Meet the R4R Runners #2

Lili Mooney

Welcome to the second edition of Meet the ‘R4R Runners’ where we get to meet Lili Mooney. Lili has been a Wednesday regular for ages and is a constant reminder of how much better I could be at running.

Lili has been a great advocate for R4R in spreading the message of resilience and we were lucky enough that she found time in her schedule to represent R4R on ABC Radio.

Lili is the current Female R4R Gift Champion and R4R is better for having her in attendance. So without further ado, please meet Lili Mooney.

What is your name?

Lili 

Where are you from?

Canberra 

Have you always lived in Canberra?

Born n’ Bred 

How did you first hear about R4R?

From Ben Alexander- He had talked to me about it at Parkrun and I also saw his Strava posts. 

When did you first attend a R4R?

End of May 2020 

What keeps you coming back to R4R?

R4R combines two of my favourite things- Running and social running :D

I love the informal nature of R4R and the community that has formed and grown overtime. There is no pressure to run at a certain pace, you just know that every Wednesday at 6pm you can turn up to the Dock and there will be a group of people there ready to welcome and support you. 

Do you have a R4R Personal Best? If not, what’s your 5km PB?

I usually like to keep R4R a social, talking run, so my 5k PB is 18:52. (Ben A, I’m coming for you!) 

Do you prefer the winter R4Rs or the Summer R4Rs?

Summer for sure - Going through Winter builds the resilience and then you reap the rewards with warm summer nights, enjoying a drink at the Dock after the run. 

Do you prefer Friday or Wednesday R4R? or in other words… Do you prefer beer or coffee?

I absolutely love a sunrise run, however the Wednesday evening run is a really great way to break up my working week, catch up with friends and have a laugh after getting a bit of exercise in.    

If you could go for a 3km/6km walk or run with 3 people alive or dead, who would you choose and why?

1. My Grandad - Bing (Passed away in 2012) 

2. Kim Kardashian - Had to. I’ve been keeping up for 13 years and would give up my best pair of runners to meet her! 

3. Cathy Freeman - I still get goosebumps watching that 400m final at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Super inspiring and interesting person. 

What does resilience mean to you?

To me, being resilient means being able to bounce back from the curveballs that life throws at you. Being able to learn and grow from tough situations and continue to move forward in your life. 

Is there a time in your life where you’ve had to rely on your ability to be resilient?

I suffered from an Eating Disorder through all my teenage years and into early adulthood. There were definitely some very dark periods throughout those years and continue to be some flat days, but I try very hard every day to choose to ‘Just keep moving’ and focus on my ‘why’. 

If you could say one thing to someone going through something tough at the moment, what would it be?

There is light at the end of the tunnel! 

I used to believe that everyone else was perfect, and I was the only one who’s ‘life was a mess’ (quote from a dramatic teenage me). Reality is that everyone goes through tough times, whether that be days, months, or years, and that’s just life. The key is to not let these setbacks become major problems in your life. Focus on the little things that make you smile, know that you are not alone in whatever you may be going through and asking for help doesn’t make you weak. (Also come to the Dock at 6pm on a Wednesday. It’s definitely not just for ‘runners’ and guaranteed there will be someone there who is willing to listen to you, or if you are not up to talking, there will be someone there able to distract you and take you out of your own head for a while.) 

In the 2022 edition of the R4R Gift, who will win the coveted Clydesdale award 100kg and above? Jonesy, Benny A, or other?

Benny A for the back to back champion!

Thanks, Lili!