I love Mondays because it means I get to feature another fabulous blogger! Today please join me in welcoming Maureen from Mo Runs Marathons.

Name: Maureen

Blog: http://www.morunsmarathons.com

When did you first start blogging and why?

I started blogging in the fall of 2012 as a way to track my training to hold myself accountable as well as to connect with the running community. I had just started reading some other running blogs and thought it was a fun way to get involved!

 

What is your most helpful blogging tip?

I think the most important thing about blogging is to be true to yourself! Don’t try to do things on your blog just because you see others doing the same and don’t compare yourself with others. When you are passionate about something it shines through your writing and that will be what inspires readers 🙂

 

What is your favorite fitness activity?

My favorite fitness activity is by far running, but I also love a good sweat in spin or pilates class. Last year after some knee troubles I started getting more serious about strength training and found that to be surprisingly fun too!

 

What motivates you?

There are so many things that motivate me. The strength I gain from running, the sense of accomplishment in being able to see my progress, other runners (and running blogs!), and now, my son who is almost 7 months old. I want to be a good role model for him and show him that being active can be fun and that you can achieve the big scary goals that you set out for yourself.

 

What has fitness changed about your life?

Fitness has changed my life by giving me an outlet. I work in a very stressful job and working out allows me to release that stress so that it doesn’t interfere with my life! Also I have struggled consistently with having confidence in myself. Fitness has allowed me to find that much needed self-confidence! Fitness is not only a way to get physically strong. It makes you mentally strong as well, and I am eternally grateful for my body allowing me to participate in the activities that I love.

 

What is your favorite pump up song?

Can’t go wrong with Rage Against the Machine’s Killing in the Name of…. but I also love Can’t Hold Us by Macklemore! Anything with a great beat (and possibly cheesy lyrics).

 

What is your favorite running distance?

I absolutely crave challenge so right now for me that is the half marathon. I love that you have to train for it and you really need to push yourself to complete it. I can’t wait until the big 26.2 is the answer to this question for me 🙂

 

What is your favorite motivational quote/mantra?

Whenever I really need to push myself or if I’m in pain during a run I repeat “This is how you get better” to remind myself that I won’t get better by taking it easy.

 

What is your favorite piece of running/fitness gear?

Right now with a 7 month old my favorite piece of running ‘gear’ is the treadmill I was luckily enough to receive from my husband for Christmas! Thank goodness for nap time.

 

What is your favorite “treat”?

Chocolate. Ice cream. Chocolate. Reality TV. Chocolate. Swedish Fish. Oh and I really like chocolate, too!

 

What is a long term running or fitness goal you have for yourself?

I have a few really BIG goals and I could not be more excited for them. They are very long term, but they’re going to happen. I will qualify for the Boston Marathon, hopefully in 2015 to compete in 2016. I will to break 1:30 in the half marathon. I want to complete an Ironman Triathlon, and I would really like to become a certified running coach. I love talking to people about running and helping them to create and achieve their goals!

 

Tell us something unique about yourself.

I grew up without ever learning how to swim. When I was in college I signed up for an Olympic distance triathlon through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program and was able to go from not being able to tread water at the first practice to completing the swim portion at the race, and I wasn’t the last person out of the water! That was my only goal for that race and it was the greatest feeling of achievement!

 

If you could give one piece of advice to someone who is starting out running, what would it be?

Be patient with yourself, and give it a chance. Running is something that should be enjoyable, challenging, and should make you feel good. In the beginning it’s just downright hard, which I’m seeing coming back from having a baby. If you allow it to make you feel bad about yourself that defeats the purpose. Focus on fun and you’ll be amazed at the progress you make!

 

How do you find/make time to train?

This is a tricky one and something I am really working on. Right now I am constrained to running during naptime, but am looking into a jogging stroller and will also begin to use the gym at work to get my training runs in.

 

What’s an accomplishment you are most proud of?

My greatest accomplishment in running has been breaking 2 hours in the half marathon. It was a goal I have had for a long time and the circumstances for the race weren’t the greatest. I had the flu, and was also in the early stages of pregnancy but didn’t know it yet so I wasn’t feel great and it would’ve been really easy for me to give up. I held on and was able to come in right under 2 hours! Now onto the next goal.

 

Head over to Maureen’s blog and check it out! You can also find her on Twitter.

If you would like to be featured in the Bloggers on the Run feature – please go here..