verna volker

Run in My Shoes continues with Verna Volker, founder of Native Women Running, whose mission is to build a community of Native women runners and encourages them to find their place in the running world after being historically excluded. A short profile complements the AMR Friday Podcast, which features the profiled runner as a guest.

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A little bit about you: I’m Verna Volker, 47 years old, and I have four kids ages 9 – 18 years old. I’m from the Navajo Nation. I grew up in New Mexico but currently live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

What made you want to start running? In 2009, I started my running journey to lose weight, but it has turned into a quest to find out who I am internally. This journey has taken me from a newbie runner to a marathoner and then to an ultra runner.

Favorite place to run: I love running trails that are located just outside the city.

Treadmill—love it or hate it: I used to hate the treadmill but now have embraced it and actually enjoy doing intervals on them. One of the first workouts I did after the Javelina Jundred was on the treadmill: 1 mile warm up, .24 miles x 10, 1 minute recovery between intervals, and a 1 mile cool down.

Favorite post-run food: Easy! Coffee and toast with peanut butter.

Verna Volker

You mentioned the Javelina Jundred—what was it like to run through the night? I was starting to hurt. The bottom of my feet were hurting and my legs felt heavy. I chugged Coke at one station because I was sleepy. Then I remember looking at the time. It was 1:00 AM. I thought, “Who runs at 1 AM?” People like me do.

How did you handle the low points of such a long race?  The whole expereince was very emotional and amazing, but the lowest point was at the 2nd loop. It was hot and I was getting tired.  I pushed through because I remembered what I was running for. I dedicated the run to my late father and 3 siblings who passed away.

Tell us about Native Women Running: I started Native Women Running (NWR) out of frustration. One day, I was scrolling through Instagram and noticed a lack of Native women runners. When I realized many runners don’t look like me, I decided to start NWR.

My desire is for representation of Native women runners in the running world.  My hope is for Native women to find belonging here. I hope NWR can be a place of positivity and encouragement for fellow sisters.