Tara McDonald Carreira
Age Group
Open (30 something)
Nickname
Turbo
Sports Bio
I am a native Bay Area girl, and became a runner in high school, joining the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. Highlights of my high school running include Cross Country All-League, State Meet Qualifier, and earning a full scholarship for Cross Country to Hawaii Pacific University on Oahu, HI. I attended Hawaii Pacific University from 1992-1996. Highlights of my collegiate running include earning Cross Country All-American status in 1995 by placing 27th at Nationals, University of Wisconsin-Parkside. After college, I entered the United States Air Force and ran on the USAF Europe Cross Country team. We raced against other Air Force teams in Germany, England, Belgium, and The Netherlands. This is my third year on the FMRC team and it is a privilege to race in the same uniform as so many talented athletes in our club, and to give back to a sport I love so much …See you on the roads!
Highlights of past season(s)
1st Woman Overall: Shamrock 5KM, Brickyard 4-miler, CPOA 10KM, Wilcat 5KM, Jail Break 5KM, Primo's 5KM, Spirit Run 5KM, Half Moon Bay Pumpkin 10KM, and Fast and Furious 5KM
Veteran's Day 5KM: 17:54
Wharf to Wharf ~ 37:40; 19th overall woman
Bay to Breakers ~ 49:07
San Jose Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon - 2nd AG
Disneyland 1/2 Marathon - 3AG
Clarksburg 20-miler - 1AG
Special Recognition
Power Bar Elite Team, Hawaii, 1995-1996
Cross Country MVP, Hawai'i Pacific University - 1992/93, 1995/96
Favorite race experience
Boston Marathon - no explanation needed.
Worst race experience
First time at XC Nationals in college, I did not race as aggressively as needed and got myself boxed into a middle pack I could not escape from. Raced totally different the following year there.
One unique or interesting fact about you or your life
I was born with a dislocated hip and required a brace for the first year of my life. Doctors told my parents I would never even walk without a severe limp.
Best training advice ever received
Never "run through" pain. Respect an injury.
