Teal - The simple answer is because I can. I just really like the feel of running and the idea of being able to do something that many won’t ever try. It’s also has a huge community of support and great people and that has kept me running and has really grown my love for it!
Beth – I was never very good at most team sports as I wasn’t really that aggressive for basketball and soccer. I did try both as well as volleyball and I actually stuck with softball for a number of years, but at a young age I turned to running. So for as long as I can remember running was always my go to form of exercise. Now I run to stay healthy, keep the pounds off and because I enjoy it!
How long have you been running? How did you get started? Why did you choose running over other activities?
Teal - I was a runner in high school and ran cross country, then stopped for a while and picked it up in 2010 after talking about wanting to run a ½ marathon with another grad student. I talked to Beth and she was in and the rest is really history. I have officially been running long distances and really considering myself a runner as of about September 2010. I really just like running, it doesn’t require much so it is all around and an easy sport to choose. I used to play basketball and still do occasionally but I enjoy running the most!
Beth – Like I said I experienced that runner’s high early on probably as far back as middle school while I participated in track and cross country. My last year in college was when I really regained my love for running again. It wasn’t until 2007 that I participated in my first 5k race. I’d say I’ve been a runner since 2005 and in the past two years have pushed myself to further distances than ever before. Running has just been my go to form of exercise and I can’t stop going back to it!
How do you motivate yourself to run regularly? What about on the days the weather is bad or you are feeling particularly lazy?
Teal - I have support from my friends. I run with Beth most of the time and I am motivated to get up most mornings by my friend Cynthia and that makes the biggest difference in the world. After a while it becomes habit. I also just say, get up and do it because you will feel better than if you are lazy and don’t. I tell myself that the hardest part is really getting out the door, after that your body just does it! Gotta just get up first!
Beth – I keep myself motivated by having a running buddy and then directly behind that would be having a training plan. When I have a race coming up I am motivated to get the miles in and stay on top of my plan so that I’ll be the best I can be come race day! I also have trainer that keeps me motivated and helps me out with my running plans. If the weather is BAD, then I get my booty to the gym and put in the time there on the treadmill! No excuses!
Do you use a running coach, or read any books to aid in your training?
Teal - NOPE! I just run with Beth. We get running schedules from Beth’s trainer or the internet and just work together to follow it. I read other’s blogs for ideas and input but that is about it.
Beth – Like Teal, said no. We both like to research and/or look at what other people are doing. We’ll compare other’s schedules, schedules we find online and create a schedule that works for the two of us! We are both fortunate that when we are not running our workout routines are pretty much the same so it’s easy to make just one schedule for the two of us!
How do you fit running in with your daily schedule?
Teal – It has to be planned and it has to be a priority. Typically Beth and I plan our long runs together on a Saturday or Sunday morning to keep each other accountable and to also not run alone! The shorter runs I typically plan on doing first thing in the morning to get it out of the way and make sure nothing else can get in the way. I was never a morning person but now I have learned that it is the best way to go as a runner!
Beth – Just like Teal said it HAS to be a planned priority. I also really enjoy yoga so I tend to try and do a rough layout of what I’ll do each day of the coming week. I’ll also be flexible because sometimes that is just what life calls for – flexibility!
Do your friends and family support your running or think you are crazy?
Teal - Ha! I think they think I am crazy but they are supportive! My husband does not really get it and he puts up with a lot of stuff in terms of my running and race schedule but he always encourages me and comes to races when I ask! This is very helpful!!
Beth – There are at least a few other runners in my family. It was my uncle who really encouraged me in my running in the Texas summer heat. I use to lay off the running as much in the summer or just do it on a treadmill some when the temperature was above 90 in Dallas. Because there are quite of us runners in my family most everyone else is just supportive. They might think that I am crazy, but I don’t care! J
What is your favorite running terrain (road, trail, treadmill)?
Teal - I actually love running on a track but I don’t do it that often. I just like the feel but I prefer the road or sidewalk. I hate the treadmill and have only run a trail once but really enjoyed the feel of the trail run.
Beth – I like to stick to the road if possible! I put in quite a bit of time on the treadmill just due to me not wanting to be outside running in the dark alone. Teal and I did run a trail once last year and I’m really eager to put more trail running into my schedule especially since there is a trail maybe a whole 60 seconds away from my house.
What is the hardest race you’ve run to date?
Teal – White Rock Centennial Half. This race was super-hot and I was not in the best shape at that point to run a half. I had taken a break for a while and didn’t prepare. That was one of the hardest races for me last year and actually ended up having to walk to even finish. It was horrible.
Beth – My worst race was also White Rock Centennial Half. As of today it isn’t my slowest half I’ve run, but I still look back at it as my worst. It had been 6 months since my last (and first ever) half where I ran a sub 2 hour. I wanted another sub 2 or right at 2 hours and when I saw the 2 hour pacer run by me in mile 8 I gave up. I’m so disappointed in myself for doing that and the attitude I had then. It was just so hot out there and I hadn’t done a good job with my training leading up to that race.
