Raina Rausch Bio
Athlete: Raina Rausch
Lives City/State: Southwest Oregon
Go to Orange Mud Gear: HydraQuiver Vest Pack2
Primary Sport: Trail Running
What’s your passion, your joy in life, anything special you’d like to share. What sports do you participate in?
Running and weights pretty much take up all my free time, but I'd like to get back into soccer, rock climbing and mix in some snowshoeing and skinning if I can find a way to. I can swim too.
What is your favorite race food? Skout bars, or honey packets in my vp2, salt and vinegar kettle chips and watermelon at an aid station in longer races.
What is your go to hydration mix? Whatever is cheap and handy. Sometimes I mix my own virgin margaritas.
Do you have a major quirk you’d like to share?
This isn't really quirky. Or maybe it is.. I'd rather sleep on the floor than a crappy bed. Sleep is valuable! I don't fall asleep easily. If I went somewhere to spend the night and the bed was bad, I'd most likely take all the covers off the bed and sleep on the floor. But first I'd try to take the sofa cushions off to sleep on them on the floor. If it is an overnight relay, I'm probably just gonna stay awake all night.
If you were related to an animal, what would it be?
A hummingbird. (Or that's what I've been told.)
If a newbie to your sport asked for one piece of advice, what would it be?
Keep a log of your running fast or slow, things seen, feelings, achievements, injuries.. you'll grow by looking back at it.
Do you have any racing pet peeves? (Gel packets, mud, thorns, smelly runners, etc).
Poorly marked courses
What do you do for fun?
This question assumes I have a life outside of running and social media... I Instagram. Heh. And i like to drive around looking for the next exciting adventure, or hang with friends who also like to be outdoors. I'm a big fan of hotsprings.. getting massages and eating high-calorie foods. I also play cards. Pinochle and hearts are my favorites.
What is your post race ritual?
This depends on time of year, but 9 months of the year I will look for a drink, or hot soup, visit with the crowd a bit, and then find a hot bath so I can become human again. Then I might come back and visit some more if it's an ultra.
How long have you been running?
Complicated answer: I started running in high school in the summer to become a better soccer player for tryouts, but only kept at it until the season started. This pattern continued in college until I had one year of consistent running. After a long break and having babies, I picked it back up with more vigor, as an attempt to regain my body as well as my sanity.
Why do you enjoy the sport?
Being out in nature, feeling my body get the blood flowing, it's invigorating! I also love the views..and the feeling of accomplishment.
What's your favorite trail race?
The one I haven't done yet!
What's your favorite local trail?
The North Umpqua trail
What's your go to piece of Orange Mud gear and why?
I love the VP2. It carries everything!!
Profession and educational background?
I'm currently a substitute teacher and a tutor to a student with special behavioral needs.
What is your biggest accomplishment in your sport?
Hmm. I've won lots of very small races. Boston qualified 3 times, paced a friend in a marathon once, and done 4 50k trail races.
Do you have a set training schedule and if so, what's it like? If not, how do you decide what to do?
I try to run as many times as possible when my kids are at school m-th, and will often run doubles. Then, if I get an opportunity to run on the weekends I'll take it! If I'm training for shorter races, I'll spend more time at speedwork, and if I'm training for longer races, I'll do longer runs rather than doubles.
What's your dream race?
Favorite book for athletes?
NF; I think the most useful book for runners I've found is Noake's: Lore of Running. But I really think "Road racing for serious runners" is an excellent read (and a lot shorter.) F: "Once a Runner"
Do you listen to audiobooks or music during exercise?
Not much lately!
What advice would you give to a new runner coming into the sport?
Read! Make running friends. Keep a log. Ignore your watch for the first 6 months and just breathe.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I'm inspired by people who stay positive no matter the circumstances.
In running, I am self motivated. I run to prove something to myself, and for that feeling I get when my blood is pumping and my body is pushed out of the comfort zone.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
In life?
You don't need to learn by experience. Experience is the hardest teacher. You can learn a lot just by observing and listening to other people. I wish I had learned this when I was a kid! Sometimes I still have to go out and try something before I learn my lesson though.
What is your favorite local running or biking store?
RunhubNW in Eugene,OR
What blogs and social profiles would you like share?
http://Instagram.com/seenonmytrail
http://twitter.com/seenonmytrail