United by their love of running, two members of LRC get to know each other
We are delighted to hear from Laura Owen based in Portland, Oregon and Maryro Mendez based in London, UK. Separated by geography but connected by LRC.
Take it away Maryro & Laura!
Maryro: Hi Laura!
- How long have you been running? I started training with Susie when I was 40. Before that I ran from time to time for various reasons ranging from loving it to poor body image to staying healthy. Now I’m back to doing it because I love it.
- What is your favourite distance and why? My favorite distance this season might have been the 5k, which surprises me because in the past I didn’t like it. I loved that it’s short so you can go pretty fast, but also have enough time to get into a really calm state of mind. I might like to try that one again sometime in the future!
- If you could run anywhere with anyone, where and with whom and what would be the topic of conversation? I think I’d pick the lady who sells me coffee every day after my run. She is a savvy business woman who’s stayed happy and financially healthy this year and I would like to know how she created such a solid business that makes her so happy. And she’s a runner although she claims she is not a “real” one, but since she’s told me she loves to run on hills I think that she is!
- Apart from running or exercising what else you like doing during your free time and what do you like about it. I like reading although the free time I have for that is mostly bus riding!
- What is your favourite post long run food? The above-mentioned coffee, these days, because the people who give it to me are so delightful and round out my run with a nice touch of humanity. In Hawai’i, every day I finished my run with a smoothie made only of whole milk yogurt and whatever fruit I had frozen.
- Breakfast is my favourite meal, which is yours and if you could only have one dish for the rest of your life what would it be? Breakfast is the only one I get excited about, probably because I’ve just been running! I could eat one of the pancake recipes from Shalane Flanagan’s & Elyse Kopeck ‘Run Fast. Eat Slow.’ book every day if I didn’t force myself to branch out.
- What would you say to someone that is demotivated right now because of the current situation and the fact that in most places you can’t exercise in groups or can’t race? I really never know how to answer motivation questions. I’m not sure why I wouldn’t do the thing that makes my day the best. I can’t deny that running is very lonely right now and I miss racing a lot, but as far as doing it every day, I figure what else would I do that is both feasible and equally enjoyable? I found that virtual races, even unofficial ones I did, were very satisfying if I did them with the same focus as a “real” one.
- Compression socks or calf sleeves, or neither? I love my compression socks! I’m wearing them right now!
Laura: Hi Maryro!
- How did you get into running as an adult? I always say I used to run to eat and now I eat to run. I was never athletic as a child or teenager. I started running in my late 20’s as way of keeping fit and “slim” but then I enjoyed seeing how with hard work I could get better even if I lacked talent. So, 17 years later here I am.
- How did you find Long Run Collective? I found Susie, when I was researching about running in Rapa Nui. My husband is a film maker and he was travelling across south America filming. I was going to meet him there and we were going to spend a few days in Rapa Nui and I gave myself the challenge to run on my own the perimeter of the island (40 miles). I found Susie had done it and she was been an inspiration ever since.
- What is it about running that draws you to it and makes you want to go out every day? It is the simplicity of running that makes it special. You just put one foot in front of the other and then you can transport yourself to some many special places. It is seeing how you can get better if you do the work. There is nothing more honest and more raw than running.
- What is your favourite workout and why do you like it? Fartleks and long runs and better yet long runs with fartleks. Fartleks are just fun, there is no pressure and long runs are my happy place, I love going out on my own just travelling to wherever the miles will take me.
- Is there anything about the running world or the athletic world that you would wish could be different? I love the sport and am a huge fun of the sport. I wish athletes were valued for their talent and not how good they are at being “influencers”.
- What would you tell people who are starting out on their running journey? Nothing worth having comes easy but consistency and dedication pays off. It is just as simple as putting one foot in front of the other and as soon as you get that first glance at the way the wind feels you will never let it go.
Thanks very much Maryro & Laura! Great to hear from you both!