What is the most enjoyable race you’ve run to date?
Teal – As of now I have to say the New Year’s Double in Allen that we just ran over New Year’s weekend! It was small and we knew so many people that made it fun plus it had the best race bling for sure!
Beth – I’d say that New Year’s Double and the Disneyland Half are tied for me, but since Teal mentioned NYD I’ll go with Disneyland Half. This was our first race to really travel to, and it had been so hot in Texas the cool California weather was amazing! The energy of spectators and volunteers throughout the race course was just awesome! We got to run through different parts of Disneyland, by the Honda Center where the Anaheim Ducks play and through Angels Stadium! That was also the first race where we pretty much ran side by side the whole time.
Have you ever been injured due to running? What were the ramifications?
Teal - My foot is currently in a lot of pain and I am not sure the real reason as of yet. I am not injured per se but I have arthritis in my knees and very tight IT bands that cause knee issues. I work on controlling these things with ice and stretching. Current ramifications of all this mess has been less running and slower pacing which I hate.
Beth – In college I plain and simple was running in the WRONG shoe for my foot and that sidelined me for a week or two. Still not sure what it was exactly, but I got new shoes and I was good to go! In July Teal and I were signed up for a 15k and well, I accidentally ran the 5k course THEN ran the 15k course. While yes I was only adding 3 miles on that day it did a number on the way I ran and messed with my calf. I took a few days off iced and wore compression calf sleeves. A couple months later I learned I was once again in shoes that were not for me.
Do you use any music or run tracking devices when you run, or are you a naked runner?
Teal – I am definitely not a “naked runner” I really enjoy having music in my ears even though I really might not be paying attention to it. If I run inside I have to pay attention to the music to pass time but outside I am in and out of thought and do not need it as much but still prefer it! I also use my Runkeeper app to check my pace, mileage, and overall time. It is also nice to have to keep track of my monthly and yearly distances!
Beth – Over New Year’s I ran my first half without music which was fine, but it made me miss having the mileage updates from Runkeeper. I tend to drown out music with my own thoughts, but I can't seem to shake the headphones when I’m outside running. Perhaps if I had an amazing watch that tracked my mileage I’d be less likely to run with music.
How do you get yourself through the difficult parts of your runs? Do you have a personal mantra or do you just give up?
Teal - I wear my Go Sport ID and it has “you are stronger than you think you are” and I will read it or touch it, and I always count! I typically start counting more when I am tired. I literally just start counting my steps to a certain number and repeat!
Beth – When I am starting to get tired and it has nothing to do with fuel I concentrate on my breathing and have a mental pep talk. The mantra on my Go Sport ID is “Never give up! Run with all your heart.” and I just start giving myself shorter term goals. If I’m on a long run and I have 6 miles left my short term goal would be – let’s go two more miles and see where you are. Then when I’ve done that – you only have 4 miles left. You got this!
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?
Teal - It’s weird because I honestly think being consistent with food is the best thing to do. This just means eating well leading up to a race and not overeating the night before! I have become very scheduled with that little problem and it has therefore never been a problem during racing!
Beth – To date I’ve only had that problem once [knock on wood] and it actually wasn’t even really much of a problem. Teal and I were doing a long training run and within the first 3 miles I knew I needed to stop, so we stopped at a gas station. It is about eating, knowing what your body can handle and giving yourself enough time in the morning.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up running?
Teal – Be consistent, get a running partner, buy good shoes, and use bodyglide!
Beth – I feel like from a lot of people they say stuff like “but I can’t even run a mile without walking!” Who cares, we ALL have to start somewhere and build up. Just get out there, do it and find something or someone that can make you stay accountable.
What is your next big race?
We will be running the Disneyworld Princess Half Marathon in Orlando, Florida February 26th which will be the first race towards earning a Coast to Coast medal!
What is your immediate running goal?
Teal – Right now my goal is to try not to lose my endurance through doing other forms of cardio while my foot heals. My foot has been very painful to run on since the marathon and I am working to stay away from running and the impact until it feels better.
Beth – To maintain the half distance and in the first half of this year run more sub 2 hour half marathons.
What is your ultimate running goal?
Teal – After the horrible weather experience and my first Marathon not being anywhere near what I wanted it to be my ultimate running goal now is to run another Marathon and to continue to stay a runner for as long as I can!
Beth – To run a marathon without rain and beat that 4:29:31 marathon time! I am getting married this year and with that come the thoughts of starting a family in the not so distant future. I’d like to maintain my running throughout all of that and even though at times I know it’ll be a rollercoaster but stay on it and not give up!
Do you have a way we can keep track of your progress (Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc;)
YES! We both blog at www.lifeisarun.wordpress.com, or you can Like us on Facebook as “Life is a Run” or even follow us on twitter at @LifeisaRun
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