Runner Survey

Since I have not been doing a lot of blogging about running lately, and I saw this going around on Living the Dream and My Dirt Road Anthem, I figured I would I go ahead and use this to bring this back to running. Join in and add your own question at the end too!

What is your favorite type of cross training?
This is tough. I would have to say mountain biking is the most fun, but I don't get to do it very often. Swimming has probably afforded me the most benefit to my running. It has helped me to increase my endurance, and as long as I am in a middle lane of a pool, I find it very relaxing, despite being terrible at it.

What is your favorite song to run to?
This should be no shocker...Lose Yourself by Eminem.

What brand of shoes do you wear?
I have been wearing Mizuno Wave Creations XX for the past 10 years, with the exception of the test Reeboks. I love them, but thankfully the Reebok testing opened up my eyes that other shoes do in fact work just fine. However, I am in LOVE with the Mizuno Prophecy, just appalled by the price tag :(

Do you wear a hat when you run?
When I am running in the blizzards that I ran in this past winter, you can bet I did! A nice knit hat that is big enough to wear a high ponytail and still cover my whole head. I cannot run without my OR windstopper headband when it is below 50 or so. I am a total wimp, and need my ears covered and shielded from the wind. My husband thinks the concept of a windstopper headband is the dumbest thing ever, but I think it is genius since a lot of times I just need my ears to be covered and not my whole head. In the summer, I am tri geek wearing a visor at all times. I like my team Compex visor. It is identical to my Team Marathon visor, but I wore it to get more brand exposure last year. I am bummed they did not provide a Team Aquaphor visor this year, so I will be wearing my Triathletes in Action visor. It isn't as sporty as the headsweats Compex one, but I like that it is white and I can still represent TIA.

What temperature is your favorite for running?
I don't like being cold, so I would have to say 70 degrees or more. It is a bit warm at this temp, so I like my races a bit cooler, but I like to train in the 70s. I also love running on a hot summer day and then hitting the beach as soon as I am done running. That is an awesome way to cool off. I need to find a route where that works in Louisville. I miss Island Lake and Kensington for that reason.

Do you have any big races coming up?
Big is an understatement for my next race, Racing for Recovery Half Iron distance. June 5th! I am not going to blog about it much other than the training. I don't want to stress myself out any more than I need to. About a week and a half later, I have a sprint tri, the anniversary of my start of tris. I am also hoping to do Muncie in July, as well as another sprint tri and a mountain bike race. After that, I may be done racing until a fall marathon or half. I am doing something in Detroit for the medal alone, and there is a new half here in KY in Nov that may work out nicely. I have Boston next spring, so I don't want to do too much.

What is your favorite distance?
13.1 is my fav. I think it is because I can easily train for one and do tris and biking at the same time. It doesn't take a lot of thought for me to train for one. I have never really followed a set plan and have been really happy with my results. It does not take the time commitment as a full, but it is still a huge accomplishment. I also feel relatively good afterwards and it doesn't ruin the whole day.

Are you a morning, noon, or evening runner?
I run at whatever time of day works for the day. If it is a split or brick day, I run in the evening, as my second workout. If I am just running and conditioning, I run in the morning. If I am doing a long run on Saturday, I am usually running in the afternoon, after my husband has finished his group ride. If I know my husband is mountain biking at a park, I will save my run for the then and run while he is there with the stroller. It is a complex schedule that depends on the day, but has so far worked out well. I guess we will see next weekend how it really works.

Do you run solo or with a buddy?
This sort of goes with the above question. It depends. Brick runs are almost always done with friends, as well as long runs. I love a long run with Cristina or Valerie, and anyone else I can get to come along. It is nice to either be pushed or push someone else while running long. My indoor treadmill sessions for track workouts and midweek long runs are usually on my own, and my other mid distance run is usually with the kids in the stroller. I mix it up a lot. I used to do group runs, but have found those more difficult to mesh with my schedule from both a time standpoint and speed/distance requirements. Bricks are usually group, though.

What is your favorite post run snack?
I need to find a new one. I used to do chocolate milk, but have been limiting my dairy. I usually have a banana now or a protein shake.

