Road Runner Girl: Runner Spotlights #77

Happy Weekend everyone! I'm excited because it's a FOUR day weekend for me! Yes...due to Mardi Gras we get 2 days off of school! It's awesome living where I live! ;-)

Now it's time for another runner spotlight...my favorite time of the week! I love reading other runners' stories about their running journey! If you are interested in being spotlighted on my blog please email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com! I'd love to spotlight you! You don't have to have a blog to be spotlighted...you just have to be a runner! ;-)

Today I'm spotlighting Lacy from Running Limitless! She has an amazing story and I'm so glad she is sharing with us! She also has two kids like me! Keep reading to learn more about Lacy and her running journey!

Name: Lacy Geary

State: SC

When and why did you start running?

I started running in high school when I was about 16 years old and only started running races about 3 years ago. I didn’t really start running for any particular reason other than I wanted to exercise and this was something I could do outside. I was very shy and didn’t really like gyms so this was my place of solitude.

What is your favorite race and race distance?

Right now my favorite distance is the ½ Marathon. It is short enough to be manageable but long enough to be a challenge. I ran my first Full Marathon last year and it was extremely difficult. I loved the challenge. I learned a lot and will continue doing those to reach the goal I am after.

What is your race day routine?

I am a really simple person and not very ritualistic. However, I do like to have my gear all laid out the night before. I always drink 16oz. of Nuun the night before a race of any kind to make sure I am hydrated. I get up about 2 hours before the race, eat a Banana, make sure to drink about 8 oz. of water (an hour before and not after that), USE THE BATHROOM, and I like to get out and run about 1 mile or so to warm-up in my neighborhood or wherever the race is located. I always take Energybits 30 minutes before a race. My nutrition is still a work in progress but for 13 miles or less I don’t really eat too much.

What is your most favorite piece of running gear?

That is a hard one, I have so many. I’d have to say my Pro Compression Socks, and my Garmin. I really like techy stuff. I’m a bit of a numbers nerd!

But the one piece of gear that I absolutely love would be my Brooks Ravenna’s. They are my base.

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your running?

I don’t diet at all, I just try to eat relatively healthy but I’m a Southerner and love good hearty foods. I can’t say I am the healthiest individual and I don’t deprive myself but this is an area that I truly have to work on. I do use Energybits to fuel my runs as well as the mini boxes of Raisins. I also hydrate with Nuun! I don’t know what I did before I found them.

What do you wish you’d known when you first started running?

I wish I would have known how easy it is to get injured. When I was younger my body was a bit more resilient but now that I am older and have had 2 kids I have noticed a huge difference in how I bounce back. Take it slow and don’t jump into the miles too quickly. Speed and distance will come with time and training.

What is your fondest running memory?

I think I would have to say that my fondest memory was this year when I ran my first ½ marathon that happened to be a trail run. It was really tough and I had been injured during my training. I ran this with my sister and it was also her first ½. I was really proud of both of us for crossing that finish line like we set out to do.

I have a horrible memory but my very first memory of running was with my Dad when I was probably 6 or 7 years old. He would run almost every day and I remember running to the top of our street with him. My Dad passed away about 11 years ago when I was 21 years old and every run I think of him and know he would want me to try my hardest and never give up! Product of being a Marine I guess, he was very diligent and dedicated.

What is one thing that most people do not know about you?

Unless you are family or really close friends you probably wouldn’t know it but I am really particular and a bit obsessive. Everything has a particular place and if things get moved around it drives me nuts.