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Monumental Runner – Roxane Sismanidis

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Name: Roxane Sismanidis
 
Self-described age group: 62 (60-64 age group)
 
Residence: Washington, D.C.
 
Occupation: retired State Department, volunteer with the National Park Service and Casey Trees
 
Volunteer roles in the running world: Vice president, Tidal Basin Run
 
Why I run: It’s who I am and what I do. I love the exercise and running outside.
 
When did you get started running: Senior year in high school

Have you taken a break from running: I ran only sporadically when studying in Taiwan (1979-81), but since then only when pregnant, injured, sick, or on vacation.
 
Training shoe: Saucony Redeemer
 
Coach or training group: I run by myself mostly and don’t race much now, so you could say I’m just going with the flow.
 
The hardest race you’ve ever run: Marine Corps Marathon 2004; it was relatively warm and I don’t do well in heat. The wheels came off around mile 9 and it was a struggle to finish.
 
Most adventurous decision you’ve made with your running: I stopped timing myself. I no longer obsess with how slow I’ve gotten and enjoy running much more.
 
Running mentors: When I need running advice, I ask the runners in my family (husband, two grown children).
 
My favorite place to run in the D.C. area is: Rock Creek Park
Favorite local trail: Rock Creek Trail
 
My best race was: National Capitol 20 Miler, 2002. I was really in the zone!
 
Favorite local race: Army Ten-Miler
 
Ideal post-run meal: Two eggs sunnyside up, hash browns, fruit, and milk.
 
Favorite flavor of gel, gu, etc: Salted Caramel GU
 
Pet peeve: Bicyclists who don’t warn when they swoop by you at high speeds on trails and on the closed portions of Beach Drive.
 
Goals: To be able to run for the rest of my life
 
Your advice for a new runner: Go easy, build up slowly, and find the paces and distance(s) you like best.
 
Favorite running book: Once A Runner
 
Song in your head during a run: It’s always changing! Currently, Kissing Strangers (DNCE, ft. Nicki Minaj).
Have you dealt with a major injury: Plantar fascitis, ITB issues, knee issues leading to arthroscopic surgery, all of which kept me from running for months.
 
Running quote: Keep on running!
 
Why is the D.C. area a great place to be a runner: So many trails, so many races, so many runners!

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