Alisha Williams is another Olympic Trials Qualifier that has a great support team. With the likes of the Boulder Running Company, Adidas, and the American Distance Project on her side, Williams is sure to be in top shape come January 14th. Williams talks about her supportive husband, her work as a CPA, and throws in a few tips for the weekend warriors out there. 

Runners Feed: Take us through a typical day of your life.

Alisha Williams: My typical day starts at about 5:30 in the morning when I get up to run, usually with my husband, Scott, and my dog, Miles. Now that I am training for the marathon, I run anywhere from 8 to 24 miles before work. On the shorter days (8 to 10 miles) I try to get to work by 8:30 am. I have a half hour commute each way to work, so that is a bit of a factor. Then I work anywhere from 8 – 10 hours and usually do a second run either at lunch time or after I get home. The winter time is tough because it is very dark by the time I get home. I do have a great headlamp though! At night, my husband and I make dinner together. Although, with marathon training he does a lot of the cooking and cleaning. We unwind for an hour or so and then it is off to bed. I try to be in bed by 9:00 pm so I can get at least 8 hours of sleep.

RF: Do you work full or part-time while training? 

AW: I work full time as a CPA. Currently, I am the Controller for Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group. I have been fortunate to have understanding employers who support my running goals. There are a lot of people who have helped me to pursue my running dreams. Most of all my husband, he has supported me through every step of my professional running career and has been there through many ups and downs. My family has also been wonderful. My parents are headed out to the marathon trials, which I am really excited about. I have been blessed with many great coaches over the years who have believed in me. I am now part of the American Distance Project coached by Scott Simmons and Renato Cannova. I have really enjoyed the challenge of the new training and look forward to running the marathon in January. My sponsors, Boulder Running Company and Adidas have been awesome over the years. When I joined the team, I was much more of a recreational runner. I was burnt out on running and it was a great fit for my situation. BRC Adidas gives us the flexibility to do the races we want to do and allows us to develop at our own pace. Plus, their shoes and gear are fantastic, a must for any runner. The teammates on the BRC Adidas team and our fearless leader, Cody Hill are awesome. Not many runners have the opportunity to be a part of a team after college and I feel fortunate that I am part of such a fun team. We just recently ran at the USATF Club Cross Country Championships where both teams finished second and we had a great time.

RF: What do you do on a regular basis to make sure you toe the line healthy? 

AW: Staying healthy is always a challenge, especially with marathon training. I find that I respond really well to massage, so I try to get one once a week if possible. In the summertime, I try to ice bath once a week, which for me is heading up to the mountains near my house and sitting in the creek. Scott Simmons has also given us several drills to do about once a week to help strengthen imbalances and keep us healthy.

My advice to anyone, no matter what you are training for is to establish a routine and find your motivation. The routine can help you systematically achieve your goals. For instance, my father-in-law, Steve, had a hard time getting out the door every morning for a run. He would lay his running clothes out every night but rarely got out the door for a run. A couple of years ago, he adopted a two year old German Shorthaired Pointer. She gets so excited for their morning runs together and gives him the business if he doesn’t take her out. Now, even on those days where it is below zero, you can find Steve and Willow happily out for a morning jog. I’m not saying that everyone should adopt a dog, but there are different ways that people find motivation and a good training partner is one of them.

See Interviews with other Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifiers

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