I can’t believe the weekend is almost over (says the girl who had a 4-day weekend)! But, there’s no denying that it is.
Let’s end the weekend on a sweet note with one last I’m a runner post from Lauren, a blog reader and first-time marathoner in training. Lacrosse athlete turned runner, Lauren is another Charlottean (and potentially another running buddy? :)), that just goes to show that Charlotte is a wonderful place for runners.
I hope you enjoy reading her answers as much as I did!
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Name: Lauren Kenchington
Age: 32
1. How long have you been running?
18 years…Oh wow, I never thought about it in terms of years
2. How did you begin running?
As a high school and then college athlete (lacrosse), I started running as a means of staying in shape for the upcoming seasons
3. In how many races have you competed?
Approximately 20 races
4. What is your favorite pre-run fuel?
Toast with almond butter, mashed banana on top, and a dash of sea salt if it’s a morning run; in the afternoon I like pretzels and cottage cheese
5. What is your favorite post-run snack or meal?
“Everything” bagel toasted with veggie cream cheese
6. What is the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to you while running?
Not sure I’m prepared to reveal that on the internet, it’s that embarrassing…maybe someday 🙂
7. Do you like running buddies or do you prefer to run alone?
After college I really wanted to enjoy running and have fun with it. For so much of my life, running was about competition and beating someone else or the clock. You would think that running with others would make it fun…you know just going out and chatting the miles away. However, it actually gave me a lot of anxiety (Am I going to be able to keep up? What if I’m not fast enough? Etc.). So for several years I would only go on runs alone. Then one day, and I’m not quite sure why, I accepted a friend’s invitation to join her for a run, and it was so enjoyable. I still like running alone, but love that I can now take pleasure in hitting the pavement with a buddy.
8. What’s your must-have object on a run?
MUSIC – it’s so motivational to me.
9. What’s your favorite running outfit?
Capris with a zipper pocket in the back, long sleeve dri fit top, and hat
10. Favorite place to run?
Anywhere that is new – I travel a lot for work, so love to discover my surroundings out on a run. Some of my most favorite runs have been: along the lake in Chicago, through wine country in Napa, and around Lake Winnipesaukee in Meredith, NH in the fall with the leaves changing colors.
11. What is the worst race in which you have ever participated?
2008 Nike Human Race in NYC on Randall’s Island was absolute chaos! 10,000 runners on a double loop 10K course, where at points you had to go single file. Needless to say there was a lot of walking and even standing in the middle of the course.
12. What’s your favorite race distance and why?
10K – it’s challenging, yet doesn’t require formal training if you’ve been running/working out with any amount of consistency.
13. How many times a week do you typically run?
After battling IT Band Syndrome on and off for the last 8 years (SO annoying), I try to run only 3 days a week and never back-to-back days.
14. How has your running or your feelings toward running changed over the years?
As I mentioned above, growing up and throughout college, running was always part of my training as a lacrosse player. Particularly in college, we had to do a lot of timed runs – 5K’s, mile test, and track workouts. Just walking/driving by a track still produces a nervous, anxious feeling in the pit of my stomach. After college it took me a long time to find the joy in running, but once I discovered it I loved it! I love that running can be whatever I need it to be – time to think through things or time not to think at all.
15. What’s your pie-in-the sky running dream?
I’ve always wanted to run a marathon! I started training a few weeks ago for one in the fall.
16. Any running or race superstitions?
Not sure if it’s a superstition or just (an irrational) precaution, but I never run back-to-back days for fear of IT band syndrome flare ups.
17. What or who inspires you to run?
My grandfather has multiple sclerosis and over the years it has become more and more difficult for him to walk or stand. It’s a reminder to me that my ability to run might not always be with me, so I should enjoy it while I can.
18. What’s your favorite running memorabilia and why?
Don’t really have any.
19. How has running changed or contributed to the person you are?
I think running has allowed me to fulfill my innate competitive drive and desire to continually improve, while at the same time providing me with a source of stress relief and opportunity to self-reflect.
20. A friend just ran a mile and is inspired to start running regularly. What words of wisdom or inspiration do you have for them?
I’d share with him/her a quote I recently read from Bart Yasso “I often hear people say, ‘I’m not a real runner.’ We are all runners, some just run faster than others, that’s all. I have never met a fake runner.” I think that’s so true…whether you run a mile or 10 miles, you are a runner. Whether you run in a race every weekend, or never leave your neighborhood, you are a runner. Let running be what you want it to be for YOU.
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Lauren, thanks a million for volunteering to be featured in my I’m a runner series! I’m so jealous of your run through Napa and I absolutely LOVE that quote from Bart Yasso. So very true.
Good luck marathon training and happy running!
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I hope you’re savoring the last few hours of your weekend. I know I am!
I can’t wait to share with you two really great meals I made this weekend. As Brad would say “they’re keepers!” so keep your eyes peeled for them over the next couple of days.