Meet Runner and Fitness Extraordinaire - Nerissa Mata!

I've had the privilege of meeting some amazing people over the last few years. Some have been runners, fitness enthusiasts and mentors. All have been inspiring and I have had the great honor of calling them friends. Every Monday I plan on featuring an extraordinary runner who motivates me and who I know will motivate you and give you something to strive for. Their passions spark something in me and make me want to train harder, not only for myself, but also to not disappoint them. 

This week I want to introduce to you the amazing and ever so inspiring, Nerissa Mata. Hailing from Toronto, Ontario Canada, Nerissa is a true inspiration. Last year Nerissa, myself and three other girls, whose inspiring stories will be coming soon, were chosen to be the face of the Nike Women's Marathon for the Nike Women division. We were training ambassadors and had the unique situation where we trained for a race together, while living in different states and even countries. The power of social media was evident in our journeys. I learned so much training for this race with these ladies. I am so thankful I had the ability to meet Nerissa. 

Nerissa is a Health Information Technician in Toronto, but in between her day job, she finds the time to run and train to stay fit and healthy. Nerissa began running in 2011 and hasn't stopped. She began running when she read an article on fitsugar.com about adding in more cardio to your workout routines and running was an easy way she could do that and get out of the gym. 

I asked her about her running history and here is her story: 

How do you train?

Depending on time weekends and Mondays are my long distance runs with short runs Tuesday (sprints) Wed - Fri (short runs) mixed with tabata and NTC (strength training mode) and then whichever day I don't do a run on the weekend I devote to yoga or rest. 

Are you a part of a running group?

Not in a running group - was trying recently, but the schedules do not work for me.

Do you prefer running with a group or alone?

As I don't really have experience in running with a group I would say running alone is preferred for now...

• You can work out whenever you want and when it best fits your schedule. 

• You can skip the chitchat and focus on your breathing and inner thoughts. It's a great time to make mental to-do lists, brainstorm, or daydream about weekend plans. Going solo means it's really "me" time and as of recent I really need that.  

What is your favorite memory from running?

Getting to meet in person you, Renisha, Tiara and Elizabeth and Nike peeps at the 2012 Nike Women's Marathon and Half Marathon and running my first ever 1/2 marathon. 

She killed it by the way!

What race(s) is your favorite? Why? 

I only have the NWM 2012 under my belt so that will have to be my favorite - scenery and atmosphere was AMAZING.  I do 5K's here and there with @anywhere5K on twitter. 

What advice do you have for new runners? 

Start small, think big - Deciding to run a 5K in a month is doable with proper training.  Perhaps you can consider a 10K in 8 weeks, THEN a half marathon.  This not only gives you short-term goals, but also keeps your eyes on longer term (and longer distance) goals.

How do you use your blog/social media to influence your running? 

I've been really bad at updating my blog to be honest, but reading other running blogs and Facebook running groups has definitely motivated me to get out on days when I wasn't feeling it.  It's simply amazing how logging into any of those social media sites and seeing those running gifs/quotes turns your mood around.

How do you fit running in with your daily schedule, work, etc…?

My work is located right next to the beach and a huge park on the other side - so usually I hit those up on lunch break or after work 

Do you have any favorite running gear we should know about?
LUNARGLIDE+4 for long distance or newbies - the cushion support is like a marshmallow and the Relay Running Capri.

As you can tell, Nerissa is devoted to fitness and very inspiring. I am always amazed at how supportive she is on Twitter when I have a good or a bad day. If I need motivation she is always there to offer it. There are definitely big things in her future! If you have any questions or comments please leave them below!

You can follow Nerissa on her blog: http://ntclove.blogspot.ca/

Instagram: missfitriss

Twitter: @nerissa_ann

~Happy Training!

Turn Your Dreams into Reality

For dreams to come true you must write them down and never stop reaching towards them. You must constantly strive to find new ways to work harder and learn more. I started to implement this principle after reading Nike Global Yoga Ambassador Leah Kim's book, From Office Hell to Yoga Heaven, on how she became a yoga instructor sought worldwide and represents one of the biggest names in the athletic world, Nike.

Her book made me realize that I hadn't been writing down my dreams and I had only been thinking about them, keeping them hidden from the world. With the advance of social media, blogs, and youtube, you can write down almost anything and share it with the world. These resources have helped me seek out new opportunities and write down my goals and aspirations, effectively causing me to work hard to achieve success.

Today is another chance for me to share what has become of the goals I have written down and how I am working towards goals that are still to come true and setting new ones.

