Blogger On The Run: fANNEtastic food

Published June 6, 2013 10:00AM

This week’s Women’s Running magazine Blogger On The Run is a Registered Dietician who loves helping clients reach their health goals, while she chases her own! Meet Anne from fANNEtastic food – she’s an experienced half marathoner who recently took the plunge and registered for her first full marathon. Read Anne’s story to find out why this healthy foodie recommends setting dates for early morning runs with friends. . .

Anne: I’m a Registered Dietitian (RD), food and fitness blogger, runner, yogi, CrossFitter, and lover of adventure and travel! In 2009, after working in D.C. area public relations and communications for 5 years, I followed my passion for nutrition and wellness and returned to school to become an RD. In December, I graduated with my Masters of Public Health in Nutrition in from UNC Chapel Hill and started an online-based nutrition counseling private practice. I love working with clients to reach their wellness goals – it’s so rewarding!

A: I definitely wasn’t always a runner! I played tennis in high school and remember hating the training runs our coach sent us out on; it wasn’t really until after college that I started to love running. I did my first 5k in 2005 and finally got the courage to start doing longer runs in 2009. I started with a 10k, then a 10 miler, and then finally a half marathon in spring 2010! Flash forward 3 years and I just completed my 7th half marathon and have officially fallen head over heels with running. I’m not sure my former high school self would believe it!

A: Honestly, it just makes me really happy! Running is my favorite form of stress release and a great way to catch up with friends, too, since I do almost all my runs with other people. There’s nothing quite like going for a run on a beautiful day with a buddy by your side.

A: Long runs! I love the feeling of accomplishment you get after a long run – I feel like a rock star for the rest of the day! And the post long run food is pretty sweet, too…

A: Crossing the finish line at my very first half marathon was such an amazing rush. It was really hot, hilly, and crazy hard and I remember being SO proud of myself when I crossed that finish line.

A: Gelato! I just came back from a trip to Italy and had gelato almost every day. So delicious.

WR: How do you reward yourself for accomplishing your training/running goals?

A: Usually by signing up for another race! The high that I get at a finish line when I’ve set a new PR or completed a new distance is reward enough for me! I just set a new half marathon PR in May – 1:43:44 at the Nike Women’s half in DC. I was so excited.

A: I actually just signed up for my very first full marathon – Richmond in November! After 7 half marathons and a bunch of 10 milers, I decided it was time for a new challenge. I start training in July and I can’t wait!

A: Just to get out the door! That’s seriously often the hardest part. That, and finding a buddy to run with. It’s easy to bail on yourself at 6 a.m. when your alarm goes off for a run… but if you have someone to meet, you kind of have to be there. And once you’re there, you’ll be glad!

Anne decided to register for a marathon as a way of chasing a new distance goal. How do you know when you’re ready for a new running challenge?

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

We love our Women’s Running magazine Blogger On The Run so much that we want to inspire you to check her out! Simply leave a comment below telling us what you think about Anne’s story and you’ll be entered to win a one-year subscription to Women’s Running magazine.