Varinka Ensminger! Athlete Spotlight (National Guard Marathon Team)

I was super excited to interview Varinka, she has been one of the biggest advocates for the All Guard Team since I have been a part of it. Check out the questions below!

Hey Varinka! Thanks a ton for taking the time to have a chat with me. I'm excited to ask you a fewquestions to learn a little more about you!

Paul: Start off by telling us a little about yourself? What part of the country do you live in? Are you married? Kids? Dogs?

Varinka: Hi Paul!! Thanks for having me as your guest!! I live in the lovely bluegrass state full of fast

horses and delicious bourbon. I live and serve the citizens of Lexington, KY as a Forensic Detective and I

have been a police officer for over 15 years. I have been married to Shane, a retired police Sgt., who is

now the Director of Security, Financial Intelligence & Security Unit for almost ten years. We met at the

annual 4 th of July 10k in Lexington back in 2007. I had no idea he worked for the police department and I

guess the rest is history. We currently have two dog children; Jayde, a seven year-old German shepherd,

and Stewie, a ten month old Chocolate Labrador mix. We live in a community full of kids that regularly

stop by to play with the dogs.

Paul: How long were you on the All Guard Marathon Team? Tell us about your favorite experience or memory from being on the Team.

Varinka: I have been on the All Guard Team consecutively since 2007, so about fourteen years. I have

been the Female Champion on multiple occasions. I have run races all over the country, and take pride

when spectators identify my military singlet and cheer me on. It really warms my heart. My favorite

aspect of the team is the camaraderie and all the soldier/ athletes that have become friends and family

over the many years. So many memories stand out so it’s really hard to pcik a favorite. Lincoln is special

because it’s like a huge reunion. As far as race destination, community, and adventure, I could go on and on. Each race has such a special memory.

Here are a few

Kauai Marathon, Hawaii- This marathon was truly running through paradise. My favorite adventure was

the 17 Na’ pali Coast Ocean Kayak adventure, I just wouldn’t recommend it the day before you race! I

loved every race experience on these beautiful islands so much that we have traveled on our own to race

and vacation as often as we can afford it.

Houston Chevron Marathon, Texas-We worked the start and finish line of the 5k and were able to

congratulate the thousands of runners, place medals around their necks and snap some fun pictures. The

race had an incredible post finish breakfast that we all gathered in the stadium afterwards to recap our

course adventure.

New Orleans Marathon, Louisiana- Shortly after Katrina was the first year we attended this event and it

was moving to hear personal stories and people cheering for you on the course saying “you rescued my

family, thanks National Guard.” I’ll never forget our relay team won a high value gift card and donated it

to the local food bank.

This is an amazing program that’s worth training for.

Paul: Tell us about equipment- Running Shoe of choice? Any other running gear you would recommend?

Varinka: Well, running shoes have changed many times throughout my running journey that started

about 30 years ago, from Nike, to Newton’s and everything in between. After my deployment, several

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years of wearing police boots, and stiletto heels, I developed Morton’s neuroma, bunions and some

metatarsal issues. I wear Hoka Clifton, Rincon and Carbon X for specific distances. I also wear Altra Lone

Peak or Salomon Speed Cross on the trails. I find what I sacrifice in weight and cushion, helps me perform

better overall and aids in my recovery. My advice is where the shoe that works for you. Make sure it

offers appropriate cushion, support, and function. I would recommend having shoes for each type of

race distance and terrain. Also, rotate your shoes allowing them to dry and return to their natural state

for maximum efficiency.

As far as running gear, I am a bit of a minimalist, but currently I use these:

Watch: Garmin 235 or Ironman Timex

Hydration: Slim camel back for longer hot runs filled with H2O or SWORD (www.drinksword.com) ). I also

utilize SWORD on race day along with salt tablets and SWORD Caffeine chews along the course. I have

noticed as I have aged my body needs more salt and electrolytes that I needed in my late twenties and

early thirties for races over the half marathon.

Fuel: Night before- My go to meal- salmon, a starch and vegetable with a glass of red wine.

Before run-I like Coffee, Jiff peanut butter on famous Dave’s wholegrain toast or a Van’s Waffle and a piece of

banana. On the route- GU Chews, Cliff Blocks, or oranges. After the run- real food.

Attire: I love to run when it’s warm so a sport bra and booty shorts- Nike, Born Primitive, and Mizuno

seem to be amongst my favorites. I like Features, Thorlos, Smart Wool and Darn Tough socks. In the cold

I like to layer and shed as needed.

