A Passion for Running

Jeff tagged me so here goes!

q: what are you training for now?
a: the only “race” i’ve got planned right now is a 5k on september 11th. the quotes are around the “r” word is because i’m not really sure how much racing i’ll be doing. i plan on doing the race in my bare feet – a first for me so i think it would be nice to just enjoy myself. that said, it’s hard to run a race and not race at least a little bit (do i see a bunch of nodding heads?). the whole racing thing is kind of curious for me right now. you see, i’d had a stretch of about four years going from one race to another but since the injury haven’t had the pressure of racing and the intense training that goes along with it. there are both good and bad things associated with that lack of pressure. maybe i just need to get back in the saddle.

q: if you are raising money for a cause, what is it and why is that cause important to you?
a: not raising money for anything right now. truthfully, i’m a bit jaded when it comes to many fundraising efforts. i know that sounds bad, and I’m not even sure I can point to a particular reason for it. actually maybe I can: racing for charities was a cool idea years ago. now everyone is doing it and (for me) it’s turned races into this…overdone commercial thing. for my taste, the charity aspect has just become too pervasive and organized. man, i’m sounding extremely selfish aren’t i? i’ll work on that.

q: what is the furthest distance you’ve run in your training and what is the furthest distance you will run before your event?
a: i think a couple years ago i did a 3 1/2 hour long training run. aaron, tom and i figured it was 22 or 23 miles but I’m not positive on that one. generally, before a marathon I will max at a 20 miler.

q: what is your favorite flavor of gu? (or other sports gel)
a: chocolate cliff shots are by far the most palatable gel i’ve tried. in contrast, the powergel stuff makes me gag. i think it’s a lingering effect from running a marathon in 32C/90F heat.

q: how many days a week do you run?
a: i’m very happy to say after months and months of injury recovery and form re-engineering, i am back to five days a week. i’d like to get that to six but am in no rush.

q: are you injured in any way right now? if so,what are you doing about it?
a: nope! woohoo! DAMN that feels good to say.

q: what is one item of running clothing/gear (shoes don’t count) you can’t run without?
a: for really long runs, i’d say bodyglide is my best friend. i have skinny legs, but they still get raw on the inside of my thighs if i don’t put bodyglide on for those 18 to 20 milers. gretchen, my polar 625x speed, distance & heart rate monitor is an invaluable training and racing companion.

q: do you have a talisman you are planning on taking to your event? if so, tell us!
a: my car keys? i think dianna will appreciate that comment!

q: share one thing about yourself we don’t know.
a: i’m afraid of carnies. kidding! hmmm…after highschool and in between college, i worked as a car jockey at budget rent-a-car. i was 18 and driving all these brand-new cars around all day for a living. the most surprising thing about it is that in three years i didn’t rack one up!

so, tag time? um…i think i might be the last one so if you haven’t done this, get off your butt and do it now!