Survey for the runners out there

[lmbjer]

If you would be kind enough to indulge my curiosity.....

How long have you been running?

At what age did you start or restart running?

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc...

How many times a week do you run?

Do you alternate any other training or exercises?

Your biggest challenge?

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running?

Thanks!

[LittleBattleAxe]

I'm very new to running, but I am loving it (in my 5th week).

I'm in my late 30s.

My goal is to run a half-mara to celebrate my next bday; to that end, I am running solely for distance/stamina. I run on some nature trails (paved but with some great steep hills), once a week -- this is a struggle because I have a 4 yr old in stroller and two dogs. Three-four days a week, I am on the treadmill at home. I prefer to run in the afternoon, but have to work around my schedule.

I have been doing a bit of work with freeweights as my arms have started to tone up some; also swim, but more for fun than exercise. Generally I am active, like to get out and walk dogs, ride bikes with my older kids, etc.

My biggest challenge so far has been dealing with bronchitis. I was sick for about 10 days (and I have asthma to boot), and just couldn't run until I was recovered from it -- by then I had lost some progress and found it frustrating to get back to where I had been.

My favorite thing -- for the first time, I get it! I tried to take up running several times but never got into the whole rhythm of it. When I started I couldn't even run for five minutes, but I was able to find the mental rhythm I needed to start building up my distance.

[ians_mommy]

My replies bolded

Originally Posted by lmbjer

If you would be kind enough to indulge my curiosity.....

How long have you been running?

Over half of my life. I started running when I was 16 and I am now 34 (almost 35).

At what age did you start or restart running?
See last answer

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc...

This varies. I run a minimum of 3 miles, but if I am in training for a marathon, have runs as long as 20 miles. Time is determined by distance. Speed is determined by distance and how I feel. Time of day is determined by work and kids.

How many times a week do you run?
4-6. I do the eliptical on "off" days and rest at least one full day.

Do you alternate any other training or exercises?
Eliptical and weights.

Your biggest challenge?
Motivating myself out the door at 4:30 in the morning or after a looonnnng day of work because I have no other time.

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running?
I have completed 12 marathons. The last two marathons were run when I was pregnant with DD (at 13 wks and 26 wks gestation). Of course now she wants to be bounced/jiggled all day long

Thanks!

[LaLaLaLa]

Hi! I love surveys.

I've currently been running for a year and a half or so. I ran for my four years of high school, though, cross-country and winter track. After that I thought I hated running and took a long break from it before venturing back in recently.

So I started running when I started high school, so just before I turned 14. I'm now 32 and, as I said, have been at it this time for about a year and a half.

A typical run for me is in the morning. On a weekday it has to be before DH leaves for work. Since I'm not so hot on waking up at the crack of dawn, this affects distance. I run through the nearby neighborhoods and a typical morning is now 4 miles of mostly flat street running. On the weekends I can sometimes sneak in a 7 or 8 mile run.

I try to run every day, although that's not realistic. I'm finally coming to terms with the fact that I can still be a runner even if I'm not running every day. I tend to be a perfectionist, which then causes me to be injured. I'm slowly learning how to take it easy and listen to my body.

I generally don't alternate exercises; I'm waiting to save up my funds to join a gym and then I'll get some variety. I've recently joined this crazy 100s group on facebook, though, so I'm doing a hundred sit-ups and push-ups and squats a day. And toe raises to try to keep my kneecaps where they should be.

My biggest challenges are getting our of bed in the morning to actually make it outside to run, and not pushing myself so hard that I end up injured.

I really love the way I feel when I'm running. Powerful and strong and limber.... my days run much more smoothly when I've started with a run. I'm able to be calmer and more patient, and I'm more aware of what I'm eating and able to make better decisions. Running really centers me. Which I need to remember first thing in the morning when my alarm rings.

[JayGee]

How long have you been running? I've been running, on and off, since my freshman year of college in 1986. I didn't run an actual race though until 2004.

At what age did you start or restart running? I started when I was 18 and I ran with the crew team (I was a coxswain and trained with my boat.) I stopped for all three pregnancies since I felt so crummy, but started again after each birth. At age 36 I ran my first race. I'm now 42.

