Feet on the Street: Bobbi

Bobbi of Nhershoes

Bobbi of Nhershoes

Hi guys! This month’s girl of Feet on the Street is Bobbi!!  If you’re a regular around here you probably have seen some of her many comments which are always positive and cheerful.  I found Bobbi’s site after one of her comments on my blog when I first started OHC.  She was one of my very first readers!  She’s an amazing person and an amazing runner.  She totally inspires me to get out there and get running.

Let’s get started with the interview!

1. What was the turning point that got you running? In other words, what got you out the door to take that first run and keep going?

I was born a runner! I have been running since I was 11 on a club team, then I ran all four years in high school, but once I hit college I stopped. I am not really sure why I stopped, life just got too busy. Then I started piling on the pounds and knew I needed to put my shoes back on and get out there and start pounding the pavement, and regain my love for running.

2. I find lots of inspiration and motivation in your blog. You have a very positive outlook on life that I can’t help but pick up as well. What motivates you and inspires you to live a healthy, balanced life? What inspires you to keep running?

Great question! My faith is what keeps me positive and uplifted in life. I choose to live a life that is free of negativity and pollution. Other people’s blog’s have truly motivated me to have a healthy mind, body and soul. I also know that when my life is not balance my whole body is out of whack. I am inspired to keep running, because I can! I know that it is a blessing to be able to get moving and I never want to take that for granted.

shoes

Asics 2140

3. Talk to me about your shoes. What brand are they and what type of shoe are they specifically (example: stability shoe, extra cushion, etc…)?
It’s funny that were talking about shoes, because I have had some shoe issues this past month! LOL…I swore by my Asics 2130’s and still do think they are a great supportive shoe, but now I am in my Asics 2140’s and I LOVE them. They have a little more arch support and feel like you are running on air. I guess I would say that both stability and cushion is the best part of my shoes. I will never go back to wearing CHEAP shoes.

4. Where did you purchase your shoes and did you have help picking out a shoe to fit your specific needs?

There are two places I buy my shoes at, Zappos.com, and the local Running Center here in my town. They are great there, they fit you in a million different shoes, have you run around the shop and evaluate your stride. I would love to check out Road Runners I heard they even hook you up to machines and have you on a monitor to get the right fit!

5. You’re in training for the Boston Marathon in a couple of weeks, which is a very amazing achievement! When did you decide to try distance running and what was your first marathon experience like?

My senior year of college I was writing down my goals for the year, and I thought it would be really “cool” to run a marathon. I didn’t do any research, and I knew nothing about a training plan, so I just went out and ran everyday. My first marathon was the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis TN, and I am just glad I finished. My time was 4:20 which is a 10 minute mile marathon, which was great for how poorly I trained. The experience was a success, I had completed my goal and I didn’t DIE doing it.

6. You are an experienced distance runner, what advice would you give to those trying out distance running for the first time?

Run smarter not HARDER! I don’t believe in running useless and purposeless miles. I don’t just go out and run for the sake of running, I run each run with a goal in mind. You need to listen to your body, and if it tells you it’s tired rest. Now if it’s hard then that doesn’t mean stop, that means push it, but if you feel pain that does mean stop.

7. Name some of your favorite gear for running (this could be something like your Garmin or also running specific clothing) and why you love them.

I love running skirts. I used to think they were so girly and made fun of women who wore them, thought they were trying to be too cute or something. Well I was wrong they are not only cute, they are also soooo comfy! My Garmin Forerunner 301. It’s not the new new one, but I think I like it better. It helps me pace myself and push myself, and let’s me know how many miles I have run which is a necessity when you’re on a 20mile run. Hammer Nutrition I wouldn’t take anything else. I use their Heed sports drink for my long runs (mild melon is my fave).The gels are just as good too, to pump me up on a long run. “HAMMER GEL is an easily digested, concentrated source of complex carbohydrates with four amino acids added to enhance performance and prolong energy levels during intense training and competition. HAMMER GEL has a syrup-like consistency that mixes easily with water if so desired. ”

8. If a new runner came up to you and told you they were nervous about trying a running program because they are feeling a little insecure about running, what advice would you pass along?

I would tell them to at least give it a try. It’s kind of like a recipe; you may like it you may not. You may even add a little bit of your own touch and add in what suites you. A program is there to help you but if it’s too hard just do what you can, there is nothing wrong with trying. I do want to say this though, if you want to get stronger, faster, and become a better runner stick to the PLAN!

9. Next couple of questions are just for fun! What is your favorite color and what songs are a must for your long runs?

I love fun questions! Favorite color is teal, Hubby would say it’s pink because for some reason that’s what all my wardrobe is made of.

Here is a list of some songs for a long run:

Famous Last Words by My Chemical Romance
Welcome to the Black Parade by My Chemical Romance
Swing Swing by All American Rejects
Sugar I’am Going down Swinging Fall Out Boy
Numb Encore by Jay Z and Linkin Park
In the End by Linkin Park
Higher by Creed
Face Down by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
ANYTHING WITH JT!!!

10. Any pre-race rituals or superstitions that you have?

Yep, I love homemade pizza the night before and toast with pb, banana, and honey before the race. Also I have to wear my pink and white stripped SOCKS!!!!

According to Zappos.com the Asics 2140s are:

Running shoe built for the moderate over-pronator who requires a combination of cushioning and enhanced stability.

There is also a great indepth description of the shoe if you want to read a bit more about them.

As stated above, Bobbi is training for the Boston Marathon which is next week!  She’s currently on her taper which means her runs are shorter, eventually working all the way down to not running before the race.  This girl has put in some serious time training for Boston.  I follow her on Twitter and my girl gets up at 3:30am on a Saturday morning to get her long runs in.  And she paces at 8:30/mile.  I’m like a freaking snail at my 10-11min. mile.

No doubt, Bobbi is a serious hardcore athlete.  Running in some snow and cold is nothing compared to waking up in the middle of the night to make sure you get your long run done.

Please head over to Bobbi’s site and give her some love and props for being so strong and amazing!  And follow her this week as she gets ready to head out to Boston for the Marathon.  Which, did you catch, is on her birthday!!  Give her a whole bottle of wine that night for a job well done!

8 thoughts on “Feet on the Street: Bobbi

  1. Heather says:

    Holy I thought I got up early at 5 am! :O What time does she go to bed? ;)

    Yeah you gotta be fast to run Boston – very impressive.

Leave a Reply to bobbi Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.