Profile: Jana McKee

Intro
August 31th, 2008

Any mom out there with two kids who can say she is in the best shape of her life (and especially one who is quick to say she enjoys pizza and beer!) must have figured something out. The 40 to 60 mile weeks may have something to with her success, along with the tireless ability--no, make that her enjoyment--in taking care of kids, students, dogs and a husband.

When we asked Jana if she wanted to be profiled, she responded "I must say that I never thought anyone really even knew who I was." Well, with her consistent appearances at Saturday morning SBAA workouts, many of her fellow runners have already taken notice; after everyone has read this Profile, ALL of us know who you are, Jana McKee!

Name: Jana (Johnson) McKee
Age: 42
Nicknames: My family has always called me "Jana Banana". I have a post college friend who calls me "Janner". My sorority nickname was "Stickler" due to ALWAYS following the rules. And, I chewed a lot of gum in those days. These days I usually answer to "Teacher" or "Mommy".
Hometown: Santa Barbara (SBHS class of '84)
Employment: I am in my 20th year of teaching. Currently I am a 2nd grade teacher at Adams Elementary School.
Family: Kevin McKee is my enabler... I mean my husband. I also have 2 children. Jack is 10 and Abbey is 8 going on 13. Oh, and Harley the dog who knows more of my neighbors than I do. Other sports, hobbies, interests, etc.: I don't have time for anything else really, but I do like to sleep and reading is something I do when on vacation. I am also part of Santa Barbara Community Church and only wish I had more time to be more involved.
Most Prized Possession: My sanity because I often feel like I could lose it easily.
Favorite Food: Pizza (Woodstock's) and beer (Sierra Nevada Pale Ale)
Favorite Movie: Sleepless in Seattle
Favorite Spectator Sport: I used to go watch the boys water polo games when I was in high school (I wonder why?), but these days I stick to my daughter's track meets and my son playing wet ball at the YMCA.
Car I'd Love to be Driving: Anything smaller than my minivan or quieter than my husband's 1994 Toyota truck with squeaky brakes.

My friends describe me as: funny, motivating, and easygoing in an uptight sort of way.
My trademark expression is: You can do it! (Now if I could only believe that for myself!)
If money were not a consideration, I would love to: Fund the school system so that all children that aren't reading and writing at grade level have one to one help for at least an hour a day. I would also quit my job or go part time so I had more time to spend time with friends and family. I would also spend more time reading, sleeping, and traveling. (I don't really like to travel all that much. But, my husband loves to travel and would need some company.)
In the next 5 years, I hope to: Learn how to swim in the ocean...
In the next 10 years, I hope to: I hope to successfully have both of my children in college and be really close to retirement.
Personal accomplishments: The two major accomplishments in my life are Jack and Abbey. They are becoming very fun and wonderful people that I am very proud of!
Personal fact that will surprise my friends: There really are no surprises about me. I will tell you more about me than you probably want to know even if you don't ask.

Favorite Running Shoes: Mizuno Wave Rider (they come in wide!)
Favorite Distance and PR (post collegiate): 10K 42:39
Best Race and Why: I really enjoyed the OC Marathon in 2007. I am not much of a marathoner, but I ran that race pretty evenly and well without much training, so I was happy with my efforts and my 3:39.
Worst Race and Why: The 2005 SB Half... I trained so hard and mentally just didn't run what I could've and should've done. I never have run well on that course. I think it is that darn hill at the beginning... ya think?
Average Weekly Mileage (last 12 months): 40-60
Favorite Local Race: I really like the Thanksgiving 4 Miler.
Most Memorable Running Experience: Too many to pick just one... good and bad.
Favorite Place to Run: Well as of last Saturday... it isn't Mountain Drive! Hummm... I have a route that goes out Foothill to Cambridge and then up Patterson to the bike path. I don't know why I like it so much, but that is the run I miss when I am injured.
Glory Days PR: I am in the best shape of my life, so I guess these are the glory days.

Realistic Running Goals for this Year: 10K at 43:30 and a 3:30 marathon
Wildly Optimistic Running Goals for this year: 10K at a sub 43:00 and a 3:20 marathon
Lifetime Running Goals: Run.
Local Running Heroes & Why: Debbie Flores encouraged me early on that I could be more competitive. Maggie, Kim, the Jills, and Chrystee inspire me. All the people who show up time and time again at 6:30 on a Saturday morning amaze me for their dedication to the sport. There really are too many heroes out there to list all of them. If you show up and you put on that race number, I think you are a cut above.
Personal Training Tips: Run easy when the coach says easy. And, take it one mile at a time (or even each quarter mile at a time) when racing or running a tempo.
Why I Run: Not running is not an option.

I love runners who: Get out there and do it!
I don't care for runners who: Block me in at the start of a 5K or 10K race.
Suggestions for local races: I would like to pay more and get a T shirt that I could really run in once and a while. Of course, not for every race, but maybe for the bigger ones like the 10 miler or the half. The sweatshirt idea is always nice too.
Suggestions for SBAA: I would love to have a "team" jersey of some kind that has pockets that can hold a Gu or 2.

Add Anything: I just really have to thank Rusty Snow and Mike Swan for all they have done for my personal running fitness in spite of myself. They work their runners hard and they know what they are doing! We are so lucky to have them so dedicated to so many in our running community. Wally, Elaine, and John and so many others also do much at so many of the events. I really just think it is a gift they are giving to the community. Thank you.
SBAA Member since: 2003