Training Week 3: Running Q&A

For this week's training log, I'm piggybacking on Rachel @ Running on Happy's Running Survey. Stop by her blog to check out her answers, too!

I jump at the chance for a running survey because I rarely talk running in non-blogging life!

My thought is that most people don't care to hear about how many miles I ran today, what race I'm running next or my latest funny story about GI distress. My husband is very supportive yet he doesn't understand how I get myself out of bed to go for a run in the wee hours of the morning. It's fun for me but it's hard to explain the "runner's high" to someone else.

Since I rarely share anything about "the running me" in day to day life, here's a little about my running side.

20 Questions with "The Running Me"


1. Would you rather run along a beach path or on a mountain trail?
Mountains, mountains, mountains! I love mountains because it's a real treat to be around them. Our home area is as flat as a pancake - not exaggerating. The treadmill is my only means for hill training.

Living near mountains someday is a dream of mine!


2. If you could choose the flavor of Gatorade at your next race’s aid stations, what would it be?
I'm more of a water person. During a super hot race I will drink whatever flavor Gatorade they have available for the extra electrolytes. Any other day, I would rather just drink water and eat my GU gels.

3. If I gave you a $100 gift card to a running store, what would be the first thing that you would purchase with it?
A new pair of running shoes. And a sports bra. And new socks. $100 doesn't go that far in a running store :)

4. Do you prefer to follow a training plan or wake up and decide then how far and how fast you want to run?
I really enjoy the structure of training. Even if I'm not training, I have a set amount of time I run to make sure I'm home before the little people and my husband wake up.

5. Would you rather start your run with the uphill and end on the downhill or start your run with the downhill and end with the uphill?
Always uphill first!

6. When you can’t run, what type of cross-training do you choose to do?
Walking, biking, strength training and playing any sport. My favorite "cross training" lately has been playing soccer with our toddler!

7. What is your preference: Out and back, point to point, or loop runs?
It depends. A loop run is my favorite approach for running longer training runs because I can have my own "water station" in the driveway. My usual runs are out and backs because it's easy to track the distance and route. I rarely do point-to-point runs because it means I need to recruit someone to pick me up (and bring the kids with, too).

8. If you could recommend any running-related item to a new runner, it would be:
Buy a new pair of running shoes that really fit you. If you have questions, ask the shoe store worker! Hopefully they can look at your gait and build to help you choose the shoe that fits your running style best.

9. Do you ever see any wild animals while out on your runs?
I see a lot of dogs, not quite "wild animals". Occasionally a deer will cross my path.

10. Ever gotten lost while out on a run?
I thought I was lost in my first trail marathon! The group had spread out and I was running alone on a trail that wasn't very well marked. I came to a fork in the trail and spent a few minutes standing there, contemplating my options and thinking of how bad it would be to get lost in my first marathon!

11. If you could have one meal waiting and ready for you each time you got home from a run for the next 30 days, what would that meal be?
My husband's sourdough waffles accompanied by a cup of dark, bold coffee with half n' half OR I guess I could settle for a homemade cinnamon caramel roll!


12. Capris or shorts… what do you run in most often?
Shorts are my usual for running in the Spring through Fall. In the Winter, I wear a pair of tights under my shorts. When I'm super pregnant, I wear mainly capris because the shorts ride up! So annoying!

13. At what mile (or how many minutes) into your run does your body start to feel like it is warming up and ready to go?
After 1 to 2 miles I start to feel warmed up and relaxed.

14. What do you do with your key when you run?
If I do have keys on me, I carry them in the back pouch of the jogging stroller. Usually I don't run with keys.

15. If you could relive any race that you have done in the past, which one what it be?
The Twin Cities Medtronic Marathon in October 2011. Running felt so easy that day and, after I crossed the finish, I wasn't feeling terribly tired! That was my marathon PR and the pace felt so easy. The weather was perfect and I was soon to be engaged to my husband!


16. What type of run is your least favorite type of run?
Long runs of longer than 90 minutes are my least favorite because they can feeling mentally daunting to me. Plus, they require getting up extra early to finish the run before my family is up! They are very important to full marathon training but I will admit they aren't my favorite.

17. What has been your biggest motivation lately to get out the door to get your run on?
I'm training for a half marathon in September. If I don't run in the morning, it's way harder to fit a run in later in the day! Either I will need to run on the treadmill during nap time (but the boys aren't napping at the same time lately) or push the boys in the double jogging stroller.


18. When you go for a run, do you leave right from your front door or do you drive somewhere to start?
I start up the Garmin as soon as I pass our mailbox :) I drive for races but never for training runs.

19. When running in daylight are sunglasses a must or an annoyance?
Wearing sunglasses is smart when running in daylight but I rarely do it and often regret not wearing them. Maybe I will be smarter about that this year!

20. When you get tired, what keeps you from quitting?
My life verse, 1 Corinthians 10:31. In everything I'm doing - whether I'm doing laundry, changing diapers, writing or running a bunch of miles - my purpose is to glorify God. Persevering through the bad days, when I feel like giving up, develops character and makes me lean on God's strength even more.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:31
.....

Wild Hog 1/2 Training Week 3


7/20 M - 4.01 miles, 36:03 @ 9:00/mile. Today was technically a "speed" day but I ran easy instead. My body doesn't feel ready for weekly speed workouts yet!

7/21 T - Strength training in the AM. 2.05 mile "easy" run with the double jogger in the PM. Running with the double counts as strength training, too!
.
7/22 W - 3.62 mile tempo run, 30:13 @ 8:20/mile. My goal was to maintain a pace under 8:30/mile after the warm up. By the end of the run it felt easy but it takes me a while to get going.

7/23 H - Woke up sick. A sore throat and stuffed up head couldn't keep me from the county fair. The boys and I fit in a lot of rides, fair food and exploring with Grandma E!

7/24 F - Still sick... and now sun-burnt, tired and overdosed on random fair foods :)

7/25 S - LR: 7.06 miles, 1:02 @ 8:46/mile. Despite not feeling well for the past few days, this run went great! Running the distance felt much easier than last weekend.

Total Mileage: 16.74 miles

What are a few of your answers to the running survey?

Linking up at the Fit Dish with Jessica and Jill. #dishthefit

Comments

  1. Given the choice trails will always win. The surveys are a fun way to get to to know other runners/bloggers. Thanks for sharing with the #fitfam! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love this survey, and sourdough waffles?! That sounds amazing. I have never tried that. Wowsers. Is the recipe on the blog? I will have to look. I love how much pride you take in your running, and rightfully so. Every run is a victory. Keep truckin'. Oh, and nice crosstraining with the soccer. : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't have the sourdough recipe on the blog YET but perhaps I can persuade my husband to do a "guest post" when he makes them this Sunday :) Sourdough waffles are our Sunday family tradition!

      Delete
  3. I love your answers! Surveys are so fun :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree! Way to pass this survey along, Rachel! It was a fun one :)

      Delete

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