Would you rather—> Running Edition.

I would run without shoes, get rid of the GPS watch (it annoys me!), I’d take the side cramp, small race, ditch the core work, explore a new area, hill in the beginning, and I guess I’d choose the rat over the snake! Skunks and turkeys are around me and really freak me out!

I have come across rats while running before (thanks Baltimore city!) but I would be so freaked out if I saw a snake.
I don’t run with music when I run outside, so that’s way easier for me than running without a watch!
And I would rather get the uphill over with in the beginning:)

Definitely rat. Snakes are the worst.
I don’t mind running sans music, so that’s fine by me.
I’d rather go uphill first.
No shoes.
I love running in new places so that sounds pretty awesome
I don’t like stretching and Im really bad about doing it so I’d say that one!
Blisters on your feet are the worst. I can breathe thru a side cramp
New outfit, that can be more pricey than shoes!
I like races that fall in the middle. Not huge but not tiny.

That would your rather game is so unpleasant I chose not to play. I have seen a snake-twice. Yesterday I ran in 90 degrees and I think I was hallucinating because I thought a blowing leaf was a snake and i jumped 3 feet in the air.

1. Rat.
2. Without GPS! (this is brand new for me, so I wouldn’t miss it!)
3. First half of course ;)
4. Sports bra. Just layer up and wear some tight shirts!
5. New area always!!
6. Aww 6 is my favorite number…Happy Friday :)
7. Stretch. If I could just feel great after runs and not have to spend time stretching out, that would be great.
8. Side cramp! Done both way too many times and blister is WAY more painful.
9. Ohh this is a tough one…probably a really really expensive/nice outfit ;)
10. Hmmm I like both…but I’d have to say big race?? Idk!!

This was so fun!!

9. SHOES! I’m in desperate need of a new pair of Mizunos!

*rat
*w/o GPS
*the 1st half
*w/o shoes
*my usual route. Im not adventurous because I’m always worried about creepers.
*no more core work
*side cramp
*New shoes!
*a big race with spectators cheering the runners on!

:) Fun! Happy Friday!

1. Snake vs. rat: A rat! It probably won’t kill me.

2. No GPS vs. no music:
no GPS! I love my music too much.

3. First half of your run be uphill or the second half of your run be uphill?
First half! Then I can tell myself it’s all downhill from here.

4. No shoes or no sports bra:
Without shoes, for sure!

5. New area that you have never been to before for your next run or stick to your normal favorite running loop:
new area! Love running new places

7. Never have to stretch again after a run or never have to do core work again in order to stay injury free?
Never have to do core work! Stretching can be relaxing.

8. Would you rather run with a blister on your foot or run with a side cramp?
A side cramp! At least it goes away when you’re doing running.

1. snake – I would stop to investigate and he would probably hang around longer than the rat!
2. Music. I need to know how far I ran.
3. First half uphill for sure!
4. sports bra – it might not even be missed :(
5. explore new area
7. I’d to core work, I like to stretch
8. blister. Side cramps are my nemesis!
9. new outfit please! I have “other runner’s cool outfit” envy all the time!!
10. huge race – the crowds power you!

1. Rat – I hate rats and I like snakes, but rats are harmless.
2. Without music
3. First half uphill
4. Without sports bra, except if the track was soft and nice grass covered.
5. New area, if I am not alone.
6. Would you rather run in a strong headwind or (a heavy rain when its cold?) how about that? I would choose the wind.
7. Never stretch.
8. I would choose the blister. Yukk.
9. Outfit. I consume them rapidly.
10. Big race. All that fuss really motivates me.

Janae – I was wondering if you are going to be doing some long runs later in the day to simulate the later start time of Boston? I don’t have a time zone change to deal with, but the later start time will be a big difference to me compared to my normal early AM running time. Just wondering if your coach recommended that too!

