Category: Inspiration

The Runner Diaries — Marnie Kunz

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn food, Inspiration, race recap, running, The Runner Diaries1 Comment

Inspired by Refinery29’s Money Diaries and The Cut’s Sex Diaries, welcome to The Runner Diaries, where we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look into a week of training with runners of varying ages, paces and GPS coordinates.

This week, we have 36-year-old Marnie Kunz — a run coach, social media marketer/consultant, and founder of Runstreet, a running and event company based in New York City. Below, Kunz documents her days that pack in all of the responsibilities of running a business, training clients and leading group runs throughout the city.

THE RUNDOWN:

Name: Marnie Kunz
Location: New York, NY
Age: 36
Training For: North Face Endurance Challenge at Bear Mountain — easing back into speed work, always working on strength!
Occupation: Founder of Runstreet street art runs, running coach
Goal race? To lower my mile time to below 6 minutes.
Following a training plan? No
Part of any running communities, clubs or training programs? Team Runstreet, Run4AllWomen, ConBody, Milk $$ Run Club
How long you’ve been ‘a runner:’ Over 20 years — since I first joined my school’s cross country team looking for a sport with no tryouts. I began running in the days of clunky, not cool running shoes, baggy t-shirts and pants with elastic on the bottom! hahaha
Goal weekly mileage: To enjoy 😉

RUNNER’S STATEMENT:

Much of my week consists of event planning and social media for my company Runstreet, which offers street art running tours and events in NYC and other U.S. cities. I usually lead one big art run a week as well as private ones. The art runs move at a 10-minute mile pace on average — very relaxed — with stops for photos. I also train clients and manage social media for other fitness brands. My schedule is often so packed that I work from the moment I wake up, to the time I go to sleep, with my stress relief/me time and social time centering on my runs and strength training. So at this stage in my life, I run for work and also run for fun and personal fulfillment.

I enjoy mixing up my routine to keep things interesting, and continue to work on strength training. Since I work so much and lead art runs most weekends, I don’t race as often as I used to, but I do enjoy doing speed workouts for the thrill and challenge. When it comes down to it, I enjoy working out and running for the adventures and adrenaline rush. When I set goals, I like to set functional training goals like being able to do 10 pull-ups or being able to run a mile in under 6 minutes. I try to enjoy the chase in the pursuit of these goals as well as spread the joy of running to others through my art runs. Continue reading “The Runner Diaries — Marnie Kunz” →

The Runner Diaries — Lorna Chaulet

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn food, Inspiration, marathon training, race recap, running, The Boston Marathon, The Runner Diaries, travelLeave a comment

Inspired by Refinery29’s Money Diaries and The Cut’s Sex Diaries, welcome to The Runner Diaries, where we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look into a week of training with runners of varying ages, paces and GPS coordinates.

This week, we have Lorna Chaulet, a 25-year-old from Boston, Massachusetts. Despite Chaulet’s claim that she is anything BUT a runner, below, she documents her week running back-to-back marathons in Paris and Boston.

The RUN DOWN:

Name: Lorna Chaulet
Location: Boston, Mass
Age: 25
Training For: Paris & Boston Marathons
Occupation: Marketing at Reebok
Goal race? Paris Marathon
Following a training plan? No
Part of any running communities, clubs or training programs? I’m a member of Janji Corps
How long you’ve been ‘a runner:’ 2016
Goal weekly mileage: One long run per week Continue reading “The Runner Diaries — Lorna Chaulet” →

The Runner Diaries — Mark Kennedy

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn food, Inspiration, running, The Runner DiariesLeave a comment

Inspired by Refinery29’s Money Diaries and The Cut’s Sex Diaries, welcome to The Runner Diaries, where we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look into a week of training with runners of varying ages, paces and GPS coordinates.

This week, we have Mark Kennedy of Toronto, Ontario — a 43-year-old businessman, father and leader of Strava’s None to Run Challenge, who knows the best way to celebrate a run well done is with a pint of beer.

The Rundown

Name: Mark Kennedy
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Age: 43
Training For: N/A
Occupation: Chief Compliance Officer, I also blog/podcast for fun.
Goal race? N/A (but and signed up for a 13km trail race in September and am contemplating a half marathon in October)
Following a training plan? No
Part of any running communities, clubs or training programs? I lead and participate in the None to Run Challenge on Strava
How long you’ve been ‘a runner:’ 24 years. Played many sports growing up, but got into running my first year of university.
Goal weekly mileage: N/A

Runner’s Statement

At the moment, I am not training for a specific race, nor distance. I grew up playing many different sports, with a focus on basketball, baseball and track. I never considered myself a great long distance runner and, actually, as a youngster, was a better sprinter and jumper. Continue reading “The Runner Diaries — Mark Kennedy” →

The Runner Diaries — Brittany Lewis

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn food, Inspiration, marathon training, running, The Boston MarathonLeave a comment

Inspired by Refinery29’s Money Diaries and The Cut’s Sex Diaries, welcome to The Runner Diaries, where we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look into a week of training with runners of varying ages, paces and GPS coordinates.

