Runner Spotlight, Let Me Introduce Ange

Today is Spotlight Thursday

This week I'd like to introduce Ange. 

I asked Ange several questions, to tell part of her story and introduce you all to her 

Ange Blogs At:

Cowgirl Runs

Tell us what distances you like to run?

For training runs, I love running a 10k. It's long enough that I feel like I've gotten a great workout in, but short enough that I'm able to fit it in after work and still have some time left in the evenings to relax.

For racing, the half marathon is my favourite. I'm decidedly not a sprinter, so I feel the half plays to my distance abilities, but it's not too long - running for 2 hours feels just about right!

How long have you been running?  Or at what age did you start running?

I ran my first race at 17 with my dad. I can't say I necessarily trained for it, but he was running it and somehow convinced me to come along. Well, I knew NOTHING about pacing myself, so I'd end up running hard and then walking tons. I can't recall my time for that race, but I know when I ran it again at 18 I finished in around 58 minutes and placed third (I believe) in my age group. Obviously it was a small field :)

I really started training for races at 27 when I decided to train for my first half marathon in 2010. I've really only been a "runner" for three years, but I absolutely plan on keeping it up!

You've run a lot of half marathons in the past few years. What is it that keeps you at it?

I love challenging myself and I love running new races. I truly enjoy the training process as running gets me outside (when it's not snowing or freezing!) and it's where I do my best problem solving.

You just ran your first marathon in October, what were your favorite moments of it?

There was a moment around the 6km mark of the marathon where it hit me I'm running a marathon and then I told myself to calm down because I still had a looooong way to go. I dealt with a really challenging cramping issue throughout the race, so while I was thrilled to finish, I was also just looking forward to be DONE because it hurt so much.

Can you see yourself running another full marathon? 

Absolutely! I actually just signed up for a 50k Ultra that I'll be running on June 1, 2014. My original goal was to run the Calgary Marathon and see if I could break 4 hours, but when I was looking at the site I realized they were offering a 50k Ultra as part of their 50 year anniversary celebrations and I couldn't pass up the chance to run an ultra! It's true, runners really ARE crazy! 

What has been your favorite race and distance you have run?  Tell us why?

Without a doubt, the SeaWheeze half marathon in 2013. This was the race that got me back into running after a few lackluster years. I followed my training plan well, the scenery in Vancouver was amazing and the race was really well organized. Getting a PR also didn't hurt! :)

If you could run any race in the entire world, where would it be and why?

Oh man, this is really tough. I'd say my top 3 big travel marathons to run would be: NYC, London and Berlin. I keep having to stop myself from thinking too much about races because I always end up with a list a mile long!

Do you run for fun?  Or run to compete?  Both?

I run because I like to challenge myself and see what I can accomplish. I'm no where near fast enough to compete for age group placings, so I run for fitness and to challenge myself.

Have you ever won a race or placed in your age group?

No - but that's not why I run :)

Have you experienced any trials/injuries/health issues that you have had to overcome?  Tell us about them.

Thankfully I've been pretty healthy through most of my time running. A few years ago I had some issues with shin splints, but thankfully I have an amazing chiropractor who fit me for custom orthotics and fixed that right up!
Right now I'm recovering from a sinus infection and haven't ran since the Wednesday before American Thanksgiving (it's now December 13). I'm trying not to get too down about it, I really want to run, but I can tell my body isn't yet at a place where it would be able to handle much more than walking to and from work.

Tell me what crossing the finish line feels like to you.

It's amazing! I almost always shed a few tears when I cross because it's tangible proof that I accomplished what I set out to do.

Do you have a specific distance and PR that you are proud of?  Tell us about it.

I was really happy with my SeaWheeze PR. I'd experienced some personal trials leading up to the race and seeing that I was able to have a good time and PR made me really really happy.

Have you ever ran a race in costume?  Would you?  

No, but I will be wearing a tutu for the Glass Slipper Challenge races in Feb!

When someone asks you why you run, what do you tell them?

It's my therapy.

Have you run races in any other countries?

Not yet, but when I run Glass Slipper Challenge, I'll be running at Walt Disney World, so it'll be my first race in the US.

What is your favorite kind of running, solo running or running with a friend or group?

I mainly run by myself, but I would absolutely LOVE to find a running buddy in Calgary :)

Do you listen to music while you run?  Give us the top 2 running songs on your playlist.

I only recently started listening to music on my runs and my top two songs are:
Katy Perry - ROAR

Avicii - Wake Me Up

Do you cross train?  What types?

Not as much as I should :)
I love the Greatist WOD (greatist.com) as they're mainly functional exercises that can be completed in 30-40 minutes

Being from Canada you likely get your fair share of cold temps.  Do you run indoors in the winter or outdoors?

If so, whats one of your best winter running tips.

I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to running in the cold, so I'm forcing myself to run on the treadmill when it's too cold or snowy to run outside. Unfortunately Calgary is forecast to have the coldest and snowiest winter in 20 years, so I think I'll have to learn to love the treadmill.

I have two posts for running in the cold and dark:
http://cowgirlruns.com/2013/11/28/running-in-the-cold/
http://cowgirlruns.com/2013/11/21/running-in-the-dark/

For myself, I try to run outside until it hits about -15C (5F) so long as the pathways are clear. We had a really bad blizzard here (an actual blizzard!) at the beginning of December and we currently have a TON of snow still. I slip and slide on my way to work, so I think I'll be making friends with the treadmill once I'm feeling well enough to start running again.

What other hobbies/sports do you do besides running?

I love yoga, but don't do it nearly enough!

A non sport hobby is photography. I'm not the best photographer (as you can tell from my iPhone photos on my blog) but when I pick up my big girl camera I'm pretty decent!

What type of things motivate you and push you towards success?  

I really like challenging myself. A lot of times I do things just to see if I can. Signing up for the 50k is a bit scary, but I know through training I'll be able to complete it and that's crazy and amazing!

Do you have any tips of suggestions for someone who is thinking of starting up running? 

Do it. Don't worry about how far or how fast you can run at this point in time. Just do it. Pick a training plan (like Couch to 5k) and follow it. You'll be amazed at your improvement and soon you'll be doing something you never thought you were capable of doing.
And make sure you get fitted for shoes! 

What is your must have running accessory?

A good pair of shoes! and a smile :)

What is the best thing you have learned from being a runner?

To push through it. Running has made me mentally stronger, so many times on a run my brain tells me to stop, but I push through and I'm able to push past that limit.

Water or Sports drink?

Water!
I rehydrate with Vega Recovery Accelerator and coconut water after a long run, but other than that, I stick with water.

What are a few of your dreams or bucket list items?

I'd really really LOVE to quality for Boston at some point. I'm not sure if that's a reasonable possibility for me or not, but it's something that would be really awesome to say I was able to qualify.

Tell us something unique about you.

I'm a huge dork and I'm totally okay with it. I have dance parties with my cat (even he things I'm a weirdo) but I don't mind. If it makes me smile and doesn't hurt anyone, I'm okay with it :)

  

You can find Ange blogging at

http://cowgirlruns.com/

She's also on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/cowgirlruns

And Twitter @cowgirlruns 

https://twitter.com/cowgirlruns