1. A snake.. I love them!
2. Without music. Never use it anyway!
3. First half uphill
4. Probably no shoes
5. Explore a new area
6. I’d take a headwind over ice haha
7. Never have to stretch
8. Blister
9. New outfit!
10. Small race

I wouldn’t be worried about a rat or snake – sometimes people are scarier! I don’t run with music and don’t own a GPS but I do like a watch for time or I will use Mapmyrun on my phone. Definitely want to run the hills first, believe it or not I would go w/o the sports bra, I love running my same routes, hate headwinds, hate stretching, I can run with a blister, but side cramps kill me, love shoes and love huge races! This was a fun survey!!!! P.S. you are doing so well in your training I know good things are coming for Boston!!! Keep it up!

1. Rat – it won’t bite me
2. Without a GPS watch
3. First half!
4. Without a sports bra… I don’t reeeeally need one…
5. New area!
6. THE WORST
7. stretch
8. blister
9. shoes
10. BIG RACE! Chicago was the best :)

I’d rather go Garmin free! I’m a much happier runner when I don’t see my pace. Also I swear I move backwards if I don’t have music blasting through my ears.

New running shoes>new outfit. Can’t ever have enough sneaks.

Side cramp>blister. Because I feel like cramps go away after a while where a blister would only get worse!

I’m going to go with running uphill the second half of a race…only because I did a race once (trail 5I) that started up hill and I was DONE after that. Holy heart rate. So if it’s the second half of the race at least I’m just trying to get to the end?

That was fun! Have a great Friday and enjoy your spin/lifting combo this a.m.!

1. I’ve actually come across both too!! I still prefer the rat. Snakes scare me!
2. GPS watch – I do it a lot already just to enjoy running
3. First half be uphill. Then you know you have to come down at some point.
4. Oh my golly this one is hard….I would have to say shoes. Protecting the bust is a must.
5. Explore!
6. PREACH
7. Never stretch again. As much as I hate doing core work, I always feel proud of myself for doing it
8. Probably blister.
9. I think I’m going to be alone here and say running outfit. I can never justify getting a whole outfit more than I can justify getting new shoes :)
10. Huge with tons of energy!! I am in it for the funny signs

Without my GPS, I love my music!!

1. I guess a rat because I came across them a lot when I lived in Chicago, so I’m somewhat used to seeing them. :-|
2. Definitely w/o music because I hardly ever listen to music while I’m running anyway.
3. First half! I feel like I’m going to die when I’m already getting tired and then I see a hill.
4. Hmm that’s a tough one. I guess without shoes if I get to choose the surface, like on sand. :)
5. Explore a new area! I love running while I’m traveling to see new things.
7. I actually enjoy core work, it makes me feel strong!
8. I guess a blister; I’m pretty wimpy when it comes to side cramps.
9. New shoes! I always want new running shoes.
10. For most distances, small races are more my cup of tea. Not sure if that would be true for a marathon though.

1. Oooo a rat I suppose; snakes (even dead ones) make my heart jump into my throat!

2. Considering I have never owned a GPS watch; I could totally go without one! I NEED my music however. :p

3. Hrmm I would like the first half up-hill.. Fresh legs and fresh lungs to help me up them!

4. I’m part of the itty-bitty-titty-committee so i’ll run without a sports bra!

5. I’d like a new route to explore! I’m tired of my loop-de-loop…

6. Skipped indeed!

7. Ohhh I’d say never have to stretch; it’s just boring to me after all of the endorphin’s!

8. Side cramps are very common in my running but I’m always able to push through to the end, so i’ll go with those!

9. Shoes shoes shoes! I’m pretty particular about my running outfits and I like the old worn-in ones the best!

10. Hmmm I guess I’d like to try a big race one day!

#1. I want that bunny shirt!!!!! Where is it from?

#2 How can you stop on your long runs? If I stop for more than a traffic light, it is so hard to get going. All the aches and pains said “hey man, not cool.” Nothing hurts if I don’t stop. Until I’m done, that is…

YOUR SALAD!!! I’m drooling!! I consume BBQ sauce like it’s going out of style! Love it.

