Thumbs Up Thursday...Morgan

This week's spotlight is on Morgan of Caution-Redhead Running. Make sure you stop over to her blog and say hello after you read all about her here!! Without further delay, I give you Thumbs Up Thursday!!

Jodi: How long have you been running?
Morgan: 2 1/2 years now.

Jodi: Why did you start running?
Morgan: I always ran, never with a purpose or distance in mind, rather a bit on the zen side. I started picking it up in Mid-2008 to overcome a break-up and found a renewed sense of myself and joy in it. I ran my first 5k on 7/4/08 and never looked back.

Jodi: How many years have you been racing?
Morgan: Basically the same amount of time; immediately after my first 5k I vowed to beat that time and racing was born. :)

Jodi: What is your favorite distance to race and why?
Morgan: 5k's HURT, 10k's are challenging and fun, Half's make me happy but the Marathon has my heart. You learn so much about yourself mentally and physically when you train. The entire journey from training start to race day is unbelievable and you learn that you CAN do anything you put your mind to.

Jodi: What is your favorite race memory?
Morgan: I think it will always be when B.o.B jumped in around Mile 22 of the 2009 Chicago Marathon and ran with me.


Jodi: What is your least favorite race memory?
Morgan: A few weeks after Chicago I tried to race a Half and due to weather and race disorganization I all but died out on the course. I spent the entire last 6 miles run/walking and dry heaving due to heat exhaustion. I've never wished for actual puking so much in my life! Definitely not fun but a lesson well learned; bring your own water to smaller races and don't try to race when a late start puts you under the angry Florida suns direct fury.

Jodi: What is your proudest running moment to date?
Morgan: Breaking 4 hours at the Gasparilla Marathon in February. I trained hard and ended up beating my sub-4 goal and finishing in 3:56. I was/am ecstatic.


Jodi: What one item do you absolutely have to have with you on a training run?
Morgan: A wrist rocker, to wipe away the sweat on my face!


Jodi: What is your favorite fuel during a race?
Morgan: I only ever use Powerbar Gels (GU, HammerGel, CLIF, etc.. are all too thick for my liking) but I do get excited for orange slices near the ends of bigger races.

Jodi: What is your favorite post race snack?
Morgan: I always pack a Carrot Cake Cliff Bar in my after race bag for immediate consumption.

Jodi: Who do you admire most and why?
Morgan: I admire the back of the packers. While training last summer a friend in the running group would get out to run an hour before the rest of us and finish up almost an hour after. That to me takes far more heart, dedication, discipline and strength than the more obvious Kara Goucher's and Paula Radcliffe's of the running world. I do look up to those women, but there's something that needs to be said and recognized of the kind of determination it takes to run a 3 hour Half or a 5+ hour Marathon. I don't know if I have what it takes and I admire those of you that do.

Jodi: Do you have a favorite quote?
Morgan: There are so many great ones to choose from so how about I give you my mantra instead; "Running is what you make of it, make it an Adventure!"

For anyone that's followed my blog for awhile you'll definitely see that is the trend. Since I've started running my entire life has turned into one crazy adventure!

Jodi: Finish this statement, when I run I feel ____.
Morgan: free!

Jodi: What is your current goal?
Morgan: To continue to make a comeback from the injury that derailed my Marathon #3 training cycle.

Jodi: Please feel free to add anything else you feel will help others lace up their shoes and get out there and run!!
Morgan: A few words of wisdom I can impart: When running isn't fun anymore it's time to take a step back, take off the Garmin and go out for a run just to run. Don't loose sight of the reason why you started running in the first place. If you're struggling in the midst of a race demand more cowbell from the spectators and cheer on your fellow runner's; they will always return the favor. BELIEVE in yourself! BELIEVE in the AWESOME that is YOU! (Something I think we all need to work on, myself included.)

Thank you so much for the opportunity to give you a Thumbs Up Morgan! Best of luck with your comeback! I know you will be great!

Keep running, you're simply the best, and Morgan YOU inspire ME!!