Run Like the Wind

Playing Catch-Up… I got my wisdom teeth out, so I rather answer these questions not hopped up on pain killers.

Day 19 - Show us a picture of your best “I’m a beast runner” runner face?

I don’t want to post a picture of my face right now, because I have chipmunk cheeks, but here is one of my favorite photos of me racing. So much wrong with my form, but I remember how focused I was making the turn and going up this hill, and it is impossible for me to have a decent running photo, but this one works.

Day 20 - Have you ever followed any sort of training plan? Which ones and how did you like them?

I follow the plan my coach gives me. For mileage it is high week, low week, normal week, and slightly higher than normal week and the cycle repeats. For work-outs, it always varies, but as the season progresses the repeat distances get shorter, so for pre-season we run 2k repeats and by conference’s we run 800/400 repeats. Does that make sense?

Day 21 - What advice would you give to someone looking into running?

Do it! Not only do you have a gained a great way to stay fit, but the friendships you receive while being on a team or in a running club are priceless.

Day 22 - Define your relationship with running.

This is my favorite questions :) It is a love/hate relationship, I love it, but it hates me. Life has thrown all of these hurdles in my running path, injuries, surgeries, disappointments, I always find my way back to it, even if I am not physically able to run (cough cough compartment syndrome/stress fractures cough cough)

Day 23 - If you couldn’t run for the rest of your life, what other exercise would you start doing in its place?

Crossfit. The whole idea of muscle confusion is mind-blowing to me and those women are so fit! I would love to be as strong of them! That is probably something I will take up after college.

Day 15 - Show us a picture of your sexy running calves!

I love my calves!! and I believe my legs are the best part of my body!

Knobby Knees and no thigh gap, but you know what? My legs can carry me 16 miles through the sun, rain, and snow and I will take that over toothpick legs and a 2in thigh gap any day!

can you tell which leg had was in the walking boot? 

Day 10 Part 2

This is what I wore on my run today with a pullover because it was 34 degrees out.

Classic Claire Running Outfit - Tye-dye/ XC Shirt plus Nike Shorts.

Day 11 - What kind of clothes do you run in? Actual running clothes or old t-shirts? Show us a picture!

For me, it is old xc shirts I have collected from high school. My mother thinks I have too many but but I can’t get rid of any of them. They hold memories from each race and season. I know, I sound corny. I usually run in Nike Tempo shorts or the Nike Pro Combat compression shorts. 

This was after a run in the rain during the spring. I usually don’t take pictures of myself after I run, because I don’t feel photogenic being all gross and sweaty, but there was something about this run that was phenomenal so I had to capture the moment. 

Day 8 - Show us a picture of your running shoes! What are they and why do you like them?

Interesting today’s question happened today, because today I got new shoes!!! Well same model, but my old ones had over 500 miles on them… so yeah it was time to get new shoes. 

Here we have the Asics Cumulus 14. I have had the Cumulus since the Cumulus 8 when I really got into running in high school. According to runningwarehouse.com the asics cumulus is solid daily trainer for the neutral runner who wants to rack up miles in comfort, which is very true. I run in these every day! I have inserts in them to support my arches.

When I am running workouts I wear Brooks Racer ST 5 which is a racing flat but has enough support for me. I can’t do those minimal shoes. My racing spike is the Brooks Mach 14. It is super light and it’s the first Brook spike I enjoy racing in. (Note to reader interested in Brook’s spike; they run super small, get the next size or two up. I have learned the hard way with 2 nasty blisters on the back of my heels, ripping the skin off.)