Session 172: Honest Answers From An Average Runner
Amy answers my questions about her running journey
Thank you to Amy, a co-worker of mine, for answering my questions!
MP: What is your background in running? How'd you get interested in the sport?
Amy: I was an athlete in high school (field hockey, basketball, softball), but I can honestly say that one thing that I disliked about each of these sports was the running. I averaged about a 7:30 mile, and I was a decent sprinter, so I would not have classified myself as a bad runner, but I HATED running long distances and being timed. It wasn’t until I was in my mid-twenties that I started to enjoy the sport. My husband and his family challenged me to run the Boilermaker 15k in Utica, NY. I continued to dabble with races (mostly with alcohol at the end!) but when I had my children, the challenges of raising young kids forced me to step away for a few years. When Covid hit, I started up again. Since March 2020 I have been consistently running 3-4 days a week.
MP: What challenges did you face when you first began running, and how did you overcome them?
AS: When I started running again in 2020, I was averaging 10:30-10:45 miles, and I could not run more than one mile at a time. I decided that I needed to learn more about running if I wanted to improve my time and endurance. I got fitted at my local running store and invested in a good pair of sneakers--I’m a Brooks girl. I also read various blogs and websites for tips and strategies. Running with friends was also a big motivator for me. I loved sharing highs and lows and setting goals that we could reach together.
MP: How do you balance your running with other responsibilities and commitments in your life?
AS: Time has always been my biggest excuse in the past for not running or exercising. I decided that because running was something that was important to me, I needed to make it a priority. The only way to make this happen was to do my running in the morning before work. Although this was really difficult to start, it has now become part of my routine. Honestly, my morning workout is probably my favorite part of my day.
MP: What kind of races do you like doing? Road races, fun runs, etc?
AS: At the start of my running journey, I enjoyed fun races--5Ks, beer runs, color runs--but now I prefer to do longer, more organized races. In November 2021, I ran the Philadelphia Half Marathon, and I absolutely loved it! Currently, I am signed up to run the Philly Hot Chocolate run in April and I hope to get into Broad Street Run this year.
MP: Can you share a particularly memorable running experience, such as a race or a personal best?
AS: My most memorable running experience was definitely my first half marathon, which was the “Philadelphia ½ Saur ½ Kraut” race. I NEVER thought I would have been able to run such a long race, and I was extremely nervous. I trained with friends and worked so hard to achieve my goal that seemed impossible at the time. This experience also made me fall in love with the sport--I was hooked!
MP: How do you stay motivated to continue running, especially on days when you don't feel like it?
AS: I find that setting goals for myself really motivates me. I like the idea of working towards something, whether it’s a time or a specific race that I want to run. Friends also motivate me. I love running with people.
MP: Have you ever had an injury related to running, and if so, how did you handle it and recover?
AS: The worst injury I ever had occurred when I was running down the shore on very uneven roads. After doing this several days in a row, I experienced a strain in my right foot. I have been fortunate enough to have never experienced a serious injury.
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Friday’s Action Plan
Find your tribe and lean on them when training gets tough.
What Has My Attention:
Want to get fit? Keep your running simple and consistent
Run for time or distance? Which is better?
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Successful people keep chasing their dreams, even when they get frustrated.
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