All About Becky

All About Becky

Loves to Run: 5k-Marathon

How did you start your fitness journey?

After graduating from college, I worked very hard to become the healthiest version of myself. 

I always thought that you had to eat boring food and spend hours working out.  Then, I started drinking Shakeology and exercising thirty minutes every day.  

There is nothing more motivating than a goal.  I always try smaller short-term goals.  I make a lot of vision boards with recipes, exercises and fitness tips.  When I have a vision of how I want to be healthy, I can avoid mindless snacking and take-out.  Vision boards keep me moving!

What are some of you favorite recipes?

I am obsessed with the kitchen and cook all of the time! 

I make risotto out of quinoa with chicken or shrimp.  There’s a delicious one-pan Mexican quinoa dish with corn, cilantro, jalapenos, and chicken.

How was your first half-marathon?

I signed up for the NYC Half-Marathon in 2014.  It was emotional.  I was not running for time, I just wanted to run the whole time.

My fiancé's family came to watch me at mile 7, running through Times Square.  The busiest part of Manhattan was cleared out just for us runners!

When I crossed the finish-line, I could not believe I had done it!  I think that is something to be really proud of, accomplishing a race like that! 

 

How were your other half-marathon experiences?

Running in Philly, is very cool.  I ran with my fast friends, which was a nice push.  The second half of the race was all up hill.  Great course, great vibe.  Loved the run, even though it was a freezing 22 degrees!

I love the race here in beautiful Saint Petersburg, Florida.  There are no waves, everyone starts at the same time.  My fiancé was the only one who could come, and was kind of my coach!

I set my PR in Brooklyn last May! Brooklyn was a very cool experience.

Do you run with a club?

My running club in Florida meets a couple times every week downtown by the water.  Then, everyone meets for happy hour!

I love running where I live.  There are two big lakes, with lots of gators and birds to see!  It is very entertaining.

 

What is your favorite distance?

6 miles!

What type of sneakers do you wear?

Brookes! They are pink, grey, and teal with extra cushion.

What do you like to wear running?

Tank top and sports-bra with shorts!

What are your running goals for the future?

Next January, I hope to run the marathon in Key West, Florida!

I put my name in the NYC Marathon Lotto with my friends and we are running the 2016 NYC Marathon!

Do you have advice for other runners?

Run for the joy of the process. 

Follow Becky on Social Media!

@foodieturnedfit

Check out Becky's Blog!

http://www.teamfitfoodies.com

Photography, courtesy of Becky. 

That Pretty Runner

All About Christine

All About Christine

Loves to Run: 5k-Marathon

How did you start running?

My coach is very active in running and triathlons.  We started to meet up weekly for swimming, biking and running.  I really enjoyed the running, but I used to hate running.  When I started learning how to run properly and pace myself, I decided to run in races. 

What is your program, Blind Hockey?

Hockey is my favorite sport.  I have been playing my entire life.  Growing up, I was always playing ice-hockey outside with my brothers. 

When I was a teenager, I was having trouble seeing in school.  At first, I thought I just need glasses.  Then, it turned out that I have a genetic condition and degenerative vision loss.

Blind Hockey, is a program for people with low vision across the US and Canada.  We have a full competitive Canadian team and 7-8 US teams with a large base in DC.  It is hard to find people, because starting a new sport makes them anxious.

We skate from September to late March and sometimes early April.

My sister has the same condition too.  It helped when she first played in Canada, to not be the minority but the majority.  Disability will never stop us. 

I am not completely blind, this picture of a horse depicts my vision.

 

What is your favorite part about hockey?  

Hockey is fun!  We have one huge game in Toronto every year.  This year, there were 86 registered blind players.  Recreational divisions and competitive divisions are available. We have to classify based on our vision and skill level.  I was the only female American in the competitive division.

I love being able to play competitive hockey, again. I am 5ft and 115lbs.  Hockey makes me stronger and work harder. 

How are your progressing as a runner?

I started out training for Tough Mudder’s, with a soft spot for military fundraising.  Training for those races really got me into running.

Last November, I ran my first half-marathon with a couple 5k’s and 10k’s.  My coach guided was running alongside me the entire time.  When I was training, my coach always sent me fun little workouts and tracked my progress!

 

How was your half-marathon?

The Harbor Side Half Marathon, in Newburyport Massachusetts outside of Boston, was like a loop!  We ran out and back.   I reached my goal, running under two hours! 

What is a typical week of training for you?

25-30 miles a week!

Where are your favorite places to run?

I go on a bike trail that runs from Putnam County NY, all the way down to Westchester NY.  Sometimes I run hill repeats, up three times and down three times.  It burns a lot! 

