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| "All runs are learning experiences to me" |
Initially, I started running to lose weight. Today I run to maintain a healthier lifestyle for my family. Plus I run because it's fun.
How long have you been running? How did you get started? Why did you choose running over other activities?
I actually ran track a bit in high school in the mid-1990s. My current running habit began in 2004, when I weighed 220 pounds. Running just felt right -- it was familiar to me from 10 years prior and other
things just bored me. Being outside, taking in fresh air -- you can't beat it.
How do you motivate yourself to run regularly? What about on the days the weather is bad or your are feeling particularly lazy?
Keeping a long-term goal keeps me going. Whether that's a big race or mileage or a speed I want to it, I like that intense focusing on things. Generally speaking, bad weather doesn't stop me. I learned a long time ago, if you don't train in all types of whether, you can't be prepared for race day. I rarely get a "lazy" feeling.
Do you use a running coach, or read any books to aid in your training?
Matt Fitzgerald's "Run: The Mind-Body Method of Running by Feel" gave me a lot of confidence last year in how I was training -- I'm not good at following set plans, but I am good at taking 3-4 different plans and finding what I like about each one and applying it to my training. Otherwise, since my day job involved reading, writing and editing, plus writing my blog and reading other blogs, I actually don't read many books. I browse through Runner's World every month and I find that helps keep my mind fresh.
How do you fit running in with your daily schedule?
I just do it. I've done mornings and evenings and lunch runs -- I know that if I don't put in the work, race day will suffer.
Do your friends and family support your running or think you are crazy?
My family has always been supportive with showing up at races, making signs and just listening. My mom is probably the most frequent visitor to my blog. Most of my friends are pretty good -- I'll occasionally get a sarcastic comment on Facebook, but I'm ready to fire back at any given time.
What is your favorite running terrain (road, trail, treadmill)?
I love running on trails, but I also enjoy mixing up routes in my small hometown on the roads. I haven't been on a treadmill in more than 2 years.
What is the hardest race you’ve run to date?
My hardest race was my 2nd Richmond Marathon when I was injured. It was also one of my most humbling experiences. Here's the post: http://www.runningbecauseican.com/i-am-a-marathoner-again/
I'm a huge fan of the Shamrock Half Marathon in Virginia Beach, where I'll be running for the 5th time in March. The entire weekend -- great expo, cool weather, no beach crowds, a great sunrise during the race,
a cool Boardwalk finish, and a completely flat course -- make it so much fun.
Have you ever been injured due to running? What were the ramifications?
I dealt with plantar fasciitis on and off for about a year and a half from 2008-2009. Once I finally went to a doctor and got some expert tips, I was able to get it to go away. It never completely sidelined me. At the end of 2010, I developed ITBS at the end of marathon training. I went through a long cycle of about 3 months of extra stretching, ice cup massaging, very little mileage and a series of chiropractic treatments.
Do you use any music or run tracking devices when you run, or are you a naked runner.?
I like to run naked 2-3 times a month. It's a great way to push my internal reset button if I've had a bad run or two. I listen to music a few times a month, usually on longer runs.
How do you get yourself through the difficult parts of your runs? Do you have a personal mantra or do you just give up?
All runs are learning experiences to me -- if I have a bad run or difficult sections, sometimes I'll just take a different street than I planned on or, very rarely, just cut the run short. All runs serve a purpose and often times a difficult run is probably one that I should have just left the watch at home and ran for the sake of 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?
If I have a morning run, I "go" before I run; if it's going to be a run of 10 miles or more, I'll set my alarm even earlier to "go" twice. I actually will plan a route out to go by convenience stores or fast food joints for those "just in case" moments.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up running?
Run a little farther each day. When I first started running, I picked a small loop of about a mile and made my first goal to run that loop without stopping. A couple of weeks later, I hit it. If you keep your eye on that next mail box or next light pole, you'll surprise yourself.
What is your next big race?
Shamrock Half Marathon in Virginia Beach in March; Cleveland Marathon in Ohio in May
What is your immediate running goal?
I'd love to break 1:40 in the half marathon; a PR (1:42) is what my main goal is, but with the right conditions and feeling, I'll go for the sub 1:40 on race day
What is your ultimate running goal?
I want running to be a lifelong thing - not just something I do for 10 years and stop.
Do you have a way we can keep track of your progress (Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc)
Twitter - @RunningBecause, where I am the co-moderator of #runchat
Blog - www.runningbecauseican.com and www.therunchat.com/blog
Facebook - facebook.com/RunningBecause and facebook.com/runchat
dailymile - dailymile.com/people/runningbecause
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