Newspaper interview - blogger profile

As many of you know, I write a blog for the Albany newspaper on running.  I was interviewed last week - here it is!

• Blogger Mary Katherine Ibbetson in Colonie,NY Friday April 8,2011. ( Michael P. Farrell/Times Union ) Blogger Mary Katherine Ibbetson in Colonie,NY Friday April 8,2011....

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Age: 42

Born and raised? Larchmont, Westchester County

Where do you live? Selkirk

Family? My husband, best friend and number one running buddy, Joe, and my daughters, Nikki and Cassie.

Blog: http://blog.timesunion.com/running/

Web site: http://www.becausemarysaysso.com and I have a 'Because Mary Says So' page on Facebook that I update with my exercise of the day.

What does 'Because Mary Says So' mean: I am bossy, duh. I encourage other cancer survivors to exercise daily and sometimes I push them... a little. I tell them if I can do it, they can do it. I like to think I motivate them but maybe I am just bossy.

Education? BS, Human Development from Empire State College, and certified personal trainer, AFAA

Work: Chief Operating Officer, Lavelle & Finn, LLP, in Latham

What do you do when you're not blogging? Run, work, spend time with my friends and family, eat, serve as Big Brothers Big Sisters board member, run two local survivor exercise programs -- Well On Our Way at the Cicotti Center in Colonie, and Moving On at the Bethlehem YMCA, coach survivor division of No Boundaries 5k training program, run some more... oh and go on vacation as often as possible.

What's the best thing about blogging? I love to write.

What's the worst thing about blogging? Feeling like I am boring people.

Have you been recognized as a blogger? Yep -- at the No Boundaries 5k training program (Hi, Harper!).

You were diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago? I was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in June of 2008. Talk about scary! There I was minding my own business - happy, healthy and strong and then "BAM! I'm sick?!" It was scary (still is) but I am blessed with a loving family, wonderful friends, a supportive work family and the ability to run away sometimes. Now I try to, along with taking care of my own health and fitness, give other local cancer survivors support, courage and motivation to take control of a seemingly very un-controlable situation - Why? Because MARY says so!

What started your interest in running? Ironically, I started running after a breast cancer scare in my 30s. I wanted to do everything I could to avoid getting breast cancer. Oh well.

You recently wrote "Research shows that breast cancer survivors who exercise regularly and intensely are less likely to recur and more likely to survive." So that's your motivation? Yes, In part. I want to do everything I can to avoid recurrence but it is also my stress relief, my social life and my diet!

Whose blog would you love to read? My dad, Sandy Gross. He was a great writer but, like most people, he didn't get to do it for fun very often. Before he died in 2009, he tape recorded his life story.

What upcoming local races will you be running? Freihofer's Run for Women, the Corporate Challenge, the Father's Day 5K at The Crossings, and maybe the Hudson-Mohawk Marathon, if I don't get into the New York City Marathon lottery.

Longest run on the treadmill: Four boring miles.

Worst thing about running: Toenails

Best thing about running: Calves

How many miles do you average per week? When I'm training, 25-35. Currently, 10-20.

How many days each week do you run? Three to six.

Favorite quote? "Have the courage to live. Anyone can die." Robert Cody

What book or books are you reading? I have a Kindle and love it... but I am currently reading the American College of Sports Medicine textbooks. I'm adding ACSM certification to my repertoire.

What's most played on your iPod? I listen to loud, explicit rap music when I run so mostly "@#$%%^"

Favorite movie? As my husband will tell you, I don't have a long enough attention span to watch a movie.

Favorite dinner? Honestly, I love salad. Especially when my husband makes it. Weird, I know.

Favorite article of clothes? My skinny jeans when they fit, my sweatpants when they don't.

Favorite place to get away from it all? A running trail with my iPod, where I can't get lost.

Coffee or tea? Coffee

Favorite ice cream? Yes

Favorite late-night snack? Popcorn, but I am currently on sabbatical.

Your hero? My husband

Blog: http://blog.timesunion.com/running/

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/living/article/Blogger-profile-Mary-Katherine-Ibbetson-1341193.php#ixzz1JsbvYawq