Running Around Normal, An Interview with Paige
Tell us more about yourself and why you decided to start your blog. How did you come up with the name, Running Around Normal?
A few summers ago I decided to give Couch 2 5k a shot, a running program through coolrunning.com designed for beginner runners, and run my first 5k. While training for it, I became hooked on running, and decided to start my blog as a means of documenting my running and how I fuel for my workouts. I live in the town of Normal (no, really!) and preferred to run outside, so I literally ran around Normal. The name of my blog became a play on words from that – running around the town of Normal, and around that elusive concept of normalcy (which I’ve yet to find 
)
How long have you been a personal trainer, runner, and sports nutritionist? What are a few of the most important things you’ve learned that you think all moms should know?
I’ve been a “runner” ever since starting the Couch 2 5k program in May of 2009. Running is still my favorite form of cardio. Now, if you would have told me I’d be saying that back when I was in high school, I would have called you a liar. Before starting couch 2 5k, I thought I hated running. I blame being forced to run “the dreaded mile” in sports and PE class
I’ve been a trainer since December 2009. I’d been wanting to make a career change geared toward health and fitness, and thought I’d sign up for an ACE personal training 8 week class. I loved it so much that I went on to get certified, and started working part-time at a gym two months later, in addition to my full-time office job.
While I loved training, I noticed that I was limited in what I could advise my clients in terms of diet and nutrition. The next logical step was to become a certified sports nutritionist. I’ve since quit my office job, and am now a full-time trainer and gym manager. I love it!
What advice can you give to moms who have athletic children? What foods are the most important for their children to eat so they are healthy and energized?
First off, I would say if your child has a passion for a sport – no matter what it is, embrace it! So many children are only into video games anymore, so if they’re into a sport, support them!
As far as fueling for that sport, I’d recommend nutrient and energy-dense foods, like bananas, peanut butter sandwiches, and trail mix. It’s also important that they’re not snacking on junk food when they’re not training or playing sports. Be sure to encourage them to get in their fruits, veggies, and protein rather than sugary snacks. I wish I paid more attention to nutrition when I think back to my volleyball days – I wonder how much better I could have been. On the flip side, athletic children are still children, so I’d be conscious of not focusing too much on restrictions and limitations.
Your site has a great recipe section for breakfast, lunch & dinner, dessert, and snacks. What are your favorite recipes from each section?
Although I experiment a lot with recipes, when I find a good one, I tend to stick with it. I probably rotate through 3 different breakfasts and lunches and 4 or 5 different dinners throughout the week. We are creatures of habit 
My all-time favorites are:
breakfast: 5 Minute Nutty Protein Cookie Bowls (http://runningaroundnormal.com/?page_id=13217) and my German Chocolate (Protein) Shake: http://runningaroundnormal.com/?p=22217
lunch/dinner: Edamame caviar: http://runningaroundnormal.com/?page_id=15497 with a piece of fruit and my Collard Green Wraps: http://runningaroundnormal.com/?p=14900
snack: Primal Pumpkin Protein Bars: http://runningaroundnormal.com/?p=20634
I also can’t get enough of these healthy trail mix cookies for a sweet treat that I baked up not too long ago! http://runningaroundnormal.com/?p=23728
It looks like you eat different protein powders, vitamins, and supplements. Why do you think it’s important for moms to consume these things? Should moms be giving their children protein powders and supplements?
I definitely think it’s important for moms to take some sort of multivitamin. Running from activity to activity and having a packed schedule with multiple obligations isn’t always conducive to getting in the required amounts of nutrients. A good, whole foods vitamin can ensure we’re taking in adequate vitamins and minerals.
As far as protein goes, I don’t necessarily believe it’s a necessity. I don’t think every mom and woman needs to take protein. If she’s already getting in adequate protein through plant and animal sources, then chances are there’s already enough protein in her diet. The protein powders become helpful when – for one reason or another (time, resources, etc) – we aren’t able to intake enough protein through food sources. Protein shakes provide a quick, convenient, and tasty way to intake protein without having to cook and eat a steak.
What are a few food items that are always in your refrigerator?
I venture out and try new foods from time to time, but food you’ll always find in my refrigerator are:
-Almond Breeze Almond/Coconut Milk
-Homemade organic Greek yogurt
-apples
-organic half and half
-at least 2 cartons of eggs
-lemons
-spinach
-Trader Joe’s raw almond butter and Kroger brand natural peanut butter
-Kerrygold butter
-coffee!
-cottage cheese
-chia seeds
-my CSA veggies
What you are most looking forward to during the summer?
I actually wrote out a summer bucket list for this summer! It seems like there’s always so many things I want to do, and then I blink and summer’s over and I’ve not done one of them. Not this summer! Some of my bucket list items include going boating, throwing a backyard barbecue, and dining al fresco more often. (You can view the whole list here: http://runningaroundnormal.com/?p=24141) I’m also looking forward to the last of my best friends from high school getting married at the end of the summer…it will be one fun end-of-summer bash!
—
Site: runningaroundnormal.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Running-Around-Normal/182304688465353
Twitter: @paigeran
Pinterest: PaigeRAN
Comments