Early this week Tina posted a fun running survey on her blog that she saw on Another Mother Runner’s blog and you guys know I’m a sucker for surveys, so I jumped on the bandwagon this morning.
I figured that since I’m out running in a race right now, a running survey was an appropriate thing to share, right!?
Please play along in the comments section!
- Best Run Ever
My best race ever was the Savannah Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon… and not because I loved the run. It was HARD! The Savannah Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon is my best running memory because of how I felt at the finish line when I realized I ran a half marathon in less than two hours. (GOOD LUCK to those running this race this weekend!!!)
I know running a half marathon just under two hours isn’t ridiculously fast for many people, but running is never, ever easy for me, so pushing myself out of my comfort zone to finish in less two hours felt like a pretty amazing accomplishment. Plus, I had Ryan by my side the entire time, so running through the finish line with him was pretty special.
Runner up: Running with Ryan in Oahu. Running in the morning in Hawaii as the sun rose and watching the surfers catch incredible waves is something I’ll never forget. Hands down the most beautiful run of my life!
- Three(ish) Words that Describe My Running
Laid back, Sadie-induced and Introspective.
Laid back because I’m not competitive at all and run for fun. Sadie-induced because her eyes guilt-trip me into running on days when I’m feeling less-than-motivated. Introspective because I often use running as “me time” to think through things in my life and pray about obstacles, challenges or things I’m grateful for in my life or the lives of my loved ones.
- My Go-To Running Outfit
A three-quarter zip dri-fit jacket (when it’s cool outside), extra-long tank top (like the Reebok seamless long bra top I’m wearing for a walk with feeble Sadie below) dri-fit running shorts or capris, Thorlo padded running socks and Mizuno Wave Riders.
- Quirky Habit While Running
I have a million. Ryan finds my habit of saying “Engage, legs!” Inspector Gadget-style (“Go, go Gadget legs!”) whenever I run up a hill awfully amusing.
- Morning, Mid-day, or Evening
Morning! If a run doesn’t happen before noon, it isn’t happening.
- I Won’t Run Outside When It’s
In the middle of the summer in Florida.
The lethal combination of heat and humidity makes me want to collapse the minute I walk outside.
- Worst Injury – And How I Got Over It
Bursitis in my hip. I couldn’t run for months and even walking hurt. (You can read more about this here.) I got over it after months of rest and meeting with a doctor who specialized in sports medicine. My doctor taught me proper hip stretches and had me ease back into exercise gradually with low-impact cardio workouts such as spinning and the elliptical.
- I Felt Most Like a Badass Mother Runner When
I ran the last three miles of the Chicago Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon at the tail end of my bachelorette party. I was hit with a wave of energy and running along Lake Michigan as I thought about my upcoming wedding and how wonderful my girlfriends were for planning such a fun bachelorette party felt pretty incredible.
- Potential Running Goal for 2013
Finish the ZOOMA Florida half marathon with my sister! Leslie is still on board for training for her first half marathon and running the race and finishing it together would be so amazing! (Side note: If you register for the ZOOMA Florida half marathon or 5k before tomorrow, you will receive a training care package in the mail full of goodies!)
- Next Race Is
After this morning’s obstacle course race/mud run, my next race is a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning in Sarasota!
Ryan, my sister and my sister’s boyfriend are already brainstorming ideas for our turkey-inspired costumes.
Question of the Morning
- Pick one of the above prompts and share your running story!
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I always get so pumped to run after reading these surveys! Like you I’m a morning runner too…and it helps that I can stretch out the endorphin high for the full day ;)!
Have fun and good luck at the race today!
I’m also working towards breaking the 2 hour mark for a half marathon so I can imagine how awesome that must have felt! But my fave race memory comes from last week…I took 6 minutes off my current personal record and finished in 2:03:06…one step closer to that sub two hour goal!
Hope you have a very lovely weekend! Jx
My next race is also a Turkey Trot, but in Kansas City! I ran it with my dad and 2 of my cousins last year, and this year we’re all running it again and my uncle is joining us! I love starting Thanksgiving Day with a family run!
I am currently training for my first half on Thanksgiving weekend. My next race is this morning, it is a 5K put on by a club at the local high school supporting the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
My best run ever was the 5k I ran a few weeks ago. It was also the first race I’ve ever run but I finished with a great time and great energy. I even ran another 2 miles around the track after crossing the finish line!
My best run ever was lat Sunday- I completed my first half marathon!!! My goal was to finish in 2:30 and I ended up finishing in 2:26 🙂 I’ll be doing the Turkey Trot as my next run- and I’ve convinced the whole fam (parents, sisters, brother, cousins, etc.) to do it with me. Should be a fun time! I’ve also recently motivated one of my cousins to start running again, and she’s going to be doing the Disney Princess half with me, in February 🙂 can’t wait!
Good luck and have fun today!
The race I’m really pumped for in 2013 is the Disney Wine & Dine half marathon. It’s usually run the weekend of my birthday, and next year will be the big 30! So having family and friends come down to run and celebrate with me will be really special! 🙂
Did you start running after you got Sadie? Or was it something you did prior to Sadie?
prior to sadie… but she’s great motivation!
