Good morning and happy Friday. Apologies for the blog silence, work has been keeping me busy, and I haven’t wanted to spend my evenings online. I was also a little reluctant to blog as I didn’t want to inadvertently offend anyone.

Anyway, I hope that you enjoy this running survey. I originally got the inspiration for this post a few years ago. I’ve no idea who came up with the 20 questions I’m about to answer, so apologies for the lack of acknowledgement.

So, without any further ado, I hope that this running survey gives you some insight into my running habits.

1. Would you rather run along a beach path or on a forest trail? I’ve spent most of my life living and working in Birmingham, so I’m not a huge fan of the sea. I probably shouldn’t be admitting this, but the sea scares me a lot. I’m also rubbish at swimming so tend to avoid the sea when I’m on holiday. This won’t surprise people, but there aren’t many forest trails in Four Oaks but I would do anything to avoid the sea!

2. If you could choose the flavour of Lucozade at your next race’s aid stations, what would it be? Apologies for over sharing, but when I drink orange flavoured Lucozade, I know that I won’t see it again. I’ve tried other flavours of Lucozade and it hasn’t been a positive experience. I guess they tell you not to try anything new on race days for a reason.

3. If I gave you a £100 gift card to a running store, what would be the first thing that you would purchase with it? I’d head straight to Lululemon to see if they have any running skorts in my size. I’ve said it before, Lululemon running gear is expensive but seems to be pretty much indestructible.

[Photo: Ron Reynolds]

4. Do you prefer to follow a training plan or wake up and decide then how far and how fast you want to run? I’m the kind of runner who definitely needs to follow a training plan. Without a training plan, my motivation to run disappears and I turn into an ex-runner. I can’t remember the last time I ran and right now, I’m not even missing running.

5. Would you rather start your run with the uphill and end on the downhill or start your run with the downhill and end with the uphill? I live in a hilly(ish) area so I’ve been known to plan running routes that are flat and end with me running downhill. I mean, who can honestly say they ending their runs with a nice hill? Unfortunately, my right knee doesn’t seem to be aware I’m a lazy runner and causes me problems whenever I run down even the smallest of hills. Not ideal.

6. When you can’t run, what type of cross-training do you choose to do? I’ve been spending 30 minutes a day on my exercise bike. I hope that the fact my face is the same colour as a beetroot at the end of each session is a good sign.

7. What is your preference? Out and back, point to point or loop runs? I much prefer loop runs but they must be single large loops. There’s no way I could run past my front door without stopping. I also quite enjoy point to point runs and had arranged to catch a train to Shenstone with the aim of running back home to Four Oaks.

8. If you could recommend any running related item to a new runner, what would it be? I would say go to your local specialist running store, get properly fitted, and invest in a decent pair of trainers. Your feet and knees will thank you and let’s face it, you want to try to avoid picking up an injury when you first start running.

9. Do you ever see any wild animals while out on your runs? I occasionally see the ‘wild’ ponies in Sutton Park. I think I’d do a good impression of a speedier runner if I spotted wild animals outside of Sutton Park.

10. Have you ever got lost while out on a run? Yes! I managed to get myself completely lost in Sutton Park. Slightly embarrassing and also more than a little scary as it was starting to get dark and I was on my own.

11. If you could have one meal ready and waiting for you when you got home from a run what would that meal be? I struggle to eat straight after running so it would have to be a chocolate milkshake and a banana. Not very exciting I know.

12. Capris or shorts… what do you run in most often? Capris in the colder months and shorts in the summer.

13. At what mile (or how many minutes) into your run does your body start to feel like it is warming up and ready to go? It takes my body at least 10 minutes to wake up and to warm up, I sometimes think it’s in some sort of running denial. During the first 10 minutes of any run, I have to constantly remind myself that it will feel easier. I’m looking forward to one day reaching the stage running feels a little easier again.

14. What do you do with your key when you run? I either carry it in my jacket pocket and spend most of my run obsessively checking it’s still there or tie one of my laces around it. Neither option is ideal.

15. If you could relive any race that you have done in the past, which one what it be? The Cathedral to Castle run; the 10 miles felt effortless, I would love to relive that race and that feeling.

[Photo: Mick Hall Photos]

16. What type of run is your least favourite type of run? Speed sessions have to be my least favourite type of run. Although I have long legs, I don’t think I’m built to run fast.

17. What has been your biggest motivation lately to get out the door to get your run on? Erm, the cancellation of all the events I’d entered combined with a slightly irrational fear of going outside means that I’m not running at the moment. I did consider buying a treadmill but couldn’t justify the expense. I do miss running but for now, my exercise bike is a good replacement.

18. When you go for a run, do you leave right from your front door or do you drive somewhere to start? I don’t have a car. I’ve never been one for starting my training runs from my front door as I like to begin each training session with a five-minute walk. I also live on a hill so my five minute walks suit me!

19. When running in daylight… are sunglasses a must or an annoyance? I don’t get on very well with sunglasses as I have a small head and wonky ears. I always wear a running cap; it keeps the sun and rain out of my eyes and also hides my grey hair.

[Photo: Ron Reynolds]

20. When you get tired, what keeps you from quitting? When I get tired, I tend to quit (or slow to a walk) pretty much instantly. My lack of mental strength has definitely held me back as a runner, something I need to work on when I start running again.

If you’ve made it to the end of question 20 then a massive “thank you”. I hope that you enjoyed learning a little more about my running habits (both good and bad) and preferences.

If you can think of any other questions you’d like me to answer, please do comment below. And finally, if you’re struggling to motivate yourself to run at the moment, I promise you that you aren’t alone.

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