Running/Cardio Questions
Tagged by @keepgoinggreen for the questions below:
1. What's your secret weapon that gets you ready to go? Coffee? Particular songs? Splash of cold water? Hard slap in the face?
Nothing in particular. I just like to run? Pre-coronavirus, I was mostly motivated to run, shower, and jump on the train in time for work. Nowadays, Iām way more lazy about getting it going in the morning. I currently give myself about 30 minutes to go to the bathroom, eat a little, and stretch before hitting the streets and always seem to need longer than that.
2. People with long hair, how do you keep it out of your face and under control? People with short hair, do you use product when you're exercising?
I almost always run early in the morning, so Iām generally pretty gross and donāt do anything to make myself look presentable other than running my fingers through my hair (what I have left). If Iām meeting up for a group run, I will shave and put on some deodorant for the public good!
3. What's your get-to-the-finish song that never lets you down?
I stopped racing with music long ago, but Iād say āMove Your Feetā by Junior Senior is a personal favorite and always makes me smile. Close second would be āHigher Groundā by Red Hot Chili Peppers. Perfectly frantic to get you driving your legs.
4. Would you recommend the shoes you're currently using? If not, what's your dream pair?
Iāve been using Mizuno Wave Inspires lately as they seem to help with my plantar fasciitis issues. Theyāre not amazing, but my feet are happy. Before that I used to run in Nike Pegasus because they were so comfortable.
5. Runners only! Do you ever see animals while you're out? City slickers, do you pass any cool shops or businesses?
Dogs, cats, opossum, rabbits, squirrels, deer, coyotes, and most unfortunately skunks. I donāt think I got sprayed ever, but I must have run across the path of one that had recently. I needed to toss that pair of shoes!
6. Non-runners only! Do you prefer to work out at home or at the gym?
Iām pretty awful about working out at home. I have an old treadmill and some workout equipment, but I donāt really use any of it. I go once a week to a crossfit gym because meeting a trainer seems to be the only way Iāll do it!
7. What are your thoughts on nodding/waving/smiling while passing other runners? Do you do it? Should everyone do it? Non-runners, what's your etiquette for saying hi to others at the gym?
Okay, Iāve probably thought about this way too much over the years. Here are the rules I follow when it comes to waving:
- always wave to a runner coming in the opposite direction - wave to a walker coming in the opposite direction if thereās eye contact - low wave to a runner youāre passing if youāre not blowing by them - donāt wave to cyclists unless they wave first (so they donāt have to take their hands off the bike)
8. Podcasts, yes or no?
Almost exclusively. I do a lot of running alone, so podcasts kinda make me feel like Iām in a conversation with friends. If Iām doing a hard workout where my focus will be on the performance, Iāll usually switch to music because itās hard to actually listen to the words. The two podcasts I rotate through right now are Armchair Expert and Iāll Have Another. I used to listen to The BS Report and Nerdist, but itās been a while now.
9. What's your favorite post-cardio meal?
Iām not usually hungry after running, but a Chocolate Mint Clif bar or protein shake is pretty standard. If weāre talking after a marathon, in the late afternoon Iām usually ready for a greasy cheeseburger and a milkshake!
