Reasons to Date a Runner

February 9, 2015February 6, 2016 / racingthestates / 6 Comments

It’s that time of year again…yep, time for a fake holiday! Yep, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. I pretty much hate the holiday. This picture sums up how I feel:

Too graphic?

The reasons I hate the holiday are too many and would be a good post for my dating blog…that I don’t write.

Basically I think it’s a lousy excuse to be nice to your significant other when you should be doing it all year! This year I have grand plans to go to the biggest dive bar in Golden (just because) with a bunch of friends and play games. It sounds perfect to me! I have had boyfriends on the blasted holiday before, but I always tell them not to do anything and if they do I’m breaking up with them.

You think I’m joking! It has happened. But in all fairness, we didn’t belong together at all anyway.

Besides my hatred for the hallmark holiday, I do love me a good holiday themed blog post! So, today I bring you: “Reasons to Date a Runner.” Stayed tuned, later in the week I will tell you HOW to date a runner…’cause let’s face it, we’re all crazy and there really should be a book….”Dating a Runner, For Dummies” (I just giggled out loud. And don’t you dare steal my idea!)

The quick version

Reasons to Date a Runner:

1. We have amazing bodies! Well, everything from our ankles up. Don’t look at the feet. You have been warned.

2a. We have especially amazing legs. And butts. Hill repeats anyone?

2b. AND we wear short shorts. I am currently wearing short shorts.

3a. We have good hygiene and rarely smell bad. Just don’t come near me immediately after a run. However, due to all our running, we have lots of good smelling soaps and lotions and know the value of a good shower.

This is actually me, 2011 Tough Mudder!

3b. But conversely, we’re not afraid to get dirty. I know I personally enjoy a good, muddy run!

3c. And are up for anything, anywhere, no matter the weather.

4. We like beer. Enough said.

5a. We also REALLY like food. LOTS of it! Hate when you take girls on dates and they just order a side salad? Don’t worry about that here! Can someone bring me pancakes? Yes, right now! Please?

5b. And we tend to always have food. At home the fridge is stocked, in the car, in the gym bag…all those miles makes me ravenous!

6. We know how to stay motivated, and motivate others. The running community is amazing and super supportive! That quality shows through in our relationships.

7a. We are generally pretty happy, I mean, running does create and release some pretty amazing endorphins.

7b. We aren’t stressed that much. Except when we’re tapering.

8. We have a lot of endurance. I wont go into details.

9. We are dedicated and loyal….to running. But yes, that passion is reflected in our relationships. Only IF they are worth it.

10. We’re not clingy. Runner’s tend to be pretty independent. Actually, thinking on it, I haven’t met many non-independent runners. I found this well worded blog post:

“Runners tend to be self-sufficient, ‘do it themselves’ type of people. There’s a certain personality type that comes with running long distances. They appreciate running with others, but know how to run alone (even, at times, preferring it.) Their strength enables them to push themselves to achieve the seemingly impossible, like running in the snow and pouring rain or going a longer distance than ever before. There’s a certain mental toughness that must be achieved. [They’re] also the opposite of clingy. [They] doesn’t need you in her life, and you’re damn lucky if she wants you there (my favorite line!). Just don’t try to interfere with [their] training schedule.“

11. We are not materialistic. Well, except for shoes, running shoes that is! I’d much rather spend my money on the latest Asics than on makeup. And I workout so much that I rarely spend time on my hair or dolling myself up! So don’t worry, you don’t have to dote on us!

12. We’re also very thrifty. $100 for that next marathon? Guess I’m not buying that latest thingy-majig that just hit the market!

13. This one is hard for me to explain, but runner’s tend to be competitive. And I mean that in a good way for dating because you can bring this girl (or guy) around for basketball games, football, ultimate frisbee, etc, etc to play and/or watch! I guess this applies more to girl runners because guys in general tend to be this way. When it comes to girl runners, they tend to enjoy a challenge and aren’t faint of heart to try something. Now….just be mindful when they’re aren’t GOOD at a sport…there IS a reason why we run.

14. Above all, and most importantly, runner’s are tough. We know how to push limits, mentally and physically.

————————————————————————————————————————

For those of you in the Colorado area: We (as in 3W Races) have a 5k on Valentines Day – The Heart Throb 5k!

When: February 14th, starts at 10am! You can sleep in!