I love to run at SUNY Purchase, it is a very nice college campus.  The outside loop is exactly three miles, people run and walk.  I run the loop 1-3 times.    

What are your running goals for the future?

My friend and I threw our names in the NYC Marathon Lotto.  We have been selected!  

What type of sneakers do you wear?

I actually wear Topo athletic sneakers.  They are super light, I have never had a problem!

How does running make you feel?

Running is a mind clearing thing for me. I might not enjoy it in the moment, it’s afterwards, that push to the end makes it completely worth it.

Do you have a motto?

During this whole time of getting into running and the hockey really taking off last year, I was going through a divorce.  It has been hard and I found a quote, “Better than yesterday, worse than tomorrow.”

I ran through my divorce.  When I went to Boston for my first half-marathon, it was one of the first trips that I did completely on my own!  I took a train to Boston.  I was really independent, it was a big step. Running has helped so much.

Do you have advice for other runners?

Always do what you love and never let anything get in the way.   Listen to your body, continue doing what you love.  I love adventure, exploring and doing!

Surround yourself with positive people. I would be nowhere without my family and a few very close friends, who are essentially my family

Follow Christine on Instagram:

@Chrisx0731

Blind Hockey

http://blindicehockey.com/

Photography, courtesy of Christine.

That Pretty Runner

All About Kelli

All About Kelli

Loves to Run: 5k- Marathon

How did you start running?

I started running with my mom to exercise and spend time together!

In middle-school I ran cross-country, mainly to stay in shape for basketball season. 

My entire senior year of high school, I trained for a 5k.  I was really afraid of coming in last place, so my training was very intense. When I first started training, my goal was to run for thirty minutes straight.  I was running probably an hour a day as I got closer to the race.  On race day, I was the first female to cross the finish-line!

During college I met everyone on my campus who likes running, on a Saturday morning racing in a 5k at 7am! 

 

How was your first marathon?

I finished my first marathon last October.  It was so much fun.  I never thought that I was going to be a marathoner, because I get injured so easily.  My co-workers convinced me to do it.  I ended up running 16 miles in a training run, and signed up for The Outer Banks Marathon.  It was worth traveling!

People were really friendly.  My boyfriend came to the marathon and it was easy for him to be at every spectating point .  He tapped me on the shoulder and told me to run! 

The course was really pretty and nice because it was flat.  It was perfect weather, 50 degrees. 

I ran with a hydration pack.  I do not feel comfortable going without my Nathan Sport Camelback.  It was not too heavy until maybe mile 22.  I love gels with extra caffeine, caramel macchiato is my favorite.  

Do you want to run more marathons?

Yes! On my bucket list I have NYC, Chicago, Boston and Disney.  I would love to travel to a different countries to run! 

What is your biggest obstacle as a runner?

Planters Fasciitis. I took some time off from running.  If it hurts I use KT tape or regular athletic tape.

Where are your favorite places to run?

California, anywhere!  Big Sur is really pretty.  I hope to run the Big Sur Marathon someday!  

I love running in Hawaii, visiting my boyfriend!

Do you have a running story?

I used to take my boyfriend running a lot.  We were on a run and my shoe was stuck in the loop of the other shoe lace.  I went head first in the ground on a really crowded street.  It would have been funny except that happened a second time.  He kind of worries about me when I go running.  

How do you balance running with life?

It goes back to how my mom got me into exercising.  She went to the gym at 5:30 in the morning, every day.  Now, I wake up at 5am and go to the gym before work. 

When I am training for my marathon, I run closer to my work because of the hour commute.  It took a little bit of time to get back into running, especially after college when I could run whenever I wanted to.

I love running with my co-workers.  One of my co-workers has been running 7 years, she is the one who told me to run my marathon.  We talked to a few of my other co-workers to do a 5k, we try to run races together.  One of them started running about a year ago, she is training for her first half-marathon.  It is so nice, half of us from the office run together!

How does running make you feel?

Running makes me feel happy! You get endorphins running. 

I love that with running it is such an individual sport, you really are competing with yourself.

Do you have a motto?

My blog is called Run Happy Eat Happy.  I pretty much try to stick to that.  I have not really struggled with weight loss, but I think that diet really effects how you run.  Eating healthfully is very important.

What are your favorite foods?

Movie Theatre Popcorn!

In my office we have a popcorn machine.  I am in Digital Marketing, but my second job is really VP Popcorn Maker.

What type of sneakers do you wear?

Brookes Glycerin. 

What do you wear running?

I love bright color Nike shorts and singlets.

 

Do you have advice for other runners?

