Talented teachers race to the finish line

  With demanding teaching schedules, families, and some managing school sports teams of their own it’s impressive that teachers fit running into their schedules. But Barbara Andersen and Jackie Stone make it work. Both alumni of CVHS themselves and the running program, they find time to continue running throughout their lives, and both have committed to running half-marathons this year. 

Andersen, the German teacher, is one of the CVHS staff that has committed to a half marathon this year. When asked how she got into running she said, “Running was the only form of exercise I could do when my kids were little. I could just put them in the stroller and go.” Andersen completed the Disney half marathon in January in 3 hours and 17 minutes. She has already committed to another in September. “I’m excited but not ready yet,” she said. 

When asked about training she says that consistency is key, and that she runs 5ks and other small races in between to keep herself accountable in her training. As for advice for new runners she said, “ Just start running, be outside for a little bit.” Andersen continues to enjoy the challenge of running and setting big goals for herself. “Signing up for these races keeps me accountable,” she said.

Stone, a teacher in the history department, is also a CVHS graduate and ran track and cross country for the school. She started running during the summer before her sophomore year. “I ran three years of cross country and one year of track, while swimming at the same time,” she said. Her time running in high school holds some of her best running memories. “ My favorite running memory in high school was placing at the Mt. SAC Invitational in LA, but also all the team bonding,” she said. “We once had a 24-hour relay which is awesome.”  Stone’s running journey was nowhere near done after high school. 

In the last two years she has competed in the Brazen Racing ultra-half marathons, in which you have to run six half marathons a year in order to qualify. These are super hilly trails all around the Bay Area. She has placed in the top ten in the last two years and has placed third in the women’s masters. “Overall I’ve run 50+ races and do one every one to three months,” she said.  

She spoke about her advice for new runners saying that three miles is a great goal to start with. “Each day you push it a little further and get a little faster,” she said. She went on to say that she has no desire to complete a full marathon, and that half marathons are what she prefers to focus on. Her best time for a half marathon is sub two hours.  

Running does not come withouts its challenges but these challenges encourage her to keep going. While she balances teaching, parenting, and being head swim coach, running has remained a constant in her life that she prioritizes even with a busy schedule. “I have been attacked by wasps, fallen down hills, have had chafing everywhere, ripped pants, blisters, heat stroke, and even lost a diamond earring in a race! But I haven’t stopped yet and probably won’t until I am physically unable to anymore,” she said.  

While both of these teachers have busy and demanding schedules they still find time to run, making it a consistent form of fun and exercise in their lives and compete in different races throughout the year.