or with a buddy?
I have to answer both to this question. I have no problems running alone and sometimes I prefer it. It’s the time I use to really get inside myself and think, reflect, and come up with solutions for problems, etc. I also like running with friends; it makes me push myself to keep up with them and the company is always fun to have, especially if we’re goofing off. It makes the time go by faster.
Favorite song on your playlist:
I’ll go with the three songs that get me moving faster and put a bounce in my step. “Uma Thurman” by Fall Out Boy, “Down with the Sickness” by Disturbed, and the last one is a bit ridiculous and please don’t laugh at me (or do, cause I laugh at myself for this) “Time to Change” by the Brady Bunch. How can you not become happy and peppy with Greg, Marcia and the kids singing their “Sha na na na na na na na na(‘s)?” My music taste is very eclectic.
Who is your race hero and why?
Oh gosh, so many! Jeff Galloway: without his run-walk-run method, I wouldn’t be able to do this. The Mickey Milers team: without them, the friends I’ve made, and the support, I don’t think I would’ve continued to run and stay on this journey. All of my friends and teammates (too many to name and I don’t want to accidentally leave anyone out): they keep going hard and accomplishing their goals, even through hard times and injuries, etc. Anyone who ran Splash and Dash (Rainy and miserable Wine and Dine of 2014): these are the people and things I think of when I feel like quitting and giving up during races and training; they inspire me to not give up and to keep going.
What is the top race on your bucket list?
Hands down, the Tower of Terror 10-miler if they bring it back. Other than that, I’d have to go with the Walt Disney World Marathon.
What has been the best physical side effect of your participation in races?
Being able to stand, move, and do things I couldn’t before. My back pain has decreased tremendously, too. Lastly, the end to breathing heavy just from walking.
Your advice for others who might be intimidated by signing up for a race:
Making a goal with a deadline was very effective for me. I seriously never thought I’d ever in my lifetime be able to run down the block, now I’m running 13 miles. Training is very important. I took things very slowly and built up little by little; this helps prevent injuries. Find some great running friends or an awesome team and you’ll have the time of your life.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Running is not fun or easy in and of itself. It takes a lot of hard work. However, the rewards of running are amazing and abundant. Since I’ve taken up running, my life has completely changed, and in only great and positive ways. I’ve made the best friends I’ve ever had in my life. I’m healthier and able to be more active for not just my sake, but for my kids as well. It helps me to relieve stress. It gives me a time to just be with my thoughts and has really helped me to find out who I really am and what I really want for my life. As much as I don’t like getting myself out the door sometimes, I know it would be almost impossible for me to quit running because of all the positives I get from it.
Jennifer – You’re 100% right that you need to do more strength training. Workout out with this video, designed just for you!
Great story. I’m happy to read and was very inspired.