Category: running

The Runner Diaries — David Leshaw

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn food, marathon training, race recap, 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, paces and GPS coordinates. 

This week, we have David Leshaw of Jerusalem, Israel — a father and startup founder juggling fatherhood, his faith, and his CEO status with half marathon training.

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The Run Down

Name: David Leshaw
Location: Jerusalem, Israel
Age: 26
Training For: Trail half-marathon in Jerusalem Mountains (March 10th), Jerusalem Half-Marathon (March 17th).
Occupation: CEO at Finishers Club
Goal race? I’d love to do an Ultra or an Ironman before I turn 30, but I don’t have anything particular in mind, just yet.
Following a training plan? Nope.
Part of any running communities, clubs or training programs? Finishers Club, and a few local Strava groups.
How long you’ve been ‘a runner:’ Since 2012.
Goal weekly mileage: 30-40 miles. Continue reading “The Runner Diaries — David Leshaw” →

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.

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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.

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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” →

This Woman Will Run 240 Miles To The Women’s March On Washington In Support Of Planned Parenthood

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn headlines, Inspiration, runningLeave a comment

On Jan. 16, 2017 (which also happens to be Martin Luther King Jr. Day), Alison Marie Désir and a small team of women will begin a 240-mile run from Harlem to Washington D.C. in an effort to raise money and awareness for Planned Parenthood, and to showcase the awesome power of women.

The initiative, called “Four Women Run for ALL Women,” will require Désir and her comrades to run roughly two New York City Marathon distances for five days in a row (a marathon is 26.2 miles, meaning the women will be running an ultra marathon each day).

I wrote about Désir’s trek in an article on Bustle, which you can read in it’s entirety here. Join the cause and either run yourself, or donate to the GoFundMe page!

The Best Moments Of 2016

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn Inspiration, running, travelLeave a comment

As I mentioned in my last post, 2016 was a rough year for me, for many reasons. Closing out the year on crutches (I have a stress fracture in my right foot) didn’t exactly help matters, but I am trying to be optimistic about the year ahead.

Despite my melancholy opener, there are a few things I accomplished this year that I don’t totally hate…

So here they are: Continue reading “The Best Moments Of 2016” →

3 Running Newsletters To Subscribe To In 2017

On By idratherbestrongthanskinnyIn headlines, Inspiration, marathon training, running2 Comments

Maybe it’s because my very first “real world” job was with an email newsletter, but I have a soft spot in my heart for newsy deliverables that arrive in my inbox every week. Now that email newsletters that specifically focus on running exist, I wanted to highlight and share a few of my favorites that I now consider “must-reads.”

The Morning Shakeout

Continue reading “3 Running Newsletters To Subscribe To In 2017” →