I’m a runner – Lucy

My second I’m a runner post for the day is Lucy, who is ran her very first half marathon this morning.  That’s definitely cause for celebration! 🙂

Just so you all know, I love the name Lucy and I stereotype all girls named Lucy as fun spunky girls.  I haven’t been proven wrong yet!

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Name: Lucy
Age: 19

 1. How long have you been running?

I have been running off and on since high school but I only fell in love with it during this past year.

 2. How did you begin running?

I really like exercising and living a healthy lifestyle but I started to feel like working out in the gym had become more of a chore than something I truly enjoy. I wanted a new fitness challenge to push myself and make exercising fun again. I started running and fell in love immediately, a few weeks later I signed up for my first half marathon!

 3. In how many races have you competed?

Only two, a 5k and a 5mile, but my half marathon today!

 4. What is your favorite pre-run fuel?

A banana and an iced coffee.

5. What is the most embarrassing thing to ever happen to you while running?

I am such a spaz, I embarrass myself a lot! I stumble a lot but once I ate pavement really hard in a very public park 7 miles into an 11 mile run. I had to run the remaining 4 miles with bloody knees, which probably scared some children. Earlier in the same run a man stopped me while I was running to ask if I was ok, so apparently my running face is one of extreme agony.

 6. Do you like running buddies or do you prefer to run alone?

I do not have many friends who run, so I usually run alone. However, sometimes I convince my boyfriend, who is crazy fast (we’re talking 6:30 pace for his long runs), to run with me. I really enjoy running with him and hope to meet more running buddies in the near future.

 7.What’s your must-have object on a run?

My Garmin. Hands down, I’m addicted.

 8. How many times a week do you typically run?

At the tail end of my training plan for the half marathon, so right now I usually run 5 days a week: one long run, three mid-distance runs, and a shorter recovery run. I also love kickboxing and cross training so I make sure to incorporate that into my weeks too.

 9. How has your running or your feelings toward running changed over the years?

While I was playing soccer I used running as a way to build up endurance in the off-season, but I never ran consistently and I never really liked it. When I started seriously running I began seeing each new distance as a challenge that I could conquer. The feeling of accomplishment I get from a great run cannot be matched in the gym – running has become so much more than a way to stay in shape. I’m smitten with my new hobby and cannot wait to kick butt at my half marathon!

10. What’s your pie-in-the sky running dream?

I have so many! I just want to keep getting faster. I am so young I know I have a lifetime of running ahead of me so I try not to put too much pressure on myself – but, it would be amazing if someday I could run a 1:45 half marathon.

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Congratulations on your first half marathon Lucy! I know you were awesome! And I have a feeling that this is just the beginning of your racing career.

Thanks so much for contributing to my I’m a runner featured posts.

If you would like to be featured as part of the I’m a runner series, please email me at foodiefresh@gmail.com.