For Tuesdays with Toyota, we are spotlighting some of USATF's most dedicated members with a short feature on USATF.org and our social media channels. Here is our feature with USATF athlete Briana Frank, a member of the USATF North Carolina Association from Wake Forest. Why are you a member of USATF? The truth is I never considered that USA Track & Field could be something I could join and compete in until a few months ago. I started running way back in high school competing in track and cross country. Throughout adulthood I didn’t always compete but running has always been a major part of my life. I enjoy following my favorite runners on social media and in general consider myself a bit of a running nerd. In January of 2023 something was off. I was so weak I struggled to run a 12-minute mile or to run at all. After a few doctor visits I figured out I suffered from low iron and low blood pressure, and I made some changes which allowed me to slowly improve. I started incorporating more strength training and HIIT into my workouts as well as changing my diet with iron rich foods and supplements. Progress was slow but I began to regain my normal speed and endurance. There was a half marathon I had my eye on in September 2023 but as the race got closer, I knew I wasn’t ready for that distance even though my running had improved tremendously. I considered skipping the race entirely, but I decided I was ready to run the 5K and running the shorter distance wasn't a defeat. This was a major mindset shift for me. I ended up running the 5K and winning my age group even though my pace was still not what it had been 18 months prior. It was a fun little win and motivating but more importantly I met a random stranger who said I should consider qualifying as a USA Track & Field Masters All American in the 5K. I had no idea there was such a thing, but the time needed to qualify was within my reach. It’s always fun to have a goal so I decided to start training for it. I am a busy mom, wife and full-time tech executive so making time to train and compete is tough. I did all my research on the Masters program while on a plane and signed up for USA Track & Field in the air. One requirement was to pick a local running club. I did the research and found a local club that felt like the right fit. I signed up and picked my race. The race was my last chance to qualify for several months. It landed on a really cold Saturday after two straight weeks of business travel and all the madness of getting ready for Christmas that consumes moms with kids. I made the choice to get up at 4 a.m. and drive to a race an hour away and I got it done. I was able to qualify! It felt great to accomplish this goal even with a crazy schedule. Goals are addictive. Now I’m training again for a half marathon in hopes to qualify as an All American at that distance as well. A huge bonus is that I joined a local track club that has broadened my horizons on Masters track for adult amateurs. The local club provides track, strength, and distance group workouts. I feel thankful for the random encounter with a stranger who pointed me to this path. I try to pay it forward by encouraging others I meet along the way. What is your "why"? Working in tech, traveling, being a mom, a wife and a friend are all rewarding but they come with a lot of demands and a lot of stress. Getting out in nature and having some time to yourself is the most precious thing I can do for myself and my own sanity. Running to me is probably what yoga is to many people. Running allows me to regain my Zen and reset. Studies have shown working out improves your cognitive abilities. I absolutely find when I work out in the morning, I tend to perform better cognitively all day at work, but most importantly I just feel great for the rest of the day. When possible, I try to run outside when I travel, and I have been able to see a lot more of the world due to running. What is something that helps you focus while you train? Training can be tough for regular people. Amateur runners have a lot of demands outside of running and many competing priorities. I find picking a race or two throughout the year can help structure training in a really productive way. Structured training can be that boost to motivation that might be needed to get a workout on the road in a tiny hotel basement gym with half broken equipment. If you are short on time it takes laser focus and planning to get your training, nutrition, and recovery in, while balancing all of your other demands. I find training for a race helps me do that. How has USATF impacted you? Recently I had a business dinner with a particularly grumpy business associate. I was seated next to this individual and immediately I dreaded agreeing to the dinner and wondered how I could have been so unlucky to sit next to this person. Somehow it came up that this person was a runner. We talked nonstop for two hours about running, races, shoe reviews, training techniques, supplements and more. I told him about my journey and my goal of becoming a USA Track & Field Masters All American. He was interested and considered the possibility of qualifying himself. You could not have picked two more opposite individuals to sit next to each other, but I think we both had a wonderful dinner and a delightful conversation thanks to running. Running brings people together. Outside USATF how do you spend your time? I am a busy tech executive, mom, wife and friend. I spend most of my time working or being a mom. USATF is one of the few things I do to prioritize myself and my own interests. I am also an avid reader and look forward to my lively book club and our discussions. I also love art and enjoy museums and trying out all forms of art. When possible, I enjoy exploring new parts of the world via work or personal travel. What is your favorite USATF memory? I'm new to USATF but already I am racking up some great memories. I had to chuckle at the last 5K I ran which had a bunch of runners clearly there for the USATF certified course while others were dressed up like reindeer and Christmas trees. It was a neat balance of intense and fun. Running is approachable for lots of different people with different goals. Is there an athlete or person who inspired you to join the sport? I owe a lot to a random stranger who encouraged me to look into the Masters All American program and encouraged me to qualify in the 5K. I do not know this person’s name, but it gave me a new goal to work towards and it felt great to achieve that goal. More importantly, it set me on a new, more focused journey as an adult amateur runner.