Runners Tell All Linkup: Where I Take You Running with Me!

8.21.2014

"Runner's Tell All" is a monthly linkup for runners of all ages, skill levels, and experience hosted by Sunshine to the Square Inch and The Lady Okie. Each month we'll have a different topic, and you can find all the topics listed here. We are accepting two sponsorship spots for each month, who will receive a sidebar ad on both blogs as well as entry links in the giveaway. 100% of your sponsorship money will go directly toward running-related giveaways. Find more information on sponsorship here. We have 2 spots available for September!
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This month's topic is: your training routine

As quite often happens, the idea for this post came to me while I was running. You know how they have those slogans like "I run for cupcakes"? Well, that's true. Obviously. But I think I also need to add "I run for blogging" as a personal slogan, because so many of my best ideas for posts come to me while I'm out on a run. This makes me wonder if all of life's troubles, little and big, could be solved if everyone just decided to go out for a run every now again.

For today's post, I decided that instead of writing out the ins and outs of my training routine, I would take my camera with me on a Saturday run and let you come along for the ride. Or, run, if you will.

As I've mentioned numerous times on this blog, during the spring and fall I do most of my Saturday long runs with the Oklahoma City Landrunners. They meet every Saturday at 6:30, and it's completely free (although I do pay the $20 annual membership fee because I love them and want to support them). I know it sounds all hardcore of me to say I get up at 5:45 on a Saturday morning to run, but the truth is, if it weren't for the Landrunners, I wouldn't do it.

Fall training recently started up again, and I thought it would be fun if you came along with me for an 8-mile run along Lake Hefner. (Note: the location of the run moves around from week to week, so my Saturday runs don't always look like this).

I carried my little point-and-shoot with me the whole time and stopped to take pictures along the way. Just in case you're interested, here is what your mile splits will look like if you do this: 
9:26/10:35/9:16/10:38/9:07/8:38/9:22/8:14.

So let's go! Come run with me.
^^^There's really nothing better than hearing the sound of hundreds of feet pounding the pavement. The light chatter of voices and the beeps of Garmins getting turned on. The beginning of these training runs is one of my favorite parts. That and the end, when I stuff my face with all the calories I just burned off. You think I'm joking.
^^^This is one of about 50 attempts of me to take a cool, artsy, shot of my legs and the pavement. Note to everyone: these pictures make no one's legs look good. Ever. Hashtag cellulite.
^^^Do you like how I hashtag my pictures so we can all pretend we're on Instagram right now? This is what I get for not having a smart phone. 
^^^One of the awesome things about the Landrunners is that they provide water stops along the route. For this out-and-back loop, we had water stops at mile 2 and 4, and then we caught it coming back at mile 6.
^^^It figures that the day I decide to take my camera on a run, there's a hot air balloon taking off pretty much right above me. Blogger's luck. Also, artsy shot of my leg and the pavement coming up! You're welcome. (Quick shoutout to Kari for the inspiration of blurry running pics.)
Did you like our run? Well it gets better! I have a video for you too. Oh yes. Since I can't actually take you all on a run with me, I figured a little video was as close as I could get :) Enjoy!



NEXT MONTH'S TOPIC 
(Sunday, September 21)

Your Race Bucket List
What races would you love to do if you had the time/money? 
These can be as realistic or unrealistic as you want!

Please check these girls out! 
They both are awesome running blogger friends.

Runners Tell All Linkup Rules


  1. You MUST leave a comment on the person’s blog who linked up directly before you. This is not a linkup for the sake of linking up. This is a linkup to build community and spread the love and encouragement to your fellow runners! Don't be lame.
  2. Do not share links to unrelated running posts or to your blog’s homepage, or we will have to delete your link. (I've done it before too, so I'm not joking.)
  3. Please link back to either Beka or Amanda in your post so others can come here and join in! Or grab the button below and add it to your post. 
  4. Have fun!

Renee said...

Loved this post...it was like I was running with you (you know, minus the part of having to do any actual work)!!

