This week’s runner of the week is 29 year old Karen Seal from Lake Charles. Karen is fairly new to running as she started in 2009 with inspiration from Run Disney. She just so happened to be in Disney World during the marathon weekend and Karen says, “Watching others run and accomplish such a huge goal inspired me to start running.” She is currently coming back from tendonitis/ITBS and when she is in full form, she plans to get back to her 25-30 miles per week average and start her training for Goofy’s Challenge in January 2013. Check out this Disney running fanatic’s answers to our Run Louisiana questions…
Favorite place to run? Disney World! I love Disney races – the course is fun and so are the characters along the route! I definitely do not run a Disney race for time! We like to vacation in Disney and I love to go for early morning runs around the resort. It’s the one vacation spot that I don’t mind fitting in my work out!
What shoes do you run in? I have 2 – Saucony Hurricane’s and Spira Genesis X
Favorite & least favorite workout? Favorite workout – Saturday long runs with my friends! I don’t mind waking up early on Saturday mornings anymore! Least favourite workout – Hill training, even though I know it helps me in the long run, I can’t seem to get excited about running hills.
What does the voice in your head say when you want to give up? “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” During races, I wear a Team 413 bracelet that has this quote on it to remind me – “I CAN do ALL things!” When I feel like giving up, I look down at my bracelet, tell myself that I CAN, say a quick prayer, then keep on going!
Guilty pleasure? Frozen Yogurt and chocolate (especially chocolate and caramel)!
One piece of training gear you can’t live without? Lately, it’s been my knee sleeve. Hopefully I will be able to stop using it soon!
Who or what do you look to for motivation? I look to the Lord. My faith in Him has brought me through many rough patches over the years and without Him, I am nothing. :0)
Pet peeve of other runners or races? When a group of people stop in the middle of the road to walk – when I need to walk, I try to get to the side of the road (if I can) and I make sure that no runners are behind me when I do stop.
Do you have a bad habit? I have a bad non-running habit. I bite my fingernails. I’ve tried to quit multiple times and I haven’t been very successful.
Favorite pre race/workout snack? Prior to a run, I like to eat ½ of a Cliff Mojo bar.
Favorite electrolyte replacement? Purple Gatorade! :0)
Favorite post race/workout meal? I love to come home after a long run and eat a good filling breakfast – usually whole wheat blueberry pancakes or something of that nature!
In your opinion, what is your biggest achievement? Completing the 2012 Rock and Roll New Orleans Full Marathon with the American Cancer Society’s DetermiNation team. I’m an Oncology Nurse and I have family members who have been touched in one way or another by cancer, so running with the American Cancer Society held a double meaning for me. Crossing the finish line of the Marathon was a very emotional and empowering moment for me.
Lifetime goal? To keep up a healthy lifestyle – which involves so much more than running to me….ie: eating “clean”, cross training, staying fit.
What’s your secret weapon? This is a funny one – I eat Frozen Yogurt the night before every big race or event. After my best half marathon of last season, a friend asked how I was able to hold the pace that I held during the race – my response: I ate FroYo the night before! Since then, it’s become my “secret weapon” and I have it the night before every big race!
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