About Claudia

I was born and raised in a small town in Southern Germany. No, my home state is not Bavaria but its neighboring state Baden-Wuerttemberg. My native language is not German, but Schwaebisch, the regional dialect still widely spoken to this day. In 1993, I was accepted into vet school in Berlin. I wanted more than anything else to become a veterinarian and live like James Herriot. I, indeed, helped cows and sows to give birth, took care of dogs, cats, rabbits and turtles before I moved north to Hanover to go to graduate school. There, I started my transformation to a molecular biologist, completing it after I came to the US in spring 2005. While I miss taking care of animals, especially farm animals, I like the challenges of scientific inquiries, and I love teaching science. And while I miss my home country and culture, I love the American way of thinking and friendliness.

Questions

Why do you run? I run to experience being in the moment. The feeling that nothing else matters than putting one foot in front of the other, of being in flow, is what makes me happy.

What do you not like about running? I hate it when I have to convince my brain that despite all the excuses it makes up for not going for a run, I must go out the door and into the heat, the cold, the rain, the snow.

Who was the first person you talked to in Front Runners and what did you talk about? My first encounter with the Front Runners was on the first Saturday of April 2009 when I joined the 5K training group. The first Front Runner I talked to was Blake Rushin. We talked about how to run for one minute and walk for four minutes over a thirty minute period. The second Front Runner was Seth Kalish, then coordinator who welcomed me to the club. Then, I stopped counting …

What is your favorite part about the club? The support I feel the Front Runners are giving me. In fact, I will not run a race not wearing a DC Front Runners shirt. Feeling their support is what helps me to keep up my pace.

What is your favorite club running route? Rock Creek Parkway. Well, it is the only route I have run with the club so far.

Which is your favorite day to run with the club? I am living in the suburbs, in Maryland, so the only day I am able to run with the club is Saturday.

Do you race and if so, which is your favorite race? My first race ever was the 5K Run for Pride in June 2009. Since then I have run a few races but I am far away from making a decision on a favorite one.

Are you a fair weather Front Runner or a hail, rain, and snow hardy soul? This past winter made me a hail, rain, and snow hardy soul. I had no other choice but to become one since I refuse to run on a treadmill.

Bagels Etc. or Starbucks and why? Both: first, Bagels Etc. for the peanut butter bagel and some good company and later Starbucks for the Café Latte and some more good company. Remember, I have to get enough of the Front Runners' energy to make it to the next Saturday.

Which is you favorite Happy Hour hangout? I like them all as long as they serve apple martinis.

Which Golden Girl are you? I don't know; I never watched this TV classic. It's the price I pay for abandoning the TV years ago.

Have you ever dated a Front Runner and is it a good idea? While my reasonable self tells me that any within-a-club-dating is not a good idea, I know that if I fall in love with somebody, this reasonable self disappears immediately.

Now that same-sex marriage has come to DC, have you anyone in mind? I am still looking for this deep, unconditional love Jane Austen apparently said does not exist and which she therefore wrote about. I am a Leo, I am South German, I am stubborn, and I do not give up.

What’s your favorite place to go in Washington? If I am with friends, any place becomes my favorite place.

Which Front Runner inspires you most? I am still trying to figure out what it is about Jeff Gonzalez that makes me put on my running shoes and go out the door every time his name or one of his Facebook posts (“Off to an easy 20 miles”; “10, 12, or 15 miles?”) come to my mind. Also, Blake Rushin as a woman marathoner is my example to train for the magic distance myself.

What is your most cherished memory of the club? It is the Happy Hour at the late Halo [Now called Mova, 1435 P St. NW] in November 2009: I entered Halo and heard my name from all sides and looking into so many smiling, welcoming faces I was unable to decide who to hug first. I instantly felt very happy and fortunate to be part of such a wonderful group of people.

What advice would you give to new people joining? Come to as many DC Front Runner events as your time allows you. Come with a big smile and an open heart, and soon you will be part of the family.

What is your motto in life? Always have dreams, try the impossible, and see every setback as a step towards improvement.

Interview by Brian Beary, Design by Marcel Acosta

March 2010