1. Name: Jena
2.Tell us about your past race/running experience: My ‘running’ started in May of 2009. A friend and I were going to the beach for a week and we wanted to “get in shape.” This consisted of us walking around a local lake for 30-45 min several times a week. At some point it just clicked in my head that I wanted to run. I signed up for a 5k and began training. I ran my first 5k in Sept 09 and my time was 31:07. Since then I’ve run numerous 5ks, (2) 10ks, (2) 15ks, and 2 half marathons!
3. What race did you run? I ran the Arthritis Foundation’s Jingle Bell Run 5k.
4. Why did you sign up for this race? I love racing. It keeps me motivated and gives me something to train for.
5. What/who inspires you to run? Running gives me a sense of accomplishment. Even on my worst runs, where my legs hurt, I can’t breath, or my pace is much slower then I would like, I feel accomplished at the end. “Yes, that run was crap, but I ran X amount of miles, so whatever”
I also read a lot of running blogs and those girls are so fast! They inspire me to run harder, and faster.
6. What is your best training tip? Stick with your training plan as much as possible. I just ran a half marathon 3 weeks ago and I did not train like I should have. My time, and my confidence suffered greatly. Training properly is really important and necessary to avoid injury.
7. Water or Sports Drink? Both. I don’t prefer one over the other. Early in a race I prefer water, but as the miles wear on I prefer the sports drink.
8. Tell us about the outcome of the race: My race was great! I am 3wks out from a half marathon that did not go over very well. I really wanted to do well at this 5k as sort of a “redemption” run for myself. I went in saying I want to run sub 26, which is not a PR, but I think my PR was a freak of nature kind of thing because I haven’t ever run that fast again (24:26 is my PR)…
I felt really great for this entire 5k. My breathing was right on, it was cold but I dressed appropriately and was not feeling the cold. My legs felt really strong. At mile 2.5 I looked at my watch and realized we were definitely going to break sub 26!
My official time was 24:48, just 22 seconds short of a PR! WooHoo!
9. Your favorite post-race indulgence? Anything and everything. that is probably a problem, I will eat like I may never eat again.
10. Favorite part of racing in a Sparkle Skirt? Racing in the sparkle skirt was just fun. I ran in a Christmas(y) race, and while my skirt was teal, i matched it w/ a red shirt to get the Christmas(y) feel. I think it’s important to be part of a positive group of runners. This is just such a fun thing; to get a sparkle skirt, run in it, and then send it on to another girl so she can sparkle too!
Additional info:
Blog: http://lifeisbeachykeen.wordpress.com
Race recap HERE
The Traveling Sparkle Skirts are a pair of Sparkle Athletic Running Skirts (one Hot Pink & one Turquoise) that travel the globe spreading the Sparkle Athletic love. Read more stories of the Traveling Sparkle Skirts HERE.