Runner Spotlights #49

Happy Sunday! It's been a rainy weekend here on the Gulf Coast. Tomorrow is the first day of school! I've been busy washing clothes, doing lesson plans, and trying to get everything ready for the new week. It's going to be a big change for us all with me going back to work on a regular basis. It's also Sawyer's 6th birthday on Thursday! My baby is growing up too fast!

It's time for another runner spotlight! If you are interested in being spotlighted on my blog please email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com. I would love to feature you! You don't have to have a blog to be spotlighted...you just have to be a runner! I'm running low on spotlights so here's your chance! :-)

Today I'm spotlighting Shannon from Girls Got Sole! She is a fellow runDisney fan! I haven't gotten to meet her yet but hopefully I will see her at Disney in January during Marathon Weekend! She also uses the Galloway method when she runs. And...she runs in skirts...which makes me like her even more! Keep reading to learn more about Shannon!

Name: Shannon Chenoweth

State: Florida

When and why did you start running? I started running with the C25k program. I wanted to give it a try to aid in my weight loss. I ended up switching to Galloway intervals which I now do with every run.

What is your favorite race and race distance? Favorite race would easily be my marathon that I did at the 26.2 with Donna this past February. It was my first marathon and I’ll never forget it. My favorite distance though would have to be the half marathon, it’s a challenge, but you can do a few of them a year without having to do a lot of training if you keep your base up.

What is your race day routine? Get up, dressed, wash face, check weather (always checking the weather as a runner), head out to the race. I usually eat a protein bar about an hour before the race starts and stop drinking water right after I eat the bar. I usually eat a Gu or some kind of energy gel/chew as I’m waiting in the corrals.

What is your most favorite piece of running gear? My running skirts! I love Skirt Sports Gym Girl Ultra skirts. They make running so much more fun.

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that compliment your running? I follow a healthy vegan diet all the time, so I get a good variety of foods in regularly. As far as supplements, I’m a fan of the Hammer Endurolytes on a run, they can really help out during a long run/race with cramping. Also, I LOVE Nuun a LOT. My favorite electrolyte replacement.

What do you wish you’d known when you first started running? That speed doesn’t matter as much as getting out there and running no matter what. Actually, I was told this, but it was one of those things I had to learn for myself. :)

What is your fondest running memory? Any long run with my Galloway training group. I love my group, we have such a great time together. This is my 2nd season with them and they have become like family to me.

What is one thing that most people do not know about you? I wanted to be a police officer when I was in high school. I was sure that I’d go to the academy and become a cop when I graduated. It was either law enforcement or writing. So far, I've done more with the writing than I have with my law enforcement interests. 

Here are all the different ways you can connect with Shannon!

Blog: http://girlsgotsole.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/girlsgotsole

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Girls-Got-Sole/114740315291088

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/shutterbugshann

Instagram: http://instagram.com/girlsgotsole

Thanks so much for sharing with us Shannon!

QOTD: Does school start back tomorrow where you live?

Guest Post- Running, the Galloway Way

Today is an exciting day!!! Do you know why? Because I'm on my way to Disney World!!! I will be tweeting and sharing photos on Instagram and Facebook! Meanwhile, today's post is by Shannon from Girls Got Sole! Shannon is also running Disney this weekend...she's running the half marathon!!! Thanks for sharing with us Shannon!!!

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By now, if you are into fitness and especially running, you know who Jeff Galloway is and about his method of running. It's about intervals broken up into run-walk-run parts. You can run as little as 30 seconds, then walk the same, or run 5 minutes before you take a walk break. The bottom line is, using Galloway's method not only keeps you injury-free, but it gets you over the finish line with a lot more ease. You're recovery time can be significantly less simply because of these walk breaks taken right from the start. Not to mention that you can still get a great race finish time if speed is what you are after.

I began running using the Galloway method in mid-December of 2011, right after walking my first half marathon at Space Coast. I was finally cleared to run again after not being able to run for over a year due to a back injury. I could not have been happier not only to be running again, but for Jeff's great method of being able to do so. It is because of the walk breaks that I knew his training method was right for me. It would make it easier on my body to have that minute of recovery between running intervals.

After running on my own using this method to resume running, I ran my first races as a runner again. My first half marathon as a runner (2nd half overall) was in March and while it still remains one of the toughest races I've done, I finished strong and felt good doing it. I credited the run-walk-run method for helping me cross that finish line with a smile on my face.

This past June, I started the official Galloway training program in Orlando. I was definitely excited about not only getting into a training program, but I felt the Galloway program was just what I was seeking and needed. It's now eight months later and I feel as though I'm not only a smarter runner, but I'm also about to run my first full marathon and my fifth half marathon this weekend at Disney.

Is the Galloway training method for you? Well, I believe that any and all runners can benefit from Jeff's walk-run-walk way of training. His program has helped so many finish their next half or full marathon in less time and feeling stronger than before. The caveat is that you need to use the walk breaks from the start to truly reap the benefits of them through your race or training run. You won't feel as tired and slow down at the end if you use the walk breaks from the beginning.

For more info about Jeff Galloway and his training programs, please visit his website: http://www.jeffgalloway.com/

QOTD: Have you ever used the Galloway method?