Anonymous said...

Ha, yes, I agree that blurry leg pictures aren't necessarily the most flattering, but I still love playing with my camera on runs occasionally. Glad you had fun with yours! What a beautiful sunrise run to begin your day. Thanks so much for hosting this running linkup!

Charlotte's Frame said...

I love morning runs! :]

I don't know if you'd be interested, but can I invite you to join the Running High series? :]

Kate said...

I want to be you. Or meet you. Or meet you and then become you. Or have your children. (Okkkkkkk.... Getting awkward up in hurr.)

I'm totally with you though. Some of my best posts came to me while running, which is probbbably why I haven't been writing much, since my running schedule has disappeared.
Regardless. I wish I had a cool group to run in like that. Maybe once I move into a bigger city, it'll happen. Until then, I'll continue to just run by myself. (Alllll byyyy myyysellllllf)

This is getting weird. I'm going to stop. But I love you. The end.

Sarah said...

LOVE the noise of all those feet hitting the ground that early in the am. We are slightly less crazy and start at 7:30 but it is a great way to get your Saturday going!

Ali said...

You are so funny! Also, I'm totally jealous of your running group. That's crazy good motivation. There's a small group starting here, but we're still too scattered at the moment. Maybe some day! Thanks again for letting me be a part of the link-up!

Amber Marie said...

My running group keeps me a much more accountable runner, too! Crazy is easier to do in a group :) Thanks for taking us on your run-looks like you have a BEAUTIFUL route.

Veronica Lee Burns said...

Your running posts inspire me! I think I might have to link up sometime!

Jenny Fish said...

#1 - I get my best blogging ideas from running, too!
#2 - We have the same running shoes. :)

Anonymous said...

After hearing your voice I'm having a really hard time believing you're actually from Chicago. :) Do you think you've picked up an accent since moving?

Beka @ Sunshine to the Square Inch said...

You are cracking me up! I like that you took us on a run - that's super fun! I'm glad you have a fun running group to meet up with. That makes a huge difference.

PS - Nice shirt ;)

Jaelan @ Making Mrs. M said...

I was just referred here from Tracy Tris! I can't wait to link up next month. My race bucket list is lonngggg. :)

Jenn @ Optimization Actually said...

Lol! Seeing you having fun with it makes me want to run more than any other motivators. "Maybe it will be that fun when I do it." No. But it's still good to do.

Niken said...

actually, you make running sounds more fun to me!

Kayla MKOY said...

Ohh my goodness, you are dedicated! I don't think you could pay me to wake up that early on a Saturday ;) go you!!!! Those sunrise pictures are great motivation, though. I somehow totally missed the memo this month! Maybe I'll write a post like this next week?!

Tamara said...

I love that you did a run with pictures - and the video. Sweet baby Jesus, I'm so glad I stayed till the end. Haha.

We have a local running club here but local to me (since I live out in the middle of nowhere) is 30 minutes away and I can't justify coming "into town" when I can run by myself down the road. Or at least I can justify it, it's just hard to justify it to my non-running husband who hates gas prices. Ha.

Anonymous said...

This was such a cool idea to take us along for the run. And I must say you are pretty talented for taking pictures while you run!

The Lady Okie said...

Oh my goodness! Dagger in the heart. Haha. You would believe I'm from Chicago if you heard me say the words "mom" or "pasta." :) Jordan definitely has an accent, though, so who knows? Six years in Oklahoma could finally be rubbing off on me.

The Lady Okie said...

So glad you came over today! We would love to have you link up with us next month. The more, the merrier! :)

The Lady Okie said...

It takes me 20 min usually to drive to meet up with the group, although the runs change locations each week, so I've driven as far as 35 minutes before. I just tell Jordan I do what I want. He knows not to argue ;)

The Lady Okie said...

The sunrise was amazing. It's one of my favorite parts about our early runs. I usually don't have a camera, so it was fun to be able to capture it this time! Thanks for linking up, Kari :)

Rebecca Jo said...

