Sunday, June 21, 2015

Everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask....

How well do you know your bloggers? Back in April, I was tagged by HoHo Runs to answer questions about my running favorites. Apparently, I forgot to do this. I was reminded to do this after reading Tricia's post on Mississippi Piddlin'. She just did hers, so I don't feel so bad. Better late than never, right? I'm pretty transparent here on the blog, you know my motto is what you see is what you get, but I thought it would be fun to answer these questions.

Location: Trail, road, or indoors?


One of the very pretty preserve trails that I can run in the middle of suburbia. Looking over my shoulder the whole time.
I've made it pretty clear in past posts that I loathe the treadmill. Ok, loathe is pretty strong. Let's just say I have a love/hate relationship with my 'mill. The 'mill is there when I need it, which thankfully isn't very often. I'm an outdoors runner, and 99% of my runs are on the road or the bike path. It's really populated where I live, and while I do like to take my runs to the forest preserve, I stick to the paved path. There are a lot of trails through the woods, but I've heard that people do live in those woods. Last week, I saw a Grizzly Adams lookalike come out of the woods. And then there's that whole FP hookup system. I've written about it here.  I just keep my eyes wide open. No matter where I go, if I'm outside, it's all good. Besides, it's way more entertaining than running inside.

Time of day: Morning, noon, or evening?


Running with the sunrise at the retention pond last winter
I am a morning person, and therefore, a morning runner. What a great way to start the day! I like to get a run in before work. And in the summer, it's nice to get up before the sun. Lately, I've had some midday runs that have gone really well, too. It's nice to know that I can be a little flexible. The idea of an evening run is appealing to me, but when I get home from work after a long day in the clinic, all I want to do is drink a glass or 2 of wine. I can't imagine what kind of run I'd have after that.

Weather: Sunshine, mild, or hot?


My slowest, hottest half ever...Zooma Chicago, last summer...
Hands down, I like mild or cooler weather for running. If I had to pick between winter and summer, though, I'd pick summer. I like the warmer weather, even though it really slows me down. I like wearing one layer. I can wear running skirts in the summer. I love running in tank tops. Yep, it's all about the fashion for me. And as much as I love sunshine, in the warmer weather, it's much better to run under the clouds.

Fuel: Before, after, or sometimes during?


Carrying my trusty handheld filled with Tailwind at the Chicago marathon.
My fueling depends on the distance that I'm running. If I'm doing anything under 8 miles, I don't usually have anything besides coffee and water before I head out the door. Over 8 miles, I eat breakfast, which is cheerios and orange juice. I might bring a bottle of Tailwind (affiliate link) along, depending on the time of year and how far I'm going. For some reason, I can run 12 miles in the winter without carrying fuel, but in the summer, I need fuel. After a run, I drink something high in protein. My favorite is Bolthouse Farms chocolate protein (affiliate link) drink. I have yet to find anything I like better. And if I didn't eat cereal before my run, I eat Kashi Go Lean cereal (affiliate link) after the run, which is high in protein.

Accessories: Music, watch, and more?


The Garmin. Because if you don't track it, it didn't happen.
I always wear my Garmin Forerunner 10 (affiliate link) to track my miles. If I'm doing speed work or a paced run, I use my Garmin for that too. I always carry my phone in my SpiBelt (affiliate link), and yes, I run with music. I don't carry any other accessories with me. I should wear sunglasses but I don't.

Rewards: Food, wine, or?


A frothy finish at the CARA 10 miler. Lagunitas IPA. Yum.
My favorite post run reward is a cold beer. Preferably New Glarus Spotted Cow (affiliate link) or a German Weiss beer. Beer just tastes so refreshing to me after a long hot run. I'm not normally a big beer drinker, but this is my reward. And I won't drink crappy beer, like huge brewery lite or wannabe premium beer 69 (or whatever it's called). If I'm going to indulge, it better be good. I am married to a homebrewer, after all...

