You Asked for It - Part II

Here is the second installment of “You Ask, I Answer.” Try not to get too excited.

Indyhume asked…

How did you mentally survive your injury?

One day at a time. I had to constantly remind myself the injury was not permanent and I would run again. I did every single other active thing I was allowed to do to keep my fitness, even if I hated the activity (water running). I read a lot. I focused on other things I was good at. I cried with friends and family when I got discouraged. I blogged and wrote about my frustrations and you all were such an amazing support. I kept my eye on the prize: Boston and I did it. Plus, the crutches beefed up my arms.

Julie at ROJ Running asked…

I know your work is in the social services industry. What I want to know is, do you ever wonder if one of your clients or someone with influence on your employment will see your blog and it will affect your work in a negative way? 

Yes, and no. If people want to Google me, they will find the blog. There is nothing I can do about it shy of taking it all down and there would still be pieces there. I worry more about future employment opportunities and if it might hinder the process. Who knows, maybe it would help!

How do you decide which blogs to follow? Do you ever go looking for new blogs to read? Again, with such a large following you can't possibly return the favor for all your readers, so what's the method to your madness? 

This is such a great question. I always feel behind and guilty about not reading and commenting on more blogs. There are so many outstanding blogs out there and I just can’t do it all. I rotate who I read and try to add new ones every once in awhile. I don’t always comment when I read a blog post either. So if you aren’t getting comments from me, it doesn’t mean I’m not reading.

Runner Wannabe asked…

Are you unsatisfied with any part of your life? If so, what? Yes, I’d like to have more of a career path.

What is your favorite "mom" moment? When the kids go to bed. Just kidding. Kind of. Sharing a good laugh with my kids. Today we went to get donuts and were listening to Lady Gaga’s Poker Face. We pulled up to a stoplight and I told the kids we should pump up the volume and dance like maniacs to see if the cars around us would stare. We were laughing hysterically. No one else cared.

How many hours a night do you sleep? 8 to 9, unless I have a bad night for some reason. Yes, that is drool.

Have you ever been to Oklahoma? Yep, have driven through it.

Amanda at Runninghood asked…
 
What were you like as a little Beth? You know 8 or 9 year old Beth in school and at home? Good girl?

Half good girl (rule follower in school, good grades), half whiner and bitcher. Look! I had the long 2nd toe even back then.

How many years were you in gymnastics? 5, ages 12-17

Hardest parent moment?

Emma fell off a stool when she was four. She shattered her elbow. Her bone was coming through her arm. We got to the ER and they took her into emergency surgery because the swelling was cutting off circulation. They let me get dressed to go into OR, but then I had to leave her laying there once it was time for them to start the surgery. Leaving her there was ungodly awful. I still can’t talk about it. She came through fine with pins in her arm and a three night stay at the hospital.

Jamoosh asked…

What is your super, secret, goofy running goal you have been afraid to share?

Don’t think I have one of those. I’d like to do an ultra one day, does that count? How about an ultra in the nude?

Jamie in Arkansas asked…

Do you follow a specific training plan? Can you share?

For the half ironman, I made my own plan. Each week I would devise what to do based on number of goal hours and where I needed the most work. It’s pretty complex, but sure I’d share it if you want! I also do all my own marathon training plans.

How did the VO2 max testing affect your current plan (if at all)?

Since I was in the middle of my training cycle, I did not change much. I will in the future though. I plan to start running with a heart rate monitor and do more zone training.

Best training advice besides SUAR?

Don’t overthink it. Just go. But, be smart and don’t view “resting and recovery” as a weakness.

Nutrition "day in the life" post while you are training?

See previous question/answer post for this one!

Kovas asked…

Ever ridden the Alpine Slide in Breckenridge? Yep, a few years ago.

Best place to eat in your neighborhood? Wahoo’s fish tacos, Old Chicago pizza

What product are you dying for me to review? Therma Jock extra large with menthol (and directions)

 

 

 

 

 

Chris @ Heavy Steps asked…

What is the air speed velocity of a unladen swallow. What does unladen mean?

How did you get your kids involved in running when they were younger?

Just invited them to do small races with us. In middle school we encouraged cross country. The kids fell in love with doing races because of the positive energy and the food at the finish.

SMESS asked…

How do you get yourself out the door on a day where the LAST thing you want to do is get out and run/bike/swim/etc?

There is no secret here. I just get out of my head and GO. I don’t negotiate or give myself an out. It has to happen unless I am sick or injured.

 What is your definition of an 'athlete'?

Anyone who pushes themselves to reach goals they once thought impossible.

Dash asked…

When you run, are you a greeter, i.e., do you wave at an approaching runner or do you look away?

Always. Same way when I hike and bike.

If you are a greeter, does it bug you when the other person looks the other way and doesn't acknowledge you?

Yes, I think it’s rude and I don’t get it.

Caroline asked…

How long were you engaged? One year. We got engaged on the top of a mountain in June 1994 and got married in June 1995. These were the days when Ken thought it was cool to wear a Marlboro hat and I wore John Lennon glasses. Sexy.

Who would you like to meet? Obama, Katie Couric, Kenny Chesney

What poster did you have on your wall when you were in high school? I can’t remember a single one. Probably something dorky like “Hang in there!” with that cat hanging from a tree. I think every girl pretty much had this at some point.

Adrienne asked…

Say there is one question that nobody has asked yet and you wish they would and you haven't shared it on your blog yet...what would it be?

How has your life been different than what you’d imagined? (I never said I’d answer it).

Thanks for playing along!

SUAR