Meet the winners -Emi new q

Lina asked:
Is it intimidating or inspiring to live with an accomplished runner?

I'd say both. It's great to see that anything is possible. And Anders has never once urged me to run or exercise or anything. He seems to think it's anyone's private business. I love that.

On the other hand, I'm still feeling too much of a newbie to run with him. He says he won't run too fast, but I want to feel like I'm an equal. Not quite there yet.

Meet the winners -Emi, playlist

AND CILÉNE! The playlist!
This is my most common playlist, which I've almost come to hate, because I haven't changed it for so long.

Solange - I decided
Kate Perry - I kissed a girl
Britney Spears - Womanizer
John Legend - Just give me the green light
Candi Staton - Young Hearts Run Free
Michael Jackson - I want to rock with you

I often hit "play again" on the first 3-4 songs, since they've never let me down.
I once listened to I decided 7 times in one run.

Meet the winners - Emi

Ciléne said...

I have questions... with 3 kids, how do you find the time to run? When? And I want to know your playlist.

Anders is a runner and encourages me to run so whenever he's home, I can go running. When he's not, I could go running with the stroller which I hate. Luckily for me, my dad works from home and lives nearby so I often have him come down and read to Niki for half an hour while I run. My mom babysits too, when she has the time. But the secret is really that I go running when there's time, not when I feel like it.  I don't have the luxury of feeling inspired.

R said...
What goes on your mind while running? I’m curious to know if that 'power song' feature really works for you?

My mind is often blank when I run, very focused on the running and the song. I think "I'm running running running" while I sing along. It's meditative. Other times I go over work, kids, relationships. I never use the power song thing anymore. In the beginning I used it a lot. Deeper and deeper with Madonna helped me become a stronger runner. 

Lulu said...
Where would you most like to run? Someplace on your normal route? Somewhere you've been and can't forget? A place you've never been?

I'm your cliche runner - dreaming of running in the parks of big cities - Hyde Park or Central Park. Or through the streets of Paris, along the banks of the Seine. I love cities. Would also love to run in Sicily, Tuscany, Oregon and New Hampshire. The place where I live is ridculously pretty and perfect for running. Meadows and horses and lambs and birds and wooden fences and forests and little brooks and a little bay. 

Alpha Monkey said...
How is your foot feeling? Also, how did you celebrate the victory?

My foot is so much better, thanks for asking! I celebrated by eating out with the kids. I had red meat (organic lamb) and potatoes au gratin. Very good. Also tried on a dress I can't afford. But it looked great, which was kind of a reward in itself. 

-------

let me also thank all you people for running with me and making running so much fun! I run for myself but the unexpected community you've created together with me means so much. To my surprise, I'm currently in better shape than I've ever been in my life! At 37, with three kids! Who knew?!?!?!? I started running to have energy to play with my kids and to work and enjoy life.  ! How well it paid off!

What prize did I pay for this happiness? The boobs have left the building. Completely. Though, for a runner, I guess this is actually an advantage. 

finally!

I won!
I can't interview myself. You have any questions for me?
-emi

ps. new challenge starting...like now. Most of you have been invited. If not,it's because you don't have the Nike+ thing or your profile is not listed as public.
Mail me and I'll add you.

THE RESULTS:





Lulu 17,9 km



Ciléne 22,86

ps. unknown perk of motherhood: teaching your baby to say "mommy won"

oh shit, josefina!

I wasn't going to run today, but you might just be forcing me to!

I love "I decided"

I love love love running to this song.

ah

here's the main reason I run. I need to keep up! and sometimes need to be alone. 

I'm not a Nike+ fascist

Dear people who run without Nike+, come on, run with us. I tried to scare you into getting the equipment but if you'd rather leave this than buy the stuff, then by all means, keep reporting to me. I just don't understand it. It's such a small investment that gives you so much motivation. 

Mail me your kms. run with us. 

love

-e

Meet the winners - Heidi

I've followed internet legend Heidi Swanson for years, first because she was the force behind ChickClick, dating back to the pioneer years of man's journey into cyber space. Then because I love her photography. These days, Heidi runs 101 cookbooks, a site not to be missed by anyone who loves food. But today, she's our hero because she was the first to complete 100 kms. 

How did you get involved in the runwithe challenges?
I was a reader of LTMJ, and then LFTEC, and I noticed Emi wanted
people to run with her. It's good motivation for me.

