Sonja Inzinger

Mautern (AUSTRIA)

3k, 5k and XC runner

 

Runner Spotlight

Sonja’s journey to running wasn’t planned—it just fell into place. She tried acrobatic gymnastics as a kid but quickly realized it wasn’t for her. Then, by chance, running entered her life. A friend’s father, a passionate hobby runner, invited her to join their runs to encourage his daughter to enjoy the sport. The daughter quit soon after, but Sonja found something she truly loved.

Her big break came unexpectedly. There was a high school for elite athletes about 30 km from her hometown, but since she wasn’t part of a club or competing in major races, it seemed out of reach. Still, her dad encouraged her to attend their open day just to experience it. She had fun, enjoyed the test runs, and thought nothing more of it—until a week later, she got a life-changing call. Jennifer Wenth, an Olympian and coach at the school, had seen her potential. She had already spoken to the athletics association and wanted Sonja on board.

That moment set everything in motion, turning a casual love for running into something much bigger.

Favorite running spot

                    The Wachau Valley, Austria

Favorite Running Shoe

For easy runs, Sonja’s go-to shoe is the Saucony Tempus—a lightweight yet supportive option that perfectly suits her slight overpronation. She loves how it provides just the right balance of cushioning and responsiveness, keeping her legs fresh on recovery days while still feeling smooth and efficient. Whether she’s getting in steady miles or just shaking out her legs after a tough session, the Tempus delivers the comfort and stability she needs.

Best Achievement

Sonja’s proudest accomplishment so far is winning the Austrian U20 National Cross Country Championship, a title that solidified her place among the country’s top young distance runners.

Sonja and her teammates, all smiles after the first cross country race of the season at Bradley.

On the track, one of her standout performances was her 3K personal best of 9:53.88, set last year on the indoor track in Nashville. But for Sonja, recent successes have only fueled her drive. With the MVC Indoor Championship ahead, she’s excited to see how far her hard work will take her and is aiming to set a new personal best.

3K indoor race

Another highlight for Sonja is simply coming to Bradley University. As she puts it, “Just coming to Bradley, as this environment has everything I always dreamed of, and I know I will have massive success during my time here.”

Product Recommendation

Fueling properly during long runs and training sessions is key to maintaining performance and aiding recovery for her. She relies on maltodextrin, which helps keep her glycogen stores full during training sessions lasting over an hour. This is essential for sustaining energy and ensuring faster recovery, especially for women, who may sometimes face energy deficiencies.

She takes it with water and electrolytes, ensuring her body stays properly fueled and hydrated.

In addition, Sonja recommends Hüma Chia Energy Gel—her go-to energy gel. It's the only one she can digest easily and carry without hassle during her runs, thanks to how light it is.

Favorite Pre-Race Song

This week’s Word of the Week comes from Sonja, and it’s

Flow

"Flow represents the ease and natural progression of my journey."

It’s about finding that rhythm where everything falls into place, allowing us to move forward with purpose and confidence. It’s a reminder that when we trust the process and stay true to ourselves, progress becomes more effortless.