Last week I had Mike Rahlmann from the Be Our Guest Podcast on as a guest, this week his co-host Rikki Niblett is also going to be a guest on my blog.  I knew Mike and Rikki were becoming more interested in running and actually enjoying it more.  When I heard that runDisney was having a meetup on the road in Alanta, I also saw that Rikki was there.  I didn’t realize she was interested in running at that point.

So I asked her about her recent running habit and here are her answers!

How did you begin running?  Did Mike influence you to get started or did you start on your own?
Honestly, at first, I did start running because of the Atlanta runDisney meet up.  I signed up my husband for the runDisney meet and after I’d signed him up, I thought, well, I can train a little bit and I had enough training time where get close to where I could run two miles.  I thought that that shouldn’t be too hard.  So, I decided to sign up too.

In addition, my friends were all runDisney runners, and of course, Mike was too.  I saw how they were able to do it, so I thought, why not?  As soon as I saw that I was chosen, I started running around my neighborhood so I wouldn’t look completely stupid out there. So, honestly, both runDisney’s Atlanta meet up and my friends running all the different Disney races is what influenced me to start to pick it up on my own.

What was your first race?
My first race was actually before I started running for real.  (If you call what I do that…I still don’t consider myself a runner, even though I probably am at this point.)  I actually ran the Disney Halloween 5k, back in October of 2011.  Mike’s daughter was originally supposed to come down for the event but backed out last minute.  So, he offered up the bib and I decided that I could try it.  Again, my friends were all running that race, so I thought, what the heck.

My first official first race, under my name and where I’ve done training, will be the runDisney WDW 10k during Marathon Weekend in January.

How do you train?
I train around my neighborhood.  I have a great, quiet neighborhood I can run in.  I started out using the Couch to 5k method, but now I have come up with a method that works well for myself.  Each run I go out for, I add one more minute of running.  After that, I’ll finish my run with a five minute walk.  Right now, I’m up to running 33 minutes straight, and will continue to add one minute on, each time I go out.  (So, next time I go out I’ll run 34 minutes straight, then 35, and so on.)

I have considered doing the run one minute, walk one minute method though.  Maybe once I get to to the point where I’m running a 5k around my neighborhood (I’m currently a little under 2.5 miles), I’ll try a different method to see if I like it better and if it gives me better stamina.

What or who inspires you?
My friends.  They come from all walks of life and they are out there running these races like it’s no body’s business.  It’s incredible to watch.

My husband also inspires me.  He’s always been the runner in the family and it makes me proud that I’ve finally started doing something he enjoys.  Usually it’s the other way around, where he’s doing something because I like it.  When I go out, I don’t run with him usually, cause he’s a lot faster and can run a lot further (he’s training for the WDW Marathon this time out), but I always feel like he’s proud of me when I return back home from a run.

Finally, not to sound conceited, but in a way, I inspire myself.  I never thought I could do this.  I always hated running.  The mile was torture in school.  Now, I’m out there running 2.5 miles semi-easily.  With no stopping.  That’s incredible to me.  I love seeing myself accomplishing this feat that I never thought was possible.

Do you have a dream race?
Right now, it’s the runDisney 10k in January.  I’ve never run that far before, ever. Maybe someday I’ll be brave enough to try the longer distances, but right now, the 10k is a good length for me.

Would you say you have now been bit by the running bug?
Honestly, I think so.  I need to run at least once a week now. I feel gross if I haven’t. I usually try to run twice a week though, if I can. But I have to go out at least once.

Do you have any favorite gear or gadgets?
I’m still such a newb runner that I don’t really.  I use RunKeeper to keep track of my times and my distance.  I carry my iphone in my hand.  I really need to probably buy an armband if I’m going to keep up this running thing, which it looks like I’m going to.

Which Disney Races will you be doing this year and next?
Just the 10k for Marathon Weekend 2015.

How has running changed your life (if it has)?
It has made me proud of myself.  It’s proven to me that I’m stronger than I ever thought I could be.  It has also made me exercise, which I really never did on a regular basis before.  It’s proven to me that anyone can be a runner.  If I can do it, you can.  All it takes is one step at a time.

Do you have any favorite podcasts?  (Disney or non-Disney and/or running related)
Of course I do!  It’s called the Be Our Guest Podcast…I may or may not be a co-host of it.  😉

I also do listen to a few others.  On my Disney list is WDW Today, WDW Radio Show, The DIS, The Unofficial Guide’s Disney Dish Podcast, WEDway Radio, the DFB Podcast, and Radio Harambe.  I also have a couple of non-Disney podcasts.  They are ONCE-Once Upon a Time Podcast and The Walking Dead TV podcast (I got sucked into that one thanks to the hubby).  While running, I also listen to Magical Mouse Radio, Disney Pandora Radio, and Disney iTunes radio, switching off depending on my mood.

Thanks Rikki for answering these questions for us!  I have some advice I can share with you.  You seem to be doing real well as you start your running and training routine.  When I started, I did the same approach where I tried to run the entire distance without stopping.  However, I made the mistake of going out too often and doing too much, too soon which ended in injury.  You are wise to not run every single day.  But if you do wish to increase your distance, then research the Jeff Galloway run/walk/run method.  I have him as my e-coach and began using his training style 2 years ago and that has enabled me to do half marathons and now I am about to run my 3rd marathon next weekend!  So there are so many things ahead of you to learn!  And I’d love to answer any questions you may have!

Also, get a case for that phone!  I’d hate to see an iPhone go crashing to the ground!  There are spibelts that can go around your waist that you can fit your phone in along with any additional small items you may want to carry.

Thanks for stopping by my blog Rikki!