An Average Female Runner tends to enter running events, train year-round, and purchase 2-4 running shoes each year (From RunningUSA and inspired by DirtRoadRunner)

Am I Average?

Demographics:
Average Age: 38.5 – Way Older (58)
63.2% Married  – Yes
78.2% College educated –  Yes (BA in French, MA in Education, MS in Instructioanl Technology, ABD in Instructional Tech)
70.3% Earn a household income of $75,000+ – Yes (though it was more before my hubby retired)

Running History:
Average number of years running: 9.9 years  – A lot  Less (3)
Average number of running events participated in during the last 12 months: 7.2 events  – A lot More  (21)
51.8% have completed 1 marathon or more in their lifetime —No (none yet)

Running Routine:
70.4% Run/Jog 4+ hours each week – Yes (but it  depends on what I’m training for)
77.7% run 12 months a year –  Yes I do now
Average number of days run per week: 4.0 – Yes (but sometimes only 3)
Average number of miles run per week: 21.9 – Less (unless I’m training for a Half)
66.1% describe themselves as ‘Frequent/Fitness Runners’ – Yes (well maybe persistent)

Running Preferences:
Favorite race distance is the Half-Marathon (39.0%)  – No, 5K ( I have only entered 2 Halfs)
Interested in entering next year: – Hope to be entering ALL but the Marathon
    Half-Marathon (77.0%)
    5K (57.3%)
    10K (56.0%)
    Marathon (43.3%)

Motivation:
Primary motivation to start running:
    For Exercise (25.0%) – Yes (Definitely)
    Weight Concerns (14.5%) – No 
    Needed a New Challenge (9.3%) – Yes
Motivation to continue to run:
    Staying in Shape (76.8%) – Yes
    Staying Healthy (74.2%)  – Yes
    Relieving Stress (64.4%)  – Yes
   
Product Preferences:
Average number of running shoes purchased in last 12 months: 2.9 pairs  – More (I’d say at least 5)
Last running shoes purchased:
        ASICS (26.4%)  – YES (have bought 3)
        Brooks (16.6%)  – (have bought 1)
        Saucony (14.2%) – (have bought 3)

       What happened to Mizuno? (have bought 3)
                                             Nike? (have bought 2)
                                            Adidas? (have bought 1)
                                             New Balance (0 but am considering)

65.3% spent $90+ on their running shoes —Yes for some (but  have bought many for less on sale)
47.9% purchased their running shoes at a specialty running store – Yes (at FleetFeet) for some but most  in other stores
Favorite brands of running apparel: 
    Nike (64.8%) – Yes (have lots)
    Under Armour (45.7%) – No (too expensive)
    Champion (34.3%) – Some (from Target)
    Adidas (30.7%) – Yes (have lots of Adidas)
80.4% spent $100+ on running apparel in the last 12 months — YES
59.6% purchased running apparel at a specialty running store —Not Often (too expensive)

Health:
Average Weight: 137.6 lbs – Less (but I’m shorter)
Average Height: 65.01 inches – Less (64 inches)
Average Body Mass Index (BMI): 22.9 – Less (but not much)
40.9% are content with their weight – No (lose a little but lose INCHES so my clothes fit better)
42.3% are content with their fitness level – No (I always want to get better like maybe cross train)

So am I average?

In some ways YES but I am older, less experienced, enter more races but have never run a marathon, and buy more shoes!!

Happy Running! Are you Average?

After my lesurely run, I headed up to our boat where my hubby was waiting patiently.  Our friends and 2 of their friends were spending the day with us.

celebrating being on the lake

a friendly chipmunk

relaxing in the lake

going for a boat ride

watch the full moon rise at the marina

These things kept my mind off the fact that there were several races I wished I were running:  Jailhouse Rock 5k (that I’ve placed 2x before) or Kiwanis Clove 10 miler (with friends) or the Warrior Dash (very popular!!)

Soon I hope!!

Happy Running!  Hope you had a great weekend!

Happy Running!

Yesterday was a perfect day.

On Friday, my hubby went up to Bolton landing to get a site on the lake for the weekend.  He usually comes home and we drive up together on Saturday.

I encouraged him to stay overnight on the boat & I would drive up myself.

How selfish of me!!

I played Mah Jongg Friday nite, stayed out late and got up yesterday to take a leisurely run. 

There was no one rushing me.  I didn’t feel guilty making anyone wait.

Perfect!

I headed out on my usual neighborhood route but decided to head into our local town park.   There’s a pool, tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball fields, kid’s play area, etc.

After 12 years playing tennis here, I discovered a Fitness Trail.  Who knew?

It includes 32 different fitness exercises at 20 labelled stops. Each stop has pictures of the exercise and suggestions for fitness or competitive levels.   You jog between each stop.

The trail isn’t that well marked and I kept taking the wrong route & back-tracking.  I finally found my way out (not the correct way out) near the tennis courts.

In total, I ran 5.5 miles!!! Not all running, of course!! Not very fast – it took me about 1 hour.  The heel is ok – which means I can feel discomfort and tightness but no real pain! (Will it ever feel normal again????)

Today I went back to figure out the trail better.  I found out that yesterday I missed #19-32 and only covered #1-18 and that  men are pictured at each stop for a reason.

I tried to do some of the exercises but didn’t even attempt most of them  Either I’m not fit or only men or gymnasts could do them.

Today I walked the trail and will definitely go back & run the trail — I think if I want to exercise I will join a gym.

Happy Running! To be continued…