Sunday, December 12, 2010

I Am Back With A Tag! A Reason To Post!

Greetings everyone! I am finally sitting down to post after a week of blogging vacation. Last week was nuts, I was left with limited computer time. This weekend the Minnesota metro area was pounded with 20 inches of snow! Holy cow! I was supposed to run in a 5K yesterday morning....never happened:) My hubby had to snowblow our driveway three times! Good news, I was able to get the heck out of my culdesac and go shopping today:) I did some serious damage...I have yet to tell Mr. Julie how much money I spent!

I was recently tagged by Misszippy to answer a few questions about running. I was pretty excited because now I have something to blog about!

1) Do you prefer winter or summer running? This is a tough one to answer. I enjoy running in the cooler temperatures but winter running in Minnesota is challenging because of the layering of running clothes. The snow and ice makes me go slower than normal...not falling on my ass is always good. Summer running is nice because I can go out with shorts, a running shirt and shoes. I do hate running in the heat and humidity....I really hate it! Yuck! However, running in the heat and humidity is good for conditioning and helps for when it is the perfect temperature. It makes me feel like I am kicking it:) Did I answer the question? Yea, I am not sure about that one.

2) What has been your toughest race to date? Hands down, the Gopher to Badger Half Marathon. It was so freaking hot and humid that day! I felt like total crap and wondered if I would ever finish. I did finish it with a time of 2:02:45...not too bad considering the crazy weather elements. Running this race and living through it made me realize that I could run a marathon and finish with a respectable time.

3) What are your running goals for 2011? I would like to run a sub 4 marathon. It would be great to PR in a few of the other distances too. I have raced in 21 races this year. I think that next year I will cut the number of my races down and train more. I hope to do more running with my running group....they will keep me honest and working hard:)

4) Do you have any other passions in life? I love to travel, learning about history and other cultures. I also love to meet people:) I consider myself a friendly and outgoing person. I love and enjoy stimulating conversation with just about anyone.

5) If you could live anywhere, where would it be? Oh, this is an easy one, I would love to live in California wine country or somewhere in Montana. I have been to wine country several times and always have a fabulous time. The weather is so nice and perfect for running. Montana is also so gorgeous and peaceful. We took a family vacation there a few years ago and had a blast...great memories! Internationally, I would love to live in Italy. I have always had a thing with Italy. When I was a little girl I would go to the library and spend hours looking at pictures of the beautiful places and sites to see. Currently, I love watching movies that are set in Italy:)

If there is anyone who would like to be tagged and do this too...knock yourself out! You are all tagged:)

Happy running, biking, swimming, lifting and surfing! Cheers to you all!

60 comments:

  1. I agree, it would be wonderful to live in the Cal. wine country. I remember when you raced there, is that where you were hooked? I'm happy you got so much shopping done, I need to get on that!

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  2. Great answers! Tags are always a fun way to learn about people! :)

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  3. Welcome back, I missed you!! But I understand the need for a break :) I might answer these tomorrow if I get the chance, thank you!

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  4. That's a lot of snow!

    California wine country sounds good. ;o)

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  5. Yikes, you guys have been pounded with the nasty weather! We have not really had any winter precip (our dry landscape sure needs it!) but have had some crisp temps, wind, and lots of gray skies which is a bit unusual. I agree - CA wine country is beautiful and a good choice although I sure love our Colorado. Thanks for sharing and stay warm!

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  6. good luck with your 2011 goals

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  7. Hi Julie, glad you were able to get out. Wish you the best with your 2011 marathon goal - you can do it.

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  8. hi!

    yes, yes...come to california wine country!;-) it's a callin' your name..;-)

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  9. I love California, but could definitely see Montana in our future. Great picks.

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  10. So much for running a 5k or 10k together this weekend, huh?! NUTS!! I have been using the treadmill at the middle school where my dad teaches because of the crazy weather! I'm sorry we weren't able to meet up this weekend!

