We're unveiling the team behind HOTSHOT! First up, Lilian, our Field Marketing Manager and marathoner-extraordinaire who shares why she runs & her trusty ritual before any big race:
What position do you play on the HOTSHOT team?
I am the Field Marketing Manager – so essentially anything in the field from events to influencers to sales!
What’s your workout/sport of choice?
Running. I started running when I was 14, and ended up competing in college. Afterwards, I just couldn’t stop, so I started training for marathons and continue to do races of all various distances.
What drives you to compete?
I remember when I first decided I wanted to join the cross-country team in high school. I had never participated in any sports, and I didn’t really know what it meant to “do” cross country, or do anything active in general. I remember so many people telling me that it was too hard and you can’t do it. To this day, I think about that and how other people’s doubts or my self-doubts won’t stop me from setting that next goal. When you’ve gone this far, why give up now?
How do you use HOTSHOT?
I use HOTSHOT before every long run – just in case! Most importantly, I use it after every hard workout or long run to help me recover. It has become a part of my routine, and I can’t recover without it.
What’s on your go-to workout playlist?
This is so weird, but I love listening to indie or singer/songwriter style music during my runs. Don’t get me wrong, I love upbeat music sometimes, but when you get really tired and you have someone screaming in your ear, it can be overwhelming and your body reacts to that. I’ll use music to calm me when I’m far into a long run and my heart rate starts to rise because I’m fatigued.
What’s your weirdest workout or "game day" ritual?
I have to shower and get ready properly before every race. I like to make sure my hair and make-up are like every other day, even though I’m out there running. If you feel your best, you compete at your best. If you go out there dirty, you’ll be twice as dirty when you’re finished!
What is your “Unfinished Business”?
I’ve been working on completing the World Marathon Majors. By the end of 2018, I’ll have 4 down, but still 2 to go. Ideally, I’d like to complete that by the end of 2020, or do an IRONMAN. Now that it’s in writing, does that make it even more real?