Fiona McGruer: Runner, whatever the weather

I have ' just your average belle' for you today.  Fiona's a neuroscience researcher (this is not average by my definition of average) and student from Scotland. She told me she's trying to exercise her way out of 'the Glasgow Effect'.  Let's see how that's done...

1. I started running 4 years ago and like any long relationship we've had our ups and downs, but I keep coming right back to it. I hope we’ll be together forever and I’ll be the weird 80 year old lady rocking the Nike Tempos…

2. I run because it’s the only sport that’s ever really ‘caught’ me and made me commit. I wear a pair of Mizuno Wave Inspire 9s for every day road, and Inov8 212 X-Talons offroad.

3. The last run I did was yesterday and I ran 4 fairly pitiful miles. It was classic Glaswegian weather- bright sunshine with cold wind and splattering rain- at an ungodly hour of the morning, but was still fun because I was with one of my many ace bully victims running friends.

4. My current fave bit of kit is my Nike Twisted leggings- they’re a vibrant mix of black and traffic light yellow. It helps that they’re clearly a bit oversized so they make me feel all svelte every time I look at the label ;-)

5. I'm eyeing up maybe committing to doing a marathon (so decisive!). If I do I’d probably go for a scenic Scottish highlands one like the Loch Ness Marathon in September. If I do I will likely run for mental health charities.

6. Running makes me feel alive every single time that I run. But most of all when its bucketing it down and thundering and everyone is looking at me like I’m crazy and I’m looking at myself like I’m a badass.

7. I'm currently listening to Timber by Pitbull and Kesha when I run. It makes me want to combine a sort of crazy run/dance move but I’m clumsy at the best of times so I’d better not.

8. I run with my university team, which has made me countless excellent running allies. However unless you happen to also attend the finest university on earth :P I’m afraid you can’t join so I recommend finding a local running club and getting involved there! You wouldn’t believe how friendly, interesting and motivating most clubs are.

9. I’ve recently started drinking/eating better in general- cutting out pointless snacking and focusing on ‘real food’  instead of chemical creations and it's changed how I feel quite a bit. In the long run (pun!) I’m hoping it will help me get back in serious shape for races and help me enjoy running for a very long lifetime!

10. I'm currently obsessed with running in crazy places. I like punishing windy hills and rough terrain underfoot. I recently went up Conic Hill in insane winds. It’s keeping my re-found running motivation fresh and nothing makes me feel more alive.

11. I'm bringing cross training to this blog, and throwing it down on the table. I believe in cross training. I believe it will make me a better runner. I believe it could work for you too. I believe in exercise variation and not getting bored. I believe that if I do both bikini season might not be quite so much of a sarong covered washout…

12. I'm currently having issues with getting back into it, it’s so depressing being worse than you were before! Can anyone offer any tips?

13. Finally, here's my inspirational quote. It gets me going when motivation has gone.

Find Fiona over at her blog, on twitter, instagram, Pinterest and google+.  Cheers Fiona!

Gillian Power, Runner. The last name says it all!

I'm happy to introduce you to the second half of Double Trouble Running, Gilly!  She's an Irish chick living and running in Perth, Australia.  She works for a large social media software company and I'm instantly a fan because a) She says she's addicted to running and b) She says we should all do more Bikram yoga.  (She did say that, I swear!)  Here's a pic of Gilly and her coach finishing her last marathon.  What an amazing photo! Those legs!! 

Over to you Gilly:

1.      I started running four years ago and it's become my passion!
2.      I run because I think I am addicted (but the positive kind) and I wear a pair of Nikes.
3.      The last run I did was a progression run yesterday morning and I ran 6 sets of 2km, dropping 10 second per km each set. It was really hard and wet because we dropped to a fast pace but a great feeling at the end!
4.      My current fave bit of kit is my club fleece – we train at 6am and the winters are cold in Australia. Who knew!
5.      I'm training for/eyeing up the Melbourne Marathon in October. My third one.
6.      Running made me feel alive when I was trying to find a new hobby and passion.
7.      I'm currently listening to Freakonomics podcasts when I run.  It makes me stay at a slower pace for recovery runs and I learn something.
8.      I participate in BT Run Club and it has helped me drop my marathon time from 4.02 to 3.36. They introduced me the wonderful world of intervals! 
9.      I started drinking protein shakes after my hardcore running sessions but I can’t tell if it’s working!
10.   I'm currently obsessed with strava and it's keeping my running addiction fresh and making me want to tell others about it. 
11.   I'm bringing bikram yoga to this blog, and throwing it down on the table.  I've just discovered it and hopefully will aid with recovery.   
12.   I'm currently having issues with legs and am visiting my physio. It’s down to weak muscles so need more strength training - can anyone offer any tips? 
13.   Finally, here's my inspirational quote..it’s not really a quote, it’s what I say when it’s getting hard! 

You can find both Gilly and Ellie over on Double Trouble Running blog.  Gilly's twitter is GillyPerth.  Thanks ladies!

Anke Weckmann: Runner, colour coordinator and cat lady

Hello! I'm Anke. I'm a freelance illustrator from London, spending the majority of my life at my desk drawing. Running is a good excuse to get out of the house, shake out my legs and clear my head. The photo was taken on a recent run, I'm not sure where exactly it was, there are so many beautiful trees around here!

1.  I started running regularly about 6 months ago (before that I only ran very sporadically ) and it's been so much fun.
2.  I run because I sit at my desk so much that I'm really craving some time outside.  I wear a pair of Saucony trainers (I actually have two Saucony pairs that I alternate as well as a Nike pair that I use if I run on the treadmill at the gym.)
3.  The last run I did was yesterday  and I ran 10k. It was lovely because it was such strange foggy autumn weather. The colours were amazing.
4. My current fave bit of kit is my Garmin Forerunner 110. It's what got me really excited about running because you can see little improvements and log everything. I love that.
5.  I'm eyeing up some more 10k races for next year. Maybe a half marathon, we'll see how my right knee feels about that.
6.  Running makes me feel alive every single time I go. It's like my body says: "Thank you so much for taking me outside again!"
7.  I'm currently listening to Carly Rae Jepsen's 'Kiss' album when I run.  It makes me not embarrassed that I like to listen to the cheesiest music while running...
8. I participate in dance parties in my head while I'm running. Don't tell anyone.
9.  I started eating a lot of bananas after running and it's changed how I feel about them because I used to not like them that much. I would absolutely recommend it. Against initial concerns I didn't turn into a chimpanzee.
10.  I'm currently obsessed with all and every running store and it's making my running addiction expensive if I don't watch myself. I enjoy colour-coordinated running outfits a little too much.
11.  I'm bringing headstands  to this blog, and throwing them down on the table.  I've just started practicing them and it's got nothing to do with running, But I'll mention it anyway. I also love yoga and Zumba.
12.  I'm currently having issues with getting distracted by cute cats I see while I run - can anyone offer any tips? 
13.  Finally, here's my inspirational quote.  It gets me going.  Now go, run!

Image/lettering above created by Anke.  You can find her on twitter, etsy and via her cat blog!