First Review: Run Around USA & Giveaway!

A little while back, I mentioned to you guys that I had been given a free membership to Run Around USA. I've been using it for a few weeks now, and I wanted to post my first update because I finally reached an achievement! I've also had some time to use their website now and have enjoyed it so far!

The email contained interesting facts and links related to Donegal.

I've been enjoying using RAUSA. At first, I was a little frustrated because I kept forgetting to upload run data. I don't use Strava so for me to document my mileage, I have to take a screenshot of my Garmin information and upload it. I kept forgetting to do that because I was uploading via the computer.

But once I got the app, things got much easier. I love to track my runs, and I'm surprised by how much I'm liking this additional and unique tracker...I'm not just looking at mileage, but distance, too. It's giving me a concrete image of how far I've run.

Here is the manual entry on the computer.

Here's the upload view on the app. It's very easy!

Now, I'm not familiar with Pennsylvania, so that's one thing that frustrates me a little about this journey. It's hard to "get" how far I've run when I'm in such unfamiliar territory. I think it would be cool to start locally and see how far out of Florida I could get!

My map and monthly progress is all available on the app, too, as well as a simplified list of all my runs.

Having taken a week off running before A1A, my progress has obviously lagged.

I will say that for a low-mileage runner like me (these days), it obviously takes longer to reach milestone cities. That can be a little frustrating. I like the realism of the map - you can't fudge the numbers and get credit for running across the country if you haven't! - and I love learning about the cities I'm "passing through", so I wish my journey had started somewhere closer to some big, exciting places so that I'd know I'd hit at least one before the year is over. At this rate, I'm not sure if I'll ever make it to New York!

But, like I said, over all I'm surprised by how much I've been enjoying this. It's a very different way to track mileage than I've done before, and it's fun!

So, this week RAUSA offered me a free entry to share with my readers to support the #whatifirunwithyou initiative in raising awareness and support for mental health. If you think you'd enjoy tracking your miles via a virtual journey across the US (or Australia or Europe!), enter the giveaway below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, and spread the word! The giveaway closes on Friday ( because all members who enter in February are being given the chance to enter old runs from January (instead of just starting your year late). I wanted to give whoever wins time to enter those past runs before February ends!

Which states/countries/continents have you run in?

ABK

Imagined Conversations with Famous People

Months ago, I did a little survey for Matt's and my anniversary. Matt (mostly) correctly guessed that if I could be best friends with a celebrity, I'd choose Stephen King or JK Rowling. When Ana posted about her race with Christopher McDougall, it sparked a memory of that post. It got me thinking about what I would talk about if I were given the chance to run (or walk) with either of them.

Why SK and JR? Well, Stephen King is the author I credit with making me a reader. I could take or leave reading as a kid, but in 4th grade I selected Cujo from my parents' vast shelf of King novels and it completely changed my relationship with books. Suddenly I became a voracious reader and budding writer. I consumed every King book I could get my hands on and I read them without stopping, often finishing them within 48 hours.

I'm pretty sure this was the edition my parents had.

When I first started reading the Harry Potter series, I was in high school. My mom gave me the second book, telling me I could skip the first and not be too lost in the series. (Yes, the first time I reread the entire series, I finally read The Sorcerer's Stone for the first time and it may actually be my favorite. It's so much lighter and funnier than the others!) Anyway, the series obviously opened my eyes to social justice and gave me a smart, kickass female protagonist to look up to.

But the series did more. It helped me understand the genre I was interested in writing. I hadn't realized I was a fantasy/adventure writer until I read Harry Potter, and the revelation was welcome and comforting. JK Rowling made fantasy mainstream, acceptable, and cool.

So anyway. Stephen King actually has a house down the road from one of my high school friends; he was at the Women's March in Sarasota; Britt got to hear him speak - so jealous!

If I could go on a run (or walk) with him, I'd ask:

How did you silence the internal critic who told you your work was garbage?
How did you persevere and find a market for your novels?

Rowling is notoriously active on Twitter and trolls are no match for her British wit. I love watching her take them down. Here are just a few that made me laugh recently:

These are in response to DT supporters who are angry that she speaks out against him frequently.

She also donates absurd amounts of money to charity and began an organization that helps displaced children, called Lumos. If I were to walk with Rowling, I'd ask:

How do you get people to take you seriously being a woman best known for your YA fantasy series?
What can I do to positively impact people and change lives, as you have?

I'd ask them: How did you manage to achieve such success when you came from such broken, disadvantaged backgrounds, and how can I use your examples to inspire students?
I'd ask them: What would you say to someone who looks at the world and feels hopeless?
I'd tell them: Thank you.

I know now that reading and writing saved my life in many ways. I found solace in books and words; I found places where I belonged; I discovered that people who thought like me existed in the world and were successful adults. I didn't realize then how much I needed that, but these days, I know enough to be grateful.

