Run Faster

I’ve been tagged by Kara at Between the Miles to respond to a running meme. If you’re not reading Kara’s blog already, you really should check it out. She’s got a wonderfully original voice and a nice perspective on how running fits in with the rest of her life.

And with that, here are my answers:

1. How would you describe your running 10 years ago? - Less disciplined, and done more for just for pure exercise. Now, it’s something I work harder at and enjoy more.
2. What is your best and worst run/race experience? - I’ve got 2 bests: the 2006 Boulder Backroads Half Marathon (because I set a PR), and my first Chicago Marathon (because it was my first marathon). The worst was probably the last Georgetown to Idaho Springs Half Marathon I did - the race went okay for me, but I felt horrible by the time I finished.
3. What is your best race experience? - Again, the Chicago Marathon (you can tell I didn’t do it last year). It’s a great course, looping through most of Chicago’s neighborhoods, and there are tons of people to cheer you on as you go.
4. Why do you run? - Simple: I just love doing it.
5. What is the best or worst piece of advice you’ve been given about running? - That you need to run hard every day to improve.
6. Tell us something surprising about yourself that not many people would know. - One of my legs is shorter than the other by almost a 1/2 inch.

And, with that, I tag the following:

• Marcus at Sweet Victory. It’s only fair, Marcus - I think you tagged me last time.
• Topher at I’ll Run for Donuts
• Eric at Stubborn Running
• Blaine at Run to Win
• Jacqueline at Fitarella

I’m looking forward to seeing what you all come up with.

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The Grand Tetons
Originally uploaded by Stuck in Customs

I’m going on about a week’s vacation with my husband, starting tomorrow. As the photo suggests, we’re going up to Wyoming. We don’t have any definite plans of where we’re going to stop, other than to visit his aunt who lives near Cody, but I imagine we’ll end up in the neighborhood of Yellowstone and the Tetons.

I almost always bring my running shoes and clothes with me when I travel - you never know when you’ll find a great place to run. However, sometimes I find it hard when traveling with family or friends to fit it in - after all, it’s vacation and I want to spend time with the people I’m with.

This coming week’s going to be easier than usual. Since I just raced last weekend and I haven’t started training in earnest for my fall marathon, I’m just going to take it easy, maybe wake up early a couple of times and fit in a short run, but not worry about it too much if I don’t. After all, we’ll probably be doing some hiking so I’ll get in some exercise - and skipping a week really isn’t going to hurt my fitness level that much.

So, I’m curious - what are your best tips for fitting in your workouts while on vacation? Or, when you take a vacation, do you also take a vacation from running?

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