Mirna’s transformation into a long-distance runner happened slowly. It started with doing a mile at a time and then eventually she worked her way up to a 5-kilometer race. Then a 10K, which led to a half marathon, which led to her first marathon in 2011.
Mirna started her blog in 2011, Fat Girl Running while training for this marathon as a way to share stories with her friends and family. The blog is about being an active larger girl in a thinner world via the individual yet universal sport of running.
Mirna, uses the blog to write about her training routines, race experiences and obstacles that she faces as "an active larger girl in a thinner world.” Her personal accounts have helped her become a source of inspiration for other female athletes. "People took comfort in the fact that I was experiencing the same things that they were but I was still out there running. It didn't stop me.”
As her story grew, so did her running goals. Marathons turned into ultra-marathons. The longest race she has run so far is 100K; that's 62 miles. And she's not looking to slow down anytime soon. Mirna, continues to challenge stereotypes and inspires others to do the same.
Mirna’s ultimate running goal, is the Trans Rockies Race, which is a multi-stage, 6-day, 120-mile run through the Rocky Mountains!
"I think most people who are my size and in athletic pursuit, we exude something different. There is a joy in what we do and we love to spread that joy to other people. Especially if it motivates them and inspires them to be athletes."
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Show notes
Being based in the North Georgia Mountains
Preparing to move house back to New Jersey
Growing up in NYC
Being known as - Fat Girl Running & the Mirnavator
Blogging about being a larger women who runs
Representing plus sized women in athletics
Being sporty as a child
Why she started running in high school
Why she loves running
Making transitions from high school to college and from college to work
Having her son and how it changed her life
Being discouraged from sports by the adults in her life
Going after her first marathon
Starting the blog and wanting to share her adventures with her friends and family
Not wanting to focus on weightless
Training for the marathon while blogging
Dealing with a fractured ankle
Getting hooked on running and wanting to do more marathons
Dealing with the physical pain while running
Dealing with criticism about her size
Deciding to go after her first ultra marathon in 2012
What her training looks like
Working with a coach
Being invited to run at the Boston Marathon
Speed work!
Her mantra - “small steps - big distance”
The Boston Marathon - Taking it in 2 mile chunks
Fuelling her long runs and working on her nutrition
Dealing with chaffing
How her running has impacted on her friends and family
Spending time in Portugal doing a trail race
Dealing with a DNF
Dealign with the pressure of being a public figure while out running
Wanting to run a stage race in Colorado! The Trans Rockies Race
Saying yes to new opportunities
What’s she’s learnt from running these races and distances
Advice for other women
Why you should buy her book - A Beautiful Work in Progress
Social Media
Blog - Fat Girl Running
Instagram @TheMirnavator
Facebook - @Mirna.Valerio
Facebook - Mirna Valerio - The Mirnavator
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