    Great picks, too... I still advocate for you moving out to wine country. The sooner the better, too! :D

    I like your goal of cutting down on races and doing more training. I thought of doing something similar myself, but there are just so many fun races to do all the time!! I signed up for a few LONG races already next year, so I think I might make that my focus for 2011. More long-distance training, less short-distance PRs. :) But, who knows.. my goal will probably change tomorrow morning when I find a fun local 5k to do. :)

    Have a great week, Julie!!
    xoxo
    A

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  11. Like it! We got a taste of Minessota last week with a foot of snow - we've NEVER had that here. I don't know how you all manage - Britain just stopped.

    Re your racing - good goals for 2011 - I like them and they sound achievable?

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  12. Very nice post. You know, you are always welcome to Italy. You are right, if you want some PRs you'd have to train a little bit more with some races less. However listen to your body before taking the decision.
    There snow, here rain! ciao.

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  13. Nice one Julie! You did a lot of races this year. I did as well but many were run as training runs for my big races. I'll continue to do that in the years to come. Have a fantastic week!

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  14. Wow you were a racing machine this year! Maybe the Napa Marathon is in your future?

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  15. I loved this post, these tags tell so much about a person. Happy to here you are no longer snowed in, shopping is a must have activity! Cheers for lots of great races!

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  16. Great post Julie! be safe in all that white crap up there!

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  17. Welcome back...from shopping!

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  18. I have great admiration for anybody that can run in cold weather! Brrrrrr!

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  19. This is a fun list of questions! I have a laundry list of races I want to do next year and limited finances, so it would be smart to focus more on training...but races are so much fun! Maybe I can compromise and join a running club...at least get the social aspect of the races.

    20 inches of snow...wow! We got maybe 2, but most of the area schools (including mine!) were called due to windchills of -15...which is probably peanuts to you guys! :)

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  20. Great answers!! These posts are always fun to read.

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  21. you are an awesome racing robot! a cute awesome racing robot!

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  22. You are tough making it through those winters! And let me know when you move to wine country...we could be neighbors b/c I think it's about the perfect place too! Thanks for answering.

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  23. Snow shovelling is great for crosstraining, if you ever can't get out for a run. :) I'm with you on the wine country!

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  24. have you told mr j how much yet?? obviously must be a few dollars!

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  25. This was fun to read Julie!

    My hub would love to live in Italy too but I'm too hooked on Holland and don't want to leave here.

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  26. Surfing? I want to go to the beach/somewhere warm. Def no surfing here - barely 30*! I know, warm for you but not for me! Lol. S Carolina is not opposed to get cold :)

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  27. I completely agree with you about point 1): running in the cooler temperatures is more enjoyable.

    It's a beautiful post, Julie. Good luck with your 2011 goals.

    Post scriptum: the 4th of December I sent you a postcard.

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  28. I love these posts and welcome back!

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  29. Love your running goals for 11' especially that 26.2 goal:)

    you could cut your races in half and still be racing A LOT!!

    Derek

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  30. Love reading tags, it's a great way to get to know you better! I hear you on summer/winter running. My favorite season is fall and spring, not too hot and not too cold :)

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  31. I have never been to wine country but I have been to Italy and loved it. It was too short a time though. I would have liked to have gotten to the mountains. I am a northern girl (as are you) and I do love the mountains. A place with mountains and ocean would be perfect for me.
    I thought about you as I heard weather reports.

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  32. #33 revision: Run a marathon with Jill as we run a sub-4 together !!! :)

    XOXO

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  33. I love reading and learning about History too. Nerds <3

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  34. Mmmm.... your post made me hungry with visions of eating pasta on a hillside in Italy!

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  35. No kidding you got a LOT of snow! I woke up Sunday AM to an article of that dome collapsing. Crazy!

    Thanks for the Xmas card!

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  36. Summer running for me. Hands down!

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  37. ok done, let's both move to CA and train for a sub four together :)

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  38. well done on the Q&A..great answers..congrats!

