News - Petzl Morning runs through the cactus - Petzl Finland
Search
Community News and videos Morning runs through the cactus

Morning runs through the cactus

Leann lives near Phoenix, in the middle of the Arizona desert. During the summer months, temperatures can rise midday to an earth scorching 40°C (104°F), so the cooler nights prove more conducive for her to enjoy her favorite sport, running. With her headlamp in place, Leann likes to venture into the rugged cactus-covered terrain well before the early morning light.

April 29 2020

Running

© 2019 - PETZL Distribution -  Arnaud CHILDERIC

Running with her twin sister

Leann’s alarm clock goes off at 04:45 in the morning, signaling the start of another busy day. At 05:30, she meets up with her sister in the local mountains for an hour run on trails that wind through the cactus. Today's run: 12km and 100 meters of vertical gain in the dark. Around 06:30, as the sun starts to rise above the horizon, the twins finish their run. Time to head home, eat breakfast, drop the kids off at school, and start a full day at the office.

© 2019 - PETZL Distribution -  Arnaud CHILDERIC

Daily running routine

Leann loves running in the morning. After an hour of exercise, she feels invigorated for the entire day. Although she manages a pretty busy schedule as a mom with two kids, this well-organized athlete finds the time to combine family life, work, and her passion for running. In the summer, temperatures during the day often rise to over 40°C (104°F), so she takes advantage of the cooler nighttime air to exercise. Leann starts the day early with a training run. She and her twin sister, Debbie, meet three times per week to run before the scorching desert sun begins to rise. “I run 3 to 4 times per week and from 10km to 20km per outing. Each run lasts anywhere from one to three hours. In the summer, it gets so hot in Arizona that I sometimes wake up at 03:00 in the morning to go running.” 

© 2019 - PETZL Distribution -  Arnaud CHILDERIC

Her running gear

When it comes to running, light is usually always right. Leann runs with lightweight shoes, a handheld water bottle, a smartwatch, and a SWIFT RL headlamp. “I never leave home without my Petzl headlamp! It lights up the trails so that I can see where to run and keeps me from tripping and hurting myself. When I road run, my headlamp adds an extra element of safety by making me easily visible to drivers. On those outings when I feel like exploring new trails with a map in hand, my lamp’s REACTIVE LIGHTING® technology automatically adjusts brightness for easy reading. Once back at home, I check the charge and plug my headlamp in if needed to make sure that I have enough battery power for my next run.”

© 2019 - PETZL Distribution -  Arnaud CHILDERIC

The Boston Marathon

Leann ran her first marathon in 2001. She took a break and then started racing again 10 years ago when she was 34. She has run a total of 22 marathons. “Since I started running, my ultimate goal has always been to run in the Holy Grail of marathons, the Boston Marathon. As a runner, it was a dream come true to participate in this legendary, world-renowned race. I have qualified fourteen times and been lucky enough to run it four times in a row. I have been selected again this year and hope to beat my personal record.”

© 2019 - PETZL Distribution -  Arnaud CHILDERIC

Story by Leann
Photos: Arnaud CHILDERIC - Studio Kalice - www.kalice.fr
Text by Anna CHILDERIC

Related News