NERINGA KAULINAITE GAFFORD

Personal Bests: 

5k - 18:26

6k - 25:02

10K - 37:44

Half Marathon - 1:23:23

Marathon - 2:47:45

50K: 3:29:37

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Goals: I am planning to run two marathons, one July 24-25 in Washington and the other, Chicago Marathon 2021. Also, I will do some half marathons and 10KMs. Trying to slowly get back on track, but it's been challenging and tough! 

My 2020 was challenging - it started very well with a PR at the Houston Marathon and then the Trinity 5000 races over the summer, but they worked me out until the end of the year. Being in the pandemic has definitely not been easy with the races canceled.

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College: 

I was born in Lithuania and completed high school, then I went to college for one year in Lithuania. I moved to London when I was 18 years old and went to college as an English major. I moved to Texas 3 years ago.

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Career: I am currently a fitness instructor at 24 Hour Fitness and Fox Fitness. I teach Body Pump; I also work with TeamBeachBody nutrition plan, showing people how to be fit for the rest of their lives and to help them lose weight. My fitness life helps me with my running and also helps me get stronger.

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Inspiration for Running: My biggest inspiration is Amanda Cruise from Houston who started running like I did, and she qualified for the 2020 Olympic trials. Also Shalane Flanagan, who won the NYC Marathon in 2017. I am hoping to follow in their steps, which makes me work harder and run faster every day.  I feel good when I run; I don’t want to stop, I just want to keep going!!!