A Running Survey

Hungry Runner Girl put this survey on her blog over the weekend, and I thought it would be fun to answer the questions. So here goes:

1.  Would you rather run along a beach path or on a mountain trail?

This one is actually really hard. I don't live near the mountains or the beach - even though I am in the Land of 10000 Lakes. I wouldn't want to be on the sand. But the paths and hiking trails with lakeside views are my favorite when I am out and about near them. At home my best option is the paved bike trails!

2.  If you could choose the flavor of gatorade at your next race’s aid stations, what would it be?

Red! I always wonder why the races only ever have blue (ice mountain, maybe?). They should switch it up or offer more than one choice.

3.  If I gave you a $100 gift card to a running store, what would be the first thing that you would purchase with it?

Assuming my shoes were in good condition, some name brand running clothes! Mine are mostly from Old Navy, Shopko, and Target. While they get the job done, some name brand stuff would probably be nice!

4.  Do you prefer to follow a training plan or wake up and decide then how far and how fast you want to run?

Training plan. It helps keep me on track.

5.  Would you rather start your run with the uphill and end on the downhill or start your run with the downhill and end with the uphill?

Start on the uphill and end on the downhill! Doing the uphill on tired legs would have a negative impact on my mental game!

6.  When you can’t run, what type of cross-training do you choose to do?

Almost all of my cross-training is done at the YMCA doing group fitness classes. My favorite is kettle bell interval conditioning. I also like cycling, kickboxing, and cycle box. I will do boot camp, but I usually try to avoid it! I also have done the TRX classes!

7.  What is your preference—>  Out and back, point to point or loop runs?

My preference is loop runs - starting and ending at home, so I don't have to run the same road/path all the time and for the convenience factor.

8.  If you could recommend ANY running related item to a new runner, it would be a—>

good pair of shoes!

9.  Do you ever see any wild animals while out on your runs?

Deer and geese, but that is about it!

10.  Ever gotten lost while out on a run?

Thankfully, no!

11.  If you could have one meal waiting and ready for you each time you got home from a run for the next 30 days… what would that meal be?

I don't know about a meal, but I crave Pepsi after a long run! Or any run ... I will put a Pepsi in the fridge before a workout for motivation to get my but out the door!

12.  Capris or shorts… what do you run in most often?

Capris - I don't know if I just have big thighs or if I buy the wrong shorts - but I hate how shorts ride up when I am running.

13.  At what mile (or how many minutes) into your run does your body start to feel like it is warming up and ready to go?

Lately it has been about the 2 mile mark.

14.  What do you do with your key when you run?

I don't always carry a key when I run, but if I have to, I will put take the single key off my key chain and put in in the pocket of my Nathan water bottle.

15.  If you could relive any race that you have done in the past, which one what it be?

I guess I would pick the Mankato half-marathon from last October. It was a strong run for me. I felt great and truly enjoyed it to the end!

16.  What type of run is your least favorite type of run?

Hills?

17.  What has been your biggest motivation lately to get out the door to get your run on?

Losing the weight I put on doing the trials of the last six months, and wanting to get back to the fitness level I was at last fall.

18.  When you go for a run, do you leave right from your front door or do you drive somewhere to start?

Usually right from my front door. If I am really sick of the paths and routes around my house, and don't have a long run planned, I will drive the paths on the outskirt of town.

19.  When running in daylight—>  are sunglasses a must or an annoyance?

A must. Squinting gives me a headache.

20.  When you get tired, what keeps you from quitting?

Not being home yet? :) Honestly, my mental game when I get tired is probably the weakest part of my taking this sport head on. The ends of those tough runs can be torture, but somehow I just keep going. I know I have to. I try to prove myself wrong, even if my self-talk is not always positive in those moments. When I get done, I know what I did was better than no run at all.