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc... I prefer to run in the morning on trails rather than on the road. Runs are anywhere from 3-12 miles depending on what I'm training for. Right now I'm coming back from an injury, so I'm slow (around 11 min/mi with walk breaks), but my usual long run pace is around 9 min/mi).

How many times a week do you run? I try for at least 3.

Do you alternate any other training or exercises? I also like to do triathlons, so I swim and bike as well.

Your biggest challenge? As I've gotten older, I need more rest between run days to prevent injury. My biggest challenge is realizing when I need to take time off to prevent further injury.

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running? My favorite thing about running is the escape. I run without music and love the quiet solitude of running on trails. I also love my running group! My greatest success was the 1:40 half-marathon I raced a couple of years ago.

[Realrellim]

How long have you been running? Nine years, beginning February 2001.

At what age did you start or restart running? I was 26, closing in on 27 when I started.

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc... Frequently, I run the trails in my neighborhood. It's about 3 mile loop, depending on how I do it, and it takes me about 30 minutes. I usually run in the afternoon, but it really varies depending on what else is going on that day and the kind of run it is (tempo run, easy run, long run). For longer runs, I'll connect to other trails, and in the summer I might run early in the morning. The landscape includes some canals, creeks, a lake and mountain views.

How many times a week do you run? I try to run 3-5x/week.

Do you alternate any other training or exercises? Yes--strength training, core exercises, biking, and hiking.

Your biggest challenge? Fitting my runs in despite everything else going on and getting my children to cooperate (either by getting in the jogger, or by going to bed at a reasonable time so I can run in the treadmill at night).

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running? Greatest success: running a half-marathon in 1:57:10 last summer. Favorite thing: feeling more balanced and peaceful (at least temporarily!).

[Penelope]

Ok!

How long have you been running?

Since fall of 2007 - so almost three years.

At what age did you start or restart running?

32

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc...

Morning, outside, 4-6m, ~9:30/m, a path near my house that's got a few hills but is mostly flat. My long run is about 10m.

How many times a week do you run?

Ideally? 4. Realistically? 3. This week? 1. But it was a half marathon! I am much better when work isn't crushing the life out of me.

Do you alternate any other training or exercises?

Yoga, and I just bought some handweights.

Your biggest challenge?

At first? Managing my asthma. Now? Finding time and space in my life.

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running?

I never thought of myself as athletic, or coordinated. Now I've just finished my third half marathon, have two more planned for this summer/fall, and feel like a runner. I'm very fit, very happy (most days) with how my body looks and feels, and I'm much healthier than when I started.

[HappilyEvrAfter]

Originally Posted by lmbjer

If you would be kind enough to indulge my curiosity.....

How long have you been running?
For about 20ish years

At what age did you start or restart running?
At about 17ish when I finally decided I was joining the military. My dad made sure I could run my butt off cause he knew what was coming with basic training.

Then two years ago I had to restart because of a lower back injury.

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc...
I try to keep my runs on the treadmill cause my back doesn't hurt as much, but I do about 30% outside because that's where I have to test. Last year I was running 5 miles three times a week, but had to drop that to 3 miles about twice a week due to time constraints at work. I hate to run in the morning even though I run better then, but can still get 3 miles down in 32 mins in the afternoons.

How many times a week do you run?
see above

Do you alternate any other training or exercises?
Yes, but only becuase I'm forced....otherwise I would run exclusively.
I know, I know that cross training is best.

Your biggest challenge?
Time. Single mother in the military. It's hard to find time outside of my alloted work time for gym and just don't have the gumption to haul the kid along (on his bike) for a weekend run.

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running?
I "ran across Texas" last year. I took the mileage from the widest part of Texas and ran that much over the year.

Generally I just like the solitude of running and the accomplishment I feel afterward.

I'd really like to do marathons, but I just don't feel like I have enough dedicated time to train for one properly.

Thanks!

My answers in bold...

[ryleigh'smama]

Originally Posted by JayGee

How long have you been running? I started running about a year and a half ago.
At what age did you start or restart running? I was 30, it was when ds was 1.5 years old. I ran a bit before that, but this is when I started "training" for my first race and really began to LOVE running.