If you could spend time with any celebrity, who would you choose? 
Why?
What would you ask them?

ABK

Would You Rather?

I know this survey has gone around before, but I've never done it. Because I'm tapering this week, I thought answering silly questions would get my mind off my upcoming race and the question of goals. (It didn't, but it was worth a shot.)

Goalies...and self-doubt.

More on this later. For now, moving on: Would you rather...

Run a 5k or marathon? As of right now, you all know I'm more in the mindset for a 5k! That's not to say I'm done with the marathon...just for right now.

Run a flat race in the heat or a hilly race in the cold? Being a Floridian, I've gotta say a hot, flat race. I've tackled a few and even snagged some PRs that way.

I'm beginning to see a pattern...hot, flat 5ks have earned me an AG award and a PR the last three times I ran them!

Get new running shoes or a new running outfit? New shoes! I have so many outfits now, but I can always use more shoes.

Run a long race without headphones, or without your Garmin/GPS? If the race has a lot of spectators, I can go without my headphones, but if it's well marked, I can go without GPS. This is a toss-up!

Run a PR that results in injury, or finish strong but miss your PR? I think most runners would agree that they'd rather miss a PR than get injured and be out of the game for awhile.

Do 100 squats or 100 sit-ups? Squats! Sit-ups aren't really good for you anyway, and I love how squats make me feel like I'm really strengthening my legs and glutes.

Plus, you can mix it up with lots of fun variations!

Run without socks or without a sports bra? I could probably get away with running without a bra but I think it would hurt. I have to go with socks on this one.

Run on a treadmill for an hour, or run around the same street block for an hour? Treadmill...at least I could have a TV to stave off boredom.

Run naked or take a naked yoga class? This is tough! If you're running naked you could speed by people and they'd barely register you...but if you took a naked yoga class EVERYONE would be naked so at least you wouldn't be alone/the sole focus. Then again, you'd be in one place, naked, for at least 45 minutes. I guess I'll go with yoga. (This question makes me think of Megan!)

Come in 4th in the Olympics or 1st in the NYC Marathon? I'd rather take 1st at NYC. The pressure of the Olympics would freak me out, and I think I like the idea of accomplishing something so great that you can just be happy about it; I don't like the idea of placing 4th and having unfinished business and then having to wait 4 years to try again and get closure!

Do you have a good "would you rather" question to share?
Answer any of the questions in the post!

ABK

Q&A - What My Husband Thinks of My Running

I borrowed this fun little survey from Kristina. Matt is pretty good about listening to me drone on and on about running, so it'll be interesting to see how much information he really absorbs.

My commentary is in italics.

1. Does my running make you want to run?

Not usually. It makes me want to paddle. But there are times when I’m at a race, that I wish I would have done it with you. 

Matt recently told a local reporter that he was inspired to paddle his 33-mile race this October because I run marathons and he needed to balance our relationship! I'll post on his race as it gets closer.

Also, Matt says no, but history shows that he has actually run quite a few races with me...albeit most were before he began paddling.

2. What do I eat before I run?

Many different things: Gu gels, cookies, energy gummy chews, cereal, granola bars. 

Especially cookies and cereal. A couple cookies actually seems to be great fuel for me, but a bowl of cereal - which I'm addicted to - is pretty awful because I always get sloshy-stomach! 

3. How far do I run most days?

2-5 miles during the week. Longer runs on the weekend. 

It's more like 4-6 on weekdays right now because of training. I rarely run anything less than 4 unless I'm coming back from significant time off.

4. What kind of running shoes do I wear?

Asics Kayanos. And you are VERY particular about what color they are. And you stop using them based on how many miles are on them, not what they feel or look like. Which I get, but is very weird to me since I wear all my shoes/sandals until they literally fall apart.

Ha! Yeah, I will drive to a dozen stores if my usual running store isn't carrying the color I want in my size. Color helps me run faster! And yes, Matt literally will wear his shoes until there are holes in the soles.

He's totally right. I tried these GT-2000s but am going to get a new pair of Kayanos for long runs. I just like the feel better, and I'm shoe-loyal.

5. What is my favorite race? 

Hmmmmm….The Sanibel 10k? Or maybe the Lakewood Ranch half marathon since it goes through your parents’ neighborhood.

These are good guesses! I do love the Sanibel 10k and try to run it every year. I liked the Suncoast Half, which is what he meant, but I actually think my favorite half is the Ft. Lauderdale half I did on my birthday this year. It was perfect before, during, and after! I also loved Ragnar...picking a favorite is hard!

How can you not love a race that has a beach sunrise, great cheer squad, and falls on your birthday?!

