This week's inspiring runner is a gal who I actually don't know too well, but I have sense we share many things in common: Southerner, music, a love of surfing, fun, books...I actually met Caroline in book club and when I've been able to attend I always like what she has to say. I remember around this time last year, at a book club meeting, Caroline had to leave early to get to bed to prep for the follow morning's long run. She said she was running the marathon. I felt a spark. "Hey, I've been wanting to do that," ran through my head. Thus, I give you Caroline, a recent NYC Marathon vet...
At what age did you start running and what motivated you to get involved in the sport?
The first time I remember running distance was in middle school for the cross country team. I think I joined because all the cool girls were doing it, and our coach (also the swim coach and Spanish teacher) sort of made us do all three. After a few years of cross-country practice, followed by basketball practice, I decided to choose one, and I went with basketball. I equate distance running at a young age to a sort of muscle memory - I remember doing it and how to do it, so it was easy to pick up later in life.
How has running changed your life?
Running has been my prozac, at times. I've given it some of the greatest commitment that I have for anything.
What do you get out of running? Why do it?
Specifically from running the NY marathon last year, I saw New York in half a day - all packaged together and cheering me on! More generally, running is a physical release, and a mental challenge.
What is your favorite race (distance) and what is your best Personal Record (PR)/ fastest time?
I like the short races in the fall (4 or 5 miles). My best 4-mile pace last year was 9:05 min/mile.
(Caroline, mile 9, NYC Marathon, 2010)
Where is your favorite place to train?
I like mapping out a new route on mapmyrun.com, and choosing streets around my Brooklyn neighborhood that I haven't seen before. It's harder for me to run long distances in unfamiliar places because it's mentally harder to pace myself.
Do you have a favorite or most meaningful running experience (a race or a day when you pushed further than you thought you could go?)
The NYC marathon last year.
Do you have a favorite song on your ipod to run to?
My guilty pleasures were the songs I listened to while I run. My ipod all-stars: Michael Franti (everything), Cee Lo Green's "F**k You!", Frightened Rabbit's "The Loneliness and the Scream", A Tribe Called Quest's "Vivrant Thing", Mos Def's "Quiet Dog", Dr John's "Let the Good Times Roll", Marc Broussard's "Home", and drum roll…Hanson's "Penny & Me". Yes, Hanson. I know. (That was a lot of info, but I thought you might find a few to check out from my list. I enjoy sharing playlists with other runners because if nothing else, it's funny.)
What do you find most difficult about running and how do you overcome this difficulty?
I get mentally bored while running, and I don't feel the "runner's high." I feel great afterwards, but not usually during. I overcame it by having a race goal and knowing that after I finished that race, I wouldn't pressure myself into doing more if I didn't want to. Physically, my biggest challenge is my IT bands, and I worked through them with a good ole' foam roller.
Do you have a race coming up? When and where?
Nothing planned because (as in previous answer) I promised myself I wouldn't put pressure on when the next race would be after the marathon.
Do you have a favorite movie or book about running?
I keep wanting to read Murakami's "What I talk about when I talk about running".
Can you offer me any advice on how I can best train to get to the 2011 NYC marathon finish line?
Training will give you confidence. That's the fascinating part - trusting that the schedule you (and thousands of other people) follow will get you there. As one friend put it, "the power of progression." Also, take ice baths after your long runs. It sounds horrible, and it is, but it's worth the horror.
What's your best advice for fighting negative thinking when faced with a challenge like running 26. 2 miles?
Bribe yourself. Meals (pizza in particular), a surfboard, vacations, clothes, a massage, new running clothes... I promised myself anything and everything, and it worked.
Thank you, Caroline! Sure we we had more time to hang...see you soon at book club, I hope!
No comments:
Post a Comment