It’s Global Running Day! I won’t be doing any running today but I’ve loved reading everyone else’s posts about it. I can’t wait to be back out there. Out of all the ways that I move my body, running is what I miss the most and am looking forward to getting back to more than anything. Of course, I’ll be taking it slow and steady when my body feels ready but I can’t wait to be back to even just running 3 miles a few times a week!
In honor of Global Running Day, I thought I’d do a survey-style post about running.
RUNNING SURVEY
How long have you been running?
I started running when I was 17 because a timed mile was a requirement for college cheerleading tryouts. I never stopped! So…18 years!? WOW!
What shoes do you run in?
Newton Fate – I started running in them about three summers ago after my favorite Mizunos were discontinued and I’ve loved them ever since!
What is your go-to running outfit?
Lululemon Hottie Hot Shorts and Free to Be Wild bra. A loose tank over it unless it’s really hot. I prefer to run in shorts unless it’s REALLY cold. I’d rather bundle up on the top layer and still wear shorts than wear pants. I also adore compression socks on longer runs and I almost always wear a hat or a visor.
Morning or evening runs?
Mid-morning or evening. I do not enjoy early morning running…at all…but I will do it if it’s the only time I have to run.
Worst injury and how you got over it?
I was constantly injured when I first ventured into long-distance running (half and full marathons) before I started strength training and doing yoga. Since incorporating these things heavily into my routine, I’ve been pretty injury-free for the last 5-6 years. That said, the most frustrating injuries that I’ve dealt with have been knee bursitis, achilles tendonitis and a high hamstring pull.
Favorite race distance?
Half marathon! I’m on team half the distance, twice the fun!
Do you listen to anything when you run or prefer silence?
Unless I’m running with a friend, I prefer to listen to something. It’s usually music but I also enjoy podcasts and audiobooks too…especially if I’m running for over an hour.
Solo run or run with friends?
Most of the time I prefer to run solo because I love the freedom of deciding I want to go for a run and heading out of the door. I love to control my own pace and just zone out. I do enjoy runs with friends but I always want to chat during them…I don’t like running with someone else if both people are wearing headphones. I also don’t like running with people when our paces are really mismatched…I feel guilty for asking them to slow down or speed up!
How or cold weather running?
I will take hot over cold any day of the week. I will totally own that I am a huge wuss and just don’t love cold runs. I’m good down into the 40s but once it gets 30s and below (and I have to put on pants!), I will complain. This is mostly because I have Raynaud’s and my fingers and toes go completely numb when it’s really cold and they will never warm up…even in a half marathon distance race!
Hills or flat roads?
I actually really love hills. I think this is because I’ve done a ton of running in Birmingham and Charlotte and both are really hilly cities. I’ve come to love the up and down of the hills and the challenges that they bring.
Eating before runs – yes or no? Favorite pre-run food?
Yes, I do not like to run on an empty stomach unless I’m running REALLY early in the morning (like before 6 a.m. early). For something light, half a banana with nut butter for something more substantial, toast with nut butter, honey and banana. And always coffee! If I’m running later in the day, I don’t usually snack before I run but I’ve already had two meals that day.
Favorite post-run ritual?
A hot shower! I swear there is nothing like a hot shower after a good run. I feel like a million bucks afterwards. Also, my body cools off really quickly when I stop running and I will start to shake and shiver so I love to stand in a hot shower to warm up. If I’m running in the morning, I love a cup of coffee after I run. If I’m running later in the day, I want something cold and sparkly like a La Croix.
Would you rather run on trails or on the road?
I used to be 100% road but I live really close to trails now and I absolutely love the dose of nature and quiet that they provide. So I guess trails if they’re easily accessible but I don’t want to make a special trip to drive to them. Road is also totally fine with me!
One piece of running gear you can’t live without?
Definitely my Apple Watch. I can’t live without the run data. If you didn’t track it, did it even happen? haha
Do you have any pre-race routines?
