Karen - The Cosplay Runner

I tend to listen to podcasts on pretty much every car journey I make now as I can gear the subjects to my own personal interests, Films, Geek News and Trivia, as oppose to the dreadful pop and rap that adorns the airwaves.

Good Job Brain! is weekly trivia/quiz podcast hosted by Karen, Chris, Colin and Dana.  Each week they choose a random topic to focus quizzes and offbeat trivia around and it is definitely one show I enjoy stretching the brain muscles to on any car journey.

Karen has mentioned on a "few" occasions that she is an avid runner and a master of cosplay, so I thought I would send a few questions her way to try to get into the mind of a runner who enjoys dressing up.  Even thinking about running 5 mile dressed as a banana makes me sweat and panic, but Karen has adorned some fantastic outfits (some of them completely impractical), ran in multiple events and is currently ticking off 50 marathons in 50 states.

"I think the key point is, I'm very different and don't "train", I just sign up for a bunch of races each week or do dumb running challenges with my friends like Beer Mile" - Karen

1) Every story has a beginning, what first inspired you to start running?
Didn't want to pay for a gym

2) What do you find most rewarding about running, especially longer distances?
Mmmmm.  What's rewarding is getting other people who don't run to try running.  One of the reasons I dress up is to make light and fun at a race for other runners and spectators.  If they see that someone can run a race and have fun while in a giant churro costume, maybe it'll make them think, "If that person can run in that, I should be able to run too"

3) What tech/gear/apps do you use whilst running?
Spotify, Garmin 220

4) What do you think about whilst you are out pounding the pavement (sidewalk)?
Script and quiz ideas for Good Job, Brain. Multi-tasking is my life because there are not enough hours in the day to do all the things I want to do

5) How do you balance family, work and training?
Hahhaahhaahhahahahahaha

6) What is your training regime? How many times a week do you train?
I maybe run at least once during the work week and I have at least one race every weekend.  Sometimes multiple races over the weekend.  I guess the races count as my training, it keeps me accountable (because I paid)

7) What are your fastest 5k, 10k, Half and Full Marathon times?
I don't really run races for time and I've ran soo many races so I'm not really sure.  Off the top of my head, 5K is maybe 28, 10k is like 58, half is 2:05 and full is 4:45

8) You have taken part in many different races and events, which ones stand out above the rest and why?
Bay to Breakers, most definitely.  So many old dude penises, and getting your face hit by flying tortillas

(Pondo - I had to look this one up as this answer raised far too many questions.  The Bay to Breakers race is well known for costumes and various displays of public nudity)




9) You are challenging yourself to running 50 marathons in 50 States, how are you finding this, and what inspired you to take on such a massive challenge?
I treat it like getting Xbox Achievements and want to "collect" each state as a challenge.  The 50 State Challenge is a pretty well-known thing in the marathon community, and I just think it's a good way to see the rest of the country

10) Where did you complete your first marathon? Do you remember how you felt when you crossed the finish line?
San Francisco Marathon 2012.  Wow, I don't even really remember.  I think I was just extremely hungry and wanted to eat all the King's Hawaiian bread they were giving out.  I usually don't feel very emotional when I cross.

11) I cannot imaging how difficult it is to run any distance dressed as a banana, but you run races in varying Cosplay and seemingly enjoy every moment .  What was your first outfit? Favourite outfit? Most Challenging?
First outfit was Russel from Up
Favourite has to be my homemade churro suit
Most Challenging outfit to make was definitely the EL wire light-up Tron costume but the most challenging outfit to run in was probably Fix-It Felix because I wore jeans running a half marathon.

Karen's outfits can be seen in all their glory on her website 

12) I am planning to run my first marathon next year, have you ran in any different countries? If so, do you feel that the climate/atmosphere has an effect on your run?
I think I might run the Disneyland Paris half next year.  Just the different State here differ so much in conditions,.  Tough Mudder Tahoe was really hard because of the elevation, and Florida is always the worst in humidity.

Quick Fire Questions
1) Listen to music or alone with your thoughts? MUSIC
2) Hills on purpose or stick to flats? San Francisco is hilly, so I just go wherever
3) If it is raining, do you brave it or wait till it stops? We are in a drought :)
4) Energy Gel, Banana or other? Pizza
5) Fill in the blank, "Running is ______ " BORING (so make it fun by being silly)
6) What is next for you? The famous Marine Corps Marathon

If you could offer any advice to every runner, what would it be?
Don't take everything too seriously!
This is an awesome article explaining why I do what I do:Why We All Need To Take A Page from the Costume Runner Playbook

Thank you Karen for your time with this interview and good luck with all your upcoming races and events.  I look forward to the increasing madness of the outfits. 

Don't forget to check out Good Job, Brain! 

Karen's Twitter: @momopeche
Karen's Running Costumes: http://www.myrunningcostumes.com/

Good Job Brain: http://www.goodjobbrain.com/

Find the podcast on:
Itunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/goodjobbrain/id507938401)
Stitcher: (http://app.stitcher.com/browse/feed/23297)
Soundcloud: (https://soundcloud.com/goodjobbrain)