Welcome to Meet a Mover Monday! Everyone has a story, and each week we will introduce you to one of our OpMovers so you can learn a little bit about theirs. We are all at different stages of our journeys, but we all started in the same place.
This week, say hi to Nikki (AKA Hex :D).
Who are you?
I’m Nikki, 36 years old, a wife, mother to three (8, 6 and 3), full time school teacher and live on the outskirts of Ballarat.
When did you start running and why?
I have always been fairly active playing team sports, however never really liked running. In 2010 I decided to enter the Run for the Kids. This was meant to get me motived to start running. With no prior training, I completed the 5.2km in 33:02 and then found out I was pregnant with my third, so the running didn’t continue. It was my sister in the end who really got me interested and I thought ‘if she can do it, then so can I’ (she won’t mind me saying that). In the last 12 months, alongside my two sisters (who are 12 and 10 years older than me) we have entered and ran the Run Melbourne 10km, City to Sea 14km, Run for the Kids 15km and the Run Melbourne Half. I think I can finally say that I am enjoying running.
Why do I run? In just over 12 months, running has helped me lose about 10kgs. My clothes are fitting better and I am feeling the fittest and strongest (thanks to CrossFit) than I have ever been in my adult life. Running gives me the opportunity to have some ‘time’ to myself and clear my head. Sometimes it is hard to get out there, but when you are done, it is the best feeling ever.
What is your favourite distance?
Mmm this is interesting as I have never run the same distance in an event more than once. Training wise, I’d have to say 6-8km because it is achievable and doesn’t take up too much time. I’m running my second half in October, so after that I might say my favourite distance is 21.1km.
Top 3 must have gear:
- Properly fitted shoes. Just because they work well for someone else doesn’t mean they are going to suit you. I ‘had’ to have a pair of Kayano’s. More so because I liked the look of them and everyone seemed to wear them. What I soon realised was that they are the wrong shoe for my foot and I can’t run in them, so now I have a very expensive pair of cool looking casual walking shoes.
- Good fitting pants with a draw string and a hat. There is nothing worse than having to constantly pull up your pants. I love my 2XU skins. My hair has a mind of its own at the best of times, so my Nike DriFit hat keeps it in check and the sweat off my face.
- Some form of ID on you when you run. I always have my phone on me but if I was to be found on the side of a road somewhere, no one would know who I am as my phone would be locked. This is why I wear a RoadID band on my wrist that has my name, where I am from, my husband’s mobile number and a friend’s mobile number. This way if I’m found, they have the numbers to ring.
Fave post run fuel?
Nothing really comes to mind – but it would usually involve coffee.
What do you listen to when you run?
I rarely listen to music when I run, but if I do, I listen to a random mix from the Rock My Run app on my phone.
Tech lover or naked runner?
Definitely Tech. If it’s not on strava, then I didn’t do it! I’m loving my Garmin Forerunner 220.
Words of wisdom to new runners?
At the start of the week, schedule in your runs. Think about when you are going to go, for how long you intend to run for and have your gear ready to remind you. I plan on fitting in a 30 minute run before I have to pick up the boys from after school care otherwise I just won’t get the chance. Or plan a run along a bike track where you can take your kids with you on their scooters or bikes. Lastly, check out the Operation Move crew on Facebook. They really are a good bunch of girls. Everyone is striving for towards their own goals, no one puts anyone down and everyone can share the highs and lows of day to day life, where getting out and moving is the common element to many of the friendships.
I wish I could…….
Run 5km’s in under 25 minutes.
I am most proud of…
Finishing my first half marathon with a time of 2:06. I aim to get that closer to 2hrs in October.
If you’d love to run further and faster, our next course is now open for registration! Take your running to the next level, make some great new friends and find out what you can really do when you try! Learn to Run Far & Fast with Operation Move.
Wow Nikki. I’m in awe of your ability to get out there and run with everything else that you do and with your family. The point you make about ID is a very good one!