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I don’t live without body glide (self-explanatory), Aquaphor (for my feet), mascara (my eyelashes stick

me in the eye without it), sunblock (tear free) and chap stick.

Paul: How long have you been a runner? When was your first marathon?

Varinka: I have been a runner since my friends talked me into running track in elementary school. In

middle school, I developed talent for the sport and had to balance it between all my other sport interests.

My father ran my fist 5k with me at age 47. I ran my first marathon as a bandit, Philadelphia Marathon

1999. Long story short- it was on a win, after an all-night party. I planned to run the 5 mile event, but

was too broke to pay the entry fee so I just ran until I got tired and at some point after 15 miles decided

to finish it. Then, in 2001 my father (55 years old) and I (20 years old) ran our first official marathon, the

Jersey Shore Marathon. I qualified for Boston and my dad broke 4 hours. Since then I have run too many

races to keep track of on the road, trail and some obstacle courses. I even competed at the world police

and fire games. I was also a high school standout and ran a division one.

Paul: Tell us about what you do when you are not running? Jobs? Other hobbies?

Varinka: I love spending time with Shane and our dogs. You can find us on what we call the Barbini-

Ensminger world tour. I love to travel and see this wonderful world. I love just about any outdoor activity

or adventure. I also love the comforts of a cozy recliner, under a soft blanket, drinking an adult

beverage, while watching a movie or a TV series. I also like to cook and then eat. I am not much of a

baker, but I love desserts. I also enjoying to reading, coaching and volunteering.

Paul: Tell us about your personal Records? Marathon PR? Half Marathon PR? Etc..

Varinka:

Marathon: 3:01- need to break this, maybe as a master.

½ Marathon: 1:22

Fun fact- School record holder in outdoor 1,500 meter run 4:37, Marshall, 2004

Paul: Tell us about your love of the sport! What makes you continue to strive to be a better athlete and runner?

Varinka: Simply put- I just love to run. I love the joy, strength, and resilience it brings to my daily life.

Running has gifted me love and many adventures; but most importantly, I run for those that can’t. When

your legs get tired, you run with your heart. I think being grateful and enjoying all aspects of the running

journey is important. I want to make my family proud and encourage and be a role model for young

women that anything is possible through hard work and dedication.

Paul: How do you approach your training? Do you follow a strict training schedule? How do you balance your training with work, family, etc...?

Varinka: I approach training with balance. It is a priority but not the most important thing in my life,

instead I set my priorities as faith, family, work and everything else. I think your training has to evolve

with every stage of your life and as long as you recognize that, I feel that success will follow. I do not

follow a super strict schedule, but do training in cycles depending on what the distance or time goal is.

My job can be unpredictable and if a schedule is too strict and does not allow for flexibility, then I have

just set myself up for failure. I am a lower mileage runner and perform better with quality workouts over

quantity. Again, balance is essential. I also cross train, weight lift and rest. I also incorporate my

husband and my dogs in my workouts and select run-vacations.

Paul: Do you have a coach? Would you recommend readers hire a coach?

Varinka: I utilize a coach at least twice a year. I usually use them for about 1-2 months to kick start my

training or for accountability if my schedule or life is hectic and I need some structure. It also takes off

the burden off me coaching myself and balancing any other athletes I may also be coaching at the time.

I think if you have the funds to do so, it is an excellent move to help take the pressure off figuring things

out alone and getting lured into someone else’s training plan. They are also 100% focused on your goals

and become like a pen pal. I always loved being coached in my youth and in college, you just had to show

up, do what you were told, and perform. As a working professional it is so much more complex, so a

coach can help simplify it. For others, if you have the time and patience to coach yourself, save a buck

and put it towards gear or a run-vacation.

Paul: If you could give one or two pieces of advice to new runners wanting to get better at long distance running, what would you tell them?

Varinka: Set a goal and be patient. Nothing happens overnight. Stay the course, appreciate the journey,

and give it your all. Stay motivated and resilient as running will mold and change you for the better and

its wonderfulness will pour over in your entire life making you a force to be reckoned with.

Thanks Varinka for your time :-) Cant wait to see you soon!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Paul Duncan is a full time military recruiter, USAT Certified Coach, QT2 Systems Level 1 Coach, and OutRival Racing Level 3 coach. For coaching inquires, click HERE.