How do you like to run? A Personal Running Survey. #running

I got this idea from my friend and fellow blogger, Julie, over at Running in a Skirt. It’s a fun running survey that fosters running self-reflection and gives readers some insight into my running life. I also want to apologize beforehand for the sweat and crazy hair in all of these photos.  Here goes!

1. Would you rather run along a beach path or a mountain trail?

Even though I love my Blue Ridge Mountains dearly, I prefer running along the beach. I love the softness of the sand and the flatness of the land, not to mention the gorgeous sunrises and sounds of the waves and seagulls.

2. If  you could choose the flavor of Gatorade at your next race station, what would it be?

I’m actually not a fan of Gatorade and typically decline it at race stations. I always take water instead. My friend Jaime introduced me to Gatorade chews during the half marathon we ran together, and those I like pretty well.

 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?

New running shoes. I’m in the need of some really good running shoes, the kind that are specifically fitted to my feet, but I just don’t’ want to spend the money right now.

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’m definitely the latter. I usually just fit a run in whenever  I can. If I have extra time, I’ll run further (usually 3-6 miles), but if I’m short on time, I may run less distance (2-3 miles) but run faster and stop and do push-ups to get more metabolic burn in. It just depends on everything else that is going on that day.

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?

This is a very specific answer, but I would rather the uphill be about a mile into the race. I certainly don’t want it first thing when my legs are stiff and I don’t want it at the very end when I’m about to collapse, but after about a mile when I’m warmed up pretty well, I can handle some hills.

6.  When you can’t run, what type of cross-training do you choose to do?

I love, love interval training. When I can’t run, I typically do interval workouts where I alternate between aerobic activity and weight bearing activity. I have an amazing teacher at my gym who teaches these types of classes. When she’s not teaching, I often do these workouts with my friend and colleague, Melanie.

7.  What is your preference—>  Out and back, point to point or loop runs?

Hmmm…I’ve never really thought about this. I think I like loop runs because they offer new scenery, but out and back runs are okay, too. My least favorite is running on a treadmill, but I’ll do it if I have to.

8.  If you could recommend ANY running related item to a new runner, it would be a…

Great shoes and socks. So those are two items, but let’s be honest. You can’t really run at all if your feet are killing you.

9.  Do you ever see any wild animals while out on your runs?

The only “wild” animals I’ve seen while running are dogs with no collars and groundhogs. I typically run in town, at the the lake or beach or at the gym. Perhaps I should go into the woods and run more just so I can have a more exciting answer to this question.

10.  Ever gotten lost while out on a run?

No, thank goodness! That would terrify me, and considering I’m terrible with directionality, I can’t believe I haven’t gotten lost. That’s probably why I stick with trails I know well.

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?

I would have said a juicy burger with local beef, but that would just be a one time meal. If I’m going to eat something for 30 days, I would want it to be a really healthy salad with healthy protein such as chickpeas, edamame, etc.

12.  Capris or shorts… what do you run in most often?

I like running leggings, usually either capris or full length, though they’re way too hot during the summer, but I just haven’t found any shorts that don’t ride up if you know what I mean. Do you have any suggestions?

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?

Usually after about a mile, I’m feeling warmed up and ready to go. I think this is why a lot of people think they can’t run. The first mile is always the hardest and many people give up during that first leg. If you can get past a mile, you can run at least three or more.

14.  What do you do with your key when you run?

I love this question because this is something only runners have to think about. I take off my main car key and tie it into my shoelaces.

15.  If you could relive any race that you have done in the past, which one what it be?

This is a tricky question for me. The half marathon I ran was the most exhilarating, but I’m not sure I want to relive it because it was HARD. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t mind having that feeling again. There’s nothing like crossing the finish line after running 13.1 miles!

16.  What has been your biggest motivation lately to get out the door to get your run on?

When I was at the beach last week, a girl ran by wearing a shirt that said, “Strong is the new skinny.” I really believe that. Lately, when I’m feeling blah or unmotivated, I think about wanting to feel strong and fit and wanting to model a healthy lifestyle for my boys. That always gets me out the door to run.

17.  When you go for a run, do you leave right from your front door or do you drive somewhere to start?

Sometimes I leave from my front door. My neighborhood is really hilly, so it’s a great workout, but typically, I drive to my running destination.

18. Have you participated in any family runs?

We’ve ran two runs as a family, the Waynesville Main St. Mile and The Color Run. I’ve also ran a couple with my six-year old. Both family runs were really fun, but hands down The Color Run was the most fun.

 19.  When running in daylight are sunglasses a must or an annoyance?

Only if it’s sunny do I wear sunglasses. I don’t really like wearing them when I sweat because they slide down my face, so if it’s cloudy, I don’t wear them. But in the bright sun, they are a must.

20.  When you get tired, what keeps you from quitting?

I just think of the adrenaline rush at the end of a race or a run and that keeps me going. I also think of how far I’ve come since I started running almost two years ago. I’ve worked too hard to turn back now.