I recently sat down with Tonja and talked with her about being a new mom and what her future holds as far as motherhood and trail running. I found Tonja to be completely enamored with her new life as a mother and also discovered that she is focused on attaining some challening goals. What follows is her profile and then her interview.
PROFILE OF RUNNER:
A. Name, age, city
and state, how long lived there?
Tonja Marie
Chagaris
39 years old
Tucson, AZ 21 years
B. Place of birth,
where did you grow up, high school, college, military, other?
PHX AZ, grew up in
Bagdad, AZ and Grants New Mexico.
I went to high school in Grants New
Mexico. I then went to Cosmetology school in Tucson to become a hair
stylist
C. Other than
running – hobbies, interests, pets, kids, current employment?
Gabriel my seven
month old son, health and the human body, we have two dogs (Cade and Layla). I
currently own a hair salon.
D. Favorite
distance to run or race on trail and on the road?
On the trail I like
50 Milers and on the road I like the half marathon distance.
E. Favorite race
course or event?
Avalon 50 miler on Catalina Island
F. Favorite Tucson
area trail to train, run, hike?
Sabino Canyon trails to run and
Mt Wrightson to Train
G. Favorite
vacation destination?
Anywhere there is
mountains and water.
H. Favorite
post-race/run food, drink and activity, ie. hot tub, ice cold river soak, etc?
Sleep and then eat
cold food.
I. Pet Peeves?
Not having my chapstick
or gum while running
J. Current book you
are reading or favorite author?
Favorite Author at
the moment is James Patterson and I'm reading one of those books that you’re
not supposed to tell anyone…..by EL James.
K. Favorite quote
or saying to live by?
Always looking
forward to the next adventure
L. Person you look
up to, emulate, hero?
My husband for his
patience and his ability to think things through. Julie for her relentless
drive and stamina and my mother.
M. What has been
your worst running injury?
A bulged disc in my back
N. If you could no
longer run or lost the use of your legs what sport or activity would you
pursue?
Arm cycling
Interview
TA: Well, we both have the day off from work so
it’s nice to come over in the middle of the afternoon to talk about your trail
experience.
Tonja: Yes, thanks, it should be fun.
TA: Let’s get started. How did you first get
involved in trail running?
Tonja: Actually, through Alli and Trish, your wife.
I met them through the Hash House Harriers. I did a few half-marathons and
marathons and then Crown King 50K. I hadn’t really run that much on the trail
before I went out and did Crown King.
TA: So that was also your first ultra as well?
Were you athletic as a child and into your early twenties?
Tonja: Yeah, I kind of just jumped into Crown King
and fell in love with the sport. I never did sports as a kid. I just ran. I was
grounded a lot so I was only allowed to run. I picked up running from my
mother. She made me run because I was chubby.
