Five Things Friday (x4): Running Survey

I saw this running survey on Lisa’s, Kelly’s, and Heather’s blogs and thought I’d give it a whirl this Friday! It’s technically 20 questions but I figured 5 x 4 = 20. So really it’s like I’m quadrupling the Five Things Friday fun.

 

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

I’ve never run on either a beach path or a mountain trail, but if it was a path on a beach and not actually sand I would totally take the beach. I love the ocean and dislike running hills. Of course, one can have mountainous beach. Some of the best New England beaches are rocky.

 

Kennebunk, Maine

 

 

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

The “blue” flavor for sure, I’m not really a big fan of gatorade and always drink water instead, but I think blue is the only one I’m not allergic to (there are oranges in many of the others).

 

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?

I should say another pair of shoes, but I’ll be honest and say a snazzy new running top with a snappy saying!

 

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

I’m somewhere in between; I usually plan which days of the week I am going to run, but then the pace and distance are determined by feel on the day of. I have the luxury of being spontaneous while studying this summer since I can make my own schedule, but when I start working in the fall at my new job I’ll have to get back to shorter weekday/long run weekends.

 

Of course, there’s always November Project to keep me motivated for short Wednesday workouts

 

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?

Definitely start on the uphill for a challenge when I begin, and end downhill feeling fast and free! 

 

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

I generally do yoga once a week and isometric exercises using my own body weight that are left over from gymnastics. Also, exercises to stretch and strengthen my hip from physical therapy.

 

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

I like loops so I can see different scenery. I love running to explore new places, and often I have to do out-and-back because I don’t know the area. But when I do, always a loop!

 

Exploring the Presidio in San Francisco

 

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

Running shoes that fit well and support your feet. I didn’t know when I first started how big of a difference a good sneaker could make, both comfort and injury-prevention-wise.

 

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

In New York it’s rare to see much beyond rabbits or squirrels in Central Park, but in Connecticut I’ll often spot a deer or two, and I think I’ve also seen foxes, wild turkeys, and more.

 

10. Ever gotten lost while out on a run?

Yes and no – when I first started running, I ended up discovering new areas of Central Park, but it’s tough to actually be lost.

 

The view from North Field in Central Park

 

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?

A full-on brunch for sure. Eggs, pancakes or waffles with syrup, turkey bacon, and fruit – with iced decaf coffee to wash it all down!

 

Gluten free blueberry waffles and eggs (as seen on WIAW)

 

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

Shorts for sure. I wear shorts as long as it’s 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and sometimes even when it’s lower than that but sunny. I don’t ever wear capris actually, as soon as I’m out of long leggings for winter I go to shorts, even with a long-sleeved top.

 

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?

I’d say it actually takes a mile or two (I run 9-10 minute miles usually) to warm up, and I don’t really feel ‘into’ and comfy in a run until mile 3 or even 4. But once I’m there, I can run 6 miles, or 8, or 10 – it’s getting to the point first where I am in the groove.

 

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

I either wear a sports bra with pockets (for keys and credit card or coffee card), or use a tiny pocket in my shorts, or when it’s cold I’ll have a jacket pocket.

 

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

Probably the Walt Disney World Half Marathon in January 2015. It was my second half, so I knew I could do it, and although freezing like my first NYC Half it was just so much fun. I was running for JDRF and felt great about having raised over $2,000 for the charity, and I really felt like most people running were out there to enjoy the run, which is really different than most of the races I do in NYC (not saying that’s a blanket truth, of course!)

 

My own sparkly moment!

 

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

A shorter run where I don’t settle into my groove until it’s more than halfway through. I get back to my door and feel like I was just getting started!

 

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

Especially while I’ve been studying for the bar, knowing that peace and sunshine (usually) await is motivation enough. Nothing like nature and fresh air to clear my head.

 

The sky and earth and sea are so much better than staring at a computer

 

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

From my front door, always. I get that some people don’t live in great areas, but I can’t justify driving to run.

 

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

I wear a baseball cap with a brim pretty much always, adding earmuffs in winter. I need to keep the sun out of my eyes, but sunglasses fall off when I’m running.

 

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

Knowing that I ‘get’ to run, that it’s a privilege I’m lucky to have, keeps my little legs pumping!

 

At the Oakley Mini 10K

 

Your turn! Answer any of these questions in the comments.

 

 

 

 

 

© 2015 Renaissance Runner Girl. All rights reserved.

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