It’s safe to say Lianna Faber gets her steps in during her day-to-day work at the Empire State Building. Although Faber occasionally has a break traversing the building’s 102 floors when she’s monitoring and operating its HVAC through a building management system (BMS), the building engineer often finds herself pushing carts stacked with air filters, checking the plant’s equipment and fixing miscellaneous leaks.
With all the running around Faber does throughout her job, it may seem surprising that during her free time, she chose to pick up literal running as a hobby. We recently spoke to Faber to learn more about why she started running, how it has improved her mental health, and the advice she would give to other tradespeople who are looking to get more active.
What sparked your interest in running?
Faber: Everybody wants to know why an individual chooses to start running. That's actually one reason I tried it, because I wanted to understand. A year and a half ago, I could never comprehend how anyone liked running. I didn’t do track or cross country growing up, and for people who have never run before, you often look at runners and you just don't get it. I would say about a month into running, I started to get it.
I was also searching for ways to cope and help my mental health, and I wanted to feel better about my body. Running is hard, and I feel like if you can convince yourself to do something that's hard and stick with it, you’re proving that you are mentally strong. I think that's why running is super personal to a lot of people: You're pushing yourself to do something that is good for you, even though it doesn't always feel good.
How often and where do you run?
Faber: I attempt to run four to six days a week. Not every run of mine is the same; I have easy runs, longer runs, and fast runs. You can change it up so you're not doing the hardest run every single day.
I just love running outdoors. Not only are you getting a natural runner’s high from the boost in endorphins, but you're also getting sunlight, which makes you feel good, too. I’ll run on trails, on the road, in the woods, you name it. Then on other days, I’ll run on an actual track because it's a bit easier on my knees and body.
You recently ran a 5K. What inspired you to do so?
Faber: Like I touched on, I've had my own mental health battles and I'm completely upfront about that; I'm not ashamed of it. So, I decided to run a 5K to support a mental health cause since running has improved my own mental health so much. I also run alone all the time, so it was empowering to do a 5K with other people who I'm sure running has also helped in some way.
I found a local 5K called the Elly CARES Project that’s all about breaking mental health stigma. There are way too many people who keep their battles inside, and not enough people talk about mental health issues. But just because you don't talk about them, doesn't mean they don’t exist. I also had my personal goals that I was aiming for, which I did hit. Out of 270 people, I was 75th to finish and out of 44 women in my age group, I received 7th place. So close to a medal!
How did you feel when you finished the race?
Faber: It honestly felt so, so good. When I first started running, I could hardly run a half mile without taking a long walking break. So, just to see how far I'd come, I was immensely proud of myself. It was also great that I did it for a cause I love.
What physical and mental changes have you noticed since you started running?
Faber: In general, my endurance has gotten so much better. I'm not a pro runner, but I just love the fact that I can track my personal records. Every time I run, I'm like, "Well this is my best, let's see if I can beat it.” Overall, I just feel better about my body and myself. I feel much more mental clarity.
When I run before work, I feel more invigorated on the job; I perform better and can concentrate more. There are also certain times our engineering department may need to rush to a floor if an alarm goes off, so running has helped me not be out of breath when instances like that occur where I need to get somewhere fast.
Do you feel there are any challenges or obstacles other tradespeople may face when trying to become more active?
Faber: Oh yeah, there are a lot of challenges. A lot of tradespeople work long hours or have long commutes, and that adds extra stress. I think the No. 1 challenge is time, especially as you start adding miles to your run. It takes a lot of time out of your life to do it the right way — to stretch, warm up, and cool down. But I commute about three hours and 45 minutes a day. I take the train into Manhattan from Long Island and vice versa, and I still find time to run. It is hard because sometimes I rush to shower to get to work or lose out on sleep. But with all the benefits I’ve discussed, running is still worth it for me.
Why is it so important for tradespeople to stay fit?
Faber: Staying fit when you have a physically demanding job is a must. If you have extra muscle, you’ll put less strain on your body during work, making you less injury prone. Make the time for you. Staying physically active or going to the gym will make you feel more energized and gives you time to clear your head. Remember that exercise time is still your personal time, too.
What’s your final advice for a running newcomer?
Faber: Don't start too quickly, because your body's going to really hurt and you're just not going to be able to keep up. Many people run with incorrect form when they first start, which can cause aches, pain, and injuries. So, read up on proper running technique. A good pair of sneakers goes a long way, too.
Once you’ve eased into running, staying consistent is a tremendous help. Write your runs down on a calendar so you can track your progress. And like I mentioned before, mix hard runs with easy runs. You still have to take care of your body because you can overexercise. At the end of the day, just don’t give up. It takes a few weeks to a couple of months to form a new habit, so at least try to commit to that amount of time when you start your running journey!
