relay

Does your significant other support your running?

| cheriarmour

I try to keep my husband at a minimum on the blog.  Not because I’m not crazy about him, because I absolutely am.  But more because he didn’t ask for his life to be splashed across the interwebs.  But occasionally, I just can’t help it!

I’m running Ragnar in Las Vegas in less than two weeks, and unlike the typical Ragnar relay, we are considered an ultra team, meaning that instead of 12 runners over 36 legs, we are 6 runners over the 36 legs.  I’m so looking forward to it, and yet, a little apprehensive about running over 34 miles over a few days.

But, despite my apprehension, my body, my mind, and my legs feel strong.

In prep for the race, I’ve run at a few odd times – and last night, it was around 9:30pm.  Luckily, I live close to the state university, and can stay pretty safe running on campus during these odd times, or can call my brother to run with me.  And every time I push off at these strange times, Austin offers me a butterfly knife, and asks if it’s completely necessary for me to run at those times, in the most worried and caring of ways.

And this time, the poor thing was in no position to come with me, because he sprained his ankle terribly playing volleyball at the Y.

Exhibit A
Exhibit A

But I’m taken with how supportive Austin has been of my running. When we met, I was just doing some running for maintenance.  Despite being an avid weightlifter (which doesn’t  classically mix), he ran my first 5k with me.  Then my second.  He cheered me through my first half.  And then stood out in the cold during my first two fulls.  And now, even though he can’t come to Vegas with me, he’s been so supportive, and making sure that in the midst of all my training, that I’m staying safe and happy.

 So how does running fit into a relationship?  How should running fit into a relationship?  For you runners, weightlifters, triathletes, golfers, how does your sport fit into your relationship?  And is your significant other supportive of how you stay fit?  

For us, even though Austin has never expressed any interest in taking on the challenge of a full or an ultra, running has always been something that we could enjoy and do together.  And it makes me feel supported by him, that we aren’t in competition, but that it’s something we can do side-by-side.  Running can be so solitary, and yet, it makes me feel so close to so much and so many people.

You? 

Racin’ Up in Vegas

| cheriarmour

tumblr_lyvu7d1kIp1qzbagvo1_500See how I did that?

Play on words? Wakin’ Up in Vegas, Katy Perry’s second big single/my next big race?

Okay, let me clear up the confusion.

So, in addition to wearing Bondi Bands, as a blogger, I applied to be part of their Ragnar Team in Vegas, which means I was only responsible for airfare.  I was chosen for one of their teams, and will be running with 5 other girls on one of their Ultra teams over a two-day, 200-mile period, and I cannot be any more thrilled.

The best part?

After I told Austin that I was planning on embarking on this ridiculous endeavor with 5 new friends (and then blogging about it), we decided to take a mini-moon to Vegas in November, and then plan our “real” honeymoon for late in 2015.  Now fun question for today!

I’m thinking Bora Bora or Hawaii.  Where should we honeymoon?

Orlando Runchat! This one’s interactive! #runchat

| cheriarmour

I blog to you today from Orlando, where my youngest sister, and the maid-of-honor at my wedding, currently resides.  I’ll have to let you guys know how a run in pretty temps in the middle of winter works, but I must say, I’m really looking forward to it, especially with the prospect of possibly running another marathon in the spring is lighting a little bit of a fire under my bum.  I’m still not sure on Rock n’ Roll, but I’m really seriously thinking about it.  I think I’m truly addicted to the feeling of crossing the finish line, and each time I’ve run, having Austin at the finish makes it so much sweeter.

But enough gushing about my boo. ::cues Usher and Alicia Keys::

I love this style of blogging that I’ve yanked from my friend, Olive, who’s also a fantastic local blogger.  So before I launch into this fun running themed version of “Would you Rather,” please note that  ALL Would You Rather Running Style Surveys were created by Cori at olivetorun.com.  Got it?  She’s awesome ps, check her out!

Onto the good stuff!

#1. Would you rather run in a thunderstorm or a snowstorm?

Absolutely a thunderstorm.  I think because thunderstorms are usually warm, and running in the rain totally makes me feel like a badass.  I’m almost hoping that it rains a smidgen tomorrow in Orlando so I can capture that feeling.

#2. Would you rather breathe through your nose or breathe through your mouth?

Nose!  My mouth will make my throat all sore I think!  Especially in cold weather.

#3. Would you rather do 100 squats or 100 crunches? [Now take a break and go do them. ;)]

100 crunches.  But full disclosure, I’m writing this from my sister’s bed, and I haven’t done my crunches.  I will do them tomorrow, after my run, promise!

#4. Would you rather have a baked good for dessert or an extra serving of your favorite entree?

That’s really tricky.  It depends on the entree.  No it doesn’t.  Who am I kidding.  I’d rather have dessert for dinner.  Maybe a giant freshly baked cookie and a cup of milk to dip it in?

#5. Would you rather run on a treadmill for an hour or run around the same street block for an hour?

Around the same block for an hour.  I bet I could find  a trail on that block!

#6. Would you rather have a headache during a run or a side stitch?

Oh a headache for sure.  I think the further I run, the more the headache would kind of wear off.  A side stitch literally feels like someone is stabbing you, so no thanks.

#7. Would you rather have a rest day on a work day or a day off?

Is either allowed?  I like to run on work days because it’s an awesome destressor, but I love to run on a day off because what else am I gonna do with a day off besides watch Bravo?  All I like to do on Sundays is vacuum, run, watch tv, and snuggle with my husband-to-be.  Nothing else.

#8. Would you rather be a race director or a race volunteer?

I value the work that volunteers do.  But I think one day, I’d love to direct a cool race.

#9. Would you rather spend your money on running gadgets [HRM, GPS watch, Headphones] or running shoes?

I don’t spend a ton of money on running shoes, but I once owned this incredible pair of Nike Headphones, which were stolen out of my car when I was parked near NC State during grad school.

Headphones

I have not since found a pair of headphones as good. Totally taking suggestions.

#10. Would you rather run in a relay or do the run portion of a distance triathlon?

Oh, a total relay. I have been wanting to do one for literal years!!

Okay, so your turn.  Which would you rather?