This week, we have Brittany Lewis, a 28-year-old Upper East Sider juggling a vigorous PhD program with training for her first Boston Marathon.

Screen Shot 2017-04-07 at 3.07.32 PM
Lewis with her sister

THE RUN DOWN

Name: Brittany Lewis
Location: New York, NY
Age: 28
Training For: Boston Marathon
Occupation: Student
Goal race? Boston Marathon
Following a training plan? Yes, loosely following a generic plan I poached from the Internet ages ago)
Part of any running communities, clubs or training programs? The Most Informal Running Club, Ever (TMIRCE) NYC, and November Project NYC
How long you’ve been ‘a runner:’ Since 2013
Goal weekly mileage: 35-40 miles

Continue reading “The Runner Diaries — Brittany Lewis” →

Alternatives To Setting A Rigid Time Goal In Your Next Race

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn Inspiration, marathon training, runningLeave a comment

If you’ve ever run a race, you’ve probably gotten this question from your friends, family members, running buddies, and, innocuous (yet annoyingly curious) strangers:

“What was your time?”

It’s a simple question that holds a TON of weight. It’s invasive, almost — at least, in my opinion.

Because once I answer that question, it doesn’t matter how hard I trained for that race, or what was going on in my head from the start to the finish line. It doesn’t matter if this was my personal best time, or a time I’m not proud of. It doesn’t matter if just having the courage to get to the starting line was a struggle in itself, or what I went through during the training process.

I know it’s a standard question; a common one in the running community. But it can also be belittling. Continue reading “Alternatives To Setting A Rigid Time Goal In Your Next Race” →

The Runner Diaries — Morgan Sjogren

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn Inspiration, marathon training, running, travel1 Comment

Inspired by Refinery29’s Money Diaries and The Cut’s Sex Diaries, welcome to The Runner Diaries, a behind-the-scenes look into a week of training with runners of varying ages and abilities. We’re asking runners of every level, genre and distance (road vs. trail, endurance vs. speedsters, hobby joggers vs. elites) to share their workouts, training runs and nutritional choices during a seven-day period to get a glimpse into the inner struggles and tribulations of what it means to be a runner.

This week, we have 30-year-old Morgan “Mo” Sjogren of Northern Arizona, a digital nomad, competitive trail runner and full-time running bum who is currently training for the U.S. Mountain Running Championships this June.

FullSizeRender (2)

THE RUNDOWN:

Name: Morgan “Mo” Gonzalez
Location: Currently on the road living the Jeep-sy life (literally!), or on a ranch in Northern Arizona
Age: 30
Training For: Trail and Mountain Races + Random Adventures!
Goal race? U.S. Mountain Running Championships in June, some low key trail races this spring and a Peruvian Running Adventure in May!
Following a training plan? No, just a basic knowledge of how a standard training week should be structured/previous experience/learning as I go.
How long you’ve been ‘a runner: I asked my Mom to run a cross-country race with me when I was nine.
Goal weekly mileage: I don’t worry about this much, but right now 45-60 miles per week + some hiking.

Runner’s Statement:

Last fall I started trail running and fell in love. I went on some big running adventures (like running across the Sierras and back, and running the Tour Du Mt. Blanc). I started racing on the trails and placed 6th and 10th at the U.S. Trail Half and Marathon Championships. After focusing on the track for my entire career I’m excited to get dirty this year and explore all that trail and mountain racing has to offer. Not to mention, any awesome running adventures or travel opportunities that present themselves. I’m currently bouncing around the southwest dirtbag-style, and checking out tons of new trails!

I work remotely and take full advantage of this in my running bum/Jeepsy lifestyle. It allows me to explore so many new places on two feet, meet and connect with beautiful and diverse people and ultimately gives me a lot of inspiration for the work I do (I think much clearer outside than at a desk). This week, I took a road trip to Bear’s Ears National Monument for a story I am writing for REI Trail Run Project and enjoyed some amazing training runs along the way. Continue reading “The Runner Diaries — Morgan Sjogren” →

The Runner Diaries — Erin Nemeth

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn food, Inspiration, marathon training, runningLeave a comment

Inspired by Refinery29’s Money Diaries and The Cut’s Sex Diaries, welcome to The Runner Diaries, where we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look into a week of training with runners of varying ages and abilities. We’re asking runners of every level, genre and distance (road vs. trail, endurance vs. speedsters, hobby joggers vs. elites) to share their workouts, training runs and nutritional choices during a seven-day period to get a glimpse into the inner struggles and tribulations of what it means to be a runner. Get The Runner Diaries delivered straight to your inbox every week by clicking here.