The night before a race I like to lay out all of my gear and make a playlist so I feel pumped up for the next day’s race!
What was the most challenging race of your life?
My first marathon, hands down! Second to childbirth, it’s the hardest physical thing I’ve ever done.
What was your most memorable race experience?
PRing the 2014 Thunder Road Half Marathon. This came after a 5+ year hiatus from distance running and I trained for it during a difficult time in my life. I have never worked so hard at my running before and I was so proud of myself for sticking with the training and for achieving a sub-1:45 half marathon. Given that my first half back in 2006 was a 2:14, that was a big deal!
Also, running the 2017 Charlotte Half Marathon at 14 weeks pregnant. That was an incredible and very memorable experience!
Ever run in a costume?
No and I hope I never do. Haha…I’m no fun!
Ever lose a toenail?
No and again, I hope I never do!
Would you rather run with no socks or no sports bra?
No sports bra! (Although I may rethink that answer when I’m back to running and breastfeeding!)
YOUR TURN!
Pick 3-5 of your favorite questions and share your answers!
1. I have been running since I moved to Missouri which was 9 years ago!
2. I run in Nike Zoom Structure
3. Nike shorts with a tighter workout tank
4. I like morning runs the best but won’t turn down an evening run
5. Inflamed tendon sheath on my foot. I lost the ability to push off with my foot and had to do physical therapy
6. Marathon distance
7. I can go either way, I usually listen to music
8. I run solo most of the time, my runs are “my time” and I hate being held back or holding someone else back
9. I like hot and cold running equally. But my favorite is running in the snow
10. I do not eat before a run
11. Post run ritual- Laying down 🙂
12. Trails
13. Waterbottle, since breastfeeding I have never been able to drop that habit.
14. Nope
15. The most challenging race with the Tempe Ironman 2012. One of the best experiences of my life.
16. Finishing my Ironman! Crossing that finish line was SO cool
17. No costumes for me
18. I have had a black and blue nail
19. No socks, I think at this point if I didn’t have a sports bra on my boobs might slap me in the face 🙂 I blame this on breastfeeding.
whoops sorry-I just read I was only supposed to answer 3! Doh!
I’m so glad you did answer all the questions! 🙂 BIGGEST CONGRATS on your Ironman. That is incredible!
1) I have been running in Brooks Adrenaline since 2001. I’ve attempted to try other shoes to add some variety but my feet feel like home in the Adrenalines so I’m probably a lifer.
2) Post run ritual? My absolute fave is to meet a group of friends for a trail run and our husbands ride bikes & then we all go grab pizza & a beer after. Another fave is when I marathon train & one of my girlfriends & I do one of the super long runs together & bring stuff for bloody marys & crackers & cheese, etc. to drink/eat outside the car afterwards. We call it our running tailgate. 🙂
3) One piece of gear I can’t live without? I’ve been wearing my Run Angel for about 6 months now & I feel so much safer & it makes my husband feel so much better when I am out for a run on my own. Its great to know that if something happens while I’m out there, I can push a button to sound a super loud alarm & send my location to my hubby & mom.
The adrenaline was the first shoe I was ever fitted for. I think I went through about 8 pairs of them before switching because my needs changed.
Pizza + beer sounds AMAZING post run and I LOVE the running tailgate. How creative and fun.
Thanks for sharing about the run angel. I’ll include it in an upcoming post.
Your answer to the no sock or sports bra made me laugh out loud. The first time I ran after my baby girl was born, I texted my long time running BF who has spent a lifetime trying to find the perfect sports bra – “I just ran with boobs for the first time, WTF”
hahaha that is so going to be me!
I love this survey! Do you think I can use it for my blog?! I would of course give you credit 🙂
Yes of course! I just found the questions a few different places on the internet and made some up! Feel free!
Hi Jen! We ran the same half marathon! I also ran the 2017 Charlotte half! It was such a good run, and I already signed up to do the 2018 Half.