Where: Memorial Park in Arvada, CO

Why: You get a long sleeve shirt that says, “I’m a heart throb,” it’s a fast, flat course, age group and overall awards, after party at delicious Fuzzy’s Tacos and Arvada Beer Co, and I’ll be there running…and so will my mom! Perfect way to spending valentines day: doing what I truly love, running! 🙂

How: More info HERE and registration HERE. Use code 2015WhitneyV15 for 15% off! Let them/us know Racing The States refered you!

————————————————————————————————————————

“17 Things You Should Know Before You Date a Runner” by Thought Catalog

“10 Reasons to Date A Long Distance Runner” by We Run For Cupcakes

“101 Reasons to Date a Runner”

————————————————————————————————————————

Your turn: Do you have any “reasons to date a runner” to add???

3W’s Heart Throb 5k – Post Race Recap

February 16, 2014February 6, 2016 / racingthestates / 6 Comments

It’s a little over a week since my first race of the year, but I’m not about to get off track again and miss post-race recaps this time around! So here it goes, the post-race recap for:

The Heart Throb 5k, by 3W Races, at Memorial park in Arvada, CO

I did this race last year in virtual form, and I was excited to get to do the live version this year, especially after becoming a 3W Ambassador.

The day before the race, I helped load up the truck that takes all the things you need for a race to the event location. Joined by the race directors and owners of 3W, James and Michelle, and two other guys, we played a live version of tetris to get everything in the truck.

Michelle is super organized, knows exactly where everything is kept and where everything goes and has check lists for each event/race to make sure everything goes smoothly.

I’ve run MANY, MANY races over the years and I’ve volunteered a few times as well, but now I have a new view of the racing community – behind the scenes! It’s quite amazing what goes on to prepare for a race that most of us never get to see. From promoting the race to packing up the truck, knowing how to set up a course, coordinating the workers and volunteers ON TOP of then actually running the race itself, there’s definitely a lot that goes into races.

After the truck was packed to the brim, I said goodbye and see you tomorrow!

Saturday morning game quick and early for me. I really didn’t want to get out of bed – it’s becoming a pattern because I’ve been so exhausted lately. But I eventually threw back the covers and got dressed, which is actually a pretty important topic for this recap. The whole week prior to this event it was FREEZING! In the negative double digits. BRRR! Plus, the heat in my house was not functioning. I was really tired of being cold and even with the forecast listing a balmy 37 degrees, I was so sick of the cold, I ended up wear TOO many layers, thinking that the temperature wouldn’t reach that 37 in morning during race time. Oh well.

All the Ambassadors. Photo Credit: 3W

I finally arrived to the scene, picked up my packet and mingled with my fellow ambassadors! It’s definitely a new feeling for me…I usually show up to races in one of two fashions. Either, 1) With family or friends, and I get to hangout with them before and after the race or 2) I show up alone, and mindlessly walk around until the race start, taking off pretty quickly after I’m done. This time, I may have showed up to the race alone, but I had plenty of people to talk to before and after the race, as there’s a total of about 30 ambassadors for 3W, and I hung out for a good long while after I was actually done racing! It’s pretty awesome! Definitely a new experience.

The starting line. Photo Credit: 3W

We all wished each other luck, took a group picture (I feel like we’re part of an exclusive club – oh wait, we are), and meandered over to the start line. Given all of us ambassadors run at completely different speeds and some had their children with them, or ever a friend that was a first time racer, we all filed into the starting line at different spots. I chose my normal spot: the front 1/3 of the queue line, but not right with the first lines of people.

Photo credit: 3W

I had no intention of running hard or trying to break any world records that morning, I just wanted to run, with people around, and with no pain to boot! So when the gun went off, I just followed my feet.

I started off slow and steady, trying not to think about all the people passing me. I just concentrated on the sound of my feet hitting the icy road. (It was really only icy in small sections – but that’s part of living in CO). I didn’t bring my music with me this day, I just wanted to hear all the people around me and remember why I like racing so much.

Photo Credit: 3W

I didn’t feel like I picked up the pace, I was just going with the flow of my feet, but before I knew it, I was the one passing others left and right! I finally made it to the turn around, waved at the race director, and then took off back down the road. Woah! There really wasn’t that many people in front of me! As I ran back to the finish line, I passed my fellow ambassadors going the other way, and we cheered each other on as we high-fived over the two-way dividing line.

I rounded the last few corners and saw the finish line and decided to just go for it! I picked up the pace, hearing foot steps behind me, and even though my lungs and throat were burning from the cold air, I was almost done and I wanted to finish strong!