1. I’ve never seen a rat, snakes I’m ok with, so I’ll say rat!
2. GPS
3. Second half so then I’m warmed up and less likely to quit ;)
4. I could run without a sports bra, I wasn’t very blessed in that area :)
5. I need my usual loop
6. LOL!!
7. Never have to stretch
8. Both suck, but I’ve toughed out many a blister, so I will say side cramp
9. SHOES!
10. Small race

1. Rat (I’ve been bitten by a poisonous snake before, so I’d rather not go through that again!)
2. Without music
3. Run uphill the first half!
4. without a sports bra (I’ve got a small chest so I think I could handle it;)
5. Explore a new area
7. Never have to stretch again
8. Side cramp
9. Brand new running outfit for free!
10. Huge race with spectators

I would much rather see a mouse and have music! Have fun in Cali, I love weddings because I love dancing lol

1. Snake – i actually like snakes
2.without music. I run without music most of the time
3. Uphill for the first half, although the half marathon I am training for is uphill for the last mile or so.
4. Without shoes. Ouch
5. New area. I live in a small town so I am out of new areas!
7. Never stretch again. I’m not a huge fan
8. Hmmm. I would probably rather have a side cramp. Blisters take longer to heal!
9. New outfit!
10. I have never done a big race so I’m not really sure. I think I would choose a smaller race.

1. rat, snakes just stay in the middle and expect you to jump over them. I’ve actually ended my run after less than a mile because there was a snake across the path
2. no GPS
3. second, I feel like I have more control of my body going uphill
4. without shoes?
5. I like my running loop, I like knowing what to expect. New places make miles feel longer
6. ok
7. no stretching, I’m not a fan, although I do love yoga
8. side cramp
9. running shoes, they’re so expensive for just one item that you’ll have to replace soon
10. I like the crowd

without a GPS watch AND without music! #ZenRunner

Brook is so stinkin’ cute!!!
1. I actually like snakes, so I’d say a snake.
2. No GPS? Fine by me.
3. I like hills in training, but not at the end of a race… get them over with, I say!
4. I’m a bit buxom, so I’ll leave the shoes at home.
5. I’m always looking for new places to run… unless I don’t have my garmin, in which case I’d stick to the same loop.
6. Headwind = Gross
7. This one is hard. I core work because sometimes I hate it. Stretching always feels good.
8. I’ve dealt with both simultaneously, so I’m gonna say blister. I’m very sensitive to pain in my abdominal area. Feet, I can ignore.
9. Shoes! I don’t really care as much about my outfits.
10. Small race, but not because of stress — I feel like if spectator support is rare, it’s even better when it comes.

That was fun!! :)

That 14 mile tempo run for next Saturday is in the bag. You’ll have no problem with it! I bet you could do the middle 10 miles at 6:45 min pace. Okay and I’ll answer one of the questions… I’ve never owned a Garmin! It’s only been in the last year that I’ve timed myself on regular runs. Otherwise it’s only been at races. And I ran my first marathon 20 years ago, and I’ve run a zillion of them since, including Boston. I have always felt like I’d get obsessive about the numbers.

1. Would you rather come across a snake or a rat while out for a run? (I have come across both… that is why I am asking this one).

1. Rat
2. Music
3. first half of your run be uphill
4. without a sports bra. (Not much in the chest department!!)
5. Explore a new area!
7. Never stretch again
8. Blister
9. I have too much of both….
10. HUGE race. :) #Boston

1. Rat – although when I live in Chicago one ran over my foot one day when I was running and it was terrifying.
2. GPS. Music makes me happy :)
3. Second half. I LOVE Boston’s course. I’m running Big Sur next month (pray for me) and that’s hills in the first and second and everything in between. Over and over.
4. Sports bra
5. New area, although I do love my regular routes.
6. My mom and I institued “wind points” long ago. Basically you get more credit for your run if it’s windy. It helps to justify extra ice cream, etc. :)
7. Stretch. No patience for it!
8. Side cramp! You can run through that. Blisters, they just keep getting uglier.
9. Running shoes
10. Big race. I love Chicago, Boston and NYC. Small marathons are awesome too, but big marathons feel extra special.

