Meet a Mover Monday - Cassie

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 Cassie.

Who are you?

Cassie, aka The Flying Drunken Monkey. A newbie runner, mother of 2, wife of a never-home chef, blog writer, anxiety sufferer, housework procrastinator.

When did you start running and why?

I originally started running just after my daughter Lily turned one. I downloaded the Ease into 5k app, purchased some runners and went for it. I think I got up to about week 3 before I gave up. Then I got pregnant again, was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes, and knew I’d have to start doing some sort of exercise. I’ve always wanted to be the type of person that just “pops out for a run”, even though I’ve never been remotely athletic. I was sort of person who came last in all the athletic carnivals and cross countries and didn’t even attend the swimming carnivals if it wasn’t compulsory.

So at the very end of January this year I dusted off my shoes, re-downloaded the app and tried again. Originally I was driving to Sydney Park to run but eventually I decided to give running around my local streets a go. It’s not ideal (the footpaths are pretty shocking!) but it’s much easier as I have to run in the morning before Mr Monkey goes to work.

What is your favourite distance?

Any that doesn’t make me feel like I’m dying! At the moment I’m doing around 4-6km on a tempo or long run (as part of the Fast and Far course) and it’s not too bad, if everything is going well.

Top 3 must have gear

1. Good shoes – I wear ASICs
2. Good music – I can’t bear to think while I’m running or I give up!
3. Good tech – I’d love a Garmin watch but for the moment I’m loving my iPhone and Strava and Runkeeper

Fave post run fuel?

Coffee and carbs!

What do you listen to when you run?

I have a playlist set up with songs that match the BPM for my pace. I need to change the songs as I’m getting a bit faster but at the moment there is a mix of Basement Jaxx, Lily Allen, Robyn, Michael Buble, Michael Franti and Spearhead, The Beach Boys, Linkin Park, Black Eyed Peas, Crowded House, Coldplay and John Butler Trio. Fairly eclectic!

Tech lover or naked runner?

Tech, tech and more tech! Seriously, I love seeing how much my pace improves and Lily loves to see the map of where I ran.

Words of wisdom to new runners?

Don’t compare yourself to others! It’s hard not to and I struggle with it a lot but you really need to just focus on yourself and what you’re achieving. I’m in awe of Zoey and her marathon running, which can sometimes make my 4km at

7:50min/km seem SO slow! But I need to remember that only at the beginning of this year I could barely run for 60 seconds straight, let alone 4km!

I am most proud of…

Running the Cooks River Fun Run 5km back in June even though I hadn’t recovered from tonsillitis and hadn’t run in about 3 weeks. Sure I walked more than I ran and I came last at 43 minutes but I finished it. Ever since then Lily’s favourite game is “running races” so I know I’m a great role model for her and I couldn’t be prouder.

Comments

Treacy says

September 29, 2014 at 10:52 am

*applause*

Emily says

September 29, 2014 at 12:19 pm

Yay! How brilliant, what a great role model (in both moving & music tastes!).

x

Me says

September 29, 2014 at 12:44 pm

Lily couldn’t wish for a better role model – good on you !!!
Have a fantastic week !
Me xox