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc... I love trail running, I take my dh or my dogs or some friends and hit the trails (dirt). Distance...well I usually run between 4-6 miles. Speed, I just ran an 8K in 37 min, so roughly 8-8:30/mile. That was a race though, so I probably run for fun at about 9 min/mile. Time varies, I don't really run a lot as you'll see below, so when I do now it is usually in the late morning, or afternoon.
How many times a week do you run? Outside I run about once a week.

Do you alternate any other training or exercises? Yes. A lot of weight training, HIIT, sprinting on treadmill in between weights, circuit training. I do an hour of intense training 4-5 days a week.

Your biggest challenge? I love running trails, and time is my biggest challenge. I need someone with me on trails because of safety (mountain lions, snakes, etc) and the time that works best for me to work out is lunch, and at that time I don't have anyone to workout with. So once a week I do the afternoon, but it's not my best time.

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running? My favorite thing about running is the feeling I get after the first mile, when my body gets into the groove...and running down hill on dirt trails with curves....I LOVE that. I also love racing. Despite not running a ton for awhile, the race I ran last weekend I had run last year, and I beat my time by 3 minutes. I think that all the conditioning and intervals really did help.

I inserted my answers above, for some reason the survey didn't open up for me.

[bec]

How long have you been running?
3.5 years

At what age did you start or restart running?
33 years!

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc...
Hmmm, depends on what I'm doing. If I'm doing speed work, it's usually on the treadmill. If I don't have childcare, treadmill or indoor track. Long runs, and any other time I can, it's either on pavement around the neighborhood, or limestone bike paths at a nearby forest preserve.

How many times a week do you run?
Well, currently, none. I am nursing a stress fracture. When I am in running form, usually around 5 days a week.

Do you alternate any other training or exercises?
I swim, bike, and strength train

Your biggest challenge?
Currently, it's this fracture. Usually, though, I would say it's scheduling the runs around childcare/school. This is toughest when I'm training for a longer race, and the long runs get into the multiple hour range!

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running?
Greatest success is losing almost 100 pounds, finishing a marathon, 4 half marathons, and losing count of how many 5ks I've done! My favorite thing is the calm, peace, and energy I get from a great run. Feeling like I can go forever makes me want to shout and jump for joy!

[funkymamajoy]

If you would be kind enough to indulge my curiosity.....

How long have you been running? 6 months

At what age did you start or restart running? 32

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc...
around 3 miles, sometimes on the treadmill and sometimes on city streets

How many times a week do you run? 3-4

Do you alternate any other training or exercises? I also swim, lift weights and practice yoga

Your biggest challenge? some knee issues

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running? I love how it can turn around a bad mood.

[tjsmama]

I'm a fairly new runner, just started up 3 years ago at age 31 when a friend asked me to do a triathlon with her. I was going through a separation (followed by divorce) and exercise became my sanity saver.

I am not a natural athlete. I'm not fast, but I am stubborn. My DS is my most frequent training partner, so I usually run flat terrain, pushing the stroller. Fast for me is a 9 minute mile! I run 3-4 days a week, depending on what I'm training for. I consider myself more of a triathlete than a runner, so during tri season, I usually cut back one run a week and up my biking and swimming. My midweek runs are usually 3-5 miles, and I try to do a long run on the weekend, which could be anywhere from 8-20 miles, depending what I'm training for at the moment.

My biggest challenge, by far, is finding the time to train as a single parent. I do most of it with DS in the jogging stroller/bike trailer, but as I've moved into longer distance stuff, I really struggle with finding the time to get a long run and a long ride in on the weekends. I'm usually limited to one or the other per weekend, I just can't get both in and still get all the little things done. And I'm starting school in a week and a half, so it's only going to get worse from here. I can't do early morning workouts because my DS is sleeping and I can't leave him alone (and don't have a treadmill) and I can't do evening workouts because DS goes to bed by 7. I do pay a babysitter once a week so I can go to track workouts, but I can't afford to do that more frequently.

I have a few things that I'm really proud of having accomplished since I started this. First and foremost, I am SO proud that I'm setting a good example of a healthy, active lifestyle for my DS. I completed my first half-ironman last fall and am signed up for another one in August. I have dreams of doing Ironman, but it's going to have to wait until I have more time and especially money. I also completed my first full marathon in January, which was on my life list but not something I ever really thought I would actually do!

