Happy Sunday! I've a busy but fun weekend so far! Friday afternoon we went and saw
Despicable Me 2! I LOVED the first movie and this one did not disappoint! It had me laughing! I love those little yellow minion guys!!! Saturday morning I ran 5 miles with some friends. Then we had a day of watching movies and being lazy because it was raining all day. It's been a great weekend so far!
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! :-)
Today I am spotlighting Beth from Read Hard Run Harder! I first met Beth at the Gulf Coast Half Marathon on Pensacola Beach. While we were running she saw me and told me she loved my blog (now what girl doesn't like hearing that)! Since then Beth has started her own blog and I love reading it! Keep reading to learn more about her!
Name: Beth
State: Alabama
When and why did you start running?
I really started running seriously in
September 2012. To
be honest, I really kind of started running to force myself to quit complaining
about running. So here is the story: Forever, as long as I can
remember, I hated running--I was slow, and it was really, really painful.
Last summer, I decided to enter into a local sprint triathlon down here
at the beach. I trained all summer. The swimming and biking portions
were no problem for me (I swam for a team in another life and was an avid
spinning class attendee), but the measly 2 mile run killed me. Come race
day, I blazed (OK that may be an exaggeration) through the open
water swim and the bike, but literally doubled by overall race time during that
sad, painful 2 mile run. Right then and there, I told myself that I was
going to train for and run a half marathon so that I will not suck at running
anymore. And I did it. I ran my first half marathon, Rock N Roll
New Orleans, this February. What I didn't anticipate was for my general
loathing of all things running to turn into a love. I am so happy that I
found this wonderful sport. While I still plan on participating in some
triathlons this season, my true new love is the road race!
What is your favorite race and race distance?
I
am really not super built for speed, so I really prefer long distance, slower
paced running. I love the half marathon; it is long enough to feel like a
super challenge, but not body wrecking like the marathon, or so I have heard.
It is a total accomplishment to finish one alive. I have never run
a marathon and right now, I really have no desire to start training for one
(OK, maybe a little desire). As of right now, I have only run 2 half
marathons (a condition I plan to remedy when it cools down here in the South),
but I really enjoyed the Gulf Coast Half Marathon at Pensacola Beach. The scenery was gorgeous—I love the beach—I
ran a 27 minute PR, and those finisher’s medals are just awesome!
What is your race day routine?
I get up at whatever time gives me at least 2
hours before I need to leave for the race.
I take a shower as ridiculous as that is before I get my sweat on (I
don’t feel awake without one), drink at least 1 cup of coffee, and eat toast
and peanut butter with a glass of water (I have been hydrating before with
Nuun—the best ever!). Since all my
clothes are laid out the night before, there is no stress over where stuff is
or what I am going to wear…instead, I obsess about going to the bathroom! Am I the only one who is in total panic about
that? I do run in makeup, so I put my
face on before I leave. I try to calm my
nerves and go!
What is your most favorite piece of running gear?
I am obsessed with running skirts! For the
longest time, I only ran in capris because I was convinced that my thigh
chub-rub prevented me from running in a skirt.
What a waste of non-running skirt-wearing-time that was! These things
are awesome! They don’t ride up like shorts; they are cooler than capris, and are
much, much cuter! Do you think running skirt collecting is a legitimate hobby?
But oh, I forgot about SweatyBands headbands…
Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement
your running?
Considering that I still trying to drop those
last 15 lbs., I try to eat as cleanly as possible, but I have to be honest, and
say that I could use some work in that department. I do really well during the week, but kind of
lose it on the weekends. I’m hoping that
the accountability of my blog will help with my clean eating plan, and help me
stay on track. Regarding supplements, I
really don’t take or use anything. I am
thinking about starting to use a protein powder when I finish doing my strength
training sessions. Does anybody have any
suggestions? I think I’m looking for
something that is low in carbs and sugar.
What do you wish you’d known when you first started running?
That you should take out another mortgage on
your house so you can get all the cool running gear! No not really, but there
are some awesome bits of running gear out there, and if you are like me—if it’s
bright and colorful—then you want it.
What is your fondest running memory?
Crossing the finish line at the Gulf Coast
Half Marathon at Pensacola Beach this last April. It was my second half marathon and a PR by 27
minutes! I was so stoked. But the best
part was seeing my boyfriend at the finish and hearing him screaming his head
off for me. The fact that he was so
proud of me and my time really made the whole experience even more awesome!
What is one thing that most people do not know about you?
There’s not much that people who know me
don’t know about me—I am pretty much an open book—but, I am allergic to corn
which really makes eating Mexican food (which I LOVE!) really difficult.
Here are all the different ways you can connect with Beth!
Thanks for sharing with us Beth!
QOTD: What did you do this weekend?
