John and I are so fortunate to have a big healthy family and we do as much as we can to support their activities, especially running. We’ve run many races with kids, their spouses and grandkids; we’ve cheered each other on from the sidelines; and John’s even putting together a running camp for the grandkids participating on their cross-country teams. So, I’d be grabbing about 36 pairs of new running shoes for them all! I might need help getting out the door!
I’m almost never without a Sparkly Soul headband (I have one with donuts on it–doesn’t get any better) and I’m pretty fussy about the fit of my running shoes which are currently Saucony Sinisters–great for track work and road runs up to 8 miles. In between the headband and shoes depends so much on the weather but I tend to stay in shorts and a tank down to about 45 degrees.
If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it — metaphorically speaking, getting a message out to millions or billions — what would it say and why? It could be a few words or a paragraph. (If helpful, it can be someone else’s quote: Are there any quotes you think of often or live your life by?)
So many good ones but this one’s been around with John and I for about 10 years; it’s the mantra I’ve had to rely on to get me out of bed for barn chores in spite of the -52 degree wind chill: “Attack every day with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind!”. Hey, it’s simple and it’s worked; I got it from Jim Harbaugh and, evidently, it’s worked for him, too!
Any pre run or pre race habits?
What’s one of the best running related investments you’ve made?
One funny morning in particular immediately comes to mind: For 25 years I lived in a teeny mountain town in Utah and I’d take my run so early I wouldn’t see another soul or pass a car. After running the same route past my friend’s farm for a few years, one morning I heard “clip-clop” behind me and I turned around to see my friend’s billy goat and duck in hot pursuit of me. I thought they’d turn back after a few yards but they both followed me home another 1/2 mile and I had to call my friend and have him come pick them up. Memorable because this was the first time I’d had “company” on a morning run!
What, if anything, do you listen to while running?
What’s one running item you think is a gimmick and won’t buy?
If you could go run with any living or dead historical figure, who would it be and why?
I would love to take a couple of people on one of those long runs with the sideways snow and the 20 mph headwind: The Dalai Lama to remind me my suffering is temporary and Robin Williams to keep me laughing all the way home. Thanks, Robin!