6. Do you like going to my races?

Yes. You train for them for so long and they are big accomplishments. I can’t see any good reason to not go and support you there.

I feel really lucky that Matt feels this way. I've seen in my running groups that some spouses not only don't go to races, but are vocally opposed to the time their runners spend running, so I think I'm a lucky minority here.

7. What have you learned from having a wife who runs?

The importance of training and eating healthy. I have also learned how healthy it can be for a relationship when both of us are focused on fitness goals.

So...if he's learned from me the importance of eating healthy, it's from me being a great NON-example! Did you catch the part where I fuel for runs with cookies? But I definitely agree with the second part.

8. If I could run with anyone living or dead, who would it be?

You always used to ask Archie to run with you, but he never did. Probably because birds aren’t especially good at running. I’m guessing he would be at the top of your list right now, though...

Ugh, this hurts. I did always ask Archie to come run with me (or do our laundry, or the dishes, or vacuum...but obviously his lack of thumbs got him out of most housework). If I'm trying to avoid being a sobbing mess, though, I'd say Stephen King. We'd probably walk more than run, but I'd love to pick his brain and he's well-known for liking to take long walks.

Archie always wanted to run with me, but we couldn't find shoes to fit his little dinosaur feet.

9. Bonus: name two of my running blogger/online friends.

I’ve met a good number of them in person before. And I can picture all of their faces in my head. But I am absolutely terrible with names. So, for partial credit, I’ll give you the name of the online group most of them are a part of: The Sub-30 Club!

This was totally unfair of me to ask because he truly is the worst when it comes to names. Matt's met Kristina and a whole bunch of women and men from the Sub-30 Club! And this December, he'll get to meet Megan!

Matt took this photo of the Sub-30 Club with Bart Yasso, but apparently couldn't remember anyone's name...Even those he's met more than once! It's nothing personal! Sorry guys!

Thanks for the idea, Kristina! I urge you guys to share this survey; it's fun to see yourself through the eyes of the person who knows you best!

What question would you add for your SO?
What question would you ask Matt, if I did another survey post someday?

ABK

#TBT

I don't usually do the whole "throwback Thursday" thing...not because I don't like it. I definitely get a kick out of seeing everyone's old pictures! No, it's more that I'm not much of a planner when it comes to HtGR. I kind of just...write what comes to mind.

But after seeing Kristina's hilarious and nostalgic post about the early days of Facebook, I took myself on a little tour of old photos. And then I was overwhelmed with memories and warm feelings, and I just had to share. I'm looking at two ends of the spectrum today...childhood and college!

First, let's start with the early days.

My sister and I all set for Halloween! My mom sewed our costumes for us pretty much every year.

Seriously, how perfect is that clock costume? Steph looks fabulous. She and I had an interesting relationship as kids. We loved to play together and were best friends, but once in awhile things took an ugly turn. She once sat on me and ripped out a chunk of my hair. And yes, she's the younger one.

Randomly taking a nap together in the foyer of our house.

Of course, it wouldn't be the 90s without some awesome hair cuts and questionable outfits. I couldn't bring myself to embarrass my siblings that much on the internet, so I kept it tame:

For real, still one of my favorite pictures ever.

Stephie and I with dad.

I can still close my eyes and walk through that house. I remember each door, the wallpaper, the carpet in each room... It's burned into my memory.

Of course, you can't stay young forever. As I was looking at old pictures from college, I was amazed by how many photos show the friends we've seen at the last couple weddings we've attended. It's crazy to think how long we've all been friends now, and how much they've shaped my life. We've truly been through some formative years together!

A much younger Matt with Mark and Oden. Recognize them?

Cayla and me taking bathroom pictures at formal, in the days when everyone still used real cameras.

This was around when Matt and I first began dating.

We used to try to see as much of each other as we could over the summer. We went boating at Mark's house, went to Jeff's for parties...and basically spent summers driving all over the state to stay in touch.

Matt, Mark, Cayla, and Jeff on "disappearing island" one night.

Back when I first met Matt...yep, take a long look. That's him under all that hair. This was freshman year, when I was actually dating Jeff and only knew Matt as "Kearney".

 I was known to get a little silly when I drank, as captured below.

I was trying to be sneaky and get pictures of people without their noticing.

But eventually, college had to end. And when it did, I was surrounded by friends, but ready to move on to the next stage of life. (Which really just ended up being more school. Maybe next week I'll regale you with tales of grad school.)

With my sorority sisters after graduation. Guess which one is me! (We were the brunette sorority haha.)

Notice that there are NO running or workout pictures? I hated exercise until I went to grad school. But then, it was the thing that helped me get through it, in the end. Funny how things work out!

When did you join Facebook?
Are there any super old, embarrassing photos of you from college floating around the internet?

ABK