Photo Credit: 3W

I crossed the finish line and looked at the race clock, 26 min and some odd seconds…not even close to my PR by any means, but not too bad for just getting over my “injury” and not racing for a while.

I let my fellow ambassadors (it’s weird when you know all the volunteers at a race) clip my timing chip off my shoe and grabbed some water and a banana. I stretched as other ambassadors came up and said “good job” or “man, you really took off” or “I was soooo tempted to catch up to you.” And I was thinking was, “I didn’t even run that fast.”

After discussing which after party to go to (there was two options – Fuzzy’s Tacos for 99 cent margaritas or Arvada Beer Company for buy one get one free), it was time for the awards and guess who placed 2nd in her age group?

YEP, this girl! I was sooo excited! I guess wearing too many layers was good luck….but makes me wonder how fast I would have run with proper attire….

And no, there wasn’t just two in my age group! HA! There was actually about 28!

I proudly picked up my medal and took my picture on the awards platform.

And you better believe I wore my medal all day!

(In case you’re wondering, I picked the “buy one get one free beer” after party over the margarita after party. Duh.)

For The Love of Running!

February 14, 2013February 6, 2016 / racingthestates / 4 Comments

Happy Valentines Day…now excuse my why I go wash my mouth out with soap. I don’t mean to sound pessimistic, but unfortunately, I hate valentines day. Always have. Single or taken, it’s still the same. The “holiday” was made up by the greeting card companies in combination with the candy companies to make an additional buck or two. Even though it’s a sweet idea (no pun intended) to show your love some love, I feel like they have a WHOLE rest of a year to do it, not just because there’s the obligation of a holiday. I’ll still take the candy though! 🙂

Anyway, I don’t use the “L” word very often. Seriously. I’m pretty scared of it. It involves too many feelings..and I don’t like feelings that much either. Especially in the literal romantic sense. Never mind my romantical insecurities, I usually reserve the L word for family and really close friends; even though I’m pretty sure I only use it with one friend.

I do however use it for one other thing: Running. Yep, it’s true. I’m in love with running. Besides people, I also rarely use the “L” word with things. If you hear me, or read something I write where I used the L word with something, you KNOW I’m serious.

Being active in the running (blogging) community, a get a lot of emails all week long. One really caught my interest from #RunChat. They are doing a “Spread the Love” challenge in response to the “holiday.” During the week of Valentines Day (barf), you can tweet, blog, facebook etc about what you love about running. In your blog, they would LOVE for you to write 5-10 things you love about running.

5-10?? Really? That’s ALL???? I’m sure I could list HUNDREDS of things I love about running…that’s how much I LOVE running. (So much love up in here, huh!?)

10. Stress Relief

9. The running community – a sense of belonging. This includes the blogging world as well as the connections I’ve made in “real life” (although, I’m sure you are all real, I just haven’t met you!).

8. Time to myself. Running gives me a chance to take some me time and sort out stuff in my head.

7. Fitness. Just keeping up with running keeps me in shape; although everyone does need supplemental strength training, but even without, there’s a minimal level of fitness.

6. In addition, because I run so much, I need a lot a fuel. Fuel = Food. I LOVE food as well.

5. Competition. Running in races give my competitive side a chance to escape!

4. Traveling. Even just in my own city. When you explore your neighborhood on foot, it gives you a different view of the world and a better sense of distance. In addition, with my goal of running a race in every state, I literally get to travel and that is something no one should take for granted – seeing another part of the world (even in your own country) is a privilege.

3. Therapy. It’s similar to reason number 8, but when I’m upset, running always makes me feel better. Always. I’ve gotten over and through a lot of things because of running.

2. The feeling of accomplishment. It’s a great feeling. It’s for no one else but myself. Even little things everyday. IF i’m super tired but I still make it through that 3 mile run, that’s an accomplishment. Training for a marathon and going further and further than I have every run, that’s an amazing accomplishment. AKA self pride.

1. The numbero uno reason I love running is because I can control it. I can’t control a lot of other things in my life, but running is completely controllable by me, myself and I. I can control time, distance, intensity. I may not be able to control the weather, but I can choose to dress appropriated or take my workout inside. I can control if I am comptetive for just out for stress relieve. Control is the number on reason I run so much.

A lot of my friends bawk at my love of running and think I’m crazy. But I’m crazy in love…with running. I even have proof that you can smile and run at the same time!