Member of the Month - September - Teryn

Fall weather is upon us (or at least it's trying to be) and so is that time of the month where you get a personal meet-and-greet with one of our runners without all that awkward small talk! Each month we try to introduce you to one of our members so you can get to know this crew. How do we choose whose features to feature? With a hat draw from the nearest toddler.

This month you have the privilege of getting to know Teryn R., our resident yarn expert, and baker extraordinaire! Hailing from Canada, or the "land of the free, home of the wold's handsomest Prime Minister," as she puts it, it is no surprise that Teryn is one of the friendliest runners around. She has an infectious smile, and she truly, genuinely LOVES to run hills. Yes, you read that right. Teryn has been competing as a runner since she was 10 years old, and has raced too many courses to count. Her favorite distance is a 10K, because it is a fast distance, but her legs don't feel like they're crumbling beneath her like they do when she does a half marathon.

When she's not flying through finish lines, Teryn likes to train in Clarksville and Tarrytown. The cool houses keep her mind occupied so the miles fly by, and the streets are rarely busy because of the hills. If she has her sons Ben (3) and Finn (1) with her, she likes to frequent Ramsey Park because of its great playground as well as its proximity to TacoDeli. Ben and Finn do not mind the stroller rides, and usually pass the time hanging out (usually in adorable matching sunglasses) and asking when they will get to the playground. Teryn does not run with music (she says she would rather jump in the lake than listen to a song on repeat while running), but her sons' songs about dinosaurs keep her entertained during most runs. The boys ride in style in their Chariot CX2, which Teryn bought because she is holding out hopes that she will one day get to use the ski attachment.

Though she currently stays home with the boys, Teryn was a graphic designer in a former life, and is still a phenomenal landscape photographer. Her dream job would be an Instagrammer who gets paid, or a food critic who does not actually have to review the food in any written form, just gets to eat out for free all the time. Both of these would suit her well, as she is a culinary genius whose photos of the pies, donuts, and other food she creates are enough to make anyone's mouth start watering! No stranger to indulging, Teryn treats herself to coffee after a long run, and snacks on frozen cookie dough balls, peanut butter rolled in chocolate chips, and a bag of whale crackers that are most definitely hidden from Ben and Finn.

In addition to her other talents, Teryn is a pro with needles. She knits anything and everything, and often has a project or two in progress. Her favorite place in Austin also happens to be Hill Country Weavers. She recommends their friendly and knowledgable staff for any help one might need with yarn-related projects. Her own yarn stash is minimal, as her "postage-stamp sized" apartment does not allow her to be a collector of anything. She says she and her husband, Steve, are more than willing to pay that price for downtown living.

One thing you will not find in their apartment is Thomas the Train. Teryn wishes she could banish it in all forms because of the show's racist and sexist themes, not to mention the overall "ugh" of Lady as a character. On the other end of the spectrum, she feels that she would be lost without her Garmin watch and Strava app, which she uses to "obsessively track" her runs. The app, she says, has some really great functions, like Grade Adjusted Pacing, which will compare your pace on hills vs flat ground.

Though overall laid back, Teryn still gives an involuntary shudder at the memory of her most embarrassing moment as a mom. It happened when she, Ben, and Steve were in the security line at the airport on the busiest travel day of the year and Ben tossed his cookies all over himself, both of his parents, and several other travelers who were within a 4-foot radius. She remembers not only being embarrassed, but then extremely frustrated when upon opening her wipes container to try to clean up the mess, she found they only had one wipe left. Lucky for her, Ben has no residual memory of the event, and still wants to grow up to be just like his mom. He recently told her that he wants to run half marathons just like her when he gets bigger.

The next time you see a Zooey Deschanel look-alike flying down the streets or trails, make sure you say hello, and if you happen upon Idris Elba at one of Austin's hangouts, make sure to send him Teryn's way.