Runner Spotlights #105

I hope everyone's weekend is going great! Ours has been low key...just what we needed after several busy weekends ! :-)

It's time for another runner spotlight...my favorite time of the week! I love reading other runners' stories about their running journey! If you are interested in being spotlighted on my blog please email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com! I'd love to spotlight you! You don't have to have a blog to be spotlighted...you just have to be a runner! ;-) And I'm running low on spotlights so now's your time to shine!!!

Today I'm spotlighting Lisa from Got2RunNow! She is a fellow Sweat Pink Ambassador! Keep reading to learn more about her and her running journey!

Name: Lisa Rini
State: VA

When and why did you start running?
I first developed a love for running in high school- loved running during gym class, and even joined the track team my senior year. Later on, after the birth of my son, running became more than just a means of fitness, it became a way for me to challenge myself.

What is your favorite race distance?
The marathon. I love the adventure, the whole experience of the distance, and, it's a great way to tour a city/location you've never been to.

What is your race day routine?
I love oatmeal and a banana as a pre-race meal. I always make sure my race clothes/water bottle/bib/ etc. are laid out the night before so I don't forget anything.

What is your most favorite piece of running gear?
My Brooks arm warmers have become a staple piece of running gear, especially for fall marathons. I love that if you're hot, you just pull them down, if you get chilly, just pull them back up.

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that compliment your running?
I try to limit processed foods as much as possible. A balanced diet is key. One of my favorite drinks now is a wheatgrass smoothie- with pineapple, oranges, and banana. Not going to deny it- I definitely have a sweet tooth though! As far as supplements- I take fish oil and turmeric (capsules). I also love Vega products!

What is your fondest running memory?
The 2011 Boston Marathon. As soon as they hung the medal around my neck {at the finish line}, I kissed it.

What is one thing most people don't know about you?
I'm very claustrophobic.

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

Blog: http://got2runnow.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@got2runnow

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Got2runnowcom?ref=hl

Pinterest: Pinterest.com/got2runnow

Instagram: http://instagram.com/got2run_now

Thanks so much for sharing with us Lisa!!!

QOTD: Do the leaves change color in the fall where you live? (I'm so jealous if they do!)

Runner Spotlights #87

It is the boys' first weekend of summer! They were so excited when they got off the school bus on Friday! Summer is finally here!

Now it's time for another runner spotlight...my favorite time of the week! I love reading other runners' stories about their running journey! If you are interested in being spotlighted on my blog please email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com! I'd love to spotlight you! You don't have to have a blog to be spotlighted...you just have to be a runner! ;-) And I'm running low on spotlights so now's your time to shine!!!

Today I'm spotlighting Kimberley from Black Dog Runs Disney! Yep you guessed it...she's a Disney lover like me! And she has the cutest black dog named Calypso! Keep reading to learn more about her and her running journey!

Name:  Kimberley

State:  Florida

When and why did you start running?  I ran cross-country in high school and stunk at it.  I started again when I moved to Florida in 1995 because…why not?  Who wouldn't want to run in weather like we have?!

What is your favorite race and race distance?  The Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon, hands down.  I love the night start and the after party in Epcot to celebrate the Food and Wine Festival is the best!  That being said, 13.1 is definitely my favorite.  For the moment anyway.  That 26.2 is just dangling out there like a really big diamond!

What is your race day routine? Throw whatever is handy at the alarm clock when it goes off at what is typically some ungodly hour of the night.  Roll off bed, narrowly missing the dog.  Pick up pieces of demolished alarm clock.  Stub toe on bed post.  Curse incessantly.  Throw on whatever random pieces of running clothes I spent hours laboring over the night before.  (Not really.  As long as everything is somewhat tolerable to the human eye, it’ll work).  Stumble into kitchen and curse at whoever left the light dimmer switch on high from the night before.  Warm up either some oatmeal or a bagel with peanut butter and down a couple bottles of grape Propel.  Make sure gear bag has iPod, sunglasses, baby wipes and requisite Tylenol, (I like to be prepared!), and stumble out the door.  

What is your most favorite piece of running gear? Rock or KT Tape.  I really don’t think I’d be able to run without it!  I also love the 8+ Beecause Charms I have on my running shoes.  Who says a girl can’t run with a little bling?

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your running? I take a multivitamin and an iron supplement.  I also occasionally take echinacea and goldenseal to help keep my immune system working properly.  If I start feeling a little under the weather, I’ll also add in some zinc.

What do you wish you’d known when you first started running?  Pay less attention to what everyone else is doing and more to improving what you can do.  Comparing yourself to what other runners are capable of doing is surefire way of driving you right into the dumps.  The only competition you need to be concerned about is the one with yourself.

What is your fondest running memory?  Crossing the finish line of the 2013 Wine and Dine Half Marathon at Disney.  It was my best time at a Disney race and even though I didn’t hit my goal time, (thank you ITBS for trying to take me out at Mile 12!), I made it through and felt great when I made that final turn to the finish.

What is one thing that most people do not know about you? I know every word to every song played during the Illuminations show at Epcot. I know – total Disney Dork.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us? Completely obsessed with Labradors, all things Disney, and Moose Tracks ice cream. Much to my hips dismay.

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

Blog: http://blackdogrunsdisney.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Vixen1267

Facebook: Black Dog Runs Disney

Instagram: http://instagram.com/szzllips

Thanks so much for sharing with us Kimberley!!!