Type of run: Long run, tempo, intervals, hill repeats, progression,  or recovery/easy?


The drowned rat look after some heat training last winter on the 'mill.
Each one of these runs has its virtues. I love the long slow distance (LSD) run. There are days when I feel like I could go forever. Of course, those are the days I have a shorter run on the plan. But I do love that I can run high miles. Tempo runs are fun, because you get to start out slow, run a few miles fast, and run a recovery mile at the end. Intervals aka speed work are one of my favorite ways to run. I like intervals because there is always a rest period before the next interval. How often do we get to rest in running? Plus it's fun to run fast! And it's rewarding to see those split times decrease over time. Recovery runs are nice, especially the week after a grueling race. And hills? Who needs hills when you do deadlifts and squats with Becky? I'm serious about this. The work she has me do propels me up hills easily. And it's much easier on my knees than running up and down hills for a workout. Oh, and then there's that heat training...

Ok, I get to play tag....and you're it: 

What question(s) would you ask me if you could? 

I'm linking up with Tara at RunningNReading for her Weekend Update!




72 comments :

  1. Better late than never, right? And you've just reminded me that was I tagged to answer another set of questions. I need to get on that! Your countdown ticker to Chicago is freaking me out. Eek! I did get a long run in this week, finally.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have no fear! I haven't started marathon training yet at all!

      Delete
  2. If you could run any marathon in the world, which one would you choose??? (A good one, right....not even sure what my answer would be....Boston, NYC, Paris.....)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Boston, of course. But I'm going to throw my name in the hat for Big Sur. It's bucket list time!

      Delete
  3. I LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU REWARD WITH BEER.
    #thatisall :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. We have a lot of similarities!! I Feel the same aay about the heat, drinking a beer post race and all those dofferent types of runs. I'm planning to get mine posted on Wednesday. Thanks for tagging me!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I may 'borrow" this and do a similar blog post...after I get my Grandma's recap done. :-) Thanks for giving us a peek into your life :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I should have tagged you...is it too late? I'm looking forward to your answers!

      Delete
  6. Love running in the morning and LOVE that Bolthouse flavor too!! Yum

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for sharing the inside scoop! All good responses. I'm the worst at running when it is too hot or too cold I guess that's why I love my treadmill lol.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm adaptable...I just would rather endure the weather extremes than run inside....

      Delete
  8. love this post...great little tid bits! Have a great week, Wendy!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love getting to know you a little bit better.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. These posts are kind of fun! I don't do them very often. I sure enjoy reading everyone elses!

      Delete
  10. Agree: I love summer but wow the humidity takes a toll on my pace! Thanks for the tag!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seriously. I was dragging this morning again. It's a little frustrating, even tho I know the reason...

      Delete
  11. fun!!! I am with you I want to come home from work and prop my feet up with a glass of wine- can't imagine running and it is roughly 95 degrees when I leave the office right now- yuck! that is one of my hubby's favorite beers when he is home in Wisconsin!!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. How fun. I always love to read these kinds of posts and get to know you better.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Fun post! My favorite reward is pizza or chocolate hmm chocolate pizza!? 😄

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll have to come up with a recipe! I do make a giant chocolate chip cookie in my pizza pan. Would that count?

      Delete
  14. (ps, ups to the SwirlGear top!). I have to wear sunglasses when I run. I abhor squinting with a passion! Usually the only times that I crave a a burger is after a big weekend of running--like when I needed that M burger after Ragnar. I'm the type that doesn't want to eat, and then cannot. stop.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I wish I was a morning runner - my body doesn't feel right in the morning. Which is why most races, just UGH :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I WANT to be a morning runner but I hate waking up! haha

    ReplyDelete
  17. I'm more of a morning runner but really depends on when I can go for a run outside while someone watches the kiddos. I have a love/hate relationship with my treadmill too. I used to really hate it but not so much lately. This was a fun post to read!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Always enjoy these posts, and your pix of the Chicago area as I'm from there originally.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I enjoyed writing it too! I forgot how much fun these can be.

