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| "I love the freedom I feel while I'm out running" |
I love how I feel after a run! I love that it's helping me lose my baby weight - for a second time. I love that I can go by myself or with one other person or with thousands of other people. I love that it doesn't require much equipment. I love the freedom I feel while I'm out running.
How long have you been running? How did you get started? Why did you choose running over other activities?
I count my "runniversary" as July 13, 2001. That's the day I ran my first 5K. But I started running in 1999 when I joined the Army. I had no choice but to run. I hated it at first, but all I knew was running in formation while struggling to call cadence or running laps on the track. And then at my advanced training, one of my drill sergeants took us on Saturday Morning "Fun Runs" and she took us running on the golf course or down to see the ships in the harbor and I started to enjoy running a bit more. Once I ran my first 5K, I was hooked and I've never looked back. I chose running over other sports because it's the easiest to do when you have a short amount of time. I was a swimmer and a tennis player in high school, and while I still love swimming (and swim every chance I get), it requires driving to a pool and driving home from the pool after so it takes more time and planning. With running, if I only have half an hour, I can just throw on my shoes and head out the door wherever I am.
How do you motivate yourself to run regularly? What about on the days the weather is bad or your are feeling particularly lazy?
I love how I feel after a run. If I run in the morning, it starts my day off great, and if I run after work, it doesn't matter how bad of a day I had, I feel better. I don't mind running in the rain or cold once I get out the door - it's just getting out the door that I have problems with. But I remind myself how good I will feel after and that usually gets me going. My husband is good at pushing me out the door, too. He'll just tell me "Go run" and most of the time, that's all I need if I'm sitting on the couch a little too long with my running clothes on.
Do you use a running coach, or read any books to aid in your training?
I had never used a coach before, until I ran the Rock n Roll Arizona Half Marathon with Team in Training. My coach was awesome and had a really good training plan for me that didn't push me too hard since I had just had a baby (I ran the half when he was not quite 4 months old!). I have an entire bookshelf full of running books, and probably a dozen or so on my Kindle as well. I love to read!
How do you fit running in with your daily schedule?
Not very well. I really need to work on getting up at 5 and running before I have to become Mommy and get my boys ready for school/daycare and get myself ready for work. I'm much too fond of the snooze button and my snuggly warm blankets. I do manage to run after work some days if I don't get up in the morning, and I've discovered that I'm more likely to get a long run in during the week if I do it Friday afternoon (I work half days on Fridays) while my boys are still at daycare.
Do your friends and family support your running or think you are crazy?
My family is very supportive of my running, but my husband does think I'm a little crazy for running "for fun" (especially the half marathons and marathons!). My older son (7 years old) loves running with me and I'm sure my baby (4 months old) will run with me someday, too. Most of my friends are runners themselves, although some of them even think I'm crazy for wanting to run marathons.
What is your favorite running terrain (road, trail, treadmill)?
I am a road runner for the most part. I'll run on the treadmill if I have to (and I'm looking into getting my own eventually so that I'll be able to run while my children are home). I've never really run on trails, although I have done one trail race and I really enjoyed it.
What is the hardest race you’ve run to date?
The Bataan Memorial Death March at White Sands Missile Range, NM, is by far the hardest race I've ever done. It's a marathon and it traverses the desert terrain at White Sands. Some of the route is on paved roads and some is on dirt trails. There's a hill that goes up for about 5 miles and it's usually windy along the course. And then you get to the sand pit about 10 miles from the finish and it's sand that is up to your ankles in places. But thinking about what the race is commemorating makes it all worth it, especially when you think about the men forced to march on the Bataan Peninsula during WWII - their march wasn't 26 miles (it was 60 miles) and they didn't have medical support and water stops along the way.
What is the most enjoyable race you’ve run to date?
I enjoy pretty much all of my races; even the Bataan Memorial Death March was enjoyable in its own way. I love the camaraderie of the running community, especially on race day.
Have you ever been injured due to running? What were the ramifications?
I'm one of the lucky runners who has never been injured. *fingers crossed* *knock on wood*
Do you use any music or run tracking devices when you run, or are you a naked runner.?
I never run with music. I enjoy the music of nature - birds and other animals, other people, even the traffic. And I like being able to listen to my footfalls and breathing. I do, however, always wear my Garmin Forerunner 205 when I run. Sometimes I don't look at it until I get home, and I count those as my "naked" runs, but most of the time I'm checking it several times a mile.
How do you get yourself through the difficult parts of your runs? Do you have a personal mantra or do you just give up?
When I start struggling, I count 100 steps for each person in my family. I know I can do 100 steps and I don't think about anything past the 100 for my husband, or each of my sons, or my parents. Sometimes it only takes a couple of family members to get through the rough spot, and sometimes I'm running 100s for my cat, my cousin's dog, etc.
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?
I've never really had that problem while out on a run, except during the Army 10 Miler in Iraq. But there was a port-a-potty nearby and a quick visit was made.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about taking up running?
Just get out there and do it! If you have to walk more than you run when you start out, it's still something, and eventually you will be running more than walking. If you think you're too old to start running, you're not. If you think you're too heavy to run, you're not. If you think you're too slow to run, you're not. You can do anything you put your mind to.
What is your next big race?
My next big race is the Valley of Gold Half Marathon in Tucson, AZ, on March 25.
What is your immediate running goal?
I would like to be more consistent in my running, and be out on the roads 4-5 days a week. Of course, being a mom of two boys (one of which is a breastfed baby) and working full time makes it challenging, but I know I can do it if I put my mind (and my alarm clock) to it!
What is your ultimate running goal?
I would like to run a marathon in each of the 50 states plus Washington, D.C. So far I have 3 states complete (New York, Arizona, & New Mexico). I'd also like to be able to still be running when I'm 70+.
Do you have a way we can keep track of your progress (Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc)
You could say I'm everywhere!!
Twitter - @armytbonegirl
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/lani.yearicks
Daily Mile - www.dailymile.com/people/tbonegirl
My Blog - http://armytbonegirl.livejournal.com/
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