Road Runner Girl: Runner Spotlights #110

I hope everyone has had a great weekend so far! Ours has been busy with Halloween festivites and birthday celebrations! It's been fun!

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! ;-) And I'm running low on spotlights so now's your time to shine!!!

Today I'm spotlighting Kelly from Red Head On the Run! She is a busy momma of 3 who manages to run AND blog! Keep reading to learn more about her and her running journey!

Name: Kelly Anderson

State: Texas

When and why did you start running?

I started running 8 years ago after being a self proclaimed anti-runner.

I h

ated

anything and everything to do with running and was convinced I'd never become a runner. I had gained a little....ok a lot...of weight during my first pregnancy so running for me began as a means to lose some weight. I was amazed that once I reached that 5k goal that all beginning runners strive for, I really began to love the sport. I was as shocked as anyone. It changed something in me. I was doing something that I loved, made me feel good,

and was good for me. It was a win win.

What is your favorite race and race distance?

My favorite race and distance are actually two different things. My favorite race has been Hood to Coast. It's a 200 mile relay from Mt. Hood in Oregon to a little beach town called Seaside. I was able to do this race with my husband and several good friends. It was an amazing way to see some beautiful scenery, push past my limits and have fun doing it. I'm a mountain girl living in Texas so this race was me through and through. My favorite distance is the half-marathon. I'm currently training for my second full marathon this year and as much as I love the challenge of distance, I miss my speed a little. I feel like the half is the perfect combination of challenge with some distance but it also allows you to really push your pace. I know I can challenge myself and race faster in a half. It's fun and it's still a huge accomplishment...and I can walk up and down stairs the next day.

What is your race day routine?

I'm a VERY routine runner. I'm kinda crazy about everything being just right on race day. I get up and take a shower right away. Nice and hot. It warms me up, helps me feel lose and helps me shake off that early morning stiffness. I have 1 cup(on any other given day I'll drink at least 3..or 10 cups) of coffee and a bagel with peanut butter and honey and greek yogurt with chia seeds. I have all my gear laid out the night before so I get dressed and head out. I like to get to the starting line with plenty of time so I'm not adding extra nerves about being late!

What is your most favorite piece of running gear?

Without a doubt my Garmin. It's an attachment of my arm. I have no idea how I was physically able to run before I got it. It's a miracle I survived.

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

I'm a moderation girl. I'm also a lover of all food. That said, I don't follow a strict diet. I try to limit sugar and the no good carbs but don't deny myself anything permanently. Life's too short. I love to train hard and I know that comes with good solid nutrition. I'm really good and disciplined during the week, then allow myself a splurge or two on the weekends. This keeps me from feeling deprived all the time but keeps me accountable to a solid nutrition plan...for the most part. As for supplements I'm a big fan of Generation UCAN and Honey stingers. Those are my go to's that I don't race without.

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

I wish someone had told me the benefits of training on a track. It's something I'm incorporating into my training for the first time this fall. I always see fast efficient runners training on tracks and wish I had started this sooner.

What is your fondest running memory?

My favorite running memory was from Hood to Coast 2014. This race was a couple of weeks ago but I had a 10k PR at 3am running through the Oregon wilderness. It was by far the coolest running moment of my life and something I will never forget. I was running in the middle of the night, alone and with nothing but the sounds around me. Looking up through the trees all you could see were stars. We don't see that in Dallas so it was something really special. Plus I ran faster than I have in a long time and it was a great place to do it. Without a doubt a rockin experience that I would recommend to any and all people...everywhere. It was that cool.

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

Most people don't know that I am a horse girl at heart. I grew up riding and showing horses competitively and taught therapeutic horsemanship after college. It was my outlet. It was very much a passion that I feel was replaced with running and racing as my life changed and I got older. I miss it, but my competitive drive is fed with racing even if just racing myself and my last time. It's a thrill and I love it.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I'm married to my high school sweetheart. He's a finance guy who is also an athlete who races and competes in running and triathlon. We have 3 kids(Jake: 8, Josh: almost 6, and Lila: 2). I'm in the process of studying to become a personal trainer and recently started a blog..which are two things I never thought I would do. Ever. I am being pushed beyond my comfortable in the very best of ways and hope to encourage others to be brave and shoot for their goals.