Next up on our A-to-Z feature is none other than one of the most bubbly and charismatic crew of RD – Livia!

Livia, a mother of two, is an experienced pacer with RD. Despite having to chase after her cheeky toddler Zachary and doting on baby Eleanor (congrats Livia & Hokito on the new arrival of princess Eleanor just after the lunar new year! ), she still finds time for her runs!

We are seriously in awe of her wonder-woman capabilities. Running a marathon is difficult enough but raising up your own children is a different race altogether – a marathon with no finish line! But Livia shows us that it is definitely possible to achieve balance in life as a mother runner. We also guess that a lot of her motivation comes in the form of have a solid support system – her spouse, Hokito, who is also one of RD’s very friendly and equally as bubbly crew.

Livia & her better half, Hokito.
📷 : Running Department 

Nothing shouts girl power more than mother runners like Livia and we are so lucky to have someone like her around to empower our community. Livia is always smiling and motherhood hasn’t slowed her down one bit — keep on being that sunshine girl you are Livia!

Read on and be inspired by Livia! 

RD: When did you first join Running Department and what do you love about this community?

Livia: I think around 3 years back? I love RD because it is a very supportive community. Everybody is so generous with their care and encouragement. I feel comfortable, it is a non-competitive community and everyone takes care of each other really well. And RD sngbaos are super shiok!

RD: You have paced for many RD events before. Why do you pace and what keeps you motivated as a pacer?

Livia: I completed my first marathon with the help of RD pacers and that made me want to pace too. Pacing is challenging because of the consistency expected from you: in your trainings, in your pace throughout the distance and in sharing that endless positive energy. Completing that challenge is rewarding and that’s what keeps me motivated.

RD: This is totally unrelated to running, but please share with us some of the best moments as a mother ever since you had Zachary.

Livia: When I open the front door returning from work and he gives me his biggest smiles and hugs. I look forward to that every day.

Livia with smiley Zachary.
📷: Livia 

RD: How would you describe yourself in one sentence?

Livia: I am a simple girl who loves making people around me happy and I am lucky to be surrounded by awesome friends and family.

RD: Between being a mother and a runner, which do you find more challenging and why?

Livia: Of course being a mother! You can choose to skip your run and rest a little longer when you are feeling lethargic. There is no such option with motherhood. No matter how tired, there are diapers to change, mouths to feed, and there is that kid who just wants to run around the house and you need to watch over him before he wrecks the house and potentially hurts himself. You may miss your run and do a make up later, but you cannot turn back time when you miss your child’s milestones.

But you know what’s even more challenging? Being a mother runner. Sticking to your training schedule as a mother means you are most likely not sleeping enough and that’s why I do not run as much now because I just want my sleep thanks! So I really do have massive respect for mother runners.

RD: Among all of the runs/ races held in Singapore every year, which is your favourite?

Livia: Great Eastern Women’s Run. The atmosphere is always great, the racepack is always loaded with sponsor sample products, and it is empowering to see women achieving their goals. Plus, I love to see their partners and family members cheering these ladies throughout the race and waiting at the finish lines. I guess that was why I chose GEWR as my first pacing assignment.

Livia with her teammates from GEWR 2016. 📷 : Running Department