Kristen, from Jonesin’ For A Run, is hosting a great linkup for National Running Day!
And what better way to celebrate, besides actually going OUT for a run, than talking about WHY we run!
Feel free to play along on your own blog!
1. Why do you run?
I run for my health and for my family. It’s an activity that the three of us can share – either by actually lacing up and hitting the asphalt, or by supporting and cheering for each other.
I also do it to challenge myself. Running has helped me to push myself to my limits and beyond. It’s something that will serve me well fitness-wise, and in other areas of my life.
2. How do you plan to celebrate National Running Day?
I will be headed out to a local running group’s Prediction Run. The “winner” of a Prediction Run isn’t the fastest runner. It’s the runner who most accurately predicts their run time, and then fulfills that time without the aid of watch, phone or other timing device. I may even end up registering for the group itself. I have never belonged to an official, dues and meetings kind of running group and the price is definitely reasonable.
3. How many miles have you run so far this year?
As of the writing of this blog post, 219. I’ve been trying to run more quality miles, rather than the dreaded “junk” miles. We will see how that works out for me.
4. What big events do you have on the race calendar so far this year?
There are always so many great events, but I am registering for the following:
Rock ‘n’ Roll Virginia Beach Half Marathon
and the Space Coast Half Marathon.
There are plenty of other races on my calendar, too, but these are the biggest ones for the year.
5. Before I leave for a run, I must have:
My Feetures socks, Armpocket arm band for my phone and iPod (not a necessity but I do like it), my Road ID tag, and my Mizuno Wave Inspire 11s.
6. Do you have one favorite app to track your runs?
I love Daily Mile. It’s like Twitter for running and working out. I get so much great encouragement from my DM friends, and it’s a great way to keep up with everyone’s progress.
7. Who is your favorite running partner?
This guy.
And this guy.
I honestly don’t have an actual running partner, by definition. I have awesome running friends who I see at races and running events, but I am going to be working on finding an actual person with whom to run.
8. What races have you run so far this year?
To date, I have completed 11 races.
- Best Damn Race Jacksonville 10K (virtual)
- WDW Marathon
- ZOOMA Florida 12K
- Wolfson Children’s Challenge Ultra Relay
- Best Damn Race Orlando 10K
- GATE River Run
- March to Get Screened 5K Event
- Cupcake Run benefitting Girls on the Run of Northeast Florida
- Beson4 Media Group Corporate 5K
- Castaway Cay 5K
- Florida Striders Memorial Day 5K
9. If you had to give someone one piece of advice about running what would it be?
Run for you.
It’s really, really, really easy to get sucked into competing with everyone else, and to get down on ourselves when we don’t perform how we would like. The thing is, running is so personal and fluctuates from day to day.
You can’t have the good without the bad, and every difficult or horrible run gives way to a more magical and wonderful one.
Additionally, set the challenges and goals you want to achieve, not what you think you should achieve. Push yourself and don’t give up. Be smart and dedicated and consistent. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is progress in running (or anything).
10. Describe your relationship with running in one word:
Conflicted.
I love running. Or maybe I love how I feel after I’m done running. I’m not entirely sure. There are days when I want to pitch my sneakers in the trash and move on to other interests, but I always, always, always go back.
So, that’s my running story, in the answers to ten questions.
How about you?
Answer some of these in the comments below and/or write your own post and link back to Jonesin’ For A Run!
Have a great day running!
Happy National Running Day! I run for so many reasons – for fitness, to challenge myself, to explore, to feel free, to feel strong – I just love it 🙂
Nicole @ Fitful Focus recently posted…How to Fuel For a Run, part 2
Those are all awesome reasons!
Fun post and great pictures! Always fun to learn more about the bloggers I follow.
Elle recently posted…5 Ways Exercise Makes Me Happy
It’s always great to see others’ motivations for the things they do!
I love this! I’m not sure I’ll get a chance to link up today (one of those days already… ugh). But I enjoyed reading your responses! I can’t believe how many races you’ve already done this year!
