Michele G has the runs

FEATURED RUNNER OF THE MONTH: January 2012

"running is simply who I am"

Why do you run?
I run for so many different reasons - to stay healthy, to stay fit (before, during, and after pregnancy), to compete (with myself and locally), to be able to eat what I want, and to make my son proud of his mommy.  The biggest reason sums up all the above - running is simply who I am. When I go more than a few days in between runs, I feel like a part of me is missing - I just don't feel right.  Running makes me happy - even on my worst day, I know I can head out the door and come back in a better mood then when I left.

How long have you been running? How did you get started? Why did you choose running over other activities?
I've been running since I was young, although at the time it was merely a way of staying fit for the other sports I was competing in (basketball and softball).  I feel in love with running about 6 years ago when I was in the Army and deployed to Iraq.  I turned to running to help with the homesickness, stress from my job (I worked from 7am-10pm 7 days/week), and lack of other things to do (no shopping, restaurants, drinking).  It became part of my day - I would force myself to get up from my desk and go for a run - regardless of how busy my job was, how hot it was (some days over 120 degrees), or how tired I was.  I relied on running more and more with each deployment (and each one got longer and longer - 4 mo, 12 mo, 15 mo).

How do you motivate yourself to run regularly? What about on the days the weather is bad or your are feeling particularly lazy?
No matter how unmotivated I am, I know that I will feel better if I head out the door.  On days when I'm feeling lazy, I tell myself to just get out and run a couple of miles - that I don't need to do what I planned.  Usually within a couple of miles, I feel great and am able to revert back to the workout I wanted to do.

Do you use a running coach, or read any books to aid in your training?
I read books written by other runners, but they are not training books in nature - more motivational or biographical. I love to be inspired by other runners!

What is the hardest race you've run to date?
The hardest race I've run was the Knickerbocker 60k on Nov 18, 2011. It was 9x hilly loops in Central Park - by the 7th loop, my legs were shot and I had to push myself to keep moving.  I momentarily swore off ultras during those last few laps, but have since forgotten the pain and only seem to remember the happiness of finishing - and am planning my next one! (The RR is here)

What is the most enjoyable race you've run to date?
The most enjoyable race was the 2010 Staten Island Half-Marathon.  I ran the race when I was 27 weeks pregnant with my husband and a close college friend.  It was enjoyable to do a race without worrying about my time and pace.  I was able to run the whole time (with the exception of stopping at the halfway point to eat ½ bagel w/ peanut butter - I had to ensure that I was getting enough calories) and finished in 2:00:15.  I had planned to run throughout my pregnancy but had no expectations of how far or how fast - just took it one day at a time.

Have you ever been injured due to running? What were the ramifications?
My only injury that prevented me from running occurred during a trail race in 2009.  My husband and I were running together and I momentarily looked up from the ground (big mistake when running on trails), tripped, and twisted my knee.  It didn't hurt too much at the time (I was able to keep running), but I woke up the next day barely able to walk.  I didn't run for 6 weeks; thankfully, I have a stationary bike and decided to focus on cycling instead and even trained for a 65 mile bike ride.

Do you use any music or run tracking devices when you run, or are you a naked runner.?
I love running with my IPOD - I am extremely reliant on music (which is something I have to wean myself off of as I start training for the NYC Ironman since IPODs are not allowed).  I also run with my Garmin - but only on days when I'm doing speedwork or a certain distance.  If it's an "easy" run day, I let my body dictate the pace w/o worrying about the pace I'm running.

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 mantra is "Never Stop".  It pertains to so many things in my life - never stop running, never stop pushing yourself, never stop believing in yourself, never stop living…I repeat "never stop, never stop" when I get tired and want to stop running.

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?
Anytime I head out for a (long) run, I make sure that it takes me by a facility periodically in case I have to make an emergency stop.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up running?
There are two pieces of advice I would give to someone looking to start running. First, make sure you get fitted for a running shoe - I see a lot of people running in sneakers that they have had for years that are cross trainers or non-athletic shoes.  Having the right shoe is so important to not getting injured.  I credit the fact that I was fitted for running shoes 5 years ago - and have worn the same make and model since without any injuries. Second, it's great to get excited about running and sign up for races.  But make sure the race is realistic - meaning, give yourself some time to get used to running before you sign up for a distance that you aren't ready to train for.

What is your next big race?
My next big race is the NYC Ironman (Aug 11, 2012).  Most of 2012 will be dedicated to focusing on swimming and biking (while maintaining what running shape I will be in).

What is your immediate running goal?
To run a sub 3:10 marathon at the Ocean Drive Marathon on March 25. I feel that I have learned so much about speedwork and training since I PR'd a few years ago(Boston 2009). The OD Marathon is also a completely flat course - so I'm hoping that will aid the attempts at the PR.

What is your ultimate running goal?
My ultimate running goal is to complete several of the well-known ultras - JFK 50 miler in Nov 2012 and Badwater and Western States (lifetime goals).  I feel that I will not have the time to train for the longer ultras until my children are older (I have an 11 month old son and hope to add to our family after the JFK race next fall)

Do you have a way we can keep track of your progress (Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc)
Twitter: @nycrunningmama
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/NYCrunningmama/252549931470548
Blog:  http://www.nycrunningmama.com

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