i answered!
i wasn’t sure if i was going to put this all into one post or not because when i was done answering i realized HOW LONG it is! yikes! i hope i don’t bore you to tears, i tried to liven it up with some pictures too 
here are my answers to all your questions!
i think this was a sarcastic question, but i am still going to answer it! i would love to send it your way, and i would if i could. although we don’t have to deal with snow or freezing temps here, i am not the biggest fan of the sun (i know cliché right for a cali girl?). i enjoy clouds, cold and even the rain
chris hasn’t run a marathon YET, but i know it’s on his list as long as he stays injury free i can see him crossing a marathon finish line later this year… i can’t wait!
we met over the summer at college. it was between my second and third year (his third and forth year) and i went over to his fraternity house for a party. during the summer these things were pretty small, but somehow we ended up talking. the next day i went back to his house for another party and then he got my number. from then we dated (our first date he made me dinner) and pretty soon we were inseparable. 9 months later we moved in together, a year after that we got engaged, and a year after that we got married. now we are approaching our 5 year wedding anniversary
5 years ago right now i was going through my first busy season in public accounting. i was also engaged and planning our wedding! i worked out when i could, but was so busy between working 10+ hour days on top of commuting to san francisco every day (1 hour each way), i didn’t have that much free time. my life was pretty different from right now!
wedding shower!
in 5 years… hmmm well if you would have asked me 5 years ago, i would have told you i would have kids by now, but that is not the case! i assume in 5 years we will have a family, but you never know what will happen. i hope to still be running and be getting faster and to be happy
my first official BQ attempt was 2008 CIM. it was only my second marathon, but i trained hard and went out there with a 3:40 pace band around my wrist. my first marathon was a 4:04 on the hilly san francisco course, so i had to take 24 minutes off. i thought i could, but i still had a few doubts, so when going got tough in that race, i was able to give into them and not regret it too badly. i still ran a great race, was very proud of myself, and learned a ton about marathons during that one. i came out with a 20 minute PR and 3:28 to take off of my marathon to get that BQ. i was pretty excited and it definitely fueled my training for eugene.
eugene marathon was a different story. i trained SO hard for this race, i had a flawless training cycle and put everything i possibly could into it. when race day came, i completely fell apart. i was so so so disappointed in that race, and it actually took me a while to find my heart again after that one. but i did. i learned so much about myself and about running from that race. although at the time i wouldn’t see things this way, races like that make you stronger, they are part of your story, and that race made my BQ sooo much sweeter for me.
there will be days that are not your days. there will be races that just plain suck. but you can’t let that discourage you or get in the way of that big goal. it may take one try, it may take 10 tries, but not letting yourself give up is the biggest lesson i learned throughout all my attempts. all that hard work WILL pay off and it definitely was worth it.
our “meeting story” is above. chris was always pretty into the gym, but more so the weight lifting side. we started working out together A LOT our senior year of college. we both were really into it and spent a lot of time in the gym. once we graduated, moved and entered the “real world”, it was a little harder to do, plus we both kind of got bored of the gym. we started running at the same time (2 years ago) and have since gotten really involved with running and now chris with swimming and biking. i think sharing the same/similar passion for these things has REALLY helped bring us close. we both have similar goals and both lead very healthy lifestyles. it also really helps that we both understand what each other is going through between training and races and all that. we are both very driven people so it’s really nice to have that in a spouse too
J said… I hope this isn’t too personal and if it is I am sorry and you don’t have to answer BUT i was wondering what your thoughts were about having kids? I know even though I am young now I struggle with the thought of having kids and my life changing dramatically because of it. Since you are older and wiser and a runner, I wanted to know what your thoughts were!
i also struggle with the thought of having kids! in my “plan” of my life, i always thought i would have at least one by now, but the years keep passing and i keep having excuses not to have them chris wants them badly, i think i want them someday, but not today. i am not a big kids/baby person, i would rather have a bunch of animals running around. i am selfish with my time and like my routine and life right now, however, i know when the time is right it will work it self out. i see so many amazing athletes that are also parents, and they make it a priority and make it work. i know it won’t be easy, but i also know that it can be done. so the answer is: probably, someday
i hate the treadmill. i will do anything to avoid it. i also hate the heat. so IF you are going to find me on a treadmill, it is more likely that it will be in the summer than in the winter. i love running in the rain and usually can find a way to get it done outside since we don’t get crazy snow or things like that. i guess that is one of the perks of living in expensive california
i want to get faster! i really want to run a sub 3:30 marathon in the next couple years. there is something about getting under an 8 minute mile for a MARATHON that really draws me in! it will take a lot of work, but i think i can get there. i also REALLY want to run an ultramarathon… first a 50k and i would love to do a 50 miler one of these years too. i just need to stop signing up for so many marathons so i can squeeze one in
i would love to make boston a yearly thing (assuming that i love it in 2011 which i have a feeling i will), but taking a trip across the country every year might not be the most financially feasible thing for us, especially considering there are MANY other races i want to run around the country (chicago, new york, etc). so who knows, we will see
i was an economics major with a public accounting concentration. so i pretty much use my major every day!