Heat and humidity kills me too! Good luck this morning!
Have a great time today! I would love to do a turkey trot race but it’s too cold here in Illinois for me to run outside. I hate running outside in the cold!
Funny that you mentioned Leslie and her boyfriend today, I was wondering if they were still together!
going strong! just hit their one-year anniversary. 🙂
My best run was the Color Me Rad 5k I did a couple weeks ago. It was such a happy run with color everywhere. It didn’t feel like running at all, more like a big party!
My best run ever was running along Lake Tahoe at dawn the the day after I got married.
I ALWAYS run in the morning!
I don’t like running outside when its hot. I’ll get up and do it before sunrise if need be.
Have a great Saturday!!!
lake tahoe is GORGEOUS! i can see why that would be a memorable run, especially the day after your wedding.
Do you think you will ever run a full marathon?
hopefully one day! it’s on my fitness bucket list, but not something that i want to do in the very near future.
I agree with you on not running outside in the summer, it is torture. I love the picture of you and Sadie!!! She is such a cutie!
oh I love this survery!! My best race was 3 years ago when I ran a half marathon at 1:59….and my goal is to find a race in 2013 and do the same or better!
And for me during the week, I’m an evening runner and on the weekends a morning one! 🙂
I’m just going to share my favorite run ever. I was about 28 and hadn’t done any exercise for about 7 years, I had just found out that I was extremely close to having diabetes and if I didn’t change my exercise and eating habits then I’d be stuck with it for the rest of my life.
It was pouring down and I ran/walked around 5 miles – I got the best running ‘high’ of my life and from that moment on I was hooked!
Aw yay, I’m doing a Turkey Trot here in Seattle in a couple of weeks too! Fun!
My running quirk is (this is embarrassing) I ‘run-dance’ to the music I’m listening to. Sometimes I do the shoulder bounce, if it’s hip hop, I got hand gestures goin’ on and I bob my head. I’m sure I look like an absolute lunatic but it makes me happy and that happy keeps me going so ya know, whatever works!
I run-dance too!!! Sometimes the music moves more than just my feet and I have to comply 😛
I will never forget your “engage legs” it is awesome! I want to share a bit of a mantra with you that I always remember when I am running a longer run. Down hill doesn’t count because you don’t have to work for it. It is almost like a break and I was told this by one of my friends who runs marathons like it is easy!
The strangest thing I do when I run is throwing my fist in the air at the pinnicle of a song, can’t help it. People look at me like I am insane, but it gives me something to think about!
I just started training to run. I have plenty of endurance for dance and other similar activities, but never could really run. My asthma always was a factor, so I am starting VERY slowly.
I would say my goal is to run one of the Disney races in 2013, preferably the half, but I may be a BIT too ambitious there haha!
Jus that I can and did finish a 5k this morning is awesome as I had an injury in 2007 that had 2 leg surgeries to correct and it took me 6 months to learn to walk again! Life is great when I run because it reminds me of God’s grace and blessings in my life with every step I take to the finish line. I came in 2 min over my goal for today at 35 mins and this is a 10 min improvement from May’s 5K of this year so like most marathon junkies I have to set my sights on the next one and start workin towards a better time. Hope your run was a good one today!
Good luck with your race. I have always wanted to run and do the color run. That looks so fun and its only a 5k, great for a beginner like me. But when I start running, I get shin pain so bad. The turkey race looks like fun too. I love the hats in your picture.
Im sure people ask you alot, but do you plan on having babies!?! If so, when! 🙂
yes, we definitely do! it will be a little while though!
Your pancakes look so good you make on this blog alot. Do you use a low sugar syrup- if so what? It seems so high cal?
Also, do you find pancakes being mostly carbs to still stick with you? Thanks and love the blog.
I just ran the Savannah Rock n Roll half marathon with my sister! We’ve ran a few races together & I love running with her! We’re doing the Zooma half together too! We got these clips for our running shoes that say “sole sisters.” Super cute & fun! 🙂 hope you had fun in your mud run today!
aw, i love that!! hope to see you at ZOOMA!
oh that’s so funny, that picture and your thanksgiving morning run feels like it was just yesterday! Well, at least from MY perspective. Time sure flies, doesn’t it?
And I think one “strange” thing I do (but most prob. do it) while running, is that I talk motivation to myself and shout, “you can do it Ellie, c’mon just a lil more…” and I always pray, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength!” and roar lol. This is TMI 😀
My best run was last weekend- the 6.66 mile “Devil Chase” in Salem, MA! I am NOT a morning runner, but I was able to beat my goal of running 10 minute miles at 8am (My final time was 1 hr, 6 mins), and all of the costumes were both entertaining and interesting to look at along the way:)
My new goals are to run faster miles and to run a half marathon either in the spring or next fall… Zooma Cape Cod looks fabulous!
This blog truly inspires me as a runner and healthy eater- keep at it, Julie!
