ANNA PAPPAS (PASTERNAK)
**Women’s Open Team Captain
Hometown: Brighton, MI
Background: I started running with my mom prior to starting middle school, and man did she kick my butt. I remember not being able to make it through a 2.5 mi run without my mom running ahead to go get me apple juice (I simply could not go on without replenishing my glucose stores). Fortunately, I started having better luck. By mid- high school, I knew I wanted to run in college. After deciding I was going to MIT, I cried for a couple weeks because I would be so far away from my little sister. So, I decided Michigan was where I belonged. When the MIT coach told me “It’s a shame your running career is going to end early” because he didn’t think I was good enough to run D1, it was clear I had dodged a bullet. I ended up running cross country and track at the University of Michigan (GO BLUE!) and proved the MIT coach wrong. Since college, I’ve continued to chase PRs, and I think I enjoy running even more as I’ve gotten older. I feel #blessed to have met the PRT squad when I moved out here in 2020! And with the help of Coach Paul (Hiii Paauhhhl!) and my lovely teammates, I’ve managed to eke out a few PRs over the last couple years!
Racing competitively since: 2005 while sporting my middle school uniform of Soffe shorts and an oversized cotton T-shirt
PRs:
1500m - 4:37 (2022, UCSD Triton Invitation)
Mile - 4:58 (2021, Groundhog Invitational)
3000m - 9:44 (2015, Michigan vs Michigan State Dual)
3000m Steeple - 10:18 (2015, NCAA D1 East Prelims)
5K (track) - 16:46 (2021, Yo Momma Invitational)
5K (road) - 16:54 (2019, Lansing Turkey Trot)
5K (XC) - 17:16 (2015, Greater Louisville Classic)
6K (XC) - 20:46 (2015, D1 Pre-Nationals)
10K (road) - 35:07 (2021, The Kook)
Half Marathon - 1:17:27 (2022, San Diego Rock n’ Roll Half)
Highlights:
Scorer on Michigan’s 2013 XC Nationals podium finish (eff you MIT coach)
2021/2022 Dirt Dog Champ
2022 San Diego Road Series Champ
Teammate to all PRT members
Fun questions:
Favorite race: anything cross country
Favorite workout: 3 + 1 at Miramar
Words to live by: “There’s no point in worrying about things after 10pm” - Momma Pasternak
Why I choose to run for PRT: The lasting friendships and Bridget’s themed parties
Favorite PRT memory: Oh gosh, there are so many, but I really enjoyed flinging cinnamon bread at Kevin at one of Fiana’s dinner parties.
What I like to do besides running: puzzles (all kinds–jigsaw, crossword, logic, etc), eating, dancing, singing, doing tricks w/ Bridget and Nicole while Erin supervises, looking on Zillow at houses I can’t afford
