Happy Global Running Day! It’s hard to believe that I have been running for 20 years this year! I started running the spring of my senior year of high school because I had to run a timed mile as part of college cheerleading tryouts. While college cheerleading only lasted one semester, running stuck and it’s blessed me in so many incredible ways. I have had my fair share of ups and downs with running but I have really found my stride the last 6-7 years and I’ve been running happy and injury-free!
I enjoy reading survey/Q&A-style blog posts so that’s the direction that I decided to take here today with 15 running-focused questions that are a little all over the place. These questions are pulled from a few posts from Hungry Runner Girl and I’ve added some of my own.
Running on the beach in my second trimester!
1. Would you rather run along a beach path or on a mountain trail?
This one is so hard to answer. I appreciate a flat path with pretty ocean views and a nice breeze but I also love being out on trails in nature. If I had to pick I think I’d go beach because I prefer rolling hills to the intense uphills and downhills that come with mountain running. That said, I would rather be running on a path overlooking the beach than on the sand!
2. What’s your preference – out and back or point to point or loop runs?
Hands-down a loop. Not a fan of backtracking or repeating any part of my run and not a fan of ending somewhere different than I started.
3. Would you rather train through winter for a spring race or through summer for a fall race?
I hate being cold and I have Raynaud’s Syndrome so it makes cold weather running especially miserable because I lose feeling in my fingers and toes and they turn white, even with gloves. If it’s under 30 degrees, I prefer not to run outside. I’ll never forget running the Charlotte Half Marathon one year where it was 26 at the start and 30 at the finish and my fingers were numb the entire race…even with hand warmers! (I did PR my half marathon in that race and don’t think I’ll ever run that fast again…haha.)
I realize that for some of you 30 degrees is a balmy run but I’ve never lived outside of the south and it’s too cold for me! 🙂
4. Do you prefer to follow a training plan or wake up and decide then how far and fast you want to run?
My days of training plans are behind me. I spent a lot of time in my 20s and early 30s training for various races ranging from marathons to 5Ks. These days I much prefer to wake up and run what I feel.
5. What are your favorite running shoes?
Newton Fates! I have been running in them since 2015 and they are my favorite neutral running shoe. I do rotate other shoes in from time-to-time but Fates are my fave! They are a very running-specific shoe and not great for day-to-day wear or strength workouts so if I’m traveling and want a shoe I can wear for running, strength, walking around, etc I adore Brooks Revel.
6. Would you rather start your run with the uphill and end on the downhill or start with the downhill and end on the uphill?
Start with more downhills and hit the uphills once I’m a mile or two in and feeling warmer.
7. I felt like the most bada** mother runner when:
I crossed the finish line of the Charlotte Marathon Relay five across with a relay team of moms pushing jogging strollers when Finn was 6 months old. Gah, I still get teary watching this video!
8. If you could recommend ANY running related item to a new runner, what would it be?
Going to a running store and getting fitted for the right running shoes for your feet, body and running goals. Makes such a huge difference.
9. Do you prefer to run in shorts or tights/capris?
SHORTS! I only run in tights if it’s under 35 degrees. I’d rather be in shorts and bundled up on top with long sleeves, a vest, gloves and a hat. These are my favorite running shorts of all-time and these are my favorite tights if I have to run in pants.
10. Would you rather run a 5K or a marathon?
5K. I can honestly say that I will never run another marathon in my life. I ran two of them in my 20s and it was two too many. They were not kind to my body. You can read my crazy first marathon recap here. I do adore half marathons but with the current state of my hip, I’m avoiding them and keeping my runs to 3-6 miles.
I actually like the 10K race distance a lot because I find 5Ks to be a bit short for all that goes into getting ready for and to a race.
11. What’s your go-to pre-run or race snack?
Peanut butter toast with honey and bananas and black coffee if it’s morning. A Perfect Bar if it’s afternoon.
12. When you can’t run, what type of cross-training do you choose to do?
Walking, hot yoga, strength training and HIIT workouts.
13. Would you rather run without music or without your GPS?
Oh lord. This is a hard one for me. I have always preferred having music or a podcast to listen to while I run but I’m also pretty addicted to my GPS. I think I’d have to ditch the GPS and let go of my need for data!
14. If you could relive any race you have done in the past, which one would it be?
The 2016 Rocktoberfest Half Marathon! This was not a “sexy” or exciting race, and the course was pretty brutal, but it’s the best I’ve ever felt during a race. I didn’t look at my GPS one single time for the entire 13 miles and totally ran based how I felt. My last mile was actually my fastest and I felt amazing after this race! I remember just feeling so strong and confident in my body during and after this race.
15. Best advice to give a new runner?
Meet yourself where you are. Be kind and patient with yourself. Don’t judge yourself for your current fitness level or pace. Take it super slowly and know that with time and consistency you will build endurance and fitness. It’s not worth injuring yourself by doing too much, too fast which leaves you down on running. I am offering this advice from personal experience and years of frustrating injuries.
MORE RUNNING POSTS
10 Thinks I Love About Running for Global Running Day
A Letter to Running
The Great Stroller Running Post
5 Things I Learned About Running in the First Trimester
3-Day A Week Half Marathon Training Plan
YOUR TURN!
5K or marathon?
Would you rather run without music or without your GPS?
What race would you relive if you could?
What’s your best advice for a new runner?
Your answer about “cold” is very southern. 😉 I’m a Minnesotan so 30 is considered “nice weather” for a good chunk of the year here. Ha! I do not like to run when it’s below 0 – that is too unpleasant for me. I am just getting back into running after having our 2nd child. I had a very hard time fitting exercise in when I was working in the office. I was gone 10 hours a day at least so would have had to run at 5am or 8pm and neither was palatable to me! But now that I WFH and will on a part-time basis going forward, it’s way easier to fit runs/other exercise in when I have a break in the day. So I have been running without a GPS since returning because I don’t want to know my pace and potentially beat myself up. I’m doing run/walk intervals so I still don’t “feel” like a runner, but I’ll get my endurance back with time. I’ve been seeing a pelvic floor PT specialist so am following her directions on my return to running so I can stay healthy but I’m hoping to run a 10k or 10 mile race by the fall! For your questions, 1) definitely a 5k as I am done with marathons (I did 4), 2) right now I skip the GPS but when I’m fully back to running I’d choose a GPS over music as I love data! 3) probably my first sub-2 hour 1/2 which was in Victoria, BC. Plus it was a girls running trip and we had the best time! 4) Get shoes that fit properly, be patient with yourself, don’t compare your distance ran or pace to others, and listen to your body!
Haha, I totally own that being a very southern answer!
I agree that running at 5a or 8p are not ideal. I don’t feel my best at either of those times. It’s so great that you have more flexibility with your workouts now. You will totally get back into a running groove and it’s awesome that you’re working with a PT to make sure you do it the smart way for your body.
Glad I’m not alone in being done with marathons. 😉
I used to dream of becoming a runner and actually worked up to a 5K distance using the “Couch to 5K” program back in my grad school days. Sadly, I never grew to love running. The best I did was tolerating it. 😉
These days, at my age (50) and weight and with my cardiac history, I stick to brisk walks and yoga. I know I will never run a marathon, or even a 10K, and I’ve accepted that.
Hi Sharon – thanks for sharing so honestly. I think that if we truly don’t enjoy doing things…that doing something else is the absolute right thing to do (even if our minds want to tell us otherwise/dream otherwise). Brisk walks and yoga sound perfect to me and it’s wonderful that you’re staying active.