Friday, March 27, 2009 at 03:10 PM

Guest Post: Using Your Imagination to Make Running Fun!

My name is Katie, and I write a blog called Chocolate-Covered Katie.  I’m so excited to be a guest on Carrots-n-Cake!

First off, I have to give a HUGE “thank you” to Tina for letting me do this guest post.  Tina, I love your blog, so it’s a real honor to be associated with it.

It took me a long time to choose the topic to submit for my guest post.  Did I want to write about one of my many crazy oatmeal concoctions?

(Chocolate chip cookie dough oatmeal)

My fun blended-grain technique that’s taken over the blogworld?

(Blended Snickerdoodle grains)

Or maybe ooey-gooey S’more Muffins?

I couldn’t pick a recipe, so I decided to write about a different love of mine: running.

I adore running.  And people ask me all the time how on earth that’s possible.  So I tried to think of all the reasons I love running, with the hopes that maybe some of my ideas will help others to love it too!

Running is truly something I look forward to doing-I doubt I’d have been able to stick with it if it felt like a chore, because I’m really bad with chores (just ask my mom about my aversion to doing laundry!). It’s a really great time to get my thoughts in order.  And I have a wild imagination, so I love to pretend I’m on an adventure when I run.

  • I imagine that the houses I pass are castles, or caves, or mountains (and that I am a princess, a bear, a tree blowing in the wind…)
  • I try to think of all the crazy running costumes I could wear to a race. Have you heard, for example, of the elderly man who runs marathons in a pink tutu? How embarrassing would it be to have him pass you?!
  • I become the characters or singers from my favorite songs. On many a run, I am the Eye of the Tiger, chasing after my prey.
  • I imagine that my legs are bicycle wheels (I read this idea in Runner’s World magazine).

And to all the passersby who have seen me running: I am sorry to inform you that you’ve probably been transformed into Bugs Bunny, Elvis, or a giant broccoli stalk at some point.  My apologies.

If none of the above ideas enable you to see running as fun, do not despair!  There’s still one more no-fail strategy you can employ to turn your dreaded run into an exciting adventure: Think about food!

Before you set off on your run, plan a really delicious post-workout meal or snack.  Then think about said meal/snack while you exercise.

How could running not be fun when you have Homemade Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Ice Cream on the brain?

Or Banana-Bread-in-a-Bowl ?   Or maybe even Brownie Batter Oatmeal?  (I’d run reeeaally fast to get home for that!)

You can transform your run from dull to delightful.  All you need is a little help from your imagination!


Posted by: Tina 22 comments

Posted in: Uncategorized, guest blogger

22 Comments on “Guest Post: Using Your Imagination to Make Running Fun!”

  1. #1 Melissa Reply to this comment
    on Mar 27th, 2009 at 3:22 pm

    What a great post Katie!! Thanks for making running fun!!

  2. #2 Dori Reply to this comment
    on Mar 27th, 2009 at 3:29 pm

    I don’t know if I have the imagination for this, but banana bread in a bowl sounds tempting enough for me!

    I can’t wait for warm weather so I can try running outside!

  3. #3 Pearl Reply to this comment
    on Mar 27th, 2009 at 4:03 pm

    banana bread in a bowl? mmm!

  4. #4 Chocolate Covered Katie Reply to this comment
    on Mar 27th, 2009 at 4:07 pm

    I can’t thank you enough, Tina, for giving me this opportunity! I know I sound like a broken record, but you are the sweetest!

  5. #5 Mara @ What's For Dinner? Reply to this comment
    on Mar 27th, 2009 at 4:09 pm

    Great post Katie! You’re adorable!

  6. #6 G-G-G-Giveaways! « Chocolate-Covered Katie Reply to this comment
    on Mar 27th, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    [...] TO ADD: Check out my guest post over at Tina’s beyond-awesome blog, Carrots-n-Cake!!!!  I’m so excited!!!!  (As if you [...]

  7. #7 VeggieGirl Reply to this comment
    on Mar 27th, 2009 at 5:04 pm

    Love the delicious creations!!

  8. #8 K Reply to this comment
    on Mar 27th, 2009 at 5:14 pm

    Oh so many fun recipes! Thanks for the tips too :)

  9. #9 Missy (Missy Maintains) Reply to this comment
    on Mar 27th, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    Cookie Dough Oatmeal!! I need that now! Great post!

  10. #10 Emily Reply to this comment
    on Mar 27th, 2009 at 5:37 pm

    Tina,

    Thanks for having such great guest bloggers!

    Katie,

    I am one of those people who dutifully logs a few miles a week on the treadmill in hopes that maybe one day I’ll fall in love…maybe with these suggestions I will!

    With Love,

    Emily

  11. #11 Kara Reply to this comment
    on Mar 27th, 2009 at 5:59 pm

    Your ideas are so cute!! They may inspire me to try running.

  12. #12 Sara Reply to this comment
    on Mar 27th, 2009 at 7:35 pm

    Great post and great ideas! They look great.

  13. #13 Eat, Live, Love, Dream Reply to this comment
    on Mar 27th, 2009 at 8:36 pm

    Great job Katie! Your posts are always enjoyable to read:) Using your imagination while running! I like that:)

  14. #14 zestycook Reply to this comment
    on Mar 27th, 2009 at 8:50 pm

    Katie great post! Your food sounds and looks great.

  15. #15 Meg Reply to this comment
    on Mar 27th, 2009 at 9:04 pm

    I love Katie and her blog. What a great guest post!

  16. #16 Jasmine (Sweet and Fit) Reply to this comment
    on Mar 28th, 2009 at 8:13 am

    this is such a great post! actually its perfect timing too for me because I am about to go for a run/jog! thank you!

  17. #17 ruby red vegan Reply to this comment
    on Mar 28th, 2009 at 10:51 am

    Yay Katie! I like the think-about-the-snack strategy… Sometimes thinking about my post-workout eats helps my workout go by a little easier! :)

  18. #18 Janet Reply to this comment
    on Mar 28th, 2009 at 12:28 pm

    That’s so funny – I literally woke up this morning thinking about brownie batter oatmeal, and then I saw your post! Love all the running ideas – so funny!

  19. #19 Brandi C Reply to this comment
    on Mar 28th, 2009 at 11:18 pm

    This will DEFINITELY get me through a long run. Thanks Katie!

  20. #20 Chocolate Covered Katie Reply to this comment
    on Mar 29th, 2009 at 1:25 pm

    Aww, thanks, everyone :) :)

  21. #21 Life is like a Box of Chocolates « Chocolate-Covered Katie Reply to this comment
    on Mar 31st, 2009 at 12:10 pm

    [...] In this post, what two characters are in the thought bubble over my [...]

  22. #22 It’s raining cats and dogs! « Chocolate-Covered Katie Reply to this comment
    on Apr 27th, 2009 at 1:21 pm

    [...] I’m equipped with the proper weapons to make treadmill-running fun.  (‘Course, I’m always looking to expand my repertoire: What do you do to pass the time on the [...]

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