KRISTINA SILADI

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

I grew up in New England, and moved out west shortly after finishing college. I spent 15 years out west, mostly in Colorado, and for a long time, I never thought I would find myself living east of the Mississippi again. However, between the chaos of the the early years of the pandemic and the prolific wildfire smoke out west, the idea of living closer to family while still being able to play in the mountains quickly gained appeal. Vermont checked a lot of boxes in this regard.

What do you do professionally?

I'm a pediatric physical therapist. Among other things, I get to play on playgrounds at work!

How long have you been running?

Since high school. My freshman year, I played field hockey in the fall and then joined the indoor track team to "stay in shape" for field hockey. Track practice quickly changed my definition of "in shape." I really loved feeling like I was fit, which led me to outdoor track and eventually cross-country. I was never fast, but loved the camaraderie of cross country. I tore my ACL in high school and missed significant time while recovering from surgeries, but always remained an active part of the team.

How long have you been running competitively?

I ran for a small D3 cross-country team in college. We weren't competitive in our conference, but we had a lot of fun. I ran my first half-marathon shortly after finishing my undergrad, and first marathon two years later. I ran my first 50 miler just before grad school, and ultrarunning was a huge part of how I maintained my sanity in grad school.

Why do you run?

Running does so much for me. I'm an introvert by nature, so running is my alone time to process my day. Introverts can still enjoy good company, and I have found many life-long friends through running. I also love to travel, and running has brought be to some incredible places.

Best athletic accomplishment and why?

Finishing the San Diego 100. I first attempted it in 2015. I had blister issues really early on, and ended up dropping at mile 88. Eighty-eight miles without a finish left me pretty physically and emotionally drained. I finished a different 100-miler that year, but San Diego remained a proverbial desert thorn in my side. I returned to it in 2018, after recovering from my first pelvic stress fracture in 2016. It was a long road to get there. 2018 was a hot year on the course. It winds along the PCT in the high desert and is open and exposed. Much of the afternoon was spent on a trail in the blazing sun lined which shoulder-high oak brush that acted like an oven. I was so happy when the sun went down and the temperature dropped. I didn't have any pacers (though Sean was my excellent crew!), so I spent some hours alone in the dark. I only had a short window of time when I was convinced that a mountain lion was going to jump out and end me, and I was proud of myself for pushing through that. When the sun came up, so did the temperature, and then came my blisters. My last few miles were a slow, painful shuffle, but I got myself across that finish line. I think of it regularly when I need to remind myself that I can do hard things.

If you like to race, notable race moment? OR most memorable race?

My first mountain race was in 2010, the Kennebec Mountain Run outside of Durango, CO. I fell in love with mountain running, and returned to it each year after that. In 2016, I was injured and unable to race. I volunteered as a course marshal with my sweet Rottweiler (the love of my life) by my side helping me. Sean (the human love of my life) ran it with our border collie. When he ran by me, he asked the race photographer, who happened to be nearby, to take our picture. I thought it was strange that he was stopping for a picture during the race, but before I could say anything about it, he knelt down on a pile of scree and asked me to marry him. I said yes.

Training partners?

I run alone a lot. Sean and I enjoy getting out for mountain adventures together. And I'm pretty darn thankful for the TNT crew; I run much faster with others than I would on my own on a track.

Cross training activities?

Swimming and cross-country skiing.

Favorite local running route?

Mt. Ascutney and surrounding trails.

Why did you join UVRC?

To meet new people and learn more about my new community upon moving here. I continue to show up because of the great people and because track workouts are so much more tolerable with company!

Do you have a tried and true running shoe brand/model?

I used to wear Pearl Izumis back when they made running shoes. I miss them! Right now I use Brooks Caldera on the trails and Saucony Endorphin Shift on the roads.

Ever been injured? Were you able to recover and if so what steps did you take?

Yikes, is there a character limit on these responses? ;-) I spent my 20s largely without injuries, and then had multiple pelvic stress fractures in my 30s. Do you know what you can do to stay fit when your pelvis is broken? Not much. Recovery involved addressing physical, hormonal, and nutritional issues. The biggest challenge was the mental aspect. I needed running to feel like a sane human, and felt like it betrayed me. It took a lot to process that. It has been years since my last fracture, and while I am starting to finally feel like I am slowly getting back to my "normal" as a runner, I am still keenly aware that it can all be taken away so easily.

Hot or cold weather runner?

I'd take cold over hot, though a pleasantly crisp fall day is my preference.

What is your favorite race?

The Kennebec Mountain Run

Aside from running, what are your hobbies?

I'm a voracious reader, a doting dog mom, and a mediocre gardener.

Anything else you'd like to add?

Thanks for reading my blurb! UVRC has been such a big part of why Vermont feels like home for me. I am very excited for the opportunity to serve in a presidential trio with two stellar humans. It will take at least three of us to fill the giant shoes that our tireless leader RJ is leaving behind!

CARA BASKIN

Hi Team! Coach Cara here. I joined UVRC in 2015, shyly showing up to TNT with the prompting of my singular running friend. I had seen pictures of a prior professor having so much fun in her team singlet but was too scared to go. It turns out, all it took was showing up to change everything. In our pre-workout circle, I asked a bunch of strangers if they'd join my Ragnar Relay team and bam! Kevin Hartstein came right over to be my friend. Almost every friendship I've gained in the last 9 years has been sparked either directly from this club or club members' friends. UVRC truly means community to me. I owe this club a lot and am always welcomed, in whatever state, pace or shape I'm in. I hope in being a co-president of UVRC I can continue to create that community for you too.

My running interests have definitely morphed since living in the Upper Valley, and while I prefer slow, long runs, preferably where snacks are mandated and I'm engulfed in green goodness or snow from trail to sky, the consistency of TNT is a very welcome routine. Even when I don't want to go fast, when I'm in a bad mood, or when every other excuse is in play, all it takes is showing up to turn the day around.There have been a lot of new faces in the club this year and there are many more people for me to meet, but I encourage you to just show up and say "Hi!" It makes a difference!