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| "I didn't run for myself, I ran for those who couldn't" |
I run to honor and keep the memory of the Marines lost in my husband's last deployment alive. I run for my sanity. I run to prove to the little voice in my head telling me I can't do one more mile, wrong. I run to be in the best shape of my life. I run to eat that second piece of cake and drink one extra beer.
How long have you been running? How did you get started? Why did you choose running over other activities?
I've been running since the summer of 2010. While waiting on the housing list at our new duty station, I was staying with my best friend Jessica who has just gotten home from training to become a Marine Corps Officer. One morning she woke me up at dawn and told me that we were going for a 3 mile run. I ran maybe the first mile, was already exhausted and gasping for air and told her to continue on without me. I run/walked the next 1/2 mile, and by the time Jessica had already made it back to me, we ran back to the car. Barely 2 miles? It was embarrassing. Once I moved to the desert to be with my husband, I made it a point to start running. My first goal was a 5k, which turned into a 10k. Of course that wasn't good enough so I ran a half marathon and now I'm training for my first full. I don't really think that I've chosen running over other activities, I feel like running chose me.
How do you motivate yourself to run regularly? What about on the days the weather is bad or your are feeling particularly lazy?
I'm a baby when it comes to bad weather, especially when that bad weather is rain. Luckily, in the desert rain is pretty sparse and don't have deal with it much at all. When it does rain or we have sand storms, I just move my work out to the gym and run on the treadmill. When I'm lazy, that's a different story. If I said that I didn't skip work outs because I'd rather sit on the couch and watch my favorite prime-time TV shows, that would be a lie. What I have learned though, is that I'm always guilty after skipping a work out. I don't think I've ever gone to bed post run thinking that I wish I hadn't gone.
Do you use a running coach, or read any books to aid in your training?
I haven't gotten to the point in my running adventure that I've actually gotten a certified running coach. When I first started this adventure a year ago, I was working with a personal trainer who taught me the basics; speed work, tempo runs, cross training and the importance of strength training. Since then, I've gotten a lot of help from my friend Jon (@FitSpire) and from another Marine Corps wife, Kama, who has really helped mold me into a runner. I also can't forget the help I've gotten from the Twitter community who answers my questions no matter how small.
How do you fit running in with your daily schedule?
I'm actually pretty lucky, I can get my training in whenever I want without having to work around school, work or children. My husband is currently stationed in a small desert town in California where there aren't many job options, so for now I'm just playing the role as a stay-at-home housewife.
Do your friends and family support your running or think you are crazy?
I'm guessing this question is actually asking how my non-runner family and friends feel about my running. They're supportive... kind of. In all honesty, they don't understand why I'd want to run 26.2 miles for fun, put up with blisters, loss of toenails and how I can freely use a porta-potty without being grossed out.
What is your favorite running terrain (road, trail, treadmill)?
Road is by far my favorite. I love seeing the progress, especially when you're in the car and you realize how far 13 miles really is! I do use the treadmill for pace runs and for runs in bad weather, but haven't gotten into trails just yet. Next goal.
What is the hardest race you've run to date?
My hardest race to date would be my second half marathon, The 2011 America's Finest City (AFC) Half Marathon San Diego. You know those runs/races where the sun, moon, stars and Heaven all align? This was it. My little sister visiting from Wisconsin was on the sideline cheering me on, which was amazing since she was the first family member to cheer me on in a race. I ran AFC with a few other wives from my husband's unit, and other wives from the unit were there as our cheering section. So you're probably wondering why this was my hardest race. Though we were running this race for ourselves, we were actually running in honor of the men that had been lost from our husband's unit. They were our friend's husbands, brothers, sons, fathers and Marine Corps brothers to our husbands. We all wore shirts to honor them, with the names of the five men on the back. If other runners read their names just once, and thought about them for one moment then we did our part. When the race got tough, I just thought about these men and their families, and it helped push me to the finish line with a 32 minute PR. I didn't run for myself, I ran for those who couldn't.