This week, we have 26-year-old Erin Nemeth of Astoria, New York, a marketer in the hospitality industry with a recent 1:29:41 half-marathon PR, and a passion for fitness, running and punching things. This week, she attempts balancing training for a BQ in the Salt Lake City Marathon with MMA training, a social life, and a finicky stomach.

NYC
photo via The Most Informal Running Club, Ever (NYC)

The RUNDOWN:

  • Name: Erin Nemeth
  • Age: 26
  • Location: Astoria, NY
  • Training for: Salt Lake City Marathon — Saturday, April 22, 2017
  • Occupation: Marketing & Communications Manager
  • Goal: PR (sub-3:26:00), which would also mean a BQ for 2018
  • Weeks until race: 9
  • Following a training plan?: Yes (loosely based on Hal Higdon Advanced 1)
  • How long you’ve been a “runner:” 11 years, on & off (high school cross-country 2006-2008; hiatus for 2 knee surgeries; started again in 2013)
  • Goal weekly mileage: 40-50

Continue reading “The Runner Diaries — Erin Nemeth” →

The Runner Diaries — Gordon Wright

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn food, Inspiration, marathon training, running, travelLeave a comment

Inspired by Refinery29’s Money Diaries and The Cut’s Sex Diaries, welcome to The Runner Diaries, a behind-the-scenes look into a week of training with runners of varying ages and abilities. We’re asking runners of every level, genre and distance (road vs. trail, endurance vs. speedsters, hobby joggers vs. elites) to share their workouts, training runs and nutritional choices during a seven-day period to get a glimpse into the inner struggles and tribulations of what it means to be a runner. Get The Runner Diaries delivered straight to your inbox every week by clicking here.

This week, we have 52-year-old Gordon Wright from Marin County, California — a business owner, adventure racer and triathlete whose colossal competitive drive serves as his motivation to train for a 50k trail race.

gordon-wright-outsidepr

The Run Down:

Name: Gordon Wright

Location: Marin County, California
Age: 52
Training For: The North Face Endurance Challenge 50k at Bear Mountain on May 13
Goal? Finish // Stretch goal: 8 hours
Weeks until goal race: 12
Following a training plan? No
How long you’ve been ‘a runner:’ Since 1995 — the last time I ever held a “real” job.
Goal mileage per week/month: 20-25 miles per week in month one; 25-30 in month two; and 35-40 per week at the end of April before tapering a bit

Runner’s Statement:  

I’ve been an avid runner, adventure racer and triathlete forever. So long, in fact, that my career revolves around running (and cycling, and triathlon and the outdoors). I’ve done multi-day adventure races and Ironman triathlons, so distances don’t scare me — but finding the time and motivation for training is a constant challenge.

Continue reading “The Runner Diaries — Gordon Wright” →

The Runner Diaries — Jason Fitzgerald

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn food, Inspiration, running1 Comment

Inspired by Refinery29’s Money Diaries and The Cut’s Sex Diaries, welcome to The Runner Diaries, where we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look into a week of training with runners of varying ages and abilities. We’re asking runners of every level, genre and distance (road vs. trail, endurance vs. speedsters, hobby joggers vs. elites) to share their workouts, training runs and nutritional choices during a seven-day period to get a glimpse into the inner struggles and tribulations of what it means to be a runner. Get The Runner Diaries delivered straight to your inbox every week by clicking here.

This week, we have 33-year-old Jason Fitzgerald of Denver, Colorado, a run coach and 2:39:32 marathoner juggling fatherhood, owning a business, and a daily desire to run.

THE RUNDOWN:

Name: Jason Fitzgerald
Location: Denver, Colorado
Age: 33
Training For: N/A
Occupation: Running coach & founder of Strength Running
Goal race? N/A
Following a training plan? No
Part of any running communities, clubs or training programs? Team Strength Running
How long you’ve been ‘a runner:’ September, 1998 (joined his high school cross country team)
Goal weekly mileage: N/A Continue reading “The Runner Diaries — Jason Fitzgerald” →

4 Idiot-Proof Recipes Even You (Yes, You!) Can Make

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn food, Inspiration, runningLeave a comment

Last weekend I had my good friend Jaclyn over for dinner and made one of my most simple, go-to meals: baked salmon with a side of baked sweet potatoes. In my opinion, the combination is super easy to make, yet still packed with healthy ingredients. So I was surprised to hear her remark that she could, “Never do this.” And by this, she meant replicate the recipe.

Her comment made me think about how many people think cooking for themselves is more difficult than it actually is. Sure, putting together a four course meal is probably legitimately hard; but cooking for yourself doesn’t need to be. To keep my meals simple (and thus, my meal prep time short), I try to stick to recipes that require five or less ingredients.

Here are four of my favorite recipes you can make with five ingredients (or less). Continue reading “4 Idiot-Proof Recipes Even You (Yes, You!) Can Make” →