Friday Five: Eat, Breathe, Sleep Running!

I am welcoming the coming of spring in New England by getting into the running spirit in a BIG way.  I finished the Coastal Delaware Marathon last weekend (check out my race recap here) and I have four more marathons to go before spring is done.   Here goes nothing!  Today, I am linking up with Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC for the Friday Five Linkup.

1. Lately, I've been spending time surrounding myself with "pump up" running books and movies in my free time.  So much inspiration that I hope will carry me through many race miles this coming month!  I just finished reading Marathon Woman by Kathrine Switzer.  

This awesome book tells the story of one of running's female pioneers.  Kathrine was the first woman to officially enter and run the Boston Marathon, as evidenced by this famous photo, where she had to fight off race official Jock Semple to do so.  Kathrine went on to pioneer women's entrance into the early days of the New York City Marathon, and as part of the international running community  in Japan, Russia and across western Europe, resulting in the addition of the first women's marathon at the 1984 Olympics.  Talk about an inspirational, powerful woman role model!  

2. I also watched a running documentary on Netflix last weekend, called The Barkley Marathons: The Race that Eats Its Young.  This 100-mile ultra marathon is as tough as they make it out to be!  The race was inspired by Martin Luther King Jr's assassin's escape from the nearby Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, and his subsequent 55-hour run through the woods.  The course has no aid stations, no markers, and no official start time - it can start anytime between 11 pm to 11 am on race day - just to keep participants on their toes!  The terrain consists of brush and thorn-covered mountains with gradients nearing 40 percent.  Only 14 runners have ever completed the full race, and many years no one finishes.  Sounds like a pretty cool bucket list item to me!

3. I am excitedly awaiting the beginning of my running club's Summer Run Series next week!  Every Wednesday, I participate in a fun run with about 50 other club members around a local park.  I look forward to the comradery of these events, as we come out of our collective winter running hibernation to celebrate the joy of this sport together and to cheer on each other's accomplishments.  The beginning of this series each May signals the coming of summer and some great outdoor runs.  We have officially survived winter in New England!

My run crew looking like a rainbow (accidentally!)

 4. My company is hosting a Step Challenge in May to promote employee wellness, and I am looking forward to killing it with my coworkers!  Four marathons in the month that we happen to be participating in the challenge kind of makes me a ringer... but I will enjoy pushing myself on non-running days as well to stay active and get my steps in.  To track my steps, I will be using my Garmin Vivosmart - a spur of the moment treat to myself a few months ago.  It connects via Bluetooth to text messages and email, which makes it ideal for use at work as well.  And its black/pink.  Say no more!

5. I am still dreaming of my post-marathon treat from Rehoboth Beach last weekend... a cheesy, crunchy, greasy plate of goodness that I ate by the ocean.  Pretty close to perfection.  This meal consisted of tater tots topped with melted cheddar cheese, bacon, jalapenos, and Sriracha ranch dressing.  It was as unbelievable as it sounds!  I generally eat pretty healthily, but after 26.2 miles, all bets are off.  And I loved every moment of this celebration.

My love affair with Sriracha continues!

Questions:

Which running books or movies inspire you every time and get you in the mood to run like a champion?  I can use all the inspiration I can get!

What is your favorite post-race treat?  For me, the more decadent the better!