I live in the country - the only thing running that early with me would be deer & raccoons.. & a few possums :)

Kerry @ Till Then Smile Often said...

That is a pretty good sized group. The views are beautiful but that is still WAY too early for me! ;) Loved the video, and the dancing! Haha!

Tracy said...

This is a great idea! I've never actually done a group run but maybe I should...I like running with other people around, but not WITH people (it does weird subconscious things to my pace and makes me feel out of sorts to have to match someone else's pace). This looks so fun and you have definitely motivated me to get out there when the sun comes up! I've been trying but I always end up being like 30 minutes too late.

Maria said...

Best video ending, ever.

I'd be terrified to run in a group because I think it would bring back memories of gym class. *shudder* One day I'll work up to that :) (Though I guess it's no different than running in a race, right?)

Laura said...

This looks like such an amazing run. That sunset = gorgeous! After seeing this I am definitely taking more photos during my next run. Laura xx

Anonymous said...

I wonder if there is a running group in my area - your pictures made running look FUN. I love the leg and pavement shots too. And the photo bomb.

-Amy

The Girl who Loved to Write said...

I love your artsy running leg pictures! And also that there happened to be a hot air balloon just chilling. So cool!

Unknown said...

You have killer dance moves! I'm curious if people were giving your crazy eyes when you were making your videos. Props do you running while doing all that! Also, have I told you that Tyler and I are doing P90X3? It's killer, kicking our butts, and we love it!

Debbie said...

I love your post, and enjoyed my run with you! :-) I take pictures all the time when on my runs. I call the process "sprint-photo-fartleks" because I either stop to take a picture and then have to sprint ahead to catch my friends, OR I sprint ahead so I can turn around and take a picture of my friends running toward me! So fun, yet tiring!

Loved the video, too! I might have to try that sometime on one of my runs. My running friends would love it!

Debbie said...

P.S. Thanks for the linkup!

Ashley {in MKE} said...

It literally took me more than 30 seconds to figure out how to comment here again - has it really been that long since I blogged?? Oh wait, yes it has been. I've always been so impressed with your photog skills while running. My favorite though is your photobomb! xo

Unknown said...

I loved going for a run with you! Almost felt like it anyway. :)
This course looks gorgeous.

Caroline @ In Due Time said...

8 miles! Get it girl! LOVE your selfies! haha - they are awesome!!! Love the beautiful sunset along the run too!

Miss Nutralicious said...

What a beautiful place to run! The sun and water look so pretty! There is a running group in my town, but they always run down the same busy street and they all look miserable when they run. Your group looks fun, happy, and awesome!

I also need to point out that not only do we wear the same man-sized garmin watch, but we also have the same running shoes. I thought it was important for you to know this.

Anonymous said...

You run in a beautiful area! I love posts like this. Makes me want to do one!

Miriam said...

I feel like I worked out! Thanks for taking us along. I can totally see why you would go through the torture of getting up so early (on a Saturday!), it is beautiful.
And you nailed the video, like always!

Erika from America said...

I'm already impressed with you even RUNNING, but this was fun, getting to come along with you! Your video while running was really impressive, too! Kudos, kudos! :) And haha, I enjoyed your dancing too!

Al@PolkaDotsandPaisley said...

Thanks for taking me along on your run. It's a good thing you did it through pictures because in real life I'd never keep up. I finally linked up. Better late than never, right?

Kristin said...

I need to get back into a running routine to have a running routine! I have been SO bad this month. Thanks to work and other commitments, I'm lucky to get out a couple times a week, and I have a bunch of half marathons coming up. Yikes!

It was fun getting to come along on your run. I'll pretend that someday I'll be able to go at that pace :D

Andrea H. said...

Love your photos from the run! What a great idea :)

Jenna Griffin | Gold & Bloom said...

hot air balloooooooon!

Allison said...

I have the same tank top that you're wearing, annnnd I'm wearing it right now! Woah. This was a great idea! Thanks for taking me along because chances are, I skipped my run that day . . . oops :)

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