[lab]

Very cool thread! Thanks! Here goes.......


How long have you been running?

I've been running on a treadmill/elliptical for 5 years. I had never run before. I've been running outdoors for 3 years. I do not run indoors any longer.

At what age did you start or restart running?

35

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc...

I do a lot of different things. I love love love trail runs - I do those around a 9 minute mile if I'm cooking. Usually a 10 minute mile. These runs are 5 to 6 mile runs.

5 to 6 mile runs on the road are about an 8 minute mile. Sometimes. Sometimes I have days where I'm good to even be tackling a run.

On long runs I average an 8/8.5 minute mile and those are usually pretty flat. (a long run is 8-10 miles)

I do intervals and hills weekly if I have a race coming up.

Short 5ks are a 7.5 or 8 minute mile

I run in the morning

How many times a week do you run?

5 to 6 times a week.

Do you alternate any other training or exercises?

I love kick box and weight lifting. Now that I re-joined the gym, I intend to reduce my runs and add more strength training.

Your biggest challenge?

Hmmmm......running for fun sometimes. I'm kinda ocd about my runs and times. It's weird.

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running?

Time alone to think is my favorite thing. I am a much better mother when I work out daily. Keeps me calm and helps me focus.

So far - my greatest success was a recent 10k that I finished in 47 minutes, 30 seconds. I finished 63rd overall out of 900 people and placed 3rd in my age group. I want to win in my age group next year though and finish in 45 minutes or less.

[phathui5]

How long have you been running? 3 months

At what age did you start or restart running? 25

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc... Because I need the free babysitting at the Y so I can work out, all of my running is treadmill running right now. I want to start running outdoors now that the weather here isn't so horrible.

How many times a week do you run? 4-5

Do you alternate any other training or exercises? 2-3 days a week of strength training. I've recently started taking a yoga class on Fridays.

Your biggest challenge? Not stopping.

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running?
I love when I get to the end of a run and realize that I survived.

[BunnyMcFluff]

I've been running about 2 years. I started when I was 29 or so. I don't really have a typical run--I have to be very flexible to get my miles in, lol. I run anywhere between 4-12 miles depending on the day, sometimes in the morning and sometimes in the evening. I try to run 4-5 days a week, and weight train another day. My biggest challenge has been mentally recovering from half-marathon training. I burned myself out pretty badly training for a race in January and I STILL haven't gotten my base mileage back up where I'd like it to be. My favorite thing about running--everything! I love the way I look, I love being healthy and strong, I love having cardiac fitness, I love getting out alone to work out. Running is meditative for me

Originally Posted by lmbjer

If you would be kind enough to indulge my curiosity.....

How long have you been running?

At what age did you start or restart running?

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc...

How many times a week do you run?

Do you alternate any other training or exercises?

Your biggest challenge?

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running?

Thanks!

[Neldavi]

I'm barely a runner at this point ... I just finished couch25k a couple of weeks ago, but I'm loving it and have been lurking in this thread so I thought I'd post .. answersin red

Originally Posted by lmbjer

If you would be kind enough to indulge my curiosity.....

How long have you been running? 2-3 months


At what age did you start or restart running? 31

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc... on a road, some gravel, but mostly asphalt.. I'd like to start trail running but that would probably mean driving somewhere first, so it would happen less .. 3 miles every other morning while dh stays with the kids .. er, speed? I'm super slow now. It takes me 34-35 minutes to run 3 miles Like I said, I've just started and in my defense, 1 mile is uphill. Gradual uphill, but still.

How many times a week do you run? 3-4

Do you alternate any other training or exercises? not really, I occasionally do yoga and I'm just starting the 100 push-up program

Your biggest challenge? My own slowness, lol. It can be discouraging.

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running? At this point, I'm just tickled I'm able to do it. I've been fairly out of shape for a while, so I feel so much better physically, plus I'm pretty proud of myself for being able to do it.

And my butt is higher .

Thanks!

[MamaChicken]

How long have you been running? A few months

At what age did you start or restart running? I just turned 35. I have been a runner before.

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc... Right now, I run through my neighborhood- moderate hill, 2-3 miles, 9-10 minute/mile

How many times a week do you run? 3

Do you alternate any other training or exercises? yoga on my rest days

Your biggest challenge? Keeping it going. With 3 under 3 yo, and DH and I working fulltime, my only time to go is 5am.