What is your favorite race?
This is really hard. I only have a few races that I do over and over. The Live Like Andi event is a really great one, and they have been adding events each year. Also the Martian Marathon will be a favorite since I qualified for Boston there. I have also run the half and the 10K, so I have done all the distances offered.

Do you wear a Garmin? If not, how do you track your distance?
I wear a Garmin as much as I can. I am really bad about making sure it is charged. My old one would tell me hours of battery life remaining each time you turned it on, and my new one does not, but has a bar indicator. I never look at that. Most of my routes I have done so many times I know them, or here in KY, and loops that I know. I need to use my Garmin to find some new routes though!

What is my least favorite race?
This was super hard, and I feel like a horrible person for selecting this one, but Race for the Cure is my least favorite. I only say this because it is so huge and such a hassle to go to. I will gladly donate to others running this race so I don't have to do it! It is expensive to run in Detroit because it isn't very close, you have to pay an insane amount of parking that does not go to charity as far as I know. I have been able to use Ryan's Ford badge to get preferential parking and party privileges at Hockeytown, but you have to be there several hours before the race to get a spot. Not my thing for just a 5K. It is so crowded and traffic is bad, usually because there is another game going on that day too. It is probably the source of most of my embarrassing race moments or problems.

Where is your favorite medal from?
I am so bummed I don't have a medal from my Olympic tri. Not even a finisher's medal. If I did, that would probably be my favorite. I think the Martian Marathon, Brooksie Way Half Marathon, and Columbus Marathon Medals are probably my favorites for what they represent. Martian for the BQ, Brooksie Way for being the redemption race I needed coming back from an injury and STILL PRing(it also have cool fall leaves on it, reminding me of how awesome MI falls are- mmmm donuts), and the Columbus for being my first marathon. The Derby Mini is pretty cool, HUGE, and a great way to commemorate my move to KY.

Who is your running idol?
Probably Paul Radcliffe, for how quickly she was able to come back from running after her pregnancy. I have local idols such as Mary Beth Reader, who came into running later in life and is a very successful runner, as well as mother. Cristina is my good friend and I look up to her a ton. She has helped me improve a ton.

How long have you been a runner?
I have dabbled with running as a child, doing kids races, and then ran in college to stay fit. I didn't really get serious about running until 2000 or so. I did not do my first marathon until 2004, and my first tri in 2009.

Do you run with your wedding/engagement ring on?
Yes. All the time, unless it is at the end of a tri. It does not get worn in the water, but that is about it. I also wear makeup for races. Even tris.

What is your favorite workout? tempo? long run? fartlek? repeats?
I really like long runs, especially with a friend. I do enjoy a track workout because it has changes of pace in it.

What is your favorite place to run?
Kensington Metropark. It has hills and a long path around the lake so there is not a lot of repetition to get in the miles. It is a big loop too, so you can't really shorten your route if you aren't feeling it. You have to push through to the end.

Do you use Gu?
I am a total GU addict, and by GU, I mean GU brand. I have tried others, but I just love the taste, consistency, and performance of GU. I really like Roctance, but wish it wasn't so expensive. I think it really helps. I use one 15 minutes before and then every 5 miles or 45 minutes, whatever comes first. I had 6 GUs the day I qualified for Boston. Excessive? Maybe, but I got the job done.

What do you drink to keep hydrated?
Water. Just water. All that GU doesn't mix so well with other sports drinks.

What do you take with you on a run? Does it vary by distance?
I am old school. I don't listen to music unless I am outside, so most of the time, it is me, my Garmin, and my road ID. I hate carrying water, but will use a waist camelback if the distance requires it. If I am doing a long run with my stroller, I have tons of water, milk and almost every type of cracker snack for my kids with me, and maybe even a movie on the iPod for backup (although have never used it). Also, for long runs over 8 miles, I usually have GU. Anything less I don't worry about it for the expense. I also try to run where I know there will be water fountains or bathrooms to get water.

Leave me a comment if you opt to do this too or enjoyed reading! Also, I want to apologize for some of my lack of comments. I have been keeping up on reading, but for some odd reason, I have not been able to leave comments on everyone else's sites. It depends on the way the comment window looks whether I get caught in a "sign in" loop with blogger. Its boggling. I did get the link issue resolved...