If you do not think you can do something, you should try it because you never know!  I never thought I would run a 5k but I have run a 5k.  I never thought I would run a marathon but I have run a marathon.

 

 

Follow Kelli's running journey on social media!

Instagram: @_kellinickole

Blog: https://runhappyeathappy.wordpress.com/

Photography, courtesy of Kelli. 

That Pretty Runner

All About Laura

All About Laura

Interior Designer

@designer_on_the_run

Loves to Run: 5k-Marathon

How has the Boston Marathon changed your life?

My daughter ran her first marathon when she was eighteen in three hours and fifty-seven minutes.  Now she is twenty-four, running marathons in three hours and thirty-one minutes.  

During the 2013 Boston Marathon, my daughter just crossed the finish-line minutes before the bombs went off.  I was on the line too, and it changed my passion to qualify for Boston.

This year she ran the Boston Marathon for the first time since 2013.  There were a lot of emotions, but it makes the passion even stronger.  

Qualifying for the Boston Marathon is very special.   When you set your mind to doing something, it is possible.  This year, I hope to qualify for the Boston Marathon.  I am only three minutes away.

How did you start running?

I started running when I was eighteen years old, to be fit and live a healthful lifestyle.

I started to run again when I was forty-six, and someone challenged me to the 2010 Chicago Marathon.  At first I thought, “Are you crazy?  I have not run a half-marathon yet!”  Then, something clicked and I became addicted to running.  

Running a marathon feels like when you love something and you just have to have it. 

How was your first marathon experience?

In 2010 the Chicago Marathon was hot, I am pretty sure it was over 80 degrees. 

I felt scared to death because it was so hard.  Something kept me going, I stayed committed to my goal and finished strong.

What did it feel like to cross your first marathon finish-line?

It takes everything to cross the marathon finish-line.  You put everything into it, and its funny because you think, “How do I do this?”

I felt emotional and broke down in tears.  My daughter finished running two hours ahead of me, and waited at the finish-line.  That was a great feeling, to see my daughter watching me finish the marathon. 

Driving ten miles I think, “Oh My Gosh, I ran 26 miles!”

 

How do you balance running with life?

Time management!  I plan my meetings, mileage and everything I am doing in advance. 

We are a running family.  My husband runs, my daughter runs and my twelve-year-old son runs!  Having my daughter as my running partner makes me accountable for my training. 

I love talking about aspects of running, every day! 

What is it like running with your daughter?

We always work together!  My daughter thinks I am amazing, but I think she is more amazing.  We have a very close relationship, it is more than just being best friends. 

I think that running has brought us closer together.  Almost every single day we run together.  Every year, we run the Chicago Marathon together!

What is a typical week of running for you?

During marathon season, I am running up to forty miles a week.  Sometimes its weird, I feel like running after I run!

What do you like to eat for running?

Healthy nutrition for running is so important.  Over four years, eating clean helped me cut two hours off of my marathon time.

I carry a water bottle, running.  I always like to have water or Gatorade.  Every five miles I eat my gels, even on training runs. 

Where is your favorite place to run?

Honestly my favorite place to run is the coast of California.  I was running so fast on the coast!  It was so beautiful, I love the mountains and water.

We have scenic corn fields and trees, locally in Illinois.  I love running along the lake front in Chicago. 

Eventually, I would love to run a half-marathon in every state.

What is your favorite distance to run?

When I first started running, I loved 5k’s.  Then, I moved up to the 10k, ten-milers, and half-marathons.

I love running ten miles, it is like boom!  I can run it fast.

My favorite distance is the half-marathon. 

What do you like to wear running?

I wore tie-dye leggings in a marathon just when they started to become popular.  Everyone loved the tights.

I am the queen of crazy tights!  There are so many running tights in my closet.

What type of sneakers do you wear running?

I wear Newton running shoes.  When they wear out, I just get another pair.  My new color is blue, last time they were pink.  My sneakers are replaced every 400-500 miles.  I run a lot of miles!

 

Do you have a motto?

Do not give up on yourself.

Never give up on your goals and dreams. 

Follow Laura on social media:

@designer_on_the_run

Photography, courtesy of Laura Parks.

That Pretty Runner

All About Sandy

ALL ABOUT SANDY

FOUNDER OF BIC BANDS

LOVES TO RUN: 5K-MARATHON

 

How did you start your BIC Band Company?

I started making headbands that would stay in my daughter’s hair and not slip. The lining on BIC Bands really sticks to your hair, the bands are soft, stretchy and comfortable.  No headaches!   