Have you always been a runner? If not, how did you get started?
Not at all, and I'd argue that calling myself a runner is a bit of a
stretch. My pace is more that of a jogger. I started doing it about a
year and a half ago, after a friend (who was a long-time runner)
pointed out that it was one of the most efficient workouts you could
do. Just run out your front door and be done with it in under an hour.
No more driving across town to the gym for a class, looking for
parking, etc. I just got to the point where I was tired of that and
wanted a change. It took me a while to "get it" - in the beginning I
didn't know how to pace myself at all, and I'd get tired and want to
quit 5 minutes in, but now if I'm tired and on the verge of quitting,
I just slow way down until I feel better.

Why do you run?
I like how I feel for the rest of the day after I run. I like being
outside, watching how the seasonal changes impact my running route.
It's a challenge, and something relatively new for me, so it's
interesting in that regard too.

How often, at what time and how far do you run?
Right now I run 4 or 5 times a week. I usually do 2 or 3 days on, one
day off. I run 7- 8kms. No set time, just whenever I feel like it.

Haruki Murakami writes about how his body slowly transformed into a
runner's body. Have you noticed any such body changes?

I definitely don't have a "runners body" but I am a lot leaner than
when I started. Id say I'm 20 pounds lighter than before I switched to
running - I also make a real effort to eat healthy too.

What kind of shoes do you run in?
My neighbor gave me a pair of NIke Air Vomeros that I really like. The
first time I tried them I thought to myself - this is like running on
clouds. I think I've worn them out though, they're ready to be
retired.

Any equipment you long for?
No, I think I'm all set. I wear pretty much the same thing every day -
I just keep multiples of my favorite pants, pullover, etc.

What music do you run to?
I actually listen to podcasts when I run, news and current event
mostly. I listen to the BBC Global News podcast, and I also enjoy
Leonard Lopate's WNYC podcast.

How do you beat the "I don't want to go running" moods?
I think to myself, if I go today then I can take tomorrow off.

thanks heidi!

Yes, Heidi!

Congratulations!

New challenge starts today! I'm thinking 40 kms this time. Objections?





Christine 27,5km



Lotta Siwers 48,15 km



Alpha Monkey 26.17 km



Cilene 74,52 km

Heidi?

Heidi has about 3 kms to go to win. Will Molly seize this opportunity to win? I've never seen anyone so seemingly lacking in competitive spirit as Heidi. It gives off a very harmonious impression. She's not in it to win it. She's just in it. And just by doing so, she might still win. 

Zen running. 

clash of the titans.

heidi and molly are just one long run from victory. who will bring it home? or will linda surprise us all again?

find out in a day or two!

frustration

I went to the gym to run on the treadmill and was so happy to meet the babywatch hours, but niki refused to spend her time with anyone but me. 0,9 km is not the distance I was aiming for.

Heidi is about to win!

or can you stop her, molly?

what john wears

John lives in a small town about 50 miles north of NYC and kind of runs with us because he reads, but doesn't report his distances. But he's with us in spirit. And we can now share his clothes!

running alone in the forest

When you run by yourself in the woods in the dark, people often ask if you're afraid. 

I run with Michael Jackson. It's cosy. I know he might not be the one person you'd like to run with, in the dark, by yourself. But it feels good. He wants to rock with me.

Widget freaking out

But seems everything is in order at the nike+ site. Or in order? Nike+ is the altavista/netscape of 2009, being a leader only because of lacking competition. I so welcome competition to force Nike+ to become all it can be.

YES MOLLY! YES HEIDI! YES Ciléne

halfway point!

waiting this challenge out

I'm a lot better, but haven't run since I hurt my foot. I'm sitting this challenge out. It feels frustrating but ok. I salute all you runners! It's -10 here, clear, snowy and beautiful. The birds are back, chirping away. 

The last challenge of this kind

In an attempt to achieve greater focus during the brief moments I have at the computer, I have decided to make upcoming challenges Nike+ exclusive. That means no more e-mailing me the distances. This challenge is fine, mail away, no problem! but if you want to continue running with me, get the little Nike+ thing. It's really not that expensive if you look at the motivation it gives many of us. And yes, you can use the Nike+ thing on any shoes, not just Nike+ shoes.