      Delete
  19. Beer after a long event is always amazing! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm with you on loathing the treadmill! But, it's a recent thing for me..I used to run exclusively on the treadmill...I had no idea what I was missing. To be fair, though...I needed the babysitting at the gym, so treadmill it was!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, when my boys were little, there were a lot more miles logged on that treadmill, for sure!

      Delete
  21. I have alot of the same answers as you! I am definitely a morning runner,and I avoid the treadmill as much as possible. I also enjoy a good beer after a race, but it has to be GOOD!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I hate the treadmill. OMG! Thanks for sharing your fueling routine. I'm just learning what does and does not work for me. It is always interesting to see what works for others.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, and fueling is so individual, don't you think? I just cannot do much else besides the Tailwind.

      Delete
  23. love this. i think i knew most of these things about you but i still enjoyed reading this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love when other bloggers do this...I don't know why it took me so long!

      Delete
  24. I love these getting to know you posts!

    Mmmm. Cold beer after a race is just so good. I also found that I really like chocolate milk after a long run. Which is weird, because the only time I really can stand the taste of any kind of milk is when I'm pregnant. But for some reason, it is so good going down.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I so want to be a morning runner, but for X, Y, and Z reasons I just can't seem to make it happen. Afternoons and evenings it is!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Definitely better late than never. I'm not a runner, but I have to agree with most of these. Especially the time and weather. If I'm running, it has to be in the morning, and while I prefer cooler weather, I definitely won't be running in winter!

    ReplyDelete
  27. That is one gorgeous top you have on in the first photo! Too bad your company in the woods isn't all birders.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Swirlgear! They went out of business last year. I sure loved their stuff.

      Delete
  28. I loved reading your answers in the post, see it was fun! I do better running early but for the life of me find it hard to run before work. I can run on Saturday or a weekday like last Thurs but I didn't have to work idk why that's such an issue for me. I'm strength training with a trainer at the gym an I'm hoping it will help me tramendiously this fall an winter running. I would ask you if you've ever been to Mississippi? I haven't been to Chicago but I hope too one day. :) Thanks for paying!!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I think a glass or 2 is the best way to end the day!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Love reading your list, Wendy, and thanks so much for linking up! Sometimes, I think you and I sweat more than the average person; either that or the other people we see are just not very efficient coolers of themselves - ha! I love this about you; keep up the great work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think sweating is one of the best parts of running! So cleansing and affirming all at once! :)

      Delete
  31. Great questions - might have to answer on my own blog :) I really need to wear glasses to on my runs...but I just hate the feeling of them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please answer! I would have tagged you...I didn't know who to pick!

      Delete
  32. Ohhh, tag I'm it huh....probably a good thing, I've got a major case of writer's block...maybe this can spark something!

    ReplyDelete
  33. These posts are always fun to read! I'm with you on the treadmill - loathe it...definitely a necessary evil! A quality craft beer post race is the best!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad you liked it! It was fun to write! I love learning more about the bloggers I follow.

      Delete
  34. Love this! Even if I was not tagged, I think I will do this.

    Is that Watefall Glen where you run? I've been there a few times and like it. I don't like that there are no water fountains. Or are there?

    I always eat something in the morning, even if it is just 3 miles. Well, I make sure to drink coffee and will eat a KIND bar or a Hammer bar. I just cannot run on an empty stomach.

    And yes, a beer after a race. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Please do it! I didn't know who to tag, who would actually participate! In the picture above, I'm in Buffalo Creek preserve. No water fountains there either!

      Delete
  35. This was fun! I did it several month ago after seeing it on Meagan's blog. So fun getting to know other runner's likes and running preferences.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kind of fun to see what everyone has to say to these questions!

      Delete