Josefine Ejebjörk is from Sweden but is currently finishing up her undergraduate degree in Waukesha, Wisconsin, in the United States of America. Running in the States compared to Sweden can sometimes be tricky since you always have to look out for cars that don't always reflect on runners crossing streets. In Sweden there are more designated routes where she can run and cars are mostly more attentive to runners and bicyclist. Running in Sweden is also good because there are many bike paths which most bikers do not mind sharing with runners. "Then you don't have to run in the streets and worry about being hit by cars", she said.
As a former gymnast, running and working out was part of a weekly routine. Later she started to run to stay in shape. "And it makes me feel good", Josefine said. If school work and the weather allows for it, she runs about four times a week. During the weekdays she runs for about 45 minutes and on the weekend she does a long run of increasing mileage or mile repeats. Depending if she trains for a race or not.
She likes to run alone to clear her head, but when she is home in Sweden she sometimes run with her brother. To vary the workout she has a couple of different routes around Waukesha that she runs. "It is a smaller city but it has lots of hills, so it makes for an interesting run depending on what route I take", she said. On her long run though, she keeps to a bike track where there are mile markers to clearly count how long she has run.
During the week Josefine runs in the morning but she does not eat anything before. "Which might not be ideal, but I have a difficult time eating too early in the morning". When she returns home, she eats a breakfast including cornflakes and yoghurt and the always important cup of coffee. "After that I am ready to go for the rest of the day", she adds.
In Wisconsin people run in most weather conditions, the winters can be rough and Josefine doesn't like to run when it is too cold so she stays away from running at that time of the year. Sometimes she gets on the treadmill even though it doesn't give her the same feeling as a real run would.
For her long run she has a pair of shorts from Title IX and a cool max top and always carries a bottle of water. She owns two pair of running shoes at all time that she alternates in between, always Asics. She has had other shoes before but finds that Asics fits her feet best.
To keep informed about different aspects of running and get inspiration she reads "Runner's World" and different websites concerning running.
Josefine has done some organized races. In her home town in Sweden, Landskrona there used to be a race but because of low attendance they stopped. She ran "Broloppet" twice. It is a half marathon across the bridge between Demark and Sweden. It was a race she really enjoyed since you have a beautiful view as you reach the top of the bridge. She also ran the "Honolulu Marathon" twice and the "Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon and half marathon". "The Honolulu marathon was awesome with fireworks at the start and over 25,000 runners", she said. The "Toronto Waterfront Marathon" is smaller but still has its charm and the city of Toronto is great for sightseeing and shopping.
An ideal condition to run in is the summers in Sweden, when it is sunny but still a little cool. The best place for Josefine to run is by the ocean. "You get the breeze from the water and also a beautiful view", she said.
Run The Planet would like to thank Josefine Ejebjörk from Sweden for taking part in the Planeteer Spotlight.
