Profile: Chrissy Lombardi

Intro
June 30th, 2008

If you don't yet know Chrissy Lombardi, make it a point to meet her. She is a very talented runner - new enough to the sport to still be very enthusiastic, with her best races still ahead of her, yet experienced enough to have already qualified for and run the Boston Marathon. Chrissy is also a remarkably talented physical therapist. From personal, all too recent experience, I can attest to her abilities to accelerate your recovery, keep you positive and basically perform miracles.

Name: Chrissy Lombardi Snodgrass
Age: 31
Nicknames: Chris, C-Lo, C-Sno
Hometown: Piedmont, California (East Bay Area)
Favorite Food: Sushi, pineapple pizza
Favorite iPod Running Music/Song: I once used one religiously, but now I like the time to let my thoughts run.

Employment: Physical Therapist at Elite Performance (at the new Montecito office!)
Favorite Running Shoes: Asics 2100 series.
Family: Amazing husband Mike (married 2005) and our pup Anders (2 1/2 year old yellow lab retriever). My parents, Gail and Ralph and my twin, Kim (pregnant with my first niece/nephew!) and her husband, Rudi, and my brother-in-law, Chris all in the Bay Area. My brother, Mike and his wife, DeeDee in Tucson, and my mother-in-law, Ruth here in SB.
Other sports, hobbies, interests, etc.: Family, hiking, travel, wine, beach, skiing, home improvement (more of a second job than a hobby), coaching Moms In Motion (core strength team and half-marathon team).
Car I would love to be driving: Audi Q7- Big enough for the dog and trips to Home Depot, but nice enough to spend hours in for our many drives to the Bay Area
Favorite Spectator Sport: Any sport as long as I am there in person, but put it on TV and I am asleep (unless it is U of A basketball- I'll take the hit for my husband's favorite team)

My friends describe me as: Funny, optimistic.
My trademark expression is: Yikes!
If money were not a consideration, I would love to: Hire people to finish all the work on our house so we can stop doing it ourselves!
In the next 5 years, I hope to: Start a family and join the baby jogger crowd.
In the next 10 years, I hope to: Still love my life and have a happy family.
Accomplishments: Qualified for Boston, finally placed in the top 3 in my age group at the Law Day 10 K last year.

Favorite Distance and PR (post collegiate): Half Marathons rock; I just PR'd at the Wine Country Half with 1:41:10.
Best Race and Why: Chicago Marathon 2004- It was my first marathon and I didn't break, it was a huge confidence boost.
Worst Race and Why: Pier to Peak 2007 (yikes, super hot, probably would have been faster to just walk it).
Average Weekly Mileage (last 12 months): 20-30 (often closer to 20)
Favorite Local Race: Wine Country Half Marathon
Most Memorable Running Experience: Boston 2007 (really cold, pretty wet, and kind of windy) - it wasn't my best time, but I have never felt tougher. Tough Enough was also pretty amazing (Go Team Elite!)
Favorite Place to Run: Currently it is Mountain Drive but a close second is SF waterfront.
Glory Days PR: I am still improving. I think these are my glory days.

Realistic Running Goals for This Year: 1:40 half marathon, 22:30 5K, possibly mix it in with some biking or swimming.
Wildly Optimistic Running Goals for this year: Sub 1:40 half marathon or sub 22:30 5K.
Lifetime Running Goals: To always love it.
Local Running Heroes & Why: Mike Swan- He can go forever and make it look so easy. I have never met such an amazing athlete who is so humble.
Personal Training Tips: Keep your core strong, hit the hills, take some time off if it stops being fun, and get in as many runs as possible with Amanda Nicolato (she keeps me paced and is always good for chatter). One more, and this is important: GO AROUND any low obstacles you may come across (ie: the chain at the East Beach Bathhouse). Save yourself the X-ray and broken arm...
Why I Run: It keeps my head happy, I love the social factor, and it offsets my wine and food habit.
I love runners who: Smile or say hello.
I don't care for runners who: Talk only about their training.

My views on: Life - It can be hysterical, find the funny in everything you can.
Favorite Quote: "Laugh often, live well, love much", and my mantra for the last few miles of any race: "Pain is temporary; pride is forever".

SBAA Member since: 2008