Blyss Running Champion ~ Meet Nina

Some months I enjoy featuring people I know, people I'm lucky enough to call friends. They are some of my biggest supporters and greatest sources of inspiration embodying all that is a Blyss Champion! They are my 'testers' and sounding boards for new ideas and are always quick to offer positive feedback and sometimes not so positive! This is invaluable to me.

This month our champion is Nina! Apart from being a lovely human being, she has given me important feedback from her 5' 1" self, that at 5' 9" I could never understand! She isn't a fan of running skirts. Never wears them. Instead she wears the 5" & 8" shorts, knickers and capris. And if I ever decide to produce fleece lined pants, thank Nina. She is often putting a bug in my ear about them. You may recognize her as she helped me out with modeling her Blyss things for my website.

Meet Nina.....

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

I've always run a little in my 20s/30s but never more than a couple of miles. Then 4/5 years ago, I started running regularly with my husband and a group of friends and had my first 10K with them at the Cooper River Bridge race in Charleston.  Running over that enormous suspension bridge in a beautiful environment with so many other runners around me was an exhilarating experience and I’ve been running ever since. 

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

My favorite distance for regular exercise is whatever I can run in a hour.  I get a good work out. I don’t feel guilty about committing an hour out of my day.  It clears my head and it is not long enough to dread or think too much about.  My first half marathon a few years ago was my favorite race because I couldn’t believe I was physically and mentally able to run that distance.  I’ve run several since then and I still feel the same way at the end, which makes me think, shouldn’t it get easier?  But even now, sometimes on regular runs, the first few miles are crazy hard and then it gets better.

 {wearing her 5" Blyss Shorts}

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

I enjoy running anywhere. In the woods, on pavement and I’m even fine on the treadmill.  My ideal run is with friends on trails in the woods.  Don’t think I need to explain.  :-)  

{wearing their Distance Shorts}

{wearing their Blyss Knickers}

 Favorite pre or post run food?

I normally have a bowl of oatmeal before I run.  I pretty much eat and drink anything afterwards.  My favorite may be beer and hot wings!  My list is long.

Do you cross train?

I don’t cross train.  I occasionally walk and hike with others.  I’m not a strong swimmer so that may be a goal of mine later.  I’d like to add some weight training in there too.  Future goals!

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

I use an Endomondo app.  It suffices and I’m fine without one.    

 What have you learned/gained through running?

Without getting too deep, running has taught me that mental strength is super important to have a good and balanced life in general. I’m always thankful that I can breath hard and keep moving forward regardless of what is happening in my life or around me.  I enjoy feeling tired and sore from good runs as much as I do feeling strong from them.  It also frees my emotions.  Often, I listen to podcasts and find myself laughing out loud or literally crying, tears, snot and all. It’s almost cathartic.  Lastly, I’ve learned that runners are good, humble, easy going people.  Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever met nicer folks.  Even the super competitive, god-like ones, are way nicer than ever imagined.  Could it be that running makes you kind?

Your next running goal?

I have a team race in April with a great group of friends.  It is a full day race and we’re each running 2 legs.  I’m the slowest one (yay!) so I’ll need to up my speed which is rarely a personal concern.  So, I’ll have to train a little differently and run faster!  It should be fun and I’m looking forward to doing it with good people!  

 

Find Your Blyss,

Alyson