you wanted to know, questions 1-5

As a requirement for entry to my 1,000 mile giveaway, you needed to ask me a question. Any question. And I promised to answer them over a series of posts. Here are the first five ...

Rebecca asked, "What do you eat for breakfast?"

Breakfast. The most important meal of the day. What I have for breakfast really depends on the day. If it is a day when I will be doing an early morning run, I generally eat a Fiber One bar before the run. Then when I get back, I have a Chobani Greek yogurt, a piece of fruit and coffee.

On rest days or when I plan on running after 9 a.m., I have a bowl of cereal (two servings) with skim milk. Usually it is Cinnamon Toast Crunch. But, it really just depends on what we have in the house.

On race day, breakfast is ALWAYS a Clif Bar.

Joanne asked, "What's your go-to quick and healthy meal (that the kids like) for those crazy days when ordering pizza or hitting the drive through sound really appealing?"

That's easy. Morningstar Farms Chipotle Black Bean Burgers with a side of fruit for the girls and a salad for me and J.

MCM Mama asked, "When are you coming up here to visit me (can be for a race or just to hang out)?

Next week. Let me know what day works for you and my crew and I will come spend the day with you, Jones and Shoo.

ajh asked, "What running accomplishment are you most proud of other than your coaching certification?"

The running accomplishment that I am most proud of is probably the fact that I stopped being a lazy, run-hater and decided to take up the sport. It would have been so much easier to NOT run. But becoming a runner has redefined me. It's changed my perspective on how to live and what I can handle both mentally and physically. And that is worth more to me than any award I win or race I finish.

Momma on the Run asked, "If you could give just one bit of advice to a newbie runner, what would it be?"

Push your limits (as long as you're not injured). When you think you can't go a step further, run for 30 more seconds. And when you see that you have survived, do it again. To make change, you need to be uncomfortable. Working through the discomfort, whether it is tired lungs or burning quads will teach your mind and body that it is stronger than you think.