Read More

Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices Shop Outdoor Voices

1

HomeRecreationPhysical Enjoyment

P.E. with Anya Kosova: Running

hero-image

For the joy of running, The Recreationalist presents P.E.: Physical Enjoyment with Anya Kosova.

Anya Kosova grew up in Russia. After a four-year stint in Bali to explore her passion for surfing, she eventually settled in Santa Monica, California. For Anya, the coastal city had it all — oceans for surfing, plenty of hills to run, and a university where she could start her studies. 

Most days, she starts her run from home, ending the ritual with a coffee at Blue Bottle. We sat down with Anya to talk recreation, advice, and the great outdoors.

by Caitlin Rounds

We heard that you surf. How did you learn?

Several of my friends moved to Bali and became surf coaches, they encouraged me to try it. I went to Bali for the first time in 2010, and tried it out. It was super cool. So, since then, I’ve traveled every year for two weeks each summer to surf. Eventually 2 weeks every summer wasn’t enough, so I moved to Bali, and then here [California]. Now I try to surf three or four days per week and I get better and better.

271707878_1229278394148420_4468641762541599330_n
170178285_287855499592778_4970636550617125562_n

Why did you start running, and what ultimately made you stick with it?

I started running when I was 20, now I’m 35. I didn’t have a watch to track time or distance, and I ran that way for eight years. Without a watch I wasn’t sure how far I was going, I just ran for 40 minutes or in loops. When I got a watch, I realized I was running about two miles. I did my first 10K in Russia, in Moscow, but it wasn’t very popular and it was a small race. From there, I eventually started running marathons every year.

012622_OV_ANNA-4595

Where’s your favorite place to run?

I prefer running from home. I can run from home to the Santa Monica mountains when I want to run trails or hills. If I want to go on an easy run, I’ll run from home, down to the ocean, and then to get a coffee.

176407259_155360583171041_5543478154729506393_n
202720248_326768769051603_5576504175599558401_n
233664391_510482213391085_7580580540470174178_n
233678463_361901948784699_2082851022240487587_n
175199897_1378712189156642_2374009907752701291_n

You ran 3,312 miles in 2021 — did you set a goal or just go for it?

It wasn’t a goal but when the pandemic started, I began to run more. With everything being online I had more time. So I started to run 10 miles per day and go for longer runs on weekends. It became okay for me. Now I have a loose goal of 100K per week, but it’s not strict. I try to be easy on myself.

270203750_396021062270295_4317844953236534343_n

You travel a ton. Where is your favorite place to visit?

I like Croatia. They have really great races and it’s beautiful. I also like Montana, it’s a beautiful state.

Running must-haves, tell us about them.

Usually I bring food with me. Kid’s food is my favorite. It’s enough calories, not too sweet, and works for long runs. I also like Spring.

263733477_1979162312255534_1239133100985805285_n
118956498_115903543428511_6688366863079197747_n

Do you have any other hobbies or interests?

I can ski. I started when I was a kid. My husband is really good, almost professional level. I’m not as good as he is, but I’m still trying. Our parents love skiing, we usually go all around the Alps to ski as a family for several weeks every year

Where is your favorite place to spend time outdoors?

Mammoth Lakes. In the wintertime, you can ski. In the summer time, you can swim and run. It’s a great place for running, lots of footpaths for different levels.

269888347_598533717887158_6507509778175030938_n

Any advice from aspiring runners?

The most important thing is to listen to your body and what it’s saying. Be easy on yourself.

Anya Kosova is a blogger, ultra runner, and creator of @runningpodcasts. Kosova is a huge proponent of the meditative ritual of running and its physical and mental health benefits.

Edited by Rey Joaquin. Featured photos courtesy of Anya Kosova.

join-the-convo