Running New Mexico Podcast

Episode 37 - Sabrina Somarribas

This week I spoke with Sabrina Somarribas, local runner and teacher. We talk about her journey into running, struggles, and accomplishments. She talks about not feeling like a runner/athlete, yet has completed a ton of different event. We dig into her past and how running helps her decompress from work.

Sabrina talks about balancing her work and running, which is something I think a lot of teachers struggle with. We also discuss how she has had to change her view on food and staying healthy.

She has a lot of relatable information that I think will resonate with a lot people. I hope you enjoy the talk as much as I did. You can follow the link to her blog below. As we move into fall and winter and the number of covid tests are on the rise, please make sure to stay safe, stay positive, and keep running, New Mexico.

https://tritoruntheworld.com/

Episode 36 - Cheryl Lowe

This week I spoke with Cheryl Lowe. She has PRs of 3:07 in the marathon, 1:27 for the half marathon, and 40:41 in the 10k. Originally from Texas, she graduated from Texas A&M. She talks about trying to walk on at a DI school, how that led her to other options for running, and how she's used running to decompress and escape (not always a good thing).

We talk about staying motivated while running, staying busy, and not tying your whole identity to running, even if it is a large part of your life.

Is was a great interview with highs and lows of life. We talked about her father's passing and what she has learned from that and how that guides her through this tough time.

I hope you enjoy listening and learning. Remember to be there for each other, wear your mask, and to keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 35 - Norissa Valdez

This week I speak with Norissa Valdez of Los Alamos High School. As the defending 4A girls Cross Country Champion, I wanted to talk with her before the season (that is now postponed again) started. We talk about getting started in running, being a top runner as an 8th grader, bonding with her team, and getting through this time.

It was a fun interview that I hope you enjoy. We will get through this together if we all do our part. Keep going, wear your mask, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 34 - Daniel Otero

This week I speak with Daniel Otero the head cross country and track coach at Laguna Acoma high school. He has 4 state championships, 4 second place finishes, and 4 third place finishes as a coach there.

We talk a lot about expectations of runners, how his running has influenced his coaching, and his background. We also talk about getting athletes through this time. Laguna Acoma already cancelled fall sports and so he has had to come to terms with it for his team. There's a lot of content here and I am so happy that we were able to talk.

I misspoke in the intro when I say he had 22 titles. Obviously I was still referring to his years at Laguna Acoma.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I had interviewing him. Wear your mask, be kind, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 33 - Robbi Berry

This week I spoke with teacher and runner Robbi Berry. As transplant New Mexican, she has embraced the Land of Enchantment and the Organ Mountains in Las Cruces.

We talk about getting into running, teaching remotely, and combining those two passions. She talked about running early in the mornings to start her day and enjoy the quiet of the trails and how she encourages her students to get out and be active.

There is a lot of overlap in running and teaching that we touch on such as goal setting, perseverance, and being adaptable. Personally it was a lot of fun to be able to combine these two passions with a fellow elementary teacher.

Our numbers our rising, so be careful out there, wash your hands, and let's help each other out. In the meantime, keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 32 - Justin Hickey

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Albuquerque Academy standout Justin Hickey. We spoke about his second place finish at the New Mexico State Cross Country Championships as a junior, his goals as a senior, and missing out on track season.

He talked about learning from the upper classmen when he was in 8th grade and how things are different this year. He's excited to have an opportunity to run this cross country season and I hope we can all continue to do what we need to do in order for that to happen.

I hope you enjoy the episode and as always, keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 31 - Valerye Boyer-Wells

This week I had the privilege to speak wit 2002 New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame inductee Valerye Boyer-Wells. She started her career at a young age with the Duke City Dashers under Coach Jim Ciccarello. They worked together through her young years and into her high school time at Manzano High.

During her running career, Valerye was a part of US National teams, made Junior Olympics, and also two Olympic Trials. But through that, she had a goal in mind thanks to her coach. At 10 years old she made a decision that helped guide her through her running career and into the job she wanted. She talks about having clear goals and how that helped lessen the blow of her running accomplishments.

This is a story that I am very happy to share. I don't have enough praise for this amazing woman.

Let's keep doing what we're doing and stay safe, help each other out, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 30 - Daniel Beam

This week I get to speak with Daniel Beam, former Rio Rancho Ram and current Western New Mexico Mustang. We had a lot of fun talking about some of the current records being broken at the elite level and his short career as a sprinter in high school.

We talked about the upcoming cross country schedule, running without worries, and representing the United States at the Pan Am games. He also talked about the best fish taco he has ever had.

 

I hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did. We had a lot fun. Please share, stay safe, and keep running, New Mexico.

@_danbeam_

@wnmathletics

Episode 29 - Sean Abeyta

This week I speak with Sean Abeyta, Oakley rep, ultra and trail runner, and all around fun guy. We talk about starting in running and why he choose cross country (hint: it's not what'd you'd expect).

When spend some time also talking about his 15 year break from the sport, something I can relate to, and what was his motivation to be competitive again, and the spark to compete. Personally, I can relate to a lot of Sean's story and I hope that you will find your nuggets as well.

I just want to thank all of you listening and appreciate you taking the time to listen to the stories of our fellow runners.

As things continue to shift and change, be aware and don't get lazy. We are slowly moving in the right direction in our state, but it will take all of us for that to continue.

Be safe, wash your hands, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 28 - Coach Bob DeVries

This week I speak to my old middle social studies teacher and New Mexico Highlands Cross Country and Track Coach, Bob DeVries. Coach DeVries has almost 40 years of coaching experience in high school and college and has been named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference's coach of the year twice in his tenure at NMHU.

This was a fun interview where we talk about his unique start to coaching and then spend a lot of time talking about what races might look like, eligibility, and what the incoming freshman look like, including Jasmine Turtle-Morales from episode 3. He is another that I'll have to have on again because he has so much to talk about.

I hope you enjoy this episode and our conversation. Spread the word, stay safe, and keep running, New Mexico.