Let me introduce Nicole - Today's Runner Spotlight

Today is Spotlight Thursday 
Each Thursday I spotlight a different runner from around the world.

This week I'd like to introduce Nicole.

I asked Nicole, to tell part of her story and introduce you all to her.  So sit back and enjoy and gain some inspiration!


When your done, stop by her blog.  We decided to both spotlight each other today. 

Nicole Blogs At:
Fitful Focus

Tell us what distances you like to run?

Half-marathons are probably my favorite race distances, but if I'm not in training mode, 4-5 mile runs are perfect energizers in the mornings.

How long have you been running?  Or when did you start running?

I started running the summer after I graduated college (2010).  I couldn't afford a gym membership and was looking for a good way to stay in shape.  A friend of mine encouraged me to come running with him.  He pushed me and helped me get from barely being able to run one mile, to running 5ks!

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

I ran the Walt Disney World Marathon back in January and it was UNBELIEVABLE! The energy of the other runners, the enthusiasm from the crowd, and being able to hang out with all the characters was so cool! Plus, it was my first marathon, so it something I will never forget. Crossing that finish line was my biggest accomplishment to date.

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

I have a whole bucket list of races I want to do around the globe! Running is such a great way to explore a new city and get in a healthy vacation.  

Do you enjoy running in the spring, summer, fall or winter the best?

Probably the fall. I love running in about 50 degrees – not too cold, but not too hot either! Plus, fall in NYC is surreal; the changing leaves and the crisp air are amazing.  

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

Luckily, I haven’t experienced any injuries or healthy issues due to running (unless being couch-ridden after long runs counts haha). Hoping to keep the streak going!  

Tell me what goes through your mind when you cross a finish line? 

Amazement. It’s the best feeling in the world, knowing that months and months of hard work have paid off. I can never stop smiling!  

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

I’m proudest of running my first marathon. I also ran my first half in 2:02, which was pretty great for me. I’m looking to beat that in my second half coming up in April, though!  

Do you have a funny running story to share? Or funny experience while running? 

I was running through a Brooklyn neighborhood one morning when I saw a little boy (4 years old or so) wearing a super hero cape. He saw me coming, stood in the middle of the sidewalk, held out his hand (as if to stop traffic), and gave me and intense stare. I couldn’t tell if he was trying to use his magic powers to make me stop or go faster. I sped past him with a  smile, and said, “Thanks for the speed boost!” I hope that’s what he was hoping for!  

Are you racing for any charities or special organizations you'd like to talk about? 

Not in the races I have coming up, but I ran my first half for Team Hole In The Wall, an organization that creates amazing summer camps for children with serious illnesses. They are an incredible organization that create unforgettable experiences for children who would otherwise be stuck in a bed or in a hospital.  

Have you run races in any other countries before? 

Not yet, but it’s on my bucket list!  

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

It really depends on what type of run I’m doing. If I’m doing an interval run to try to increase my speed, I like to go solo. If I’m looking for a slower pace run at a chattable pace, I love having company!  

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

Sometimes I go with podcasts, but music is my go-to. There are so many songs that pump me up, but Cracks (Flux Pavilion Remix) and The White Panda’s Midnight Life Mashup are two of my favorites.  

What is your must have running gadget, or item? 

My running shoes!  

In your spare time What other hobbies or sports do you love do? 

Writing for my blog and cooking are my favorite hobbies! In terms of other sports, I also love yoga, spinning, and strength training.   

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

Two things motivate me the most: the feeling I get after a good workout and my mom. The first is pretty self explanatory. As for my mom, after battling with her weight and health issues for 15 years, she dropped 70 pounds at the age of 53! She is so supportive of everything I do (in terms of running and life in general). I hope I will be as strong at 53 as she is!   

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

Get a good pair of sneaks (not those ratty ones from high school) and take it slow! Don’t try to run a 5k right out of the gate. Run/walk your way up to a mile, and then slowly start to take away the walking before you up you distance.  

Any goals you are currently working on, that you'd like to share? 

I’m currently training for my second half marathon and a PR – under 2:02!  

On your blog you promote and maintain a healthy living style.  What is one of your best tips for someone who knows they need to change their diet, but doesn't know where to start? 

Find healthy alternatives! If you absolutely love potato chips, give flavored kale chips or roasted chickpeas a try. Love ice cream? Try making “ice cream” using frozen bananas, cocoa powder, and a little almond milk. Find things that taste similar and have the same texture, but are packed with nutrients instead of calories, bad fats, and preservatives. That way, you get to have your favorites without the negative impact! 

Do you have a great accomplishment you have achieved in life?  Do you mind sharing? 

My greatest accomplishment is crossing the finish line at my first marathon. A lot of blood, sweat, tears (and money!) went into that training, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience or prouder of myself for doing it.   

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

See question 4!  

Tell us something unique about you. 

I recently shared some fun facts about myself on my blog. Here’s one of my favs: When I was young, I had a very systematic way for naming my stuffed animals. Its first name would be whatever color it came in. Its middle name would explain what type of animal it was, and its last name would repeat the type of animal, in case someone didn’t catch it the first time or couldn’t understand just by looking at the animal what type of animal it was. For instance, if I had a purple bear, its name was Purple The Bear Bear. Sometimes I got a little more creative, like a white dog named Snowy The Dog Dog. I also had a classic brown teddy bear named Teddy. How I became a creative writer for a living I do not know.