BIC stands for Because I Can.  We fundraise for those who cannot because we can, so hopefully one day they will too!  A percentage of each BIC Band product sold is donated to a different charity every month. 

After my close friend battled cancer and was in remission, I started running in her honor.  Running for someone else, really puts your life in perspective.   While training for my first half-marathon, I fundraised with Team in Training for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  We raised over $1000 from selling my BIC Bands. 

How are BIC Bands made?

Every BIC Band is sewn by moms, locally in Southern California!

When I first started BIC Bands, I was sewing all of the headbands myself.  Now,  BIC Bands are made by local moms.  I love being a part of our community.  We have such an awesome atmosphere and energy!

My company, is for empowering women-athletes to feel good about themselves and get out there doing what they love best!  I love providing quality hand-made products. 

What is the biggest BIC Band Fundraiser you have ever experienced?

I vividly remember that day, of the Boston Marathon 2013.  After that day, I was constantly thinking about a terrorist activity instead of my passion for running.  I remember being angry that somebody attacked my sport, and that feeling motivated me to start a fundraiser. 

We designed a Boston Strong BIC Band, and 100% of the proceeds were donated to the Boston Fund.  In the end, we raised over $18,000 for the Boston Fund.  This was our biggest fundraiser and it felt amazing to make a difference. 

This fundraising experience was awesome because the running-community came together to support every avenue.  The running-community is a very special tight-knit and passionate group of people.  We are always there to cheer each other on and pick someone up when they fall.  Even though running is an individual sport, it is still a group effort. 

How did you start running?

I ran track in high-school, but I did not love it at the time.  Running really became fun later on in life.  After having kids, my sister and I wanted to get back in shape together.  We completed running the Couch to 5k Program!

What was you first half-marathon?  

The 2012 LA Rock’n’Roll Half-Marathon, was my first half-marathon. 

I was running in honor of my friend and mentor who battled Lymphoma.

You never forget your first.

What was your first full-marathon?

The San Francisco Marathon!

My husband ran with me for my first full-marathon.  Simultaneously, my mom, sister and cousin were running the half-marathon.  We made a family trip out of it!

San Francisco was a very hard course, but so beautiful.  We were running over the San Francisco Bridge, and the race was very hilly!

How did you feel crossing the finish-line?

I felt relieved to be done, but super proud of all my hard work and training. 

Running a marathon is such an incredible accomplishment, and something only you can give yourself, no one can run for you. 

The marathon takes everything you have both mentally and physically. 

Do you recommend any races?

The Southern California Ragnar Relay should be on everyone’s bucket-list. 

My husband and I were running with such a fun group of friends, this year.  We just had so much fun!

 

Who are your greatest supporters?

My husband and kids are my support system. 

I love how my daughter wants to be athletic like mommy.  She asked for running pants on her birthday, not a dress, just running clothes!  Running helps me teach my daughter to love being strong. 

How do you balance life with running?

I have been working with my running coach!  Every weekend I have my long run days, and during the week I have three to four speed-workouts.  

Balancing everything can be difficult at times.  I try to stick to a schedule and not be too hard on myself.  I do the best that I can, and if it did not happen today there is always tomorrow.

Every week, I schedule a specific time to run with my husband. 

How does running make you feel?

Running makes me feel like a better mom, a better wife and helps me keep my cool.  I feel like a better me!

Do you have a motto?

My motto is constantly changing.  Sometimes my motto is “Get Er Done”, other times “Enjoy the Moment!”

Where is your favorite place to go running?  

I love running where we live, a small town in Southern California.   My husband and I can get to the hills, mountains, or just enjoy our neighborhood.  There is a state park right by us, where we can get a good 20 mile run in.  It is great! 

Do you prefer trails or roads?

Roads!  I will run on the road as much as possible!

Have you ever felt unsafe running?

Recently, I was attacked by a dog while running.

I knew the dog was vicious, and this was not the first time I had an issue. 

My pepper spray saved me from the dog-attack.  All women should carry pepper-spray with them, because you never know. 

Do you have advice for other runners?

Everyone should have their shoes professionally fitted.  Make sure your shoes fit your feet well. 

Race for yourself.

Enjoy the ride!

What do you like to wear running?

I love Running Skirts, and my BIC Band Trucker Hats. 

What type of sneakers do you wear?

PEARL iZUMi Women E: Motion Road M3 v2, are my new favorite sneakers!

What is your favorite type of BIC Band?

I love the sparkle bands!  You can wear them straight from a workout to going out!

Check out BIC Bands: www.bicbands.com

Follow BIC Bands on Social Media:

@bicbands

Photography, courtesy of Sandy Pearson.

That Pretty Runner