Friday Faves

This Friday I'd like you to "meet" Anna!  Anna has been a friend to me in ways she'll probably never know.  This woman has a gift for always knowing exactly what to say and when to say it!  As a friend AND as a blogger.  One of my favorite posts that she's written was a loving tribute to the incredible spirit of her dad.  Introducing Anna!

Blog Name: See Anna Run


Where are you from? I'm from a tiny town -- Stamps, Arkansas -- but northwest Arkansas has been home to me for several years.

When/why/how did you start blogging? I started blogging because I started running, and vice versa. I wanted a blog - an outlet to write and a way to document my life with Trea, but I needed a focus. I also wanted to try running to lose weight and get healthy, but I knew I would never stick with it unless people held me accountable. So I set a goal to run a 5K and told everyone I knew about it.


What is one of your all time favorite songs? One that each time it comes on, you stop and turn it up. Angel by Aerosmith. It will never get old.


Now, confession, look in iTunes, which song has the most plays? Cath...by Death Cab. I can't get enough of that one either.

Do you like to read? Who are your favorite authors? Yes! Ayn Rand, Don Wright, Khaled Hosseini, Suzanne Collins and J.K. Rowling are just a few, but lately I've been reading anything I can get my hands on about running. Bart Yasso's book, My Life on the Run, is currently occupying my nightstand.

What was your favorite book as a child? I loved reading the Babysitters Club series and Nancy Drew, but Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day was the best.


If you had a signature scent, what scent would that be? The Scent of Peace by Bond No. 9. I wear it every day, and it smells just like it sounds: peaceful and pretty and soft.

Confession, in your office, how do co-workers refer to you? The eagle eye. I'm a writer, editor and sometimes a brutal proofreader.

When you meet someone new, what is the first thing you notice about them? I notice their smile and whether it's genuine. I like people who smile easily and mean it.


Do you have any tattoos? Is there a story behind it? I have two. One was the first of many poor choices I made as a college freshman, and the other is of my husband's name, Trea, which I got the month before we were married. It's in the same script that we used for our wedding invitations, and he also wears my name on his arm. I like good tattoos, but mine are small and easily covered.


Do you have a mantra, verse or quote that inspires you? When I'm running, it's "slow and steady; finish strong." Also, "you can do this; they're just miles." That last one doesn't always help though!

For you athletes - what is your ultimate goal race/achievement? For now, it's the St. Jude Memphis Marathon in December. It will be my first full marathon, and I'm anxious about the challenge of 26.2. Someday, I want to run the Napa to Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon. It's beautiful there and I would love to combine a race with a fun vacation destination.


What is your dream vacation? I want to see Italy. And Greece! And Colorado! I told y'all I'm a small town girl. There's a lot I haven't seen.


What advice would you give to bloggers just starting out? I feel like I'M a blogger just starting out, and I'm the one who needs advice. My little blog hasn't advanced very far in the year that I've been writing, but it's fun for me and it's connected me with some amazing people - like That Pink Girl! My advice is to always be authentic, be quiet if you don't have anything to say, and remember that the best blogs are a two-way conversation. Be a good commenter, and listen to your readers.


These are some of my favorite posts:
First 5K Race Recap
Bentonville Half Marathon Recap - my biggest running achievement so far.
Wordless Wednesday: Summer is here - a little glimpse into my non-running life

Thanks for participating Anna!  I pink sparkle heart you!