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Dr. Rose Moeser: Passionate About Performance
By George Banker
November/December 2009
"One of the main reasons I got into chiropractic is because I'm so interested in the structure and function of the human body," said Dr. Rose Moeser, currently on the staff Commonwealth Chiropractic Center of Reston, VA. "I love to work out in any form so being around people who are like-minded makes for a fun job."
Like many career paths, Moeser's was formulated at a young age. "I tried a lot of sports like soccer, swimming, ultimate Frisbee and I always maintained a good fitness level," said the Thornton, New Hampshire native. "I saw my dad running when I was young and I wanted to be like him." To say she has good genes is an accurate assessment. Her dad, Chuck Moeser, is one of the top U.S. masters runners. She ran her first 5K at age eight and from then on joined her family at local road races almost every weekend.
"When I started in middle school there was a recreational team where I discovered track and I was pretty much hooked after that," recalled Moeser. After attending Herndon and Broad Run High Schools, she spent a year at American University and in 2005 received her B.S. in Exercise Science from George Mason University. In 2008 she received her Doctor of Chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College.
Now Moeser competes in five to 15 races per year. "I like to feel hungry when I race-like I have something to prove-and I need to race to get it out of my system." She added, "I do not like showing up to a race unless I have committed to giving everything I can find inside myself that day."
Her training program consists of 35 to 40 miles per week (never more than 45), and since her office is conveniently located across the street from the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail, Moeser regularly runs on the multi-purpose trail during her lunchtime breaks.
Like most training programs, cross-training is an essential component. "I have been trying to run most of my non-track runs on very hilly courses to build good strength," she said. Lifting weights is another addition that she incorporates three times per week. "When I started in December of 2008 I could not do a single pull up," she admits, "I have now maxed out at eight in one set." The end result? She's noticed a big difference in her running and general fitness since she's developed better upper body and core strength.
Moeser sums up her general feeling about the sport: "I love to run! I love running because anyone can do it---it does not take a lot of equipment or even time. I love that I can just lace up and go." And go she does!
Rose poses with her father Chuck at the Rockville Twilight 8K in July.
Dr. Rose Moeser File
PRs to date5K - 20:12
10K - 42:25
10 Mile - 1:13:30
Marathon - 3:48
Favorite race: Race the Beach Relay (200 miles in 24 hours)
Non-racing activities: indoor rock climbing and hip hop dancing with her sisters.
Additional info: Moeser is certified in Active Release Technique (soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves),
The power of encouragement
"One thing that I learned from my mom and dad are to give---any way you can. I believe that [giving] encouragement is also very important, whether it's my family, a running friend, or a patient. Recognizing worth in someone else and their achievements can give them the boost they need."
Making a difference
"I hope through patient education and treatment that I can positively affect the running community. I know from a patient perspective that having chronic running-related injuries can be frustrating especially when they are exacerbated by the sport you love. Being given the chance to train with reduced or no pain is such a relief. I know if I can provide that to a fellow runner, I can contribute to the running community."
Balance is key to maintaining fitness
"Lately I have been working a lot on strength training, in the weight room and doing a lot of hilly runs. I am trying to cover all of my bases and concentrate on the areas that I am the weakest to achieve more balanced health and fitness."
Finding time
"I have found that I do not have quite as much time to train now as I am currently starting a chiropractic practice as opposed to college when there were three to four hours a day set aside for training. I have found that if I miss a day of training, the next day I feel more tired and less able to concentrate at work."
Achieving a goal
"I think the most satisfying race I have run at this point in my career was finishing my first marathon. I trained a lot and I thought I was in pretty good shape but I had no idea all of the things that could happen between mile 20 and 26.2. I think that was the hardest race I have ever run. I was so happy when I finally finished and I could barely walk but I could not wait to run another one."
Deciding which race to run
"I like going to races that offer something out of the ordinary like ones that are part of a festival. A fast course is always appealing or a course I know really well that is always advantageous. The most fun races I have run on the roads though are those that have great crowd support like Ukrops 10K, Rockville Rotary Twilight, or the Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon in Virginia Beach, VA."
If you are going to run a race---make it a race
"I may have a specific time goal, however, I always try to make a race a real race and not a workout. Even if I don't run my PR or achieve the place I had in mind, I want to feel like I showed up and gave it my best effort."