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  39. Hi Julie!! I love these tag posts, they are so fun. I would like to go sub 4 this year too, let's make it happen!!!

    I have always wanted to visit Italy. I have heard so many amazing things about it and that it is very beautiful. Maybe we should find a marathon in Italy and go run our sub 4 there! Hehe.

    Hope you are having a great week!

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  40. Hi Julie, I am with you on the wine country. I am trying to get my kid to go to Sonoma State University. This is in the heart of the wine country. Man-o-man, MN has sure been in the news lately. Metrodome roof collapse, Favre, snow, etc.

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  41. Julie,
    I thought I had your address but I can't find it. Can you send it to me?
    ajh@gmavt.net

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  42. WOW, so much snow. Hard to imagine running in snow. Would you believe I have only ever seen snow once and I was like a big kid playing in it.

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  43. Cool post Julie.
    Why do I think you'll get bored if you cut down on the races? We'll see!
    And who are you kidding? You were born to run sub-4, you're such a great runner, you've got that!
    And finally, I love your #2) answer. Horrible races can't be planned for and you grow so much. I always use those experiences to appreciate challenges, in racing or life in general. Have a great day!

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  44. I love Napa too! I could definitely live the rest of my life in No. Cal!!! And you know I loved the Napa Trail Marathon...you should do it!!!! And you know I'm lookin for that sub 4 too! We'll get it this year!

    21 races - so awesome...

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  45. Your weather sounds worse then mine! =0
    This was a great post!

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  46. Hi Julie - just sent you a THANK you through the google follows thingie but not sure that works - if you haven't received a message email me at petraduguidatgmaildotcom because I REALLY REALLY want to thank you for your WONDERFUL gift. I absolutely love it.

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  47. You don't necessarily have to trim back on the number of races. You just have to pick your spots and run some of your races as supported training runs.

    Especially those long runs - it is great to have people giving you water during them :)

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  48. Dear Julie,

    What a wonderful surprise I received in the mail yesterday. Thank you so much, I was so touched you took the effort to mail me this. I really really appriciate it, it was a great package.

    Love Fran

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  49. Julie, were you going to do the 5K in St Joe? Are you going to do the Earth Day half in St Cloud? I am going to register today : )

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  50. I like your idea of living in wine country : )

    I need your address again, need to send you a bumper sticker!

    Thanks for the lovely christmas card!!!

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  51. I love all of your answers, Julie! I totally agree with you about summer vs. winter running. You had a great year and I'm looking forward to seeing you in 2011!

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  52. LOL about the shopping! I don't know if I could live with that much snow!

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  53. Hey Julie! You definitely have a white Christmas down there!! #1 is me exactly and oh, how I would LOVE to live in wine country...One day! Do you have a marathon picked for 2011 yet? Hope you have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS Julie!! So fun to have kids at Christmas-I bet your little guy is excited!

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  54. Merry Christmas to you too Julie. Thanks for dropping by my blog. Hope you have a wonderful time with your beautiful family.

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  55. Hello Julie - I came to your blog to wish you Merry Christmas. I hope you have some decent running weather soon. I know it's doubtful this time of year in MN.

    Love reading all of your racing adventures. Looking forward to your 2011 goals. Have you picked a marathon to go for that sub 4:00 goal? If you want to travel, look at Snickers, Albany, GA. We are signing up. It's supposed to be FAST. Join US!

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  56. Julie!!! For some reason I missed seeing this post! Very sorry! California is the place for me as well.

    Have a Merry Christmas and fantastic New Year!

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  57. Merry Christmas to you and your family Julie. Once again, thanks so much for the lovely card! :)

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  58. Now I know your secret, on 7th is your 41° birthday!!!!

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  59. Julie, just checking in with you to make sure you are doing okay. Are you going to be at the Polar Dash this weekend? Hope all is well and that you are enjoying this break in the weather to run.

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