Twitter & Instagram: @rebekastowe
My name is Rebeka Stowe. I am a sunflower state native, daughter, dreamer, music lover, and runner among other things; who is currently on an adventure filled journey to become the best I can be, in every area of life.
I grew up in Olathe, KS and attended Olathe Northwest High School, where I competed in multiple sports as well as participated in both Jazz and Concert band. After graduating in 2008 I was provided the opportunity to continue my running career in Lawrence, KS at the University of Kansas. My time at Kansas, as a student athlete was full of new friendships, experiences, challenges and a lot of fun. I completed my athletic career as a Jayhawk at the 2012 Olympic Trials. This experience paired with a lifelong dream of becoming a professional athlete and Olympian spurred me on and landed me in New Jersey. Which is where I currently reside and train with the New Jersey New York Track Club (www.njnytc.com).
Turkey Trot with Thanksgiving
(Post-Manchester Road Race 2013 with @njnytc teammate & Oiselle Athlete Lauren Penney @lpenney *unintentional photobomb Olympian Lisa Uhl*)
My first year out of college I realized that the fall season is drastically different than I had been conditioned to for the last 8 years, which consisted of a cross country race at least every other weekend. A racing schedule wasn’t pre set out, so I went in search of races. I happened upon ‘some 5 mile race in Connecticut,’ as I initially called it, contacted the race director as well as the lone Connecticut contact I had (Donn Cabral @DonnCabral , who was a teammate and friend from the 2010 USA team I competed on, and now a teammate here at NJNY) and figured out housing and travel. The race director was nice enough to provide help getting there, and Donn’s parents opened their home to myself, and a few others, to celebrate a post race Thanksgiving meal, as well as housing. And so my history at the Manchester Road Race began. Little did I know that the history of the race began some 76 years before my time and some of the fastest men and women in the country had traversed the course of the MRR. I travelled to Connecticut naïve, and left with my eyes opened as well as motivated and committed to celebrating my following Thanksgivings at the race- with the goal of bettering my finish in years to come. This Wednesday I am heading to the 78th running of the Manchester Road Race looking to continue my progression from 16th in 2012, 11th in 2013 to ??? in 2014. I will be running with men and women who have run the race 40-50+ times, Olympians, teammates, runners dressed in teletubbie costumes, walkers as well as bandit runners- the beautiful community that makes up the successful road race. I’m also very excited, as this will be my second of 2 races for the fall season.
Even though running this race will take me, and many others, away from family on Thanksgiving, as a runner I cannot think of a better place to Turkey Trot. I am so thankful for the relationships, experiences and life lessons that running has brought my way. So, I will hit the roads for this race with Thanksgiving. Hoping to continue my progression, and who knows maybe one day if I keep chipping away I’ll be the first to cross the finish line and be a part of the history of Manchester. Which especially as a female runner would be very special… if you don’t understand why already, take a few minutes to check out the video below!
Julia Chase- Manchester Road Race
Have a Thanksgiving full of THANKS! =)