My favorite post-run snack? 

I tend to go with fruit and protein smoothies with an extra helping of peanut butter. 

You can find Nicole blogging at:

http://fitfulfocus.com 

She is also on Facebook: 

http://facebook.com/fitfulfocus 

And on Twitter:

@fitfulfocus 

Like I mentioned above, Nicole and I are spotlighting each other today.  Which I think is fun because even though I do spotlights on many different runners, I have actually never been spotlighted myself.
So if you want to check out the Runner Spotlight she did on me. 
Click on THIS LINK and you can read two spotlights today:)

9 Marathon States complete

  I just completed my 9th race state.  So I decided since I am new to this blog thing, to give a few words on each race state so far, in the future I'll write posts on each race:

Utah - Home state, St. George Marathon is my favorite, guess I am partial to it because it was my first race.  But still after running several states its still very high on my overall list, they have the BEST organization and volunteers!
But I've also ran the Top of Utah Marathon, which is also a great and beautiful race especially if you like a lot of up hill at the end and of course beautiful fall leaves.

Florida - Disney World - They've improved this race since I ran it.  But when I ran it, it wasn't one that would have topped any of my lists.  Running the full and half marathon at the same time and then after a few miles putting all 30K runners into small 2 lane roads and then into the smaller roads in the different Disney parks, it was difficult to get through.  But so many wonderful choirs out on the course singing their Christian songs, I really like that part and of course getting to run through all the Disney parks.

Arizona - Phoenix is much cooler in January, fast flat course!  I ran the Rock and Roll series.  Not as much music as I thought there would be, but a really fun upbeat race.  The locals kept talking about a big hill, when we got to hit I would have sworn the elevation change may have been 5 feet, just a small bump in the road..

Maine - Bar Harbor, breathtakingly beautiful in the fall!  I LOVED this race, it's small but very well run.  You run the entire course on the small island through parts of the countryside and Acadia National Park.  I never got bored with all the beautiful fall colors (so many shades) running along side the Fjord's deep blue sparkling waters.  This was a hilly course, some pretty good hills at times.  But all at low elevation so being from Utah other than burning quads my lungs felt pretty good.  Highly recommend this race, it will most definitely be on my top 10 list...

Nevada - Las Vegas, so much energy in this race from the Strip, Loved it!  The race starts in corrals, and took about 30 minutes for me to get my turn to cross the start.  But there is lots of music and fun, I didn't concentrate too much on the wait.  I actually had my 3rd fastest time ever in this race.

Mississippi - Jackson, the most friendliest state and race.  I lost count after the first five minutes of the race of all the Thank You's I received by the spectators and volunteers.  Love the southern accents!  It was a colder race the day I ran, but beautiful scenery, up through some huge plantation home areas.  I tried to imagine as I was going through the historic districts how not so long ago this beautiful and peaceful place now, was at one time much into slavery, I would look around at all the different trails and tree lines and wondered how many slaves were hopefully able to escape... I know I have quite the imagination....  But this race was very well done, they gave a HUGE metal in memory of Elvis Presley's birthday and I'll never forget the people, never have I met so many nice and friendly people, even the homeless in one area were so pleasant and thankful to everyone who came to run...

South Carolina - Myrtle Beach, you can't really go wrong with a race right along the ocean front!  I came down with a horrible flu the morning of the race, so in all honest it was one of my most miserable races but because I was so sick.  But the course was very flat, and in such a relaxing atmosphere, I would really like to go back and run it again someday, but not so under the weather..  Loved the southern accents, they were a bit different than in Mississippi but almost just as warm and friendly.

Arkansas - Little Rock - Great race, the hills were hardly noticeable to me.  I was still sick from the SC race, turns out I had Bronchitis and a upper respiratory illness, no wonder I had a hard time.  But since this race was 2 weeks after SC, and I had been on antibiotics for 3 days, I was doing a bit better.  I just took the race a little slower and enjoyed the scenery.  I also met several incredible runners before and after the race that I look forward to seeing in future races.  This was also the first race that they handed out lipstick to, towards the end..  My only issue was after the race, none of the volunteers knew the bus system, I literally had to walk around another 3 miles just to figure out how to get back to my hotel, I was really hating all of that wondering around after 26.2 miles and all I wanted was a shower and a bed...

Tennessee - Knoxville - Very hilly course, but an absolutely beautiful race.  You can't beat that you are so close to the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains, which I recommend is a must see while there!  Most of the hills in this race were at the beginning, which I wish I had known ahead of time.  But then I rarely pay too much attention to those kind of details before a race. (Maybe I should...)  The first half of the race was much prettier surroundings than the second half.  But I really liked finishing on the 50 yard line at Univ. TN.

I'm having a great time with all this racing.  My times are not exactly where I'd like them to be, but so far my body is handling the back to back running quite well.  When training at higher altitudes running low elevation races make it a lot easier in the winter months when it is difficult to go out and get all the long runs in.
I've got a few races coming up that I am pretty excited for.
Meanwhile, I am working on turning Simply Enchanting into a full time business instead of just the part time as we have done in the past, and increase our linen rental portion.