Completed Goals:

• Top 10 in the 2010 Nike Field Reporter Competition (so close to this dream!)
• Black Belt in Taekwondo
• 2012 Nike Women's Marathon Ambassador for Nike Women
• 2013 Athleta Sponsored Athlete
• Run Club Leader 
• Run Hood to Coast with Team Nuun Hydration (will complete in August)
• Nuun Ambassador, Fitfluential Ambassador, Sweat Pink Ambassador
• Work in social media
• Connect with Nike employees - met amazing Nike representatives at NWM 12 and via Twitter I was able to speak with a Nike Digital Recruiter. 
• Run a sub 2-hour half marathon (1:53!)

Current Goals:

• Become part of a Crew for Nike and represent them at Nike Women's Marathon SF 2013
• I am inspired by the NWM Runway Crew, SF Runway Crew and SheRunsLA Crew
• Work for Nike in event planning, social media, or Nike Women
• Participate in a Nike Running photoshoot
• Run a 3:45 Marathon (Follow-up goal, qualify for Boston Marathon!)
• Complete a race in Europe and Australia
• Run for a cause - I want to run for Crohn's disease, which is an illness my sister fights everyday

As you can see, the majority of my goals are athletic related. I am a very fitness oriented person and running allows me to express myself everyday. If I could turn this love of running and motivating others into a career, or even an insanely fun hobby, I would do it in a heartbeat.

These are the goals I am working towards this year. I'll keep you updated on my progress and if you have any ideas to help me reach them I welcome your advice, assistance and mentorship!

~Karen

Social Running

Running is a sport that has grown over the last 50 years. It has been and always will be a sport that welcomes anyone and everyone. It is a non-judgmental sport that allows for constant improvement. Recently, running has become incredibly social with the growth of social media. Personally, I have become more of a runner due to the support I have gotten from other runners around the world. I have friends I compete with in England, Canada and Australia. Whether I am having a good day, a bad day, a great run or a slow day, I can always look to my Twitter and Instagram followers for support. 

Today I went for a run with my boss, yes she is that cool! Running has definitely given my boss and I common ground to bond with. It's a relationship builder. After my run I posted a picture to Twitter and Instagram, and got cheers for my efforts. I love receiving feedback from the Nike Running team or from my friends after my runs. It is so motivational. I know that my social friends will always be there to motivate and inspire me. Plus, I'm very competitive and having friends that can challenge me to push myself further is great!

Today, Robin Arzon, the creator of the blog Shut Up and Run and a panel of influential runners and social media guru's from companies such as Nike Running, Google, Runner's World and tech companies, held a discussion on the implications of running and the social sphere. It was an amazing event that showed how running has evolved into more than just a solitary sport and into a movement. You can watch the replay of the event here. 

Social tech products such as the Nike+ Fuelband, Nike Running App, Nike GPS Sportwatch or Nike+ Missions Game all have been game changers in the world of sports. How I make it count everyday is measured by my different tech devices. When I'm having a tough day or not feeling like getting out there I look to my social friends to pick me up and push me out the door. One of my favorite tools is the Nike+ Fuelband because I can set my goal and then have to push myself each day to reach it, no matter what. Running is the best way that I earn NikeFuel.

My run crew is social, it is the group I ran my second marathon with in San Francisco when we were ambassadors for Nike Women together. We are #sistersinnike and we motivate and empower each other everyday to succeed. The power of a group of people, a crew, is incredible and together we have achieved great things. All of us have improved our running pace and our friendships through running together. Social media has given us the ability to run virtually together and cheer each other on from afar. 

Social media is constantly changing and in the running world it is becoming a movement. New crews are popping up everyday and there are networks around the world to motivate and inspire. I have jumped on the social running train and am learning more everyday. 

How are your using the social world to enhance your running? Are you in need of some inspiration? Follow me on Twitter @superwomankw and let's join the movement together! 

Positive Social Media

I have been realizing lately how much social media can affect and influence my daily life. I spend quite a bit of time interacting with friends and acquaintances on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, etc. For me it is a great motivational tool and has put me in touch with a huge base of friends that share the same interests and likes that I do.

Opportunities to meet fitness experts, interact with Nike and other fitness brands, and get motivation are endless. When used correctly social media is an amazing tool to motivate, inspire and educate yourself on the world around you and prepare yourself for your career. It creates a window into the lives of experts in their field that you would not be able to see if social media was not around. I learn new things every day.

Sometimes social media can be distracting or take too much time, but like most things in life you have to take the good with the bad. Overall, I am grateful for the opportunities and knowledge that social media has given to me. I hope I can inspire someone else and reach a larger audience through these outlets. What social media channels are your favorites and who are some great fitness experts that you follow? I'd love to hear from you!