Bagged and Tagged

OK so Kate from "What's on my mind today" tagged me to answer these questions.  I thought about not doing it but figured what the hell.

Here goes...

1. What's your favorite race and why? What's your dream race?

My favorite race is actually the Wild in the Woods series.  Four races in the awesome St Charles County Parks.  I didn't get to do them this year and it bummed me out.  

My dream race would have to be something in the amazon.  I have always wanted have an adventure in the jungle especially after reading the Lost City of Z.  

2. What's your favorite running tip?

I have two bits of running advice that if I know you long enough you will inevitably hear.  You won't hear these because I think I am some sort of expert on running, you will hear them because they are really great pieces of advice.  The first is "never make a decision on an uphill".  I don't know how many times I have been working my way up a hill struggling, in pain, exhausted, and all I wanted to do was stop.  Hills are where the demons get inside your head, probably because your pace slows down just enough for them to latch on.  Whenever I get those feelings like I want to quit I always wait until I get to the top of the hill just to make sure I don't do anything I will regret.

The second piece of advice is "if you want to run faster, run faster".  I don't do speed work and the simplicity of this makes too much sense (at least to me anyway).

3. Which reality show is your guilty pleasure?

Hands down Survivor.  Although if my team gets selected for "Expedition Impossible" I think I might have a new favorite.

4.  What is your power song, the song that takes your running to another level?

Bawitdaba by Kid Rock.  This song works so good I will only listen to it when I need an extra boost while running.

5.  What is your secret to balance in your life?

The 4 Noble Truths.

Life is Suffering

The origin of suffering is attachment

Suffering can end

To end suffering follow the eightfold path

6. What are you most looking forward to in the new year?

I have so many things planned for 2011 it is hard to pick one.  The MR340 is near the top of the list because I will be so far out of my element.  I am not the best paddler.  Ok now I know the thing I am most looking forward to.  Spending time training for the MR340.  I love being out on the water in my kayak.

1) Do you prefer winter or summer running?

Winter

3) What are your running goals for 2011?

I will refer you to the master plan.  They aren't all running goals but I do more than run.  I have some other races that I plan to do, the master plan just hits the big ones.

4) Do you have any other passions in life?

Passions is a funny word.  I have a lot of other things that I like to do but none are on the same level as endurance sports.  I have been thinking about skateboarding lately (my first love).  Maybe when the weather gets warmer I will head out to my local skatepark and see what happens.

5) If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

To be honest I love living here in the St Louis Metro area.  I was in the Army for 8years and I couldn't wait to get back.  But if I had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world I would choose Australia.  I am a fan of many things Australian.  Midnight Oil, Steve Irwin, AC/DC, digeridoos, dream time, Ned Kelly, Great Barrier Reef, etc.