Fit Life in the Spotlight - Jamie Lindquist

WOW! How has it been 6 months since I've featured a "Fit Life in the Spotlight"? Seriously, time flies!! I'm extra excited to introduce you all to Jamie today. She's a fellow football wife, a fellow runner and ok...one of my best friends! Our husbands were on staff together at Adams State and we happened to move in just around the corner from her! In the year we lived near each other we became running buddies, walking buddies and football game buddies. It sure was a blessing having a friend like that nearby! I had fun interviewing her for this post...I knew what some of the answers would be, but I learned a few things too! It made me miss our running days though! Without further adieu...meet Jamie! 

Jamie Lindquist is an 8th grade social studies teacher in Lumberton, NC. She has been married to her husband Billy for almost 5 years. He currently coaches at UNC-Pembroke. They have lived in Michigan, Colorado and North Carolina since getting married. When Jamie isn't working or cheering on a football team, she enjoys traveling, running and reading. 

Have you always been active?

I’ve always been active.  I grew up obsessed with team sports.  I loved playing volleyball and basketball and even boys baseball.  I also participated in track, but it wasn’t my love like volleyball and basketball were. My love of running came much later :)

What got you started with running?

I can very vividly remember sitting in my kitchen signing up for my first half-marathon.  I was sick to my stomach full of self doubt.  We were living in Michigan and I had a friend who was very into running, and like most runners, wanted to share her love of running with others.  She got a group of us to sign up and assured me that I could do it!  She was right.  I made it and we continue to run destination races together today! 

Is running your favorite way to workout?

Today running is still my favorite.  I enjoy going to spin classes and enjoy group classes as well, but I always have a little “gym-intimidation” every time we move.  It’s hard for me to just jump right into classes without knowing someone first.   One of my favorite things I’ve ever done is cross country ski!  I miss being able to do that!

What motivates you?

I have to set a goal.  I need to sign up for a race.  It’s that simple for me.  For awhile I enjoy being able to just workout without a set number of miles or minutes in mind, but after awhile I fall off the wagon and have to set a new goal or sign up for a new race!

Do you like training alone, or with others?

Friends all the way!  Truthfully, I love having someone else to help hold me accountable.  I think this comes from being part of a team for most of my life!  I love having someone push me to be better and challenge me!

What do you eat for breakfast?

I’m terrible about eating breakfast sometimes.  I always pack something great for breakfast to eat at school (I’m just not hungry before I leave the house) and often times I forget to eat it, so a lot of times it’s a banana and a granola bar..basically whatever I can stuff in my mouth before that first bell rings Not being able to eat throughout the day is one of the hardest parts of my job!

How do you refuel after a workout?

This tends to be dinner for me.  I am starving after work and a workout, so I usually just hop right into dinner.  I’ll eat a granola bar or drink a smoothie at the end of my work day to hold me over during any after school event and my workout!

What is the biggest challenge in balancing your own fitness, career and being a football wife?

I am very lucky in this aspect of my life.  My husband and I have had an agreement from the very beginning of our relationship.  I am a very independent person and he’s always respected and admired that.  It makes our marriage work.  In other words I do everything I can to support him and his job, but it can’t and doesn’t get in the way of my job and my health!  I love being a football wife and I love supporting him in his job, but I can’t be at his side at all times.  Some football wives are much more zealous than I am.  I love his team, his goals, and his career, but I have all of those things too.  It’s not as if he’s in my classroom cheering me on once a week while I discuss the causes of the Civil War RIGHT???? 

I can get in my own way though.  I have really gotten out of the habit of morning workouts since moving to North Carolina, so I fight myself in the evenings after a long day of work to get that workout in.  For me, I just have to get in a routine and then it gets easier! Or a workout buddy holding me accountable.

What are you tips for getting involved in a new fitness community?

I've moved 3 times as a football wife. Use it to your advantage that you are part of an athletic family.  You often don’t have to look too far for a workout buddy.  As I said earlier though, being a new member of a gym is still intimidating to me. Eventually I usually just get up enough nerve to just jump right in but it takes awhile.

Do you ever workout with other coach's wives? 

I’ve been lucky that other wives within the athletic family have always been there to help me get inundated and I’ve always found a running buddy with every move.  The first school-Trainer’s wife, Second School-you, Here-Basketball wife and football wife.  Other wives is where I always look first!  

Stadium Workout at Adams State - click the photo for the workout!

It's splurge day - what's your go-to food?

Mexican food and a beer!

Any food you absolutely avoid?

Unfortunately not...only beans based upon their complete repulsiveness! 

Did you set any New Year's Resolutions? How are they going?

Oh I set them.  They aren’t going so well, but I haven’t given up on them either.  I just keep trying!  

What is your most memorable race?

That’s a tough one.  My first 5k was so memorable.  It truly got me moving again.  I had gained a lot of weight in college and after I completed my first 5k I realized that perhaps I could be competitive (with myself) again.  It helped me discover my love of running.  My first half was also so very memorable.  It was hard, it was cold, and it really wasn’t very fun, but I was hooked.  I’ve done four more since then and am signed up for two more in the next few months.  Both of these races are memorable because Billy and I did them together.  We finished miserable together during our first half :)

Where is the best place you've ever run?

Puerto Rico and Las Vegas!  Puerto Rico was just beautiful and Vegas was just so much fun. I mean when else can you run the Strip at night?  Destination races with one of my very best friends is something I look forward to every year!  

What races are on your "bucket list"?

I am trying to run a half in all 50 states!  Might as well take advantage of moving all over right?  I am running in Myrtle Beach in April and that’s been on my bucket list for a long time!  I’d love to be able to do the Grand Canyon Half as well!  

What's your typical game day routine?

I’m very superstitious! I only wear certain things and if they lose I won’t wear it again.   I love to be able to get a workout in but other than that I don’t have too much of a routine!  It’s interesting with every different school there’s been a different game day routine with spouses, so I just try to go with the flow.

What are your favorite sports to watch - and to do?

There’s still nothing I love more than a good pick up game of basketball, but as I get older it’s harder and harder to hang!  Billy has still never beaten me at HORSE, which really irritates him.  Football is my favorite to watch though.  It’s the only pro sport that I really watch, but I do love March Madness too!  

What is your proudest accomplishment?

I don’t know if I have one?  I’m proud of the way that I’m able to complement Billy’s job.  It isn’t easy to make friends, get comfortable and happy in a job, and then pick up and move.  It’s hard being away from family, but I always feel like it makes our marriage better and it makes me a better person.  I’ve had so many opportunities because of his job!  It’s brought amazing people into my life and I’m grateful for that even if I’m sad when I have to leave them.  I’m proud of the life we’ve created, even though it probably doesn’t seem ideal to others...we love it!  

Any advice for fellow football wives?

Find the good in every place you go!  It’s there, I promise!  I cried when we moved to a small town in Michigan (I mean tears streaming down my face as we drove into town) and I bawled my eyes out when we had to leave.  Every place has something great to offer and even if the town or school is lacking there’s good people everywhere...Go out and find them!  

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Thanks Jamie and GO BRAVES! 
I love sharing what fit and healthy women in the sports world are doing! They sure motivate me - and my hope is that they will motivate you too! If you know someone (or you yourself) that should be featured here - send me a message!