Name: Bri Schreiner

Town: Lebanon, NH and Chatham, MA

Where are you from originally and what brought you to this area?

I’m from New England. I moved to the Upper Valley in 2010 when my husband started medical school at Dartmouth (now Geisel). We recently moved to Cape Cod after he finished his training in 2019 (yes, 9 years and 3 kids later).

What do you do professionally? I’m a dermatology PA.

How long have you been running? I’m pretty sure I came running out of the womb, but I can’t actually remember that, so the safer answer is 5th grade. It was the only team sport offered to the 5th graders.

How long have you been running competitively? 5th grade

Why do you run? I love the simplicity of running. I love to be alone. Running is incredibly cathartic for me. I do not run with music.  All I need is my heart, my shoes, and my breath. I love that.

Recent memorable moment while running?  I planned a beach run around the tides.  I had to time the run so that I didn’t get stranded. Running on Cape Cod is sort of indescribable. 

Best athletic accomplishment and why? My (then) 8 year-old daughter enthusiastically agreed to participate with me in a sprint-distance triathlon last summer.  My greatest (athletic) accomplishment is my children. Any parent would understand.

If you like to race, favorite race distance? Why?  I love sprint and Olympic distance triathlon.  I swam competitively starting at age 5, so it made sense as an adult to become a triathlete.  But biking is hard. The expression “It’s like riding a bike” does not apply to me.  That said, I am committed and I love a challenge. 

Training partners? I generally run alone, but if I had to choose, I’d choose my (now 9 year-old) daughter or my husband.

Cross training activities?  HIIT, yoga, bodyweight strength/circuit training

Favorite local running route? The Rail Trail!

Who is your running “idol”? Maribel Sanchez Souther, a local running legend who passed away in 2016 at the age of 41 after a valiant battle with cancer. She completed the Covered Bridges Half Marathon in an hour and 37 minutes just two days before undergoing a mastectomy. More importantly, she was an amazing person and an awesome mother.  She had a huge heart and was an incredible runner. I loved knowing her, even though it was only briefly, and my heart still aches because she was taken so young. 

Are your reasons for running now the same or different than the reason you first started?  

I think I’ve always loved running because it makes me feel free. Running has always functioned as an escape for me.  Running also encourages me to reset. I’m always a better person after a run. 

Ever run in a costume? No.  I do run in a mask now though.  Does that count?

The only running shoe for me is Hoka Rincon or Clifton.   

Ever been injured? How did it happen? I used to get ankle strains all the time running cross country because of all the exposed roots in the trails. Running on the roads used to give me knee pain.  I’ve changed my running form to a mid-foot strike and strive for a cadence of 180 strides per minutes, and I feel great.

Hot or cold weather runner?  Neither extreme.

Morning or evening runner?  Morning.

What is your motivation? My kids.

I run therefore I deserve to buy new shoes frequently.

How did you become interested in running? The 5th graders in my middle school were not allowed to join any of the organized sports teams except cross country. It worked out for me because I was naturally fast.  I didn’t work very hard (athletically) through high school and ultimately ended up “quitting” cross-country my senior year.  I found triathlon in college.

What is your favorite race? Road to the Pogue or Skip’s Run! 

What does your daily workout consist of? I generally do a circuit training workout on most days for about 45 minutes. I run at least three times a week. I swim when the weather allows for open-water swimming. I bike when my kids want to go for a bike ride.

What is your diet like? I eat everything.  I don’t pay a lot of attention. I eat when I’m hungry and often when I’m not hungry. I’m fairly certain I was born with a tape worm in residence.  My (its?) metabolism is unbelievable. 

If you could run with anyone, who would be the person?  My husband

Additional input or comments?  I really miss living in Lebanon and hope to be able to return for all the running events again once we can race again! 

Aside from running, what are your hobbies? Wearing and applying sunscreen, turning kids laundry outside out, loading and unloading the dishwasher, playing cello and piano, and reading the New York Times