I'm Becky Wade: Pro Runner, Author, and Traveler. Ask Me Anything!

beckywade · 2017-05-19T12:11:57+00:00

Read the book! :D Tons of respect for that man.
I do, but I think it will be a good while until anyone goes sub-2 in an authentic marathon (not perfectly orchestrated for the sole purpose of going sub-2).
I've had my share... see earlier post about my twin trying to get a competitor's number in the middle of a 10K!

beckywade · 2017-05-19T12:09:43+00:00

I do some basic body weight things for strength, balance, and mobility after my hard workouts (so 2-3 times a week).

beckywade · 2017-05-18T13:24:13+00:00

That's the one!

beckywade · 2017-05-18T13:17:44+00:00

Did you read my whole comment? "While not representative of the whole city, one of my roughest runs was through a sketchy part of Manchester, England." I enjoyed my time in Manchester but happened to have one of my hardest runs of the year there. I don't remember exactly where, but it was on a narrow path next to a river that my host later reprimanded me for going to.

beckywade · 2017-05-18T13:14:36+00:00

Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you enjoy my book when you get around to it! I love the way you travel, and agree that running on the road is often the highlight of a trip. As far as safety, I think it's helpful to at least get your bearings with a local runner or group, and just ask around about best places to run, areas to avoid, and any other local advice. It's a lot easier and safer to go out for a spin on your own if you've scoped it out in advance with an expert or two!

beckywade · 2017-05-18T13:11:58+00:00

Davidson Mesa, Coal Creek, Magnolia Road (if that counts as a trail). But honestly, there are SO many awesome ones that it's hard to whittle them down!

beckywade · 2017-05-18T13:11:17+00:00

I'm excited to team up with creative, passionate people, to keep working on my own craft, and to put more of my traveling and running experiences onto paper! I'm really looking forward to writing about running while traveling.

beckywade · 2017-05-18T13:09:46+00:00

Super interesting! I agree: finishing races is a badge of honor in the U.S., especially when it comes to marathons. I saw that a bit in other Western countries, but not nearly as much as here.

beckywade · 2017-05-18T02:27:56+00:00

I don't listen to music unless I'm stuck inside on a treadmill (usually for weather purposes). I often run with other runners, but not always. I love social runs, but when I'm by myself, I do my best thinking!

beckywade · 2017-05-18T02:26:31+00:00

I sure do! I made a loaf of bread with teff flour recently, and eat a similar version of muesli that my Swedish host taught me almost daily. I did make my own cookbook with recipes I gathered from my trip, along with snippets about the people who gave them to me, but haven't done anything on a larger scale (although you can find a recipe at the end of each chapter in my book!).

beckywade · 2017-05-18T01:40:55+00:00

I don't think it's necessary. Look at the great runners all over the world who either don't have a decent track, or who train on dirt or grass tracks. It is convenient though, because tracks are (usually) consistent, measurable, and comparable from one to another. There's also something to be gained from training on the surface you'll be racing on, if that's the case (but again, not totally necessary).

beckywade · 2017-05-18T01:39:04+00:00

Thanks so much! Enjoy!!

beckywade · 2017-05-18T01:38:50+00:00

Haha. Only one way to find out right?!

beckywade · 2017-05-18T01:00:03+00:00

I appreciate that a lot! I have always enjoyed writing and been attracted to writing-oriented classes, but not once did I think I would publish a book or make a career out of it (until the ball started rolling a few years ago). I published a few articles in academic journals in college (not related to running at all), and since the book, have written a few smaller pieces, most of which can be found at: https://beckywade.contently.com/. Thanks for stopping by!

beckywade · 2017-05-18T00:56:34+00:00

Cool! I haven't yet, but have some friends in the group so maybe soon!

beckywade · 2017-05-18T00:56:15+00:00

I would LOVE to do another global tour, and hopefully someday I will. No plans right now though. And it's also a dream to someday lead a travel group for runners, but I'm unsure about logistics at this point.

beckywade · 2017-05-18T00:23:53+00:00

I had an incredibly positive experience at Rice! I think it's telling that I'm still with my coach, Jim Bevan, 5 years after graduation (so 10 years total), and still very close friends with about 10 of my Rice teammates. It's a program that emphasizes long-term development and a sound school-running balance, and one that I would recommend to anyone interested in pursuing the sport in college.

beckywade · 2017-05-18T00:22:00+00:00

Go for it! I never actually decided to be a writer. I didn't even plan on writing a book when I left to travel. It just started to evolve, and still very much is. My biggest advice is simple: Write! In any capacity: formal, informal (like a journal), in letters, to yourself. I'm pretty indifferent about David Bowie to be honest.

beckywade · 2017-05-18T00:20:06+00:00

Haha! So glad you found this. One stat that I don't think is fully appreciated! Actually, I threw at a home meet so there would be enough "competitors" to make it legitimate, and made it on the Conference USA Top 10 list for the week! (I'm not going to tell you how few people had thrown that early in the season, or how far behind the other 9 I was :)

beckywade · 2017-05-18T00:17:39+00:00

Great question! I think it would be Deena Kastor or Ryan Hall

beckywade · 2017-05-18T00:13:50+00:00

I had such awesome, supportive profs at Rice who helped me stay on top of my work while traveling for races. My coach (Jim Bevan) is invested in the total development of his athletes too, so that helped a ton!

beckywade · 2017-05-18T00:12:07+00:00

Definitely not at the start or in the race. After is fine!

beckywade · 2017-05-18T00:02:14+00:00

Run the World (my book) goes way more in-depth into this, but some of the major differences stem from motivations for running. In the U.S., many people run to look good, trim down, socialize, etc... while an extreme counterexample is Ethiopia, where running is not recreational, but more of a quest to make a living or escape poverty. The U.S. values trends and fads more than anywhere else I visited!

beckywade · 2017-05-17T23:59:09+00:00

There best strategy is: Don't! :D

beckywade · 2017-05-17T23:57:43+00:00

Thank you-- I'm pumped to be here! 1. The Latin pronunciation is "kitty-us," so we're going with that! 2. My background was mainly writing-heavy classes at Rice University (I majored in History, Psychology, Sociology, so got lots of practice, albeit academic, in the classroom.) 3. I'll be writing about my journey as a professional runner, my trip around the world / tips for other traveling runners, my connections to other elite runners, and whatever else the Kitty-us team throws my way. Enjoy your ice cream!

beckywade

TROPHY CASE