Happy Wednesday, everybody!
It's time to meet another running/blogging buddy!
This young lady is a local in the Turtle Runner's part of the world (though we haven't met yet in person and need to remedy THAT!) and a newbie by self-description (running less than a year), her running wisdom belies her youthfulness and newness to the sport. She's looking forward to her first half marathon in early October, and will take it slow and steady. She's a gal with lots of spunk, a witty sense of humor, and a love for travel. Friends, I'd like to introduce you to ......
MJ of,
Girl Running
How would you describe yourself as a runner?
§ Swift and speedy
§ Slow and steady
§ Somewhere in between
A: Slow and Steady for sure. I'll probably never be a 8:00-9:00/mile person, I'm quite content in my 11:30-12:30m/mile pace. More time to enjoy the scenery!
Ageless and Beautiful…. Are you:
§ Tweaking the Twenties
§ Thinking through the Thirties
§ Forty-plus and feeling fine
A: Totally Enjoying my Twenties! Though I'm a little old lady on the inside. Married, no children, but settled in life. Hubster and I like to live a quiet life, with lots of traveling. Don't I sound retired??
Are you:
§ A starting-line show-stopper
§ A middle-of-the-pack mover
§ A back-of-the-pack ‘better-late-than-not-at-all’ runner
§ Somewhere in between? If so, which ones?
A: Somewhere in between, but definitely not at the front. I'm slower than the runners, faster than the walkers, but perfectly in step with my own pace. I don't want to be first....or last. LOL.
How long have you been running and why did you start running?
A: I started in January of this year, so nearly 7 months. I was not active at all before starting. I'm not just stepping over from another endurance activity, I'm starting from scratch. Having always been a lover of all things Walt Disney World, I have dreamed of participating in one of the endurance series races. Hubster and I have also gone to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival every year without fail. Last fall, they announced a new race: The Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon, which would be the kick-off event for the Food & Wine Festival. I thought it was a great distance to train for and signed up that day. I'm very excited to cross the finish line and enjoy the after hours private party for the runners! (with Mickey of course!)
Favorite running gear and why?
A: My Garmin 305 for sure. I love that I can strap it on and just go out and run without having to map out my route beforehand. When the Garmin says I've hit my mileage, I'm done! I also love to see my times & splits.
What do you listen to when you run?
A: Depends.... on my shorter runs I like rock n' roll and fast/catchy tunes to push my speed like Foo Fighters or Black Eyed Peas. On my long runs I like more mellow songs, think Jason Mraz, Jack Johnson, or The Script to help me keep a slower pace.
What is something you cannot run without, and why?
A: Well, I already told you about my Garmin, but I'll tell you what I can't run WITH: unerwear. LoL. Seriously, I wear anything from tempo shorts to spandex capris...but always commando. I don't know why, I just started that way and have continued to run 'free'. :) (**Umm... thanks for sharing?? LOL)
What race distance is your favorite and why?
A: I've only done 5Ks so far, and I love that distance simply because it's the same distance as my everyday training runs, which makes it easy and familiar. I can't wait to tackle 13.1 in October though!
What time of day do you usually run, and why?
A: All Different Times! Seriously, on my days off I'll get up and go at 7am, on days I work I run at 7pm, on the weekends Hubster and I will head out to the Greenway after lunch. Just depends. I like to be flexible though, and I have to say I don't have a favorite time. Morning is nice because it's cool out and you get it done, but evening is nice because you can just run the stress of the day away.
Treadmill, streets, or trails, and why?
A: Paved Trails preferably. But streets are my usual. Treadmill only if I have to. The treadmill alters how I run, and I run slower on it. I would love to run every day on a paved trail we have locally, but time/partner availability limits that to the weekends.
What has been your most significant running-related learning experience to date?
A: That runners are friendly. Seriously, I've never met a more welcoming and warm group of people. I have yet to meet an exception to this rule. Whether it's in the blog-o-sphere or on the trails, everyone has been so friendly, helpful, and motivating. My anxieties of not being fast enough/strong enough/etc... are all in my head, because every time I'm out there trying, inching along, and some super-fast runner goes by, they always smile, wave, and make me feel like I'm 'part of the club'. Fellow runners have been my biggest support, and I rely on my friends here for encouragement through the tough times.
What advice would you give to someone new to running?
A: Look me up and let's go for a run together! LoL Seriously, I would love to meet a fellow 'newbie' to run with. As for advice, one word: PATIENCE. Stick with it. Some days running is the best thing on the planet, other days it's the most torturous activity you can imagine. Just put your shoes on and get out the door. Increase your time & distance slowly. You don't have to run a marathon your first week. Heck, you don't have to run a MILE your first week! I didn't. You are going to see improvements, it takes time. But more importantly, it takes mileage. So just get out there, run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must. Oh, and if you're doing this for weight loss, throw out your scale. It's your worst enemy and will lie to you.
Short-term and long-term running goals?
A: Short Term I'd love to land a sub-33 minute 5k. This would really be pushing it, my current PR is in the 36:xx area. Not that there is anything wrong with being slow. :) My Long Term goal, other than the 1/2 Marathon in October, is the full Disney Marathon in January 2012. One day I WILL complete the full 26.2! (*The Turtle Runner has no doubt you will!)
Mileage goal for 2010?
A: I don't really have a mileage goal, since it IS my first year running! I do know I want to complete 13.1 on 10/2!
Do you have a blog, blog(s), or a website you’d like to share? If so, please list them.
Anything goes: Any additional info you’d like to share??
A: While running has changed my life, finding this awesome community of bloggers has changed my running. I push harder, faster, and longer when I run because I know I have other runners to report/relate to. So to all of the readers & writers out there, thank you. And keep running!
Thanks, MJ!
Happy running, friends....
Robin
Own your journey. One run at a time.™
PROGRAMMING NOTE: As fall racing season grows closer and the race calendar is filling quickly (2- 3 half marys and lots o' other smaller distances - read: 'ramped up' training schedule!), including the Chicago Half Marathon in September, please look for the Wednesday Winner Feature on the first and fourth Wednesday of each month, beginning July 28th, with lots of other fun stuff sprinkled in here and there! :)