Stacie Seidman recently posted…Truthful Tuesday
I know! I was aiming for one a month plus a few extras, but I think I might be exceeding that. I actually don’t think I have anything on the calendar for June, then I have a 4th of July 5K, Tour de Pain in August, RNR Virginia Beach in September, the Evergreen 10 Miler in October, Subaru 6K and Space Coast Half in November, and Diva in December. With the potential of some more. Eek!
You’ve run a lot this year! I mostly run because I can. And because i love to run. And because I”m the mom of teenagers.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Perseverance
I can absolutely see needing to run with teenagers in the house. Without a doubt!
I run because I can and it makes me feel so good about myself 🙂 I love the idea of a prediction run, I will have to try that with my running club!
Stephanie recently posted…Dam to Dam Half Marathon
I’m a lot intimidated by it. I don’t usually run without a timing device (because of my intervals) so hopefully I predict myself well and am not the last one out there.
I’ve never done a prediction run but that sounds fun! I am conflicted with my running too!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Reston Sprint Tri Recap & What’s next?
Running is great! Until it’s not! And then it’s great again! Funny how it works.
I have heard of those prediction runs. Goodluck! We will be running VA Beach as well. Maybe we will see you there.
lacey@fairytalesandfitness.com recently posted…The post I didn’t want to have to write
Oh, let’s try to meet up!
Such great reasons to run! I’ve been loving all the running posts today–the running community is so supportive and encouraging!
Kate @KateMovingForward recently posted…Country Music Running Playlist
This community is the best!
Hopefully I’ll see you at RnRVB!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Why Do You Run?
That would be great! Let’s try to plan a meet up!
Oh gosh #9. So many of my coaching clients struggle with this. They feel like “less” because others are doing “more”. So self defeating. Wow you’ve been a racing machine!
Marcia recently posted…National Running Day Giveaway
It is so very hard to remember. However, I feel we do ourselves a huge disservice by not remembering that we are all different and at the end of the day, the only person we are racing is ourselves.
That’s so wonderful you’re able to run as a family 🙂
Ange @ Cowgirl Runs recently posted…You’ve Run Your Goal Race, Now What?
I absolutely love that we can!
I’m a bad runner, not only have I not run any races this year/signed up for anything, I didn’t even run for national running day! I need to get my butt in gear and register for something!
Bri recently posted…#WorkoutWednesday: A sample Boston Qualifier marathon training plan in honour of National Running Day!
LOL! you’re not a bad runner! You’re just … resting… a bit… LOL! Yes, register for something!!!!
I’m a bad runner…I didn’t run at ALL on Nat’l Running Day! Oops!
jan recently posted…“Adult” Coloring
Oops!
Yes, I run for my health too!
It’s a great reason!
Happy National Runners Day! I run because I love feeling the wind in my hair while I am moving. For some reason, it completely relaxes me.
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…Versatile Blogger Survey
I can see how that can be relaxing! There are so many wonderful reasons!
I love the idea of a prediction run! My mom and I are trying to run watchless more often. We just did a track workout yesterday without watches just to run by feel. Good thing we did because I had planned on running 400s in 2:05-2:10, and without a watch we ended up going like 1:55, 1:57s!
Patty @ Reach Your Peak recently posted…5 Tips For Running Hills (Video) & Happy National Running Day!
That’s awesome! It’s the most bizarre feeling and was so hard to get used to!
Nice interview!! I started running to lose the weight and to be able to do all of these fun races I came across. I totally fell in love with running!
Katie @ Huff ‘n Puff to Buff ‘n Tough recently posted…Bubble Run Chicago/Joliet 2015 Recap and National Running Day
Love the idea of a Prediction run! Such fun! I am loving Mizunos lately too. What kind do you wear?
Sandra Laflamme recently posted…Ultimate empowering giveaway from Endorphin Warrior
I am a pretty devoted lover of the Wave Inspire 11s. They just came out with a new color, too! However, I also bought a pair of Saucony Guide 8s, and they are definitely a different feeling.
I love that running is something that you can do with the whole family! When I start running again I’m going to take my puppy and have my boyfriend join me 🙂
Lara recently posted…National Running Day
It’s such a great thing! I wish my dogs could run, but pugs really aren’t interested in that kind of thing.