Dana Blinder

Dana Blinder
Resides in: Bethlehem
Years Running: 5
Bio: I picked up running to stay in shape after giving up a collegiate swim career. Who knew that I could actually enjoy my time on dry land as much as I could in the water? My mom showed me that all was possible in the world of running, including braving the cold Michigan winters to bundle up and race. Now I run year round, rain or snow!

What do you enjoy most about running?
Being new to the Lehigh Valley, I’ve really enjoyed how running has contributed to my exploration of the area. It’s so refreshing to head down a road I’ve never been before on foot and sight see. You take in so many more details by foot than speeding by in a car.

What are your favorite training foods?
One of my favorite go-to meals after a run is honey lime roasted chicken, asparagus and sweet potato fries. Throw everything raw on a baking sheet, lightly toss with olive oil, honey, lime juice, salt and pepper and bake at 450 until done. So fast, so simple, so tasty!

What is the strangest/funniest thing that has happened to you on a run?
Most definitely my up close and personal encounter with a turkey vulture this past spring. I had never seen one before and the experience sure was surprising! Read more: http://dbli023.blogspot.com/2010/06/country-living-101.html

Favorite race distance?
I like 10ks a lot. For a non-long distance runner like myself, it’s a good endurance test and still enough of a challenge to keep me signing up for more.

Running Heroes?
My mom, hands down. Never incredibly active throughout my childhood, she made the shift to running about 8 years ago. Since then, she’s been diligently waking up at 4am to run, swim or lift and has completely revamped her eating habits to super food and wardrobe to running gear. She rocks!

Do you have a favorite race?
I’ve been doing the Turkey Trot in Detroit for 3 years now. That is one of my favorites because of the atmosphere, crowd and my running company (my whole family). I didn’t run the Bethlehem Halloween race this year, but I saw it and definitely want to be a part of it next year. Just watching that made me think I may have a new favorite.