June's guest post is Lisa Gonzales, from Alta Loma, CA.
I ran across Lisa's blog during my early days on Twitter, and I have been inspired by her running ever since. I hope you enjoy getting to know Lisa, I hope to one day run a race with her.
How did you start and how long have you
been running?
I started running in January 2009. I
weighed 220 lbs when I started and started out with a run/walk program. It was
more walk than run. I gradually reduced the walking and increased the running
until I was just running.
You have an alternative transportation
system to get to and from work.
On my 40th birthday I weighed
300+ lbs, never enjoyed walking and running wasn’t an option because my knees were
bad. I started riding my bike and worked up to where I could ride to/from work
without being exhausted. I found that I really enjoyed bike commuting. It’s a
lot less stressful than driving to work in the morning and it gives me a chance
to decompress on the way home. I’ve continued it even after losing the weight.
Now it’s about being green and saving money on gas so I can enter races! :)
This year, I decided to try running to
work because the only thing I didn’t like about bike commuting was rainy days.
I love running in the rain though so I thought I would try it on rainy days.
That’s been a lot of fun and lets me get in doubles on the days I run commute.
What makes it easy for me to run/ride to
work is that I only live 5.5 miles away so I can do as little as that or as
much as I want (take the long way). When I run, I usually run between 6-7 miles
each way. When I ride, it’s usually between 16-30 miles round trip. I can do
most of that on the bike trail that connects the town I live in with the town I
work in so it’s really stress free!
What was your first race?
A trail 5K, I had no idea how hard it
would be and thought I was going to die! I weighed about 200 lbs and the hills
just about killed me. My time was 51:31.
What were your thoughts when you crossed
the finish line?
I was happy I didn’t die! Seriously, I
think I had a whole range of thoughts. Happy to finished, frustrated with how
slow I was. I was determined to get fitter/faster.
What’s your next race?
12 Hour – The Nanny Goat 12 Hour in Riverside, CA. Timed races
are a lot of fun, there’s no pressure. Whatever you do, you do. You’re usually
on a loop course so you get to know the other runners. You get to see everyone, the fast/the slow
because they’ll either pass you on a loop or you’ll pass them.
What is your proudest running
accomplishment?
My proudest running accomplishment was
the Lovell Canyon Love Me Two Times Challenge in Las Vegas last year. The Love Me Two Times
Challenge has you pick one of their races on Saturday and another on Sunday.
They have everything from 10K to 100 Miles. I chose to do a half marathon both
days. It was my first back-to-back races and I wanted to run them smart. I
surprised myself, the first day, I got a 7 min PR and won my age group even
though I ran it “easy.” I was worried I’d run too hard to do well Sunday but I
felt great the next day and ended up getting another 7 min PR, going sub 2hr
for the first time in a half, AND winning the women’s race! My mom was there
and that made it more special.
Do you listen to music when you run?
Why or why not?
I listen to music probably 50% of the
time, mostly when I run early in the morning. Also on long runs because I can
focus on that instead of pain/tiredness.
What is the longest distance you have run?
45.6 mile at the New Year’s One Day
12 Hour in San Francisco.
Craziest thing you have found while
running?
I haven't found anything weird, just
always happy I find my way home. Especially on the trails. :)
Who is your favorite runner? Why?
I have 2. One is Desi Davila
because she has a lot of heart and she’s worked really hard to get to the level
she’s at. My other favorite is Megan Aborghast, an ultra-runner who is kicking
butt at 50 years old! It gives me hope, I have some fast running years ahead.
Who would win in a Ultra-marathon, Sherk or
Gumby?
Gumby would win because he has great
form. It’s almost like he glides along effortlessly. :) Heat might be a problem
for him though.
What is the address to your blog and what
is the one thing you would want my readers to know about your running
experiences.
The most important thing I've learned
with running is that the ONLY limits we have are those that we've placed on
ourselves. You CAN do more than you think you can. You CAN go farther than you
think you can. It just takes time and patience.