looking back at my olllllld posts i actually have one titled “obsessed” where i talk about my new addiction to running. i had only been running a month at that point in time, i hadn’t done a single race, or a long run, but somehow i already knew. there is just something about it that just clicked and i knew pretty early on that it wasn’t going to be over when i was done with my first marathon.
45 to 50 degrees with either fog or clouds or even light rain. i LOVE running in long sleeves and shorts, and this is the perfect weather for that. it’s not too cold, but it’s not warm. i melt in the sun, so i prefer to have it covered
fog <3
i LOVE to snack! i think my favorite right now is greek yogurt with cereal! YUM.
my favorite distance to run… that is actually a toughie! i love my long runs, like 15+ miles. there is just something about them that make you feel so accomplished, plus i love the refueling part that comes with it
my favorite distance to race is a little tougher. although i loooove marathons, i really love half marathons too. it’s still a great accomplishment, i recover faster (can run the next day), and can fun faster during them.
i am a water + gu + salt user! i talk about my fueling in this post. i have tried many different things and this just works well for me. on long runs i typically gu around every 4-5 miles, and use salt more once it gets warmer out. i try to drink water often during long runs and races. each person is different so it’s important to test things out to see what works best for you.
right now i am obsessed with the ke$ha album for running, like pretty much the entire thing. it’s amazing. i also LOVE david guetta for fast running music. i listen to a lot of really random stuff though, especially on long runs.
see baby question above
tris? eek, i HIGHLY doubt that. i hate the water, i am scared of it. i also am scared of being out on the road on a bike, but cycling does sound fun! i think i will just stick to running though
i think just scheduling and making priorities a priority are my biggest tips. if i have something during the week that interferes with training, i plan for it. sometimes i have to say no to certain things to get my training done (or recover from it), but since that is my priority a lot of the time, i am willing to do that.
also, having a house cleaner
not an accountant probably something to do with running, although i hear making your hobby your job sometimes becomes a conflict, i think it would be fun to be a coach or even just work in a running store where i could talk about running all day!
i used to really want to be a party/wedding planner and thought it would be fun to offer personal training to the bride also. i still think that would be a blast, i just have been lacking my creative drive/energy for party planning lately.
sadly not that often. i have run the healdsburg half twice, and that’s the only time i have been to that region. i have been wine tasting in sonoma twice, once for my birthday and once for a pre-wedding party. i have only been to napa to spectate the marathon. wow i need to get up there more often!
my 26th birthday in sonoma
this year in sonoma
healdsburg 2009
i am not a marathon maniac and it’s not on my list of things to do right now. i do know a number of maniacs though and they enjoy the camaraderie that comes with it. i have run with billy and danica in a couple races and they cheer on the other fellow maniacs they see. i think it’s probably just fun being a part of a group of people who share your same passion that you can see at pretty much every race you go to.
the team we joined is pretty heavy into triathletes which is what chris joined it for. they have group rides, group swims, group runs and some really amazing athletes. it’s not “highly competitive” but there are some really serious and awesome athletes that are part of it. you can apply to become part of the sponsored group, but you have to be at a pretty high level to get there. otherwise, its a group of awesome, really really nice people that just love what they do. there are many different levels throughout the team and everyone is so encouraging and supportive. there isn’t really a personalized coaching that comes with it, but many people do train for a lot of the same races, and there are workouts that are offered consistently throughout the week. we are loving the group more and more each time we go for a workout with them.
i LOVE this question. i have a fascination/obsession with the mcmillan running calculator. it’s actually pretty crazy how accurate it is for me.
if you plug in my CIM marathon PR of 3:39:34 it calculates the following times for shorter distance races:
5k: 22:31, 10k: 46:47, half marathon: 1:44:07
my current PRs at those distances are:
5k (adjusted for short course): ~22:40, 10k: 46:59, half marathon: 1:44:27
pretty close if you ask me! so based on my marathon my times should be slightly faster, but those races are all during training on zero taper. pretty fun huh
does this question apply to both electronics AND clothing? it would be a tie between nike tempo track shorts and my garmin. i ALWAYS wear my garmin (see another question below) and just loooove to have the stats/data from my runs. i also have quite an obsession with nike tempo track shorts (see below question) and can’t imagine not running in them, although i haven’t really tried anything else
i could live in nike tempo track shorts. they are actually the only shorts i have ever run in (besides one pair of pacer shorts i have). they don’t bother me at all, but i always use body glide on the inner thighs to help keep them down and so they don’t chafe.
i have never raced without my buddy the garmin, even on races that i am not “racing”. i would consider it, but i probably would rather just stick it in my fuel belt or something. it’s not that i really care about my time, etc, i just like to have my exact stats for the numbers freak in me. i have actually become a lot less dependent on it, and don’t check it that often, or at all on some runs, i just like the data!
