Ellie
There was so much about volleyball that Ellie enjoyed when she was younger.
“I loved the energy,” she recalls. “After every point that you win, you come together as a team and celebrate. But the plays that are huge, it’s just so fun to jump around and yell with your teammates.”
That didn’t include the excitement from the crowd, she adds.
In high school, Ellie was an outside hitter, which is the main attacking player who tries to finish plays with a spike. But when she was recruited to play volleyball in junior college, she switched to defensive specialist, in part, because she wasn’t as tall as some of peers who competed as outside hitters.
“I also really liked that position,” she says, “because I like to dive and throw myself out there. It’s really fun.”
Ellie played at Central Lakes College in Brainerd, and she had an excellent experience.
“I learned so much, and I had the best coaching I’ve ever had in my life,” Ellie says. “And I loved my teammates, and it was so much fun.”
But after a few seasons, Ellie decided to start running. She worked her way up to three runs a week, with one spanning five or six miles, another 10 miles and then a half marathon on the weekend.
“It’s obviously a lot different,” Ellie says, contrasting running to playing volleyball on a team. “I want to find a running group because none of my close friends run, so I do just go on my own. But I don’t know. It’s hard to talk and run at the same time.”
Besides, Ellie rather enjoys the solitude of running.
“Everything’s calm, and I’m just focusing on my run,” she says. “It’s just really nice to turn on the running mode and not really think about anything else.”
She listens to her “Running Playlist,” which features upbeat songs.
Eventually, Ellie wants to run a marathon.
“Hopefully in the fall, I might sign up for the Twin Cities Marathon,” she says. “I’m still debating it.”
More about Ellie
What superpower do you wish you had?
Super speed or flying. Super speed because I like to run. But flying, you would get to places faster, and you can see things from a different perspective.
What is one of your actual superpowers (something that makes you special and unique)?
I’m a good listener. People can come to me and tell me things and know I will listen, pay attention and empathize, and keep information safe.
If you had a free day to do anything, how would you spend it?
I would go to my cabin in Pequot Lakes, about 20 minutes from the college I went to. I would swim in the lake. My dad loves to paint, and sometimes I like to sit with him and paint and draw.
What is your favorite snack?
Pink Lady Apples and Zesty Garden Ranch Veggie Straws
Why do you love your job?
I love my job because every patient is different, and every day is a challenge. I like the small wins, like if you have a kid that’s really shy, and maybe this time they let you brush their teeth, or floss their teeth, and they didn’t do that last time.
Favorite fluoride flavor?
Mint
Favorite cartoon or animated movie?
Ratatouille. I think it’s really funny and the concept is really great, and it takes place in France.