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running? The alone time and how amazing I feel all day!

[cornflake girl]

How long have you been running? Almost 4 years

At what age did you start or restart running? 33

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc...I live in the foothills so lots of rolling hills. Distance can be anywhere from 4-20 miles depending on what I'm training for. I run in the morning and most runs are in the 9-9:30 m/m range.

How many times a week do you run? 5

Do you alternate any other training or exercises? nope

Your biggest challenge? My mind that likes to tell me that I'm going to fail.

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running? My greatest success is running marathons (still can't believe I can do that!) and winning the occasional age group award at smaller races. My favorite thing about running is that it allows me to turn off my brain and have not a care in the world while I'm doing it.

[LeslieB]

If you would be kind enough to indulge my curiosity.....

How long have you been running? 26 years

At what age did you start or restart running? I was 8, but I could say it definitely felt like restarting at 30 right after having my son.

What is a "typical" run for you - landscape, distance, time, speed, time of day, etc... I usually run in the morning, mostly on trails in the woods, but sometimes on the sidewalk or the paved bike path. I run anything from 5-14 miles right now. It depends on the distance and terrain, but it's somewhere between 7mm and 8.5mm, usually. For races, I run faster. My 10K is in the 6:50mm range. My marathon was 8mm.

How many times a week do you run? 3 days a week usually

Do you alternate any other training or exercises? Yes. I do Insanity (from Beachbody.com) 2 days a week and Chalean Extreme's weight training workouts (also from beachbody.com)2 days a week.

Your biggest challenge? Finding the time to really train hard and on good terrain. It's barely hilly here, and if I really trained, I think I would be faster.

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running? My greatest success so far has been qualifying for Boston on my first marathon. I've never been interested in the Boston Marathon, but now, I am. I've also been first female overall at 4 of the races I've run this year. I love running because it feels good. It clears my mind and just really cleanses my body. And I feel like it's something I'm pretty good at. It's given me something while as a SAHM, I've often felt like I do nothing.

[Alison's Mom]

How long have you been running? I've been running, on and off, since I was 8. Ran track and Cross country in elementary and high school. Ran my 1st 10K when I was 12, and then ran sporadically for a few years after HS graduation until I was inspired by my flatmate who ran the London Marathon in 1999. I said to my then boyfriend that I would run the Vancouver one 2yrs later, and I did. I met DH through running at work, and he and I trained together for my first 1/2 marathon when I was 24, and full marathon when I was 25.

At what age did you start or restart running? Running totally dropped off the radar after having DD, who was a poor sleeper and wouldn't ride in the stroller for long periods of time. I was just too sleep deprived to even think about running. I trained for a 10K (1st road race since early 2004) in the fall of last year, and have running regularly, albeit short distances and slowly since then.

What is a "typical" run for you? After the 10K in Oct, I got the flu, possibly H1N1 and was not up to running for 4 or so weeks. Since then I've only run up to a max of about 7K, or about 4 miles. I usually run 3-4 miles, and it's not fast. I either run on our treadmill after the kids to go bed, or on a T/Thu am when both kids are at school, or during the day on the weekend. There's a park with a track near our house, so I usually run there, run around the track 6-8 times and then run home.

How many times a week do you run? I try for at least 3, and possibly 4 when I'm not sick, which recently has been a problem - cold after cold!

Do you alternate any other training or exercises? Not really. I used to do other stuff, like hiking, some rock climbing, some biking, etc, but since kids, I have so little spare time that I just stick to running. I do walk a fair bit, though, like to the library, grocery store, etc, with or without kids.

Your biggest challenge? I've had problems with my left knee and I have to watch what shoes I wear, use my knee brace and I really think taking a full rest day between runs helps. Also, finding the time when I'm being pulled in different directions, and I don't even have a job (outside the home)!

Your greatest success or favorite thing about running? I like just having the quiet and thinking about things when I run. I never run with music, but sometimes do repeat songs in my head as I go. When I'm in reasonable shape, I love the feeling of running! I'm pretty proud of my sub-4hr marathon in 2003. I'm not that fast, and not competitive by any stretch, but as a recreational runner, was pretty happy with that.