July Runner of the Month | Mona Sepulveda
When and why did you start running? I trained for my first 5K in the summer of 1999. Everyone was doing it! All 1,000 or so of us at the Surface Warfare Officers School Command that is. I remember being completely freaked out and hopping on the treadmill for 23 minutes max at a time. I was unsure how anyone could keep running for longer than that at once. This was many, many moons before I learned about interval and tempo runs. Prior to this, I had only run for 1.5 miles at a time at most. Every semester for the fours years before this race, we'd have to do a physical fitness test and I remember 'cramming' for them by running a few miles two months before the tests. The Marine Corps midshipmen, on the other hand, were hardcore. They'd train and regularly do a whole THREE miles. Boy, was I sure glad I was in the Navy instead. Hahaha!
First race? Surface Navy Association (SNA) 5K by the Bay (Newport, RI) (summer 1999)
Most recent race? Virtual Marine Corps Historic Half (May 14, 2020) - I met up with my brother and his buddies for his birthday at White Rock Lake. They went around the lake once for about 9 miles. I had four more to go when we were all done. Those last four solo miles were killer in the hot 11 a.m. sun. For the nine miles, we did plenty of walking and took lots of rest breaks. Overall, I enjoyed the company and running with others since all live races were cancelled due to the pandemic.
Favorite piece of gear? Run capris with pockets so I can carry my phone with my MapMyRun app. I got a Forerunner 235 almost two years ago to train for my first marathon and still don't use it. Jeanette Caballero-Bell keeps promising to do a Tech 101 tutorial with me. Truthfully though, I like to keep it simple and enjoyable. I truly am a recreational vs competitive runner.
What shoes do you run in? I'm a Brooks Babe at heart, but my latest running shoe is New Balance. I can't tell you what model. I'm not that fancy.canceled
Favorite way to cross-train?
Lately, Camp Gladiator. No two workouts are ever the same! So, it keeps my body guessing but most importantly, it gives me the strength training I so desperately need. When I was semi-injured with a gimpy hip flexor last year, I did some swimming. That was fun. I enjoy variety though and hike and do gym classes like piyo and HIT when they fit into my schedule.
Best running memory? There have been many highlights like crossing the finish line at the 2019 Irving Marathon, getting a 10K PR in no joke SNOW at the 2019 Hotcake Hustle and meeting the run god, Meb Keflezighi.
Bucket List Race?
NYC Marathon of course
What is your favorite race so far?
Double Half Marathon Weekend (Sep 2019) I did the Tour de Fleurs half on Saturday and the Plano Balloon Half the following day. This is my favorite, one of a kind "race series" because it seriously almost did not happen due to semi-injury. I did A LOT of stretching before, during and after this weekend which helped tremendously. I also jumped in the pool a few times a week for two months to keep my cardio mojo strong. Plus, it’s what Meb would do
Do you have a favorite distance?
10K for sure. Every year, I run a 10K during my birthday week in January with the goal of beating my time from the previous year.
What is something that most people do not know about you? My legal name is Araceli. What? Who’s Mona? Mona means doll in Spanish and my mom started calling me that when I was two years old. It stuck. From kinder to fourth grade, I hated the way my teachers pronounced Araceli, so when I changed schools in the fifth grade, I asked my teacher and all the ones after that to call me Mona. Favorite tune to rock out to while running? I like to be fully aware of my thoughts and surroundings when I run so no music for me. I come up with some pretty neat stuff in my head. Most recently, I came up with an outline for some long overdue feedback for work, so when I finally sat down to write it, it flowed naturally.
Best part about running?
Endorphins and minimal equipment. Just lace up and go! You can go as fast or slow as you want for as long or as short a time as you need. Whenever I’m having a crappy day or week, I run it out and feel so much better afterwards.
Who inspires you? Great cooks. Someone who’s figured out how to put nutritious meals on the table for themselves and their families on most days using real food while still finding time to work and workout. I have been a work in progress in this area for so long. You should join my FB group – Simply Delicious with Mona & Friends – to inspire me.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Nutrition. I rate myself about a 6.5. Okay, I’ll round that up to 7.
Any words of advice?
Do you. Your biggest competitor is yourself. Strive to be better than what you were before. I like my little January 10K challenge and will throw a huge party when I crush the hour mark. You are all invited!
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