Introduction by Briana Jaskot:
“I met Aude in a very traditional, yet modern way during the thick of the COVID pandemic. I was doing an out & back workout on the Rubicon trail and passed her and her man twice (they were out on a hike). Both times she was all smiles and gave me a quick one liner of encouragement as I ran by. Later that day I saw a little “one” on my Strava notification bell and it was Aude! She had commented on my workout and since then we have been social media pals, supporting each other on Strava all throughout COVID. Now we get to serve as new DPMR board members together.
As you’ll find out below, Aude is a boss of a lady in all areas of life. Enjoy!”
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- Where are you from and where do you live now?
Originally, from Paris. I moved to Berkeley close to 13 years ago, for what was supposed to be a year-long internship 😉 Well, that turned into a PhD and a job… and I’m still here, sharing my time between San Francisco and Truckee (Tahoe Donner).
- When did you begin running and/or long-distance running, if that applies? Why?
I started running when I was writing my thesis, taking advantage of a flexible schedule and a need to escape the writing!! I continued getting hooked over the years, first as I trained for my first Marathon (Big Sur 2016) and as I got into trail running over the past few years.
- Do you race? Does racing motivate you? If not racing, what motivates you?
I find races very energizing and motivating though I don’t feel the “need” of races to stay motivated (as the last year has shown). I love to push myself and that motivates me both through racing and through the process of everyday training. I also love the social aspect of running (and have been missing that lately!), discovering new or beautiful places.
- Do you have any dream races (either hoping to qualify for or get selected for)?
A few things on my bucket-list though I don’t think they require qualification.
– Comrades Marathon. The energy and the history from this race seem incredible
– Laugavegur 55K in Iceland. This was my first backpacking trip and I have fond memories of it. I can’t wait to get back to it and actually run it.
– Kepler Challenge. This came from a trip in NZ as I was getting into trail running. I haven’t hiked the full thing but can’t wait to.
– I don’t really have a desire to run 100 miles but each time I see a Documentary about Western States (have you watched Golden Hour?? it’s so good!) it looks so magical that if I were given the chance to run I definitely would! I’d need to start running 100Ks to get into the lottery process though ha ha!
- What was the best running advice you’ve received?
“Have your easy days easy such that hard days can be hard.”
Besides being amazing advice, I find that the variation in paces, terrains and the fun of structured workouts to keep things fun and interesting.
- Do you have a favorite on-trail food or nutrition strategy and favorite post-run meal or beverage?
I tend to manage food pretty well on the run. I use a mix of “real” food and gels + sports drink. During races, I look forward to the PB&J at aid stations, which is something I never thought I would have said when I first discovered peanut butter 😉 Though I did my last race exclusively on gels + drinks and that worked great so I may do that in the future. The best thing after run is bRUNch!! I love egg dishes or add eggs on the ones that don’t! Oh and a cool beer!
- Do you have a favorite recipe to share?
I love to make dips, well, and eat them too! All kinds from guacamole, hummus, tuna dip, pistachio dip, babaganoush. For hummus, I change the kind of beans, and add on various ingredients such as turmeric, beets, broccoli, …
- What was your favorite running experience this past year?
Running the Grand Canyon in early April was incredible. I had planned on doing R2R2R. I scaled it down to a marathon, turning around at Ribbons Fall after a bad ankle sprain at the beginning of the year. As a result, I felt strong throughout and enjoyed it immensely. It’s such a magical and beautiful place and now I can’t wait to go back for the full thing.
- What was your most challenging/ character-building experience this past year?
Actually, likely that ankle sprain. I had just made the plan to run R2R2R and it took a fraction of a second to jeopardize the plan. For a few days, I was hanging out on the couch with my feet elevated. I learned to be ok with having my boyfriend and a friend who was staying with us take care of me for a few days. And then be patient with the recovery and PT.
- With most races being cancelled this year, do you have your own adventure or virtual race plans?
Even though I didn’t do the full R2R2R, this was an amazing and memorable experience. I am also excited with local races coming back and I got to run my first 50 miler (American River), which was electrifying. I was supposed to do it last year and started jumping up and down when I learned that they got permits for this year. I was both incredibly intimidated and excited by the opportunity but decided to make it a celebration no matter how the day turned out.
- What do you do for a living? Is it hard to fit in time for training?
I am a research scientist and manager at Facebook. Running has become an essential part of my daily routine and an incredible source of energy that lasts throughout the day. So even when work gets busy, I make sure I don’t skip my morning run.
- What led you to join DPMR?
Getting into running through friends, the social aspect remains one of the main things I enjoy in the sport. I am looking forward to us being back to in person events and connect build new friendships.
- What has been your favorite DPMR experience so far?
I think running into Diane as she was badassing up and down Diamond Peak for the Hillowin challenge. (I was just running Flume ha ha!). I hadn’t met her and just commented on her DPMR shirt but that got us chatting for a bit and it got me so inspired by this group.
- Favorite local trail?
Argh, that’s so hard!! I’m limiting to trails I can run to and even that’s hard!! The Donner Lake Rim Trail may win this one, though I share my love with Emigrant, East Perimeter, Animal and the Tahoe Donner Nature Loop.
- Do you have a mental training technique, mantra, or similar that you rely on to combat the mentally trying times of a longer run?
Mental is such a big part of running
I think of some amazing friends who are all badass. I think about something funny that will make me smile (like how stupidly steep a hill is!!).
I try to break things down into smaller chunks and when I get closer to a milestone (intersection, top of climb, …), I tell myself it’s only x number of laps around the track. This also gets me to laugh because I know the comparison just doesn’t make sense!
If it’s windy, I remind myself the wind will make me stronger (and will help me on the way back or is cooling down the heat or, …) though I still HATE the wind ha ha!
- Do you listen to audio while you run and if so, what have you been enjoying lately?
I’ve done much more audio this year because I haven’t run with people as much :-/
I mostly run with audio books, though I tune into some of the Some Work All Play playlists for extra energy boosts and don’t miss an episode of the DNF and Some Work All Play podcasts.
- Recovery technique(s) that you swear by?
Hot tub all the way ha ha!! I rarely miss it an evening after a workout or long weekend runs.
I also have my “warm up before bed” / wind down routine: myrtl, roll and 20 minutes of reading with legs up the wall.
- Do you have a favorite piece of running gear?
My Altra Superiors (all 4 of them throughout the years) have been really faithful companions throughout my adventures.
For socks, I only swear by Injinjis
- What other outdoor or indoor interests do you have?
Outdoors, I love hiking, backpacking and road biking (too much of a baby for mountain biking)
Indoors, cooking and hanging out with friends for hours (usually around food!). I’ve been reading a lot over the past years and really like that as well (mostly running related, societal, self-help, fiction, history, biographies). I add my books and reviews on goodreads if you’re interested.
- Any interesting facts about yourself you would like to share?
Ha!! I don’t know? Let’s meet and you’ll tell me after we get to know each other 🙂
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