Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Dream runner

Tuesdays are pretty fun in the blogging world. There's a couple of linkups and no matter what the topic, I am tasked to keep it light. This week, I'm linking up with Jill Conyers and Jessica Joy. The subject? Come up with 5 people we would most like to workout with.

Oh man. I imagine this is kind of like filling out one of those online dating applications. Not that I'd know anything about that. I'm married. But in all seriousness, what would I look for in a dream workout partner? And do I want it to be a runner? A yoga instructor? A crossfit instructor? A cyclist? A guru?

I decided to pick one of each. But for each person I chose, I looked for the following attributes: they needed to be a respected leader or performer in their field and they must have a sense of humor. Being a sports psychologist would be a plus. Of course, if I have the guru, I won't need the sports psychology...

Runner

courtesy ShutUpandRun.net
Who do I want to run with? You know I like to run alone...Should I pick someone famous? If I had to pick, I want someone who has been running for a long time, someone who has run all the distances (not including an ultra), who will share their experiences and knowledge about running with me, and will keep me occupied with funny stories while I try to do my part to keep up with them. There's some pretty inspirational women that I'd love to meet: Katherine Switzer, Linda Sommers Smith, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Deena Kastor, Jenny Hadfield, Lauren Fleishman, Shalane Flanigan, and Kara Goucher, just to name a few. They'd all be so much faster than me though. So if I had to pick someone to run with, just to pick her brain, and laugh a ton, it would be Beth Risdon from Shut Up and Run. I've been following her blog for several years, and she never fails to put a smile on my face with her posts. I admire her grit and tenacity as she pushes through tough runs---and doesn't mind sharing stories about "the runs". Ahem. No pun intended. I think I'd be totally entertained. Unless her running personality is completely different from her blogger personality. Stranger things have happened.  Plus I think her pace isn't much faster than mine. Win!

Cyclist

And she drinks Phaedra beer! Image courtesy blistersandblacktoenails.blogspot.com
True story. I don't know much about cycling. I just hop on my bike and ride. Last year, I took the plunge and bought toe clips and shoes for my bike. Now I feel 100% legit. Ok, not so much. Remember the flat tire incident from last summer? My husband had to come pick me up and change it for me? This is probably the area that I really need the most guidance. I don't really know any famous women cyclists either. But I do know about Chrissie Wellington, who is an amazing triathlete and Ironman. I think I could learn a lot from her, if she didn't leave me in her dust. It would be cool to meet her. But on a ride, the person I'd most like to spin with is Phaedra Kennedy, from Blisters and Black Toenails. Phaedra is a accomplished triathlete and I've been following her blog for about a year. I think she could teach me a lot. And she seems like a lot of fun. I bet she can change a tire in no time flat. No pun intended. Again. And she has a really cool bike. I hope she wouldn't laugh at mine...

Yoga Instructor


Oh, this is another tough one. There are a lot of yoga celebrities (yogalebrities?) with DVDs and videos. Rodney Yee would be awesome, but he's a little too much yoga for me. Christine Felstead also is a great instructor but she's a little dry for me. The person I'd love to do yoga with is actually famous, but she's a runner and a yogi, and I think that would be perfect. Sage Rountree has books, DVDs, a monthly online yoga subscription plan, and she teaches a lot of yoga for athletes classes. She's warm and explains things really well. She seems down to earth and normal, which is a plus in the yoga world. 

Trainer

courtesy Buckshot Images
Who comes to mind when you think about a trainer? Jillian Michaels? She scares me. I don't like that. I know very little about the world of personal training. All my knowledge comes from my weekly training sessions with Becky. I'm sure there's CrossFit celebrities, just like in any sport. But I'm going to stick with what works. I can't imagine anyone being more knowledgeable or effective than my coach. 


Guru



What the hell is a guru? And how do I find one? I imagine that a guru is someone who guides you spiritually and otherwise, through life. Kind of like a therapist, I think. Have you read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin. The book is the story of her yearlong quest to find happiness. Since the publication of that book, she has written several other books on happiness. When I read her books, I thought to myself, who doesn't know all this? It seemed almost simplistic. But if you think about it, there are a lot of really unhappy people. Actually, I am a pretty happy person, but I do have this type A++ personality, and it would be nice to have someone to continually remind me to slow down, to be in the moment, to be more accepting of myself and others, to be more patient. I know what I need to do, but I'd love to have someone in my life to help me find ways to be a happier person. 


