Inspirational Interview with Runner Sarah OUal

I have been following Sarah's BLOG for almost a year now I think. I know, I never comment. Sorry Sarah. I had a long time friend on Facebook who live sin southern Cal hip me to it and I have been hooked ever since. Sarah has a great sense of humor and I love her posts. 

I finally decided to ask her to be interviewed and she agreed. 

YAY!!!!! 

1. Why did you start running?

I played softball in college, and wanted something "away from the diamond" to keep me in shape and sane. It was my "me time" - between school, practice, part-time job(s), and roommates it was a selfish escape and I dug the quiet alone time.  Once I graduated and found myself with a bunch of free time I decided to up my running game and train for a half marathon.  Thus, the race bug was born. 

2. How long have you been running?

Running as a sport and not a training supplement to a different (ball) sport, 3-4 years maybe.  I ran my first race (Cleveland Half Marathon) in 2009, but wouldn't say I got "serious" about running until this year.

3. Does your running interfere with your "day" job or is running your "day job?  When do you have time to train? 

I have a normal (read : boring) 8-5 desk job.  I'm a terrible morning person, so I only run before work if friends bribe me or someone is being held hostage.  I actually quite like running in the evening - either washing away the bad of the day or reveling in the good - plus no one can see when I pick my wedgie when it's dark.

4. How many miles a week do you run and do you follow a specific training plan? 

I am an obsessive, clingy, desperate girlfriend to my training plans.  My color coded, self-populating, shoe mileage counting, OCD-to-the-max Google Doc spreadsheet could get me admitted to Type A Anonymous.  We (yes "we" as in my plan & I) spend A LOT of time together. I just do better on a schedule - the satisfaction of checking off a workout and seeing my accomplishments is enough to keep me focused and excited about running.  

During training (for a specific race) my weekly mileage is around 35-45 miles, but during "off" times it's usually in the 20s with more cross training.

5. About how many races a year do you run and what's your favorite distance? 

I used to be a compulsive racer - I'd register for any that came my way.  In 2011 I ran 12 races, almost all long-distance, none of which I trained for or gave my full attention to.  This year I'm racing less but focusing my training towards a few Big Goal Races.  It's made a huge difference in my approach and (duh) my times.  Not shocking, when you show up at a start line properly trained you run better!

6. Tell us what your favorite race of all time was. I know HARD question?  

I have a few that stand out for different reasons. Cleveland was my first half ('09) and first full ('10) - the full was a month after we moved to CA so it was also exciting going back "home" and seeing everyone. I ran Nike Womens ('10) in memory of my best friend's mom who had passed from cancer two months earlier. Eugene ('12) was my dream race - huge PR, great city, and I went w some run girlfriends and made a super awesome weekend out of it. So, yeah. HARD question.

7. Does your husband run as well? If so, do you ever do races together?

He does run, but doesn't race anymore. He actually ran 26.2 before me, but I beat his PR at Eugene so marathon bragging rights have shifted back to my side :)

8. How does it make you feel to be such an accomplished runner? 

I've done a lot of races, and ran a lot of miles, but I definitely wouldn't call myself "accomplished". I've learned a lot, and am still learning, which I think is the important part. There's always room for growth, and that never-ending quest to being "the best" you can be is either motivating or frustrating. Plus there are still a ton of things on my Goals list :)

9. Do you have a just a few tips to help any of my readers who are not runners but desperately want to be? 

Give it time! It won't be easy right away, but stick with it because you WILL reach that distance/pace/race goal if you put in the work. Running is great because it's so "now"; you don't have to wait for a race or trial to see your progress - ANY run can turn into something great. Also, especially in blog-land let others be your motivation, not your competition. Comparison trap is NASTY.

10. I am desperate to work on my speed. One of my biggest goals is to Qualify for Boston. Any advice on speed work and what works the best for you?

800m repeats. They mix up the monotony of distance training, are short enough you're not in pain forever, and are a great measuring tool. Start with 6 repeats (I rest 90sec between) and build up in reps and speed as you go. If you have a track, great! If not, just measure out a .5mi stretch (with GPS or mapmyrun.com) or use my Garmin Interval function tutorial here. (http://sarahoual.com/2012/02/24/running-fast-alone-at-night-not-an-excerpt-from-the-police-blotter/) They hurt during, but the all-day runner's high after is worth it :)

11. Do you follow a specific diet plan or just try to eat healthy to keep your weight down?

This is something I've never given much thought to but might this go-round (for CIM). I've been a pescatarian for 7 years and am a relatively healthy eater, but I fall into the "I can eat whatever I want because I'm marathon training!" trap EVERY. DAMN. TIME. I'll never give up my beer or soft serve, but might try a bit more of that "moderation" thing people talk about...

12 Do you plan on running races for the rest of your life?  

No. I have all the admiration in the world for people who do, but I don't think I LOVE running enough to do it the rest of my life.  I'm not saying I'll quit running altogether, but I def see myself grey on a golf course before a race course.

13 If you ever had the chance to go pro, would you take it?

Do I get to be friends with Desi and can I still drink beer? Then yes.

14 What are your favorite things about running?

1) The insta-feedback. Being able to look at numbers and knowing if I did or did not meet my goal. I'm a data freak and totally left-brained, so seeing the input/output and how it all came together is a big motivator for me.

2) The community.  I'm baffled that such an individual sport can have such a strong support system. Strangers, acquaintances, training partners take interest into other people's runs for seemingly no reason other than their mutual love for the sport, and it blows my mind in the best way possible. I'm so grateful for the amazing people (esp back when we first moved and I didn't have any friends) and the incredible opportunities running has brought into my life. So many great moments I'll remember forever.

A HUGE thank you to Sarah for participating my interview. I am so glad I finally had the chance to interview her. She is freakin hilarious. SO if you know what's good for you you'll go become a reader of her  BLOG Pin It