What is the most enjoyable race you've run to date?
My most enjoyable race thus far would probably be the 2011 Bellin Run 10k in Green Bay, WI. It was a spur-of-the-moment race and registered on the last possible day, only a couple days before the event. For being a 10k, I was blown away by not only the number of runners (18,701... Really.) but also the amount of people on the side-lines. I honestly don't think there was a single block where there wasn't a cheering section. It was incredible! Nothing better than being on mile 2 and hearing a polka band playing Roll Out The Barrel. Sometimes you just need those random race weekends with good friends, good food and a well put together race. A 10 minute PR helps too!
Have you ever been injured due to running? What were the ramifications?
::knock on wood:: I've been very lucky so far with my only real injuries being the typical sore knees and ankles. The hardest part being a new runner has been trying to figure our which aches and pains I can just walk off, and which ones need a day or two off with ice packs and ibuprofen.
Do you use any music or run tracking devices when you run, or are you a naked runner?
I've always been driven by music in my daily life (even have a tattoo of headphones), so I couldn't imagine music being absent from my running. It's amazing how just one song can completely change your mood and get you through the rest of your run. My playlist consists of everything from Hanson (yes, MMMBop Hanson. Only 15 years older and 5 albums later) to Atreyu, The Beach Boys to Girl Talk (DJ with incredible mash-ups) and REO Speedwagon to Fall Out Boy. If it's upbeat and helps me put one foot in front of the other, it's probably on my playlist. As far as a GPS, I'm currently using the RunKeeper App on my iPhone. RunKeeper is fine for short runs, but I need something to update me more often which is why I'm asking for a Garmin 610 for my birthday/Christmas. Go big or go home, right?
How do you get yourself through the difficult parts of your runs? Do you have a personal mantra or do you just give up?
My personal mantra is 1MT, 1MT, meaning 1 More Thing, 1 More Time. If I can do one more thing, put one more foot in front of the other, run one more mile just one more time it's going to be one more thing to help push me past my competitors. I wish I could take credit for this, but it's all Josh Sundquist a Paralympian, YouTube-er and motivational speaker. (http://youtu.be/Xad1lF-q1HM)
A lot of runners know that "Who has the runs" has a double meaning. How do you deal with the occasional "problem" that plagues every runner at one time or another?
For me it's knowing what foods to avoid before long runs and races. Learning what fruits, vegetables and dairy products are okay and which are a no-go have taken a good year and a half to figure out, and even now and then there's still "those days." I've been known to hold off a few hours until my tummy settles to get my 14 miler in, rather than being out and being S.O.L. (pun intended). As far as race day, starting off in the constant pre-race porta-potty line is always a must, after that it's wish for the best until the finish line.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up running?
Take it slow but don't be afraid to push yourself. It can be frustrating at times, but even the most experienced of runners have bad days. The most important part is getting back out there the next day after having a not so great run.
What is your next big race?
I'm running my first full marathon, The Carlsbad Marathon in Carlsbad (North San Diego), CA on January 22nd, 2012.
What is your immediate running goal?
My immediate goal is to finish training and cross the finish line of my first marathon. In a perfect world, I'd love to run my first full marathon in under 5 hours. Though I have a goal in mind, I have been running for long enough that some days it's just not your day. We all have those stars-align-new-PR race days, but we also have some races where things are out of your control.
What is your ultimate running goal?
Besides BQing (Boston Qualifying) by 30, I just really want to keep up with running for the rest of my life. Hard to say if I'll be the 65 year old that you see killing a half marathon/marathon, but I definitely love my new active life and it's hard to imagine it ending anytime soon.
Do you have a way we can keep track of your progress (Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc)
Twitter - @andiebillings
DailyMile - http://www.dailymile.com/people/andiemarie
Blog - http://alittleheartandsole.com
I love that you did that race for those who can't. What a beautiful tribute to the men who gave everything. Best of luck to you in the Carlsbad Marathon! I actually live here in Carlsbad! Wish I could cheer you on, but we're deploying.
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