Coming up with this list was a little tougher than I thought! I'm so blessed to have so many awesome runner and workout friends in my life, that I don't know what more I need. And that's a good thing.

Who would be your dream workout partner(s)? Why?

Here's the link up! Be sure to head over to both hosts to see what other bloggers are saying!




24 comments :

  1. Hmmm, this is a tough one for me since running is my sanctuary of sorts, so I don't know that I'd enjoy running with a famous running...and I'd be too star struck to move...I would LOVE to get coached by my buddy Sean Sarantos that I was stationed with in Texas. He's now moved on to be a spokesperson for beast sports nutrition and is rocking his fitness career.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's awesome! When I first saw this linkup, I thought, piece of cake! But it was tougher than I thought!

      Delete
  2. That is cool. Very interesting list. I miss my cycling buddies from Virginia so I would love to do a nice gravel ride with the Veloville shop ride regulars, and a road training ride with my (now virtual) tri coach and team Sportfit. The whole speed things is something, so if I were next to someone on a treadmill or a bike trainer, it would be cool to talk to Chrissie Wellington or Dave Scott or Mark Allen or Dean Karnazes or any of those legendary folks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd love to talk with any of those celebs, but to run with them would be so intimidating for me!!! This was much tougher than I thought it would be!

      Delete
  3. I would like to join a group for yoga. Do not really have lots of fitness buddies so I need to start building my group soon

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've met a lot of awesome people through my blog. It's nice to have some like minded friends!

      Delete
  4. Fun! This post reminds me of the book and her running with "Pre"! Great choices :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't that the truth? It was a lot tougher than I thought tho!!!

      Delete
  5. Hmmmm.... this would be tough. I love your choices! I have no clue ... actually the more I think about it the list would probably get longer and longer :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wendy, I love how you really dug in! WOO! You are well versed in the fitness experts of the world. NICE. Picking all their brains would be amazing, and I too need to workout with someone with a sense of humor! I love to laugh, and be silly. My last race I learned, 'If it isn't fun, what's the point?' and it's stuck with me. Thanks Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know about that but I know what I like and need! It's great to reach for the stars but how can I pick their brains if their running 2x my pace? I loved this topic! Really fun. Thanks for hosting!

      Delete
  7. Your blogs are so much fun to read, even when I've worked almost all day and hosted one of my women's groups tonight. Can you say, "Bedtime?" (and I usually have a couple more hours left in my this time most evenings). I totally love Beth from Shut Up and Run....I've been following her for a couple years, and almost wet myself most of the time when I'm reading her stuff. I'd like to run with YOU sometime, too :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When I was writing this, I thought about all the people I want to run with and you were at the top of my list! We will! Hopefully this summer!

      Delete
  8. Wonderful choices for workout partners and all for great reasons.

    I love The Happiness Project :) I'm guessing I could talk to Gretchen Ruben for hours. How awesome would that be!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Imagine her giving pep talks as you were preparing to start your day! I could use her this morning! :)

      Delete
  9. great choices! New to me but that is all good, I love that you picked people with a sense of humor and personality- so Important! :) We shall run one day my friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes we will! I'm still awestruck that you picked me!!! :) <3

      Delete
  10. I would love to run with Kara Goucher or Shalane Flanagan! But the list is endless really!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think I would be too nervous and self conscious to run with either of them!

      Delete
  11. I love that you picked one for each! For running...MEB! If I had to pick one, but really the list is a mile long. Not sure about cycling, but for yoga I would love to practice with Shiva Rae. We did a month of a series that was inspired by her and the movement was just beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought about Shiva Rae, but I'm not graceful and I think she'd intimidate me!

      Delete
  12. I think for running I'd go with KSwitz. I call her that now since I met her at NYCM. Meb would be awesome too! Such a kind, genuine guy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love that you call her that! And yes, Meb is a great choice.

      Delete