YES i wear the same style of shirt A LOT! the shirt i have on in all those marathon pics on the side is the old version of the nike sleeveless base layer shirt. i can’t find them online anymore, the newer version is even hard to find, but i did find some recently at the nike outlet. they are awesome and just fit perfect, hopefully they will come out with another version now that spring it around the corner. i just stocked up way back when so i have a bunch
i also have a couple of the nike pacer tank tops that i LOVE, especially for when it gets warmer. they are so comfortable, not too tight and nice and long.
i think it helps that he is an athlete too. he understands my goals and wants to see me succeed in everything i want to do. when i am running, he is usually running or cycling or swimming so we understand each other’s workout schedule, and sometimes we run together too. he doesn’t come to every single one of my races, which i totally understand and definitely do not expect him to, but he is there for the important ones! my favorites are racing races he is racing too i am really excited for him to get into triathlons this year so i can return the favor. plus its easier cheering him on for things like that since i have no desire to compete in them myself
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whewww well that turned into quite the post! hope you enjoyed the answers as much as i enjoyed writing them! if you have any other questions about anything, or if i missed your question, just leave a comment or send me an email!
whew! that was a long one
but i loved learning more about you! thanks for sharing this.
and i love that you love ke$ha. she's stuck in my head practically 24/7
This was such an interesting post! I loved reading it.
I'm a numbers freak too. Even if I go out for an "easy" run I will wear my garmin and just put my sleeve over it or something. I like to know my stats at the end of the run!
Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself and your journey with us!
great post…enjoyed reading your answers to a lot of these questions…i left kansas this morning, it was cold and snowy, and arrived in california this evening….love the sunshine and warmth here…i am hoping to take some back home with me…
I love reading posts like these!! It was fun for me cuz I feel like I know u pretty well and it was fun reading ur answers & comparing them to what i thought ud say. That said probably a stalker. Hahahaha!!!
What a fun post! I had to laugh when you said Chris wants them badly and you want them someday – my husband is dying for kids and like you, I keep finding a way to put it off.
I am happy with my doggies, my (little) free time and my sleep.
Wow…I'm quite impressed that you got all that out in one post! But I'm not so impressed that you had such an easy time answering my question =P Really? All you had to do was plug some numbers into mcmillians and they matched up perfectly for you? That's so NOT fair, because I do the same thing and everything is so way off, so I obsess about that question for myself ALL THE TIME! Haha!
Next time, I'll have to think of a tougher running question for you. I'm glad you liked it though. Goes to show that great and speedy minds think very similarly =)
I still melt when I see that picture of Chris running next to you in the marathon, when you were struggling. It really shows how supportive he is of you.
Fun post! Didn't bore me a bit and it was nice to "get to know" you! Look's like you have a 30K this weekend! Good luck!!
Awesome post! Lots of great information. It's was fun to get to know you better!
All great answers Aron, thanks. I think we all hit every question for you. Have a great day!
I love all the question and answers! It was great getting to know more about you! I hope you have a wonderful week
Fun post!!! I enjoyed learning more about you!
What a fun post! Thanks for answering my question… and all the others.
Also, we are in about the same place right now regarding kids.
Long one, but a good one! I like all of your answers
lol aron that was a NOVEL!! well actually i guess it would be nonfiction
i loved reading all your answers tho!!! interesting you would not be an accountant. i am however super impressed that you are on. do you wear a suit to work??? i roll into my office in jeans most days
but i'm looking forward to going back to school and becoming "more professional" 
i forsee a shopping spree in my future, hehe.. a la what not to wear stylE!!!
i have some Qs!
Do you watch TV? What shows do you like?
What are your favorite movies?
What are your favorite cereals??
i loved your answer to J's question and all the Baby questions. i feel the exact same way- "definitely someday" and it might not be easy but it will be wonderful eventually.
there ya go a long comment for a long post
have a happy tuesday!
I loved reading your answers, it so nice to find out more about fellow bloggers.
Your first date sounds like my first date with Brian. He made me dinner too!!
I feel the same about kids as you. it would be hard for me to give up my lifestyle and doing things when I want to. Its a big choice and I know with my career it makes it harder because I love my job.
wow that was a long one. still, quite interesting! well done aron.