Good morning! I didn’t get to respond yesterday afternoon, but way to ROCK the 22 miler!! Woo hoo!!!!!
1. Rat
2. No music
3. 1st 1/2 uphill
4. Without shoes!!
5. New area
6, Oooh! That is hard. I like stretching, but love core. I would say no stretching
7. Side cramp
8. New shoes!
9. Big race

1. Rat. I have also seen both and neither is pleasant but at least I know the rat isn’t poisonous.
2. Music. I am a data addict so being without my watch would be a struggle and I’m usually a podcast listener anyway (maybe I’m cheating in saying this doesn’t count as music?)
3. First half, hands down. Get the hills over with!
4. Shoes. I like barefoot running!
5. New area!
6. The only thing I can imagine potentially worse than a headwind would be freezing rain.
7. Core work. I like both but I actually LOVE stretching.
8. Blister
9. Shoes all the way
10. I like big races! The energy gives me such a great adrenaline boost.

Yes I love would you rather!

1. Rat for sure. Snakes are so scary.
2. Without music! I love knowing my splits.
3. First half uphill! Downhill for the second half is the best.
4. Wow that’s a tough one. Maybe without a bra?
5. New area!
6. HA!
7. Core work!
8. Blister!
9. Shoes!
10. Hmmm that’s a toss up. I love the quiet serenity for the first half but for the second half I need something/someone to pump me up!

1. Definitely the rat! 2. without music, I love my GPS, it is quite addicting!! 3. First half uphill, I tend to burn myself out if the first half is downhill. 4. Without a sports bra, my feet are not that tough. 5. Run in a new area, I like variety! 6. skip 7. Not have to do core work which I would hope would mean that I wouldn’t have any injuries. That is what I have been dealing with this past year. 8. Side cramp 9. Nice expensive out fit. 10. Small races are my favorite!! I love your blog!!

1. Definitely a rat – they are friendlier.
2. Without a watch! Although that’s a tough one.
3. Hmm second so I’m warmed up.
4. Uhhhh…without a sports bra. Unless I was running on the beach or something.
5. Stick to my normal loop.
6. Hahaha. Maybe vs no wind but SUPER hot or something?
7. Never stretch. I hate stretching.
8. Oh my. Probably side cramp because I have learned how to run through them and make them go away.
9. SHOES!
10. HUGE RACE because the spectators really are the best part!

In regards to your last post: most entertaining thing about my last run was catching up with my oldest friend!

1. Snake – I live in Alberta, Canada and we do not have rats (http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex3441), so I would be HIGHLY suspicious if I came across a rat.

2. Without music! Easy – I have never run WITH music :)

3. First half uphill

4. Honestly, I think without shoes.

5. New area!

6. Booo, headwinds

7. Never have to stretch again

8. Side cramp

9. Outfit!!

10. Small race!

I actually came across a snake on a bike ride this fall. I was on the greenway and stopped for a rest when I realized there was a snake coiled up just a few feet away from me. I was scared and didn’t know what to do, so I just stood there for a few minutes. Then I got out of there as fast as I could. I definitely would have preferred to come across a rat or mouse!

A rat. (snakes aren’t predictable and pose more of a threat)

Without GPS. (Gotta have my music!)

1st Half (Good way to use the extra energy early in the race)

Without a bra. (One is uncomfortable, one will be painful. I’ll go with uncomfortable:)

New area (I always love it, it’s just getting the nerve to run somewhere different on your own. Gotta scout it out. Too bad woment have to be so careful.)

Would you rather run in a strong headwind or ….. backwards on a treadmill???!!! A. headwind

Corework. (I like to stretch. Corework requires me to play mind games with myself (holding plank for time etc))

Side cramp

Shoes! (I feel a little guilty when I spend so much on shoes. I tend to buy my clothes a little cheaper and they last a long time)

Huge race. (I just feel faster running with other people. I feel like it’s easier to lose focus of the fact that I’m racing when there are larger distances between runners. And the spectators make a huge difference too! )

Definitely the rat… I’d take the hill in the beginning, no music but keep my Garmin, skip the sports bra but keep the shoes, and definitely free shoes over an outfit! Awesome job on your 22 miler, good luck with the next long run! It’s so fun reading about your Boston training.