QOTD: Are the kids out of school for the summer where you live?

Runner Spotlights #84

How has everyone's weekend been? Mine has been fun! We went to Five Rivers Delta yesterday and the boys got to learn all kinds of things about the outdoors! They loved it! While they were doing boy things I got to visit with Paige! :-)

Now it's time for another runner spotlight...my favorite time of the week! I love reading other runners' stories about their running journey! If you are interested in being spotlighted on my blog please email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com! I'd love to spotlight you! You don't have to have a blog to be spotlighted...you just have to be a runner! ;-) And I'm running low on spotlights so now's your time to shine!!!

Today I'm spotlighting Denise from Healthy Disney Family! I love that she loves runDisney races like me! And I love that she loves Disney like me! ;-) Keep reading to learn more about her and her running journey!

Name: Denise Laird
State: Oregon

When and why did you start running? 

I started running when I was in 5th grade at my school’s running club. I ran of and on for years but didn’t
stick with it. I picked it up again when I needed to lose 100 pounds after having my son. On Labor Day 2011, we went to Disneyland during Disneyland Half weekend. I didn’t know Disney had races! It was so awesome to see the runners with their hard earned bling at the parks. They were just glowing
with happiness! I was around 197 lbs at the time and thought it could be a great way to lose the rest of the weight and reach a huge goal of running my first Half. When I came home, I researched and found Jef Galloway’s run/walk program. I tried it and was hooked! I have gone on to do two Half and two Full marathons using the Galloway method.

What is your favorite race and race distance? 

Definitely the 2013 Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland! It was my first Half and my big goal race.
I love that 13.1 distance. It’s far enough to feel like I worked hard and the recovery is quick.

What is your race day routine? 

I keep it simple. I have 1/2 a banana with peanut butter, a small cup of oatmeal and a mug of coffee with 2% milk. I leave the house or hotel with extra time in case of something unforeseen. Fill up the bottles in my hydration pack with either Nuun U or Ultima Refresher.

What is your most favorite piece of running gear? 

My Mizuno Wave Inspire 9’s are wonderful. I have three pairs that I rotate between. I have some
overpronation issues and they really help me stay corrected.

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your running? 

When I was morbidly obese I talked to my doctor and he recommended 80/20 eating to me. 80% of the time I eat whole, unprocessed or homemade foods. The other 20% is flexible. Moderation
works for me and helped me lose and keep off over 100 pounds.

What do you wish you’d known when you first started running? 

How life changing it would be and how much joy, stress relief, and accomplishment I’d feel once I stayed consistent.

What is your fondest running memory? 

Seeing my husband and son at mile 25 during the 2013 Portland Marathon. My husband took this pic of me
kissing my son and it captured all of the emotions of why I ran and lost the weight - to be a healthier, happier person, wife, and better mom for him. 

What is one thing that most people do not know about you? 

In my 20’s I saved my money for over a year, quit my job and went on a two month solo backpacking trip to Europe. Super eye opening and jaw dropping to see historical cities and landmarks firsthand, not to mention experience the warmth and kindness of strangers in different countries.

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

Blog: http://healthydisneyfamily.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeniseL321
Facebook: http://facebook.com/healthydisneyfamily
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/DeniseL321
Instagram: http://instagram.com/healthydisneyfamily

Thanks so much for sharing with us Denise!!!

QOTD: What did you do this weekend?

Runner Spotlights #83

Happy Sunday everyone! I hope your weekend is going well! It was the start of our Spring Break and we are already enjoying it! I'm looking forward to sleeping in this week! ;-)

Now it's time for another runner spotlight...my favorite time of the week! I love reading other runners' stories about their running journey! If you are interested in being spotlighted on my blog please email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com! I'd love to spotlight you! You don't have to have a blog to be spotlighted...you just have to be a runner! ;-) And I'm running low on spotlights so now's your time to shine!!!

Today I'm spotlighting Crystal from Running With Rhyno! She is a runner from Canada! Keep reading to learn more about her and her running journey!

Name: Crystal Rhyno

State: Alberta, Canada

When and why did you start running?

In 2009, I was working at a newspaper in a northern community. Our newspaper sponsored a big race every year. They wanted someone to run the race and write about the training. I wasn’t a runner but I was up for the challenge.

What is your favorite race and race distance?

Right now I would say the half-marathon because I don’t need to do a lot of training to do well and feel good.

What is your race day routine?

I like to get up about 2-3 hours before race time (depending on the distance). I eat breakfast, stretch and visualize the race.

What is your most favorite piece of running gear?

I would say it’s my brightly colored bandannas.

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your running?

I eat a plant based diet and lately I have been drinking protein shakes to add more protein to my diet.

What do you wish you’d known when you first started running?

Mind over matter.

What is your fondest running memory?

My first marathon was the NYC marathon in 2011. Best memory was getting hugs from 4 firefighters along the route. Everyone was so friendly and supportive!

What is one thing that most people do not know about you?
I hate public speaking but I am working on it.

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

Blog: http://www.runningwithrhyno.blogspot.ca/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/crystalrhyno

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/crystalrhyno/

Instagram: http://instagram.com/crystalrhyno

Thanks for sharing with us Crystal!

QOTD: What do you do on Spring Break?