Name: Roxane Sismanidis
Self-described age group: 62 (60-64 age group)
Residence: Washington, D.C.
Read more
Occupation: retired State Department, volunteer with the National Park Service and Casey Trees
Volunteer roles in the running world: Vice president, Tidal Basin Run
Why I run: It’s who I am and what I do. I love the exercise and running outside.
When did you get started running: Senior year in high school
Have you taken a break from running: I ran only sporadically when studying in Taiwan (1979-81), but since then only when pregnant, injured, sick, or on vacation.
Training shoe: Saucony Redeemer
Coach or training group: I run by myself mostly and don’t race much now, so you could say I’m just going with the flow.
The hardest race you’ve ever run: Marine Corps Marathon 2004; it was relatively warm and I don’t do well in heat. The wheels came off around mile 9 and it was a struggle to finish.
Most adventurous decision you’ve made with your running: I stopped timing myself. I no longer obsess with how slow I’ve gotten and enjoy running much more.
Running mentors: When I need running advice, I ask the runners in my family (husband, two grown children).
My favorite place to run in the D.C. area is: Rock Creek Park
Favorite local trail: Rock Creek Trail
My best race was: National Capitol 20 Miler, 2002. I was really in the zone!
Favorite local race: Army Ten-Miler
Ideal post-run meal: Two eggs sunnyside up, hash browns, fruit, and milk.
Favorite flavor of gel, gu, etc: Salted Caramel GU
Pet peeve: Bicyclists who don’t warn when they swoop by you at high speeds on trails and on the closed portions of Beach Drive.
Goals: To be able to run for the rest of my life
Your advice for a new runner: Go easy, build up slowly, and find the paces and distance(s) you like best.
Favorite running book: Once A Runner
Song in your head during a run: It’s always changing! Currently, Kissing Strangers (DNCE, ft. Nicki Minaj).
Have you dealt with a major injury: Plantar fascitis, ITB issues, knee issues leading to arthroscopic surgery, all of which kept me from running for months.
Running quote: Keep on running!
Why is the D.C. area a great place to be a runner: So many trails, so many races, so many runners!
Recent Stories
Looking for our race calendar? Click here Submit races here or shop local for running gear
Coaching high school cross country and track made Kelyn Soong a better runner.
A break from racing one of my favorite events gave me a chance to help other runners reach their time goals.
Eight local runners will compete in the Olympic Marathon Trials Saturday morning in Orlando.
Kensington 8K Race
–
Three distances – 8K, 2M, and 1K – all starting and finishing at Kensington Town Hall.
The 8K runs through historic Kensington, going past Warner Mansion, along Antique Row, beside 120+ year-old houses and around Noyes Library, the oldest library