You have some awesome running-related pictures! I like running too- if I don’t, I end up dreading it all day. Especially the feeling of so much water in my stomach by the afternoon. Awful!
Have a good weekend! I love reading your blog 🙂
I ran my first half marathon this morning! I’m also running a race on Thanksgiving morning. I’m looking forward to it, because I have a feeling it’ll be a piece of cake compared to my run this morning :)!
My best run was this past May. In Cincinnati, the Flying Pig Marathon practically shuts down the city. I wasn’t ready for a full marathon so I created a team of friends for the relay. I was so excited to be running with friends for once! Two weeks before the race I injured my knees and was so sad 🙁 Our creative team name almost went to waste. I was able to recover though in enough time and PR-ed during the race!! I felt like I could take on the world when I saw everyone cheering us on! One of the best feelings 🙂
I’m doing the Turkey Trot 5K in Clearwater on Thanksgiving! It’s my first 5K ever and it’s extra special for me because I’ll be running it with my mom, who we just found out has breast cancer (stage zero, thank heavens, but still scary!). I’m so excited to do this with her!
I’m still working up to running my first race but this post got me very excited about it!!
Good luck with your obstacles today!
Any of the above prompts…. I don’ t really have anything quirky. I just had my best race, even coming off from an injury I qualified for Boston after my 2nd marathon! Love that. My race calendar is filling up quick!! I have of course the Turkey Trot, Commitment Day with Lifetime in January, Disney’s Marathon in January and a half marathon – Martian in April. I am working on speed, my average is 8:16 min mile and hoping to get to 7:52 again which is where I was pre-injury.
Have fun tonight!
I run outside if it’s not too humid. And my next race will probably be sometime next year?
I won’t run outside when it’s raining. It doesn’t take much for me to not run- since I only like doing the official races, running is not my forte haha. But if there’s any drops of rain- it’s a definite no!
Worst injury was definitely my ankle. I injured it playing college soccer, two years later went in to a specialist because it was still really weak. I ended up having it nearly completely reconstructed due to torn ligaments (3!) and a split tendon as well as cartilage damage and a bone chip that had split away from the ankle.
Two and a half weeks until I can start running again!! I can’t wait 🙂
-Best run: San Diego Rock and Roll marathon! I flew all the way out from Boston to run it! I was drawn to it because there was a lot of down hill, best experience!
I felt like a badass mother runner crossing that finish line!
Best Run: Houston Marathon, my first and probably only marathon. i had so many friends and family meeting me over and over again along the course that the thought of knowing I will see another friend or my sweet baby boy at another point farther kept me fighting and running.
Best run: I finished the Chicago marathon the year they shut it down because of the heat. My first and only marathon….I much prefer half marathons and being from Chicago, I particularly love the rock’n roll half!
I am a moring runner also. You have to run the Gasparilla. I run the 5k with my daughter.
I have been running for about 7-8 years now and have been training for my first marathon that will take place in tallahassee in february. This post comes at a hard time for me. Last weekend I ran into my first debilitating injury..I pulled my groin during a 10 mile run. So I rested it all week and attempted to run a 5 miler yesterday thinking I’d rested it enough and it would be a great run (especially with this cool florida weather). However, not even one mile in I was limping in pain. My dad, a fellow runner, tells me I’ll most likely be out for 2-3 months. Meaning no marathon. I am absolutely crushed..and I actually cried the mile home I spent half walking half limping. But I read about your injury which helped me…and your right at least I can do the elliptical. But still…injuries are no fun! Especially when you live in Florida and these are the few months a year where the weather is perfect and screams run out here w me!
Find a good physical therapist who does ASTYM or Graston! If you keep up your cardio on the elliptical and get to physical therapy, you might still be able to continue training! If you live in the Orlando area I can recommend a great PT for you.
What an encouragement to me to hear running is never easy for you. I am faithful to exercise, but running is my Everest. The fact that I’m up to 5K is a MIRACLE. It’s a real mental game with me more than physical. But I’ve got a husband and 2 teenage boys to keep up with, soon to be followed by our tween-age daughter, and I don’t want to be left behind so I’m keeping on keeping on!
My best race was last Saturday in the Savannah Rock n’ Roll Marathon (although a year after yours!) I ran the marathon in 3:42:41…eight minutes from a Boston qualifier (getting close). It was a PR for me, but more importantly, two of my good friends ran their first halves there, both loved it and want to do more which was even more exciting to me.
I was actually inspired to start blogging myself due to your awesome site (my friend Allyson DeCresie told me about you). I’m still in the early stages figuring things out, I have only been at it about a month so far. Thanks so much for the inspiration!
that time is freakin’ incredible!!! and i love that you know allyson! she’s one of my sister’s good friends!
Best (and worst) run was the Marine Corps Marathon 2012. I ran it with my husband and all of his Marines in memory of their fallen Marine. They had returned home 9 months before the race and I had our youngest daughter 8 months before the race. I crossed the finish line seeing all the guys waiting for me. 6:06:45 and can’t wait to beat that this year!