When did I start? Ive place soccer growing up, but I got into running on the treadmill during college. I got into distance running and participating in races last year.
Favorite distance? I am still fairly new to distance running, so I am very comfortable with running between 4-6 miles. That is around the time I need a break. But I love participating in half marathons. They are my favorite races and I love training for them.
Music or no? when I first started running, I only could run with music, but now I like to run and talk with my boyfriend. I find it really calming being zones in on my surroundings and concentrating on my breathing. Helps me relax.
Solo or with people? I am competitive, so sometime I get defeated when people run faster than me, but I love running with my boyfriend because he is really good at encouraging me and making me less stressed.
The Charlotte half is such a great race! I hope I can do it in 2018 but we’ll see how my return to running goes!
4-6 miles is my favorite go-to distance just to get a good run in!
Favorite Distance? The Half!
Most challenging race? My first marathon in 2008. I followed a training program to the T and felt great but the race itself was brutal. I cried at mile 22. Everything hurt. My hip/low back has never been the same.
Ever lost a toenail!? Yes! Lost one. More black toenails than I can count but most just grew out aside from that one I lost.
I hear you on the reality of the first marathon. SO HARD on the body!
What a fun survey!
Worst injury and how you got over it?– IT band syndrome. It actually happened for the first time 4 miles into my first marathon, that was fun. I recovered from that bout quickly, but about a year later it flared up again and I couldn’t even run a mile without pain. I had to rest for probably 6 weeks, then saw a physical therapist. That was back in early 2014 and I still do those PT exercises weekly to prevent a flare-up!
What was the most challenging race of your life? My first 50k in February of this year. My training went great but about 24 hours before the race, everything went to hell. My dog got sick, I whammed my shin, my hotel tried to give my room away (after I’d checked in!), and I woke up race morning with a horrible headache. I seriously almost didn’t even go to the race. Luckily my running friends and my husband went out of their way to make sure I made it through the race, I even beat my goal time!
What was your most memorable race experience? Either the Cowtown 50k I talked about above or the Chicago Marathon in 2017. That was my first really big marathon and WOW! Chicago knocks it out of the park, it felt like the entire city turned out to cheer!
Ever lost a toenail!? Yes! And it never grew back the same haha.
IT band stuff is the WORST! Ugh! I’m glad you’ve discovered an effective way to deal with it!
Way to go on overcoming all of those obstacles and do well in 50K! That’s awesome. I’ve always wanted to run Chicago! I’ve heard great things.
Jen can you tell us more about Newton shoes? I love mizunos, have been wearing them over 10 years, & have a pretty flat foot but would love to check out other brands
I love running in the winter so my favorite outfit is capri tights and my lululemon swiftly long sleeve. I use to find the flattest routes, but I have really learned to love hills and add then to every run. I also use to be a slolo runner, but now I look forward to my weekend long run with my running group.
Questions on the apple watch.. how does it compare to a running specific watch, say the forerunner? I am debating which one to get..
I love the run swiftly too! It’s my go-to colder weather running shirt.
It took me a while to get used to my apple watch but I really like it a lot now. I haven’t had a garmin in years (I ran with a TomTom for a while) so I can’t compare but overall I really enjoy the small size of the apple watch and all of the functionality it has to integrate with my iPhone. There are tons of running apps that you can download and use with the apple watch.
Running Shoes: Mizuno Wave Riders
Terrain: Definitely flat, wish I loved hills. Definitely need to work on that. Would rather run on the road. I jammed my toe and fell on a trail run and was out with a toe injury for a couple months.
Morning or Evening Run: Definitely first thing in the morning. I struggle in the afternoons or evening…my legs feel so heavy!
Question for you: What do you use to fuel mid-run on long runs? Gu? honey stinger chews?
Thanks for this fun post!!
Hey Gina, I usually use some sort of a gel for fuel on long runs. I like everything from Gu to Huma!