Liebster Award!

Thank you to Meg @ Meg Go Run for nominating me for another Liebster Award! It's been awhile since I've seen the award going around, and it's such a nice way to get to know more about the blogger behind the blog! Below I've answered Meg's 11 questions and nominated other bloggers to answer new questions I have written!

1. What is your current health related goal? 

To get through my taper period without injury so that I can run the Space Coast Marathon in 18 days in peak condition!

2. What is your biggest irrational fear?

See? Evil.

Manatees! In all honesty, my phobia is of all large sea mammals, specifically whales, but because I am scared of manatees and they're so gentle and lethargic, this is the fear I get teased for the most.

3. Do you enjoy wrapping presents?
Yes. I'm actually a holiday Scrooge but wrapping presents is kind of relaxing and methodical. I like it. 

4. What's your favorite cross training activity?

This is Shaun T with Tonya, who does the "modified" moves and apparently is like 2-weeks post-partum. She makes me feel like a blob.

Right now I'm enjoying volleyball because I coach the girls' team at my school. I also like plyometrics/HIIT videos like T25. 

5. If I came to visit you, what would we do? 
This is a tough one! We would probably go to the beach, because even in winter it's beach weather here! 

Florida: I live where you vacation.

There are also some really cool preserves and hiking trails near me that I've never visited but would probably make time for if a friend were in town. Miami isn't far, so maybe we'd drive down to enjoy the night life...or, if we're feeling a little more juvenile, we'd make a trip to Orlando and entertain our inner children at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!

Matt and me in August 2010, when the HP-World was brand new. We're enjoying our butterbeer.

6. You have 2 weeks off of work and 2 round trip plane tickets to ANYWHERE. Where would you go and who would you take?

The view of Edinburgh from Arthur's Seat.

I would go back to Scotland in a heartbeat. Even though I got to spend 5 months there in 2007, I never experienced it as a runner; I want to do the Loch Ness Marathon so badly! I'd bring Matt, of course, because he misses our Scottish friends, too! 

7.  What's the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you during a run or race?

This summer about three miles into a 10 mile run, I needed to make an emergency trip to the bathroom...but it was still dark out and the park bathrooms I stopped at were locked! Luckily I was alone and had TP with me. Despite the intestinal upset, I still finished the run. 

8. Tell me the 3 best days of your life. Or at least the first 3 that pop into your mind.
8.1. My wedding day. No explanation needed. 8.2. The All Star trip this summer.  I still think this trip and the recognition awarded to the teachers there has revitalized me for this year.
8.3. The Suncoast Half. It wasn't a PR, but it was the first race my parents spectated and it was so meaningful to have them there and know they finally understood this whole running thing.

Mom & Dad with me at the finish.

9. Okay, you HAVE to eat a fast food meal. What restaurant would you choose and what would you order?

Brown rice, chicken, pico de gallo, salsa, black beans, cheese, sour cream, corn salsa...How can I say no?!

Stuck-in-a-car-road-trip fast food would be Wendy's. I get the chili and a baked potato, plus a small frosty. Fast-but-leave-the-car would be Chipotle! 

10. Have you ever met a celebrity?

The 30 All Star Teachers with Jill Biden and Idina Menzel.

Yep! When I was 15 I met Sugar Ray in New York on Good Morning, America. I've also met the guys from The Spill Canvas and Copeland, Idina Menzel, Jilly Biden, and various baseball players this summer in Minnesota. Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family was in our suite, too.

I honestly feel really weird around famous people because I want to show my appreciation for their work without hounding them, so I just tend to clam up and be super aloof.

11. Share a picture of yourself in non workout clothes!

With friends before a Rays game.

Okay I had to dig something up that actually shows that I know how to dress! All my recent photos are running pictures haha!

Now, as so many of my blogger-friends have been nominated already, I'm going to nominate some blogs I've started following more recently and would love to get to know better! Montana @ Pretty Lil Mudder, Bae @ The Riley Recap, Courtney @ Running for Cupcakes, and Helly @ Helly on the Run, I nominate you!

Here are my 11 questions to you ladies:
1. What was your worst haircut?
2. If you were given an all-expense paid trip & entry for any race, what race would you choose and why?
3. What is the most embarrassing song on your running/workout playlist?
4. Who was your favorite teacher, and why?
5. What was the last book you read?
6. How long have you been running, and what motivated you to start?
7. If you had to pick 3 items that represent you, what would you choose?
8. What is your favorite meal?
9. When it comes to snacks, do you prefer sweet or salty?
10. What's your best/most meaningful race memory?
11. If you could meet any famous person, from the past or present, who would you choose and why?

Readers, answer any/all of the questions in the comments!
Nominees, answer the questions in your own post and pass it on!

ABK

Behind the Blog

Remember the days when VH1 had those really awesome "Behind the Music" shows? Remember when MTV actually played music videos? ...I don't know, naming this post has sent me back to the 90s haha.

