Vanessa Junkin

If you’ve ever attended a local club run, you probably have met Vanessa Junkin of Salisbury, Maryland. She’s extremely active in the running community helping new and seasoned runners in person and through her blog.

How did you become a runner? 
I started running the summer before I entered high school, in 2004. I started with a lap around the track. To make the high school soccer team, student-athletes had to run a mile in under 8:00. I was able to do that, but I didn’t make the team. I also didn’t make the basketball team, and I ended up running outdoor track for four years and ran cross-country during my senior year. Running has continued to be an important part of my life since then. 

When did you get involved with Eastern Shore Running Club and what’s your role? 
I first became a member of the Eastern Shore Running Club in 2013. Before that, I became connected with a group of runners who were meeting at Rise Up Coffee on Riverside Drive through my partner, Mike. This led me to become an Eastern Shore Running Club member. I was elected as club secretary in 2015 and held that role until I was first elected as president in 2022; I have served as president each year since. I love being part of the Eastern Shore Running Club, have gotten to meet a lot of great people, and encourage everyone to join and run with us! Learn more at esrclub.org. 

You became a certified running coach through Road Runners Club of America. Tell us a little more and how you have used that training. 
I became a certified running coach through the Road Runners Club of America in 2018, though I do need to renew my certification and CPR training. I took the course to help other runners through the Eastern Shore Running Club. It involved two days of learning, an exam and CPR certification. I also served as a coach for the RunSBY events for a few years and provided training plans for runners of different levels for the half marathon and marathon. 

You do a lot of races and have a lot of goals. What are you working on now? 
One goal I set for this year is to go to the gym at least 52 times — an average of once a week. I’m not the best at making time for strength training, and I’m behind on this goal as of now, but I still have time to catch up. I also want to run a 10K in under one hour, which I haven’t done since 2019. And, I’d like to run a marathon in under 5:29:15 — my time at the Publix Atlanta Marathon in early 2020. Those times wouldn’t be personal records, but they would be my fastest in several years. 

I am working on running a marathon in all 50 states over a lifetime and have signed up for the Space Coast Marathon in Florida this November.  Also, I am in my fifth year of running a fast 1600 at the track near the beginning of each month. I’m also hoping to run at least four races in the RRCA Maryland/DC Grand Prix Series for the second year in a row (I’ve done two races in the series so far this year). 

You hit a big milestone with your running blog not too long ago. What’s your blog and what can people find there? 
Yes! In November, I reached 10 years since I started my blog, She Runs by the Seashore. I blog about my running experiences, including race recaps and scenic runs, at SheRunsByTheSeashore.com. Over the years, I’ve also done book reviews and product reviews on the blog. She Runs by the Seashore also has a Facebook page, and I share additional running photos and experiences there and on Instagram at @vanessajunkin. I love it when people recognize me by my blog name at races! 

How did you end up in Salisbury? (Did you go to SU?) 
I grew up “across the bridge” in Carroll County, Maryland, and though I visited several colleges, Salisbury University was my favorite. I started going to SU in 2008. Shortly before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts in winter 2011, I got a job in my field as a copy editor at The Daily Times, and I decided to stay here. Now, Mike and I have owned a home here for nearly 10 years and have made Salisbury our home. I love the community and the people! 

What do you do when you’re not running? 
A decent amount of my time not actually running still relates to running, whether I’m working on things for the Eastern Shore Running Club or She Runs by the Seashore. However, I also enjoy spending time with Mike and our two cats, Buddy Cat and Foxy, and my friends and family. I work as a marketing specialist at TidalHealth and love to explore new places, both near and far.

You are very encouraging to all who attend ESRC runs. What advice can you share with new runners? 
My biggest piece of advice is that running should be fun! This is our hobby. Do what makes you happy. You never have to run a marathon — or a half marathon, or a 10K — if you don’t want to. You don’t have to race at all. Run-walk intervals are still running, and I personally love them as someone who has been running for nearly 21 years. A really important one is to stay hydrated. I have had heat issues in the past and want everyone to know that staying hydrated is key before, during and after races and runs. Listen to your body if you start feeling off during a race or run.

Also — don’t let “running club” scare you. We’re not all speedsters — ESRC is made up of runners of all paces. I am far from the fastest runner in the group, and I will stay with whoever is at the slowest pace at ESRC runs I lead. The runs I lead are Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 6 p.m., currently starting and ending at Ben’s Red Swings for the season. Hope to see you there!