Blyss Running Champion - Meet Mona

Mona is a mom, wife and civil engineer living here in Asheville, NC. You could say she is the one responsible for introducing me to running. It was her idea to get a group of us together to start a Couch to 5k six years ago. Mona has two children ages 10 & 14 and her husband is a professor at a local college. In my eyes, she does everything! I honestly don't know how she finds time to work, work-out, parent, volunteer and be as active as she is in our community! You may recognize Mona as she graciously gave her time to appear in photos that are featured on the website. Her favorite Blyss piece is her Trail Skirt. Meet Mona......

{ Wearing the Blyss Skirt }

When and why did you start running? What’s your story?

Fall 2010 I was at my son’s baseball game and talking with another mother who was an avid runner. I said something to the effect that ‘I wish I could run’ and she said ‘well why can’t you? Just start running!’. So the following week I talked a couple of moms from my daughter’s pre-school to try a “Couch to 5k” program. As they say, the rest is history.

 

Favorite distance? And /or favorite race you have run?

My favorite distance is the 10K. With my injury prone leg, I feel like it’s still an easily attainable goal/race that I can train for. My favorite race though was the 2014 Newport (RI) Half Marathon I did with a bunch of friends. The course was a perfect mix of great scenery and topography.

 

If you could go on a run anywhere, where would it be? Your ideal run?

I would love to run through Central Park. My ideal run has rolling hills but more important are the conditions: overcast skies, low humidity and temperature with a slight breeze 😊

 

 Favorite pre or post run food?

Depending on the mileage, I like to eat peanut butter toast and maybe a banana pre-run. A glass of chocolate milk post-run.

 

Do you cross train?

I tried to run through an injury to my hamstring in the fall of 2014 and ended up having to stop running for the better part of 1½ years. It was awful but on the plus side I started rowing (scull and sweep) which has been amazing and is now a sport I love as much as running. I also do daily Pilates, regularly bicycle and will occasionally swim.

{ Wearing her Trail Skirt at Pilates } 

 Do you use a GPS or track your mileage and if so, which one?

I’m not too much of a techno-geek but I like to track my mileage and times. I have the Garmin Forerunner 15 which also tracks my daily steps.

 

 What have you learned/gained through running?

I have asthma and have never considered myself athletic but through running I’ve realized that I am strong and can really have a positive impact on my health through my choices. I’ve also learned to never *ever* run through another injury.

 

 Your next running goal?

I’ve just started being able to run regularly without pain and am hoping to run a ½ Marathon in February with some of the group that ran the Newport ½. Ultimately, my goal is to be able to go on a 5-8 mile run anytime I want for the rest of my life.

 

Find Your Blyss,

Alyson

{If you'd like to be featured in our monthly series, Blyss Champion, please email me at alyson@blyssrunning.com We'd love to share your story!}