Anyway! A few weeks ago those uplifting, warmth-inducing awards we all know and love made the rounds again, and I feel so lucky to have been nominated by three different, amazing bloggers who make my feed so entertaining and inspiring!

Courteney at Runner Girl nominated me for the Sunshine Award, given to bloggers who are inspiring, creative, and positive! I have been making a concentrated effort to be as positive as possible since my rut in January of last year, so being recognized makes me feel like I've been doing a pretty good job!

For the Sunshine Award, I'm supposed to share 11 facts about myself; as you'll soon see, I've got plenty of questions to answer from the other award, so I think I'll double up on those!

Jessica at Run Your Mutt Off and Heather at Girl Goes Running both nominated me for the Liebster Award. This award is meant to promote new bloggers; Liebster is German and can be translated to mean dearest, lovely, and valued. What a sweet award!

 Questions from Heather:

1. What is your favourite distance to run? Okay, first of all, I love that Canadians use the British spelling of words. I think my favorite distance for running is 5 miles, but for racing it's the half marathon. It's just the perfect distance for a real challenge that leaves you feeling that you've really accomplished something!

2. When did you start running? In 2009! It's the only New Year's resolution I've ever kept.

3. What is  your favourite brand of running shoe? Asics. I really love my Kayanos, but I love trying out new brands all the time.

4. Solo Runner or Buddy Runner? I used to need a buddy to stay motivated; learning to keep myself accountable has been a huge accomplishment to me. But I still love running with other people!

5. Favourite post-run snack? Chocolate milk. It's pretty much the only thing I can stomach after a run.

6. What made you start blogging? I wanted to keep myself more accountable. Blogging has been such a great gift. I love the blogging community, it has helped me reach out to friends and encourage them to begin running, and it has definitely helped me stay on track!

7. Do you have a pet? If so what kind? I've got little Archie, of course!

8. What is something not related to fitness that you think others don't know about you? This is a tough one. Um, I love science! I think biology and physics are beautiful and simply awe-inspiring.

9. What is your favourite TV show? I have a whole list! Shamefully, I watch Real Housewives (but only certain cities). I also love Community, Suburgatory, Bones, and The Daily Show and Colbert Report.

10. What do  you do with your race bibs? I keep them on the medal-holder I made for myself!

I seriously need to take an updated pic...I'm in need of new hooks I've accumulated so many medals lately!

11. What is a pre-race ritual you have? Coffee, breakfast, 5+ bathroom stops. Then, at the starting line, I jump up and down like I'm on a pogo stick.

Questions from Jessica:

1. What is your favorite race you’ve run, and why? My most recent half, probably, because I signed up alone and did most of my training alone. I learned a lot about myself in this race. It wasn't a PR, but I had more fun and felt more positive than in any other race I've run!

2. Who is your biggest supporter/fan? Definitely my husband. He cheers me on at 98% of my races, and even runs some of them with me. He would have a right to complain about how much money I drop on running clothes, shoes, and races, but he always encourages me to trust my instinct and get what I want/need.

3. What is your favorite piece of running gear? I looove my new Nike spandex shorts. They're so comfy and have a pocket, which is hard to find in spandex!

4. What is your tried-and-true pre-race meal? Dinner the night before is either sushi or spaghetti with meat sauce, hands down. Breakfast is a banana, peanut butter and honey toast, and coffee.

5. Have you met any of your twitter/blogger friends in real life? If so, when & where? I've met one of my blog friends from BEFORE blogger...I'm talking the days of Livejournal! She came to my wedding, and I can't wait to return the favor and go to hers in October this year!

6. What is your favorite non-running workout or exercise? I have lately become obsessed with squats. Someday I'll even learn to do them with weights! haha

7. Tell me the most memorable thing about your wedding or someone’s wedding that you’ve attended. A friend of ours surprised us by requesting the Hora from the DJ. We hadn't planned to do it, but it was so fun, I know my family loved that extra Jewish touch, and it really made the night special.

8. If you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 things could you not live without? Carmex, my kindle (and WiFi so I'd never run out of books and music), and Matt. 

9. What is the last book you read? I just finished Hollow City by Ransom Riggs. If you liked Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, I highly recommend it.

10. What is your all time favorite book? This isn't fair! I'm an English teacher! This is like asking a parent which kid is their favorite...it depends on the day of the week ;o)

11. Pick one – pizza, beer and a movie OR pasta, wine and a good book. Why? Love this question, but I wish I could mix and match. I really prefer wine and a good book, but I'd take pizza over pasta any day! (Gluten free, of course!)

It's truly awesome to me that the blogging community can really bring people together. I hope to be able to run with all these far-away friends someday!

The only thing I hate about these awards is having to choose just a handful of people to share them with. So many small blogs have so much to offer! Comment below with a synopsis of you blog and the URL...I encourage everyone to check out a blog that's new to them from the comments!

ABK