RWR: MEET FASTK8

Shortly after I became a Oiselle ambassador, Kate Grace joined their elite racing team also known as HAUTE VOLÉE, which is French for 'high flyer'.  At the time, I didn't recognize her name.  But, that means nothing, as I was not tracking recent college graduates who are now running professionally.  Not that I wouldn't love to do this.  It did not take long, however, for Kate to become a household name.  Well, in the world of runners, at least.  In her first year as a pro runner, she hit the track running, literally, and was instantly a mad force to be reckoned with.  I didn't ask her if I could post her personal bests but I (sorry Kate) just can't resist.  Check out these times:

Frequent flyer, Kate Grace

800m: 1:59:47

1500: 4:07:35

Mile: 4:28:79

3000m: 8:55:06

Seriously???  Not only is she smokin' fast.  But she's also super chill, ridiculously sweet and gorgeous.  She is the real deal, folks.  And I am thrilled for you to meet her.  After that, you should follow her as she's got a one-way ticket to awesome city and you're gonna want to be along for the ride.  And the best part?  She's a complete music junkie.  Check out the various artists she'd like to have dinner with and you'll see what I mean.  Imagine that dinner party?  Side note, she has some serious opinions about ice cream.  Okay, that's enough from me, meet Kate, a runner who rocks.

RWR: KATE GRACE

Name: Kate Grace
Where you're from: Los Angeles, CA
Where you reside now: Bend, OR (and Seattle a bit)
Age: 25
Occupation: Athlete, Flockstar
Blog/website: runmantra.tumblr.com, sexyankle.tumblr.com (for run-related travels)

RUNNING & MUSIC:
What do you love most about running?
Feeling like I am completely in the moment, powerful, in a rhythm.

What do you love most about music? 
Same as above.

Kate, in the zone.

KATE'S FAVORITES:
Band (current, all time or both): Not "favorite" necessarily, but I could listen to Josh Ritter all the time.
Album (current, all time or both): ack.
Race venue: The Armory, NYC
Music venue: Hollywood Bowl.  I like outdoor venues.
Race distance: 1500
Show you've seen live? Oof. I haven't been to enough to have a favorite.  As long as the band isn't especially bad live, I enjoy it.
Ice cream flavor: I go for something with a hint of chocolate and maybe a crunch.  Mint chocolate, Stracciatella (photo), Peanut Butter cup, Chunky Monkey, Coconut/almond/chocolate combos. And Coffee flavors.

THIS OR THAT?
Sweet or salty: Salty
Live or recorded: Recorded
Coffee or tea: ooo. Both. Different functions. Tea over straight coffee. Lattes and cappuccinos over everything. Maybe i just prefer milk.
Summer or winter: Fall. ;)



MORE MUSIC INFO:
Which band or artist would you go see tonight if you could? Ingrid Michaelson

Which band or artist (wait...but no longer alive or playing together) would you go see tonight if you could? I mean, The Beatles.

Which band or artist would you like to have dinner with tonight if you could? Mmm.  Paul Simon.  Elton John.  Randy Newman.  Pete Seeger.  Leonard Cohen.  Jennifer Lopez.  Taylor Swift.  Miley Cyrus.  Lady Gaga.  Pink.  Nicki Minaj.  Kanye West.  Beyonce.  Ed Sheeran.  Hell, Beethoven.  Not necessarily for their music.

Which band or artist would you like to be playing alongside you during your next race (or long run)? Pitbull (right) might win for frequency over the years on my workout playlists.


Top 5 Songs for running, dancing or both? *
This is always changing. that's issue with pop songs... they're like cheap clothes or ipods... kind of a built-in obsolescence. Right now (although, I think I'm at the end of my cycle with these ones... getting overplayed):
Ghost - Ella Henderson
Bang Bang - Nicki, Jesse, Ariana
Black Widow - Iggy and Rita
All about that Bass - Meghan Trainor

+ a few throw backs that i'm in to right now for fun runs
Proud Mary - Tina Turner
Rockin' Robin - Bobby Day
Take Me Home, Country Roads - John Denver
Call Your Girlfriend - Robyn
Happy Ending - Mika
Rebellion - Arcade fire

+ just made a list of songs that have ~180 bpm (or 90) ... so, they link up with a running stride.
Bang Bang - K'naan, Adam Levine
Such Great Heights - The Postal Service
The Middle  - Jimmy Eat World
Paper Planes - MIA
Fidelity - Regina Spektor
Untouched - The Veronicas

Last 5 Songs you listened to today?
The pop ones ;)

* I will add the links to these songs later today.  Need to switch gears for a bit.  Check back later and they'll be up there.  Thx for your patience.