Debra profile

Runner's Profile: Debra Powell
By Joe Howell

This month we feature Debra Powell, one impressive woman. She not only is busy raising three children (two teenagers and a 12 year old) with her husband Steve, she also works full time in the Cardiac Cath Lab at Cottage Hospital, appears to have a real life and real interests and still finds time to run.

Debra currently runs 30 to 35 miles a week and at the moment, she is leading the extremely competitive women's 35-39 age group in the Grand Prix. It is particularly impressive to note that of the 13 Grand Prix races thus far in 2004, Debra has run in all but two of them. Her consistency in training and racing, coupled with her great attitude, will undoubtedly serve Debra well as one of SBAA's most impressive "new" runners.

Name: Debra Powell
Age: 39
Nicknames: No nicknames, but I will answer to Debra, Deb or Debbie
Hometown: Goleta
Favorite Food: Soy Lattes, Blenders and anything with Garlic.
Favorite Movie: Pretty Woman and Pulp Fiction
Employment: Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Cardiac Cath Lab

Family: My husband Steve, sons, Ryan16, Collin 12, my daughter Briana who is 15, and Roxi (golden retriever) 4.
Other sports, hobbies, interests, etc.: I like to cycle, work out at the gym, read, garden, and cook.
My friends describe me as: Thoughtful, assertive, energetic, and dedicated.
If money were not a consideration, I would love to: Not work. Hire someone to clean the house and run my errands so I could go on long runs and rides and maybe even fit in a yoga or spinning class. I would also travel extensivly.

In the next 5 years, I hope to: Have two children in college and the last one in high school. As far as running, I would like to compete in a triathalon and a marathon.
Accomplishments: 18 years of marriage to the same person and three wonderful children.
Favorite Distance and PR (post collegiate): Still deciding
Best Race and Why: The last Nite Moves I ran this year. I've been trying to break 20 minutes this season, and I just barely made it.
Worst Race and Why: 2004 New Years Resolution. I had the Stomach flu, and there wasn't a much needed bathroom stop during the race....

Average Weekly Mileage (last 12 months): 30-35 miles
Favorite Local Race: Thanksgiving 4 miler. I love starting a day of total indulgence with a good run.
Favorite Place to Run: Shoreline and Cabrillo, along the beach early in the morning.

Realistic Running Goals for this Year: A 5K, well under 20 minutes.
Wildly Optimistic Running Goals for this year: A 5k under 18 minutes.
Lifetime Running Goals: To continue running in my sixties and seventies.
Local Running Heroes & Why: Dianna Hall and Marianne Thomas. They are so encouraging and helpful. SBAA has some great runners and it's really nice that they take time to give running tips and train with the newcomers.
Why I Run: I love running because you can run anywhere, anytime, long or short. It fits into any schedule.

I love runners who: Make running fast look effortless and the obsessive ones who are always setting new goals for themselves.
Suggestions for SBAA: Great job SBAA. Keep up the good work.

Favorite Quote: In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.

SBAA Member since: 2003