Friday Spotlight: Mamabear5678
##[Note: Today's Spotlight runner will be in and out during her time here with us. I'd like to apologize in advance as she may not be able to respond to your questions immediately. She's informed me that she will do what she can to get to your comments in a timely manner. Thanks!]
It's Friday! Time for the Friday Spotlight Thread. Today's featured subreddit member has been a familiar name I've been seeing around the subreddit for a bit now and I'm really excited to share with you all, all the things she shared with me. So let's keep it short and get right to it.
Ladies and gentlemen I present to you... u/Mamabear5678
Let's do this!
###The Runner:
First Name?
I’ll answer to Mia
Age?
31
Where are you from?
Texas – not too far from Houston
Occupation?
Cost Accountant
###The Running Q&A's:
What are your PR’s?
I don’t have much in the way of PR’s – my PR mile was 10:53 while I was training for my marathon and I was super thrilled with that!
What is your distance PR?
26.2 last March, I’m looking to do it again early next year.
What’s your highest recorded weekly mileage?
38 during marathon training
What’s your comfy pace?
12/12:30 – I’m definitely one of the slower one’s, but hey I make the faster runners look better.
How long have you been running?
I started C25K in early 2014, but I had to stop for about 6 months due to a diagnosis and my doctor didn’t want me doing anything that would cause me to sweat until we got it under control. I got the blessing to train for and run a marathon from her so I ran consistently for about 18 months. Then we had a really rough year last year so running took a backseat for a while. I have been running again consistently since the end of December and on Friday I will actually be on Day 18 of my mile a day running streak. It’s disheartening to see how much progress I’ve lost, but I know that I’ll get it back soon.
TL;DR – Off and on since early 2014.
Tell us why you began running?
To lose weight. And then when my doctor told me that I couldn’t run for a short period it kinda became this personal thing that I really wanted to run a marathon because I have this really dumb attitude where if someone says I can’t do something I go out and do it to prove them wrong. Now I still run because I love everything about it!
Most memorable running moment?
The first run after I got the A-OK – I went out with nothing to track my pace or my distance and I even turned off my music and just ran. That was the first time I got the “runner’s high” and I felt a weight lift off of me.
Do you have a running mantra?
Not really, but I definitely curse a lot in my head while I’m running.
What time of day do you prefer to run?
Mornings because with 3 kids and 3 kids worth of after school activities if I don’t get up and run at 4:30am then it most likely isn’t happening.
Any big races coming up?
Nope. Right now I’m just trying to rebuild my base.
What are your short-term running goals?
I’d like to increase my endurance a lot and my speed a bit.
What are your long-term running goals?
To run another marathon – I want to beat my time from my first. And really just to run until I physically can’t anymore.
What’s one piece of running advice you’d give to the younger version of yourself?
I wish that I would have started running at a younger age, but other than that I would say consistency! Just get out there and do it even when you don’t feel like it.
What is something you need to work on to become a better runner?
Consistency and probably need to start adding in some strength training (I loathe strength training!!) What is your current shoe choice?
Brooks PureFlow Trail? Road? Track? Or Treadmill?
I prefer road, but I do a lot of running on the treadmill just because of the convenience.
What is your ideal running weather?
I’m a big weeny when it comes to cold (I’ve lived in Texas my whole life!), but I think 65-70 is probably my favorite running weather.
###Just For Fun:
What’s your spirit animal?
As much as it should probably be a bear given my username, I’m actually more like some kind of a monkey because I break out in song and dance all the time at home. My kids kinda hate/love it and roll their eyes when I start singing (not well mind you).
What hobbies and interests do you have besides running?
I like to write and do some photography. My husband and I like to go shooting whenever we can swing it. And I love to cook! I look forward to planning and cooking a big Sunday dinner most weeks.
Do you have any hidden talents?
I look at the clock at 12:34 most every day – it’s weird.
Biggest pet peeve?
Being flat out ignored – my kids have a habit of asking me a question, me answering and before I’m even done answering them, they ask the same exact question again. Drives me mad!! Also – people who are very closed minded, which living in the south is difficult to avoid.
Dream job! What would it be?
That’s a toughy – I would love to get paid to write and/or take pictures, but I get so nervous sharing anything that I create that it would probably give me anxiety to actually do that for a living.
Favorite Quote or Poem?
From the best kids movie “Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it you can either run from it or learn from it”
What is your favorite movie?
It’s a Wonderful Life I only watch it during Christmas, but I could watch it all the time! Also Singing in the Rain has a soft spot in my heart.
What is your biggest character flaw?
I am not patient with people, especially my kids.
What songs have you been listening to recently?
I think I may be perpetually stuck in the 90’s because I listen to a lot of the alternative music from that era.
What are some of your favorite non-running subreddits?
I really don’t post a whole lot, but I enjoy reading the r/writingprompts subreddit a lot.
###One Final Question:
What is the origin of your username?
Mamabear – because I have 3 kids (16, 11, & 5) and 2 dogs and a very full house which I’m mamabear around the house. 5678 because I was in ballet from basically the time I could walk until I graduated high school.
That's it folks! Have a great weekend and enjoy the miles.
####Thanks for reading everyone!
#Please tag u/Mamabear5678 when asking a question in this thread.
Previously Featured Spotlight Runners:
Posted Jan 27, 2017, 1:00 PM UTC · edited