Ten for Tuesday

I like games.

I particularly like Scrabble and all things that try to be like Scrabble. Mostly because I can beat people but other games are fun, too. They take up time and, the good ones, use your mind.

Like this one: The 10-question game that began on Another Mother Runner, courtesy of Sarah.

1. Best run ever: The first time I ran 4 miles. I didn't have much confidence that I could complete the distance but a co-worker told me that if I could run 3 miles then I could run 4. While his words didn't convince me to register for the Galloping Gobbler, Mark and I set out for a 4-miler on Thanksgiving morning 2009. It felt terribly difficult but incredibly rewarding, and I'll never forget the sense of accomplishment I felt that day.

2. Three words that describe my running: Necessary. Rewarding. Sweaty.

3. My go-to running outfit: Anything that doesn't smell otherwise I'm not very particular. This summer, I've spent a lot of time in Nike Tempo shorts and a Handful bra.

4. Quirky habit while running: I don't have any. My running habits are perfectly normal. Except that I  have to run an even number. If I'm supposed to run 5 miles and the MOTOACTV says 4.93, I will run past my house and down the block to hit 5. I also must walk a block before starting my run.

5. Morning, midday, evening: When it fits in but preferably in the morning. I hate the feeling of having to fit in a run hang over my head. I'd rather get it done early and feel good all day. That said, I was a total lazeball this morning and had no desire to get in my 4 miles. I am bribing myself with a new "This American Life" podcast to go out tonight after BODYPUMP rehearsing.

6. I won't run when it's: Below 10 degrees. Single temperatures and me don't mix but otherwise I'm game.

7. Worst injury - and how I got over it: Injury: Pregnancy. Got over it: C-section. All glibness aside, I've been incredible blessed as a runner, and I have not sustained any serious injuries. I credit it to a fairly conservative approach, good shoes and lots of strength training. Oh, and lots of luck.

8. I felt most like a badass mother runner when: I did a 6.5-mile tempo run with the BOB. I was tired. I was cranky. And I was unenthusiastic. However, I somehow managed to push through all of that and channel my anger, achieving some respectable splits and learning that I don't have to limit myself as a mother runner.

9. Next race: Fort-4-Fitness 4-miler on Sept. 29 and then it's the Columbus Marathon on Oct. 21!

10. Potential running goal for 2013: PR the crap out of a spring half marathon. I'm thinking Carmel or Wisconsin. Or both. You know, because I like to double the fun.