David Guetta, yes!
So great to learn these things about you – thanks for sharing!
Very insightful. It makes me recall my early days of marriage, work, etc. Of course, I wasn't running much then, so I admire the stick to it ness!
For me, my Garmin is my "official record" of my run. It keeps the data for the log (even if I am not really keeping track). Garmy is always there and always records so later I can go back and see. So I understand. I can be so bummed out when I am ready to work out and Garmy's battery is dead! It is almost like, if I workout without a Garmin, it never happened!.
Absolutely LOVED reading this post and thanks for getting in depth on my question. You've come a long way girly and have always been an inspiration.
Yay, I loved reading all of your answers! I had a feeling you would say those gosh-darned tempo shorts we all love! But you really need to take a better picture so everyone can see that you REALLY mean it
Wow, so many questions! And loved reading every one. Thanks for answering mine and you've got me interested in running a 3:30 marathon again too, but only if I don't have to work too hard at it
Such a fun post. I love these kind of posts where you feel like you get to know people better. Very cool!
Thanks for doing this post! It's so fun to read and learn more about everyone out there in blogland!
Awesome post, thanks for sharing.
Great post. Nice to read all Q&A about you and hubby.
I wish my hubbs was able to run. I am still praying that I find a reason why his knee is still bothering him so much even after almost a year from surgery. Running is so much nicer when it is shared.
I loved reading this post!
As always, GREAT pictures! You lead such a cool life
cute post! and i'm right there with you for the sub 3:30 marathon. i gotta do it!
and the kids…i like my ME time, too. not selfish at all, just responsible knowing you aren't completely ready.
That was fun to read, thanks! I am definitely obsessed with numbers too, even for "easy" runs I like to know my average pace and time. Thanks for taking the time to answer all of those!
I love learning new stuff about you
Shorts and a long sleeve really IS the best running attire. We barely are blessed w/weather that works w/that though….hmmm maybe I should move. :p
And I would be lost without my tempo shorts and Garmin as well.
great answers…
Kids… def be sure you are ready before you jump in… it is hard A work…
Boston… you will love love love everything about it. I know you will. I can't wait to go back someday and race a better Boston. I was sick when I ran Boston… ugh
This was so fun! I loved reading all your answers and hearing about how you and the hubs met!
I'm catching up on blogs in an attempt to distract myself today, and I LOVED reading this post and finding out more about you!
I SO wish I could be real life friends with all you CA runner girls… I think I'd have a blast running out there with you ladies. I'm going to make a visit a part of my vacation plans once I start working again!
these are all so great! so sweet you and your husband share the same hobby, that's awesome. and i'm also glad to know i'm not the only one who feels the way i do about having kids. SOOOOO with you on that one!
This is such a great post Aron. It's amazing how much running has brought to your life – I'm so happy for you! Maybe we will both be pushing joggers with babies on the IHT, hahah!!! Oh that's kinda scary… xoxo
Wedding pics are always my favorite. So pretty. So happy.
I'm with you on the kids bit. My husband told me that he would be happy if I "spit one out now" (no joke, those were his words). But i'm not ready. However.. a jogging stroller will definitely be in my future at some point!
just catching up . . . love the post! and i agree the kids thing will fall in place — you two will make it work when you're ready!
total tempo track shorts junkie here, too. the only other running bottom i have that isn't pants is my one running skirt!
thanks for answering my question (I asked about the music) – it was so fun to read everyone else's questions and your answers!
thanks for answering my question (I asked about the music) – it was so fun to read everyone else's questions and your answers!
I love this post. I'm going to have to check out the McMillian calculator.
This was a really fun post. I'm with you on the swimming….
Wow, look at all of the questions, Miss Popular! Thank you for taking the time to answer all of these. Even though I've been following your blog for awhile, it was fun to learn new things about you!
Loved reading the Q&A! Thanks!
What a great post Aron. I especially like your wisdom about the marathon. It hardly seems fair that we train so hard and long and then have a substandard day. But I guess that's the lure of the marathon for me….
Thanks, Aron for such a heart-felt post! I remember training my butt off for Big Sur and was in the best shape of my life and I fell apart on race day, like you did in Eugene. It took a long time to get over that one!
very fun girl, and thanks for sharing! i wonder the same about mixing hobby/work and no longer loving it. i think a casual job at a running store would be cool, but i don't think it'd pay the bills!
(hmm that's what the hubs is for right?) 
What a great post – you continue to inspire Aron – fabulous!
What an interesting post!
Dude, what is up with all these guys who want to have kids? I am just like you. Rabbit, sleep, free time = bliss.
http://www.ariplex.com/