Our Ponya Community reaches far and wide in both geographic area and stage of life. This month, we’re featuring another longtime community member, Karen Levin. Karen, a former administrator/teacher and most recently, co-owner of Fleet Feet Baltimore, retired this past year along with her husband of almost 51 years. In a time of change, she and her husband are embracing it.
In fact, they just moved to Lewes, Delaware, outside of Rehoboth Beach. She said “We built our house in the Saddle Ridge Development and moved from our long time house in Lutherville, Maryland, in the middle of Covid19.” Definitely a daunting task in the best of times, and they met it head on.
Retirement, a move, a pandemic. It’s a lot at once. “As everyone else, we are trying to navigate life in this alternate time,” Karen noted, “but we are spending most of our time running, walking, exercising and loving on our 4 year old Weimaraner, Miss Lacey. Miss Lacey is missing her brother, Mr. Milo, and is looking forward to training a new puppy Doodle this spring. Yikes!”
Staying active is key to this Ponya community member. “Right now, my husband and I are participating in a Team Challenge for Fusion Racing,” she said. “There are 4 teams of 25 runners/walkers and the first team to reach 2021 miles during January is the BIG winner. But. . . the best part is that everyone wins because there are prizes for each place as long as the team puts in the 2021 miles.” In February she will take on the 110 mile Donna's Challenge for Breast Cancer. She is also in the Zooma Run Club as an ambassador and avid participant!
Karen’s enthusiasm comes through as she talks about her love of Ponya Bands. “Ponya Bands have been our go to accessory for all things running and exercising since the very beginning,” noted Karen. “I originally heard about Judy's awesome bands at a Fleet Feet Conference and began using and selling them in our store. They were an instant HIT from the very first time we brought them in.”
Like so many of our community member, she almost evangelizes Ponya. “These bands DO NOT SLIP and they wick and absorb like crazy,” she explained. “They can be worn so many ways from a simple headband, to a sweatband, to an ear warmer. My favorite one right now is the BAM. That one works as a neck warmer, mask and headband while running. It's my go-to, everything band right now.”
Of course, it’s not just the bands themselves Karen loves, it’s the whole package. “I really LOVE that Ponya Bands are made locally and Judy, the owner, takes care of each and every customer,” she exclaimed. “Made in the USA is very important to me!”
If you’re in the Delaware area, keep an eye out for Karen, her husband, and Miss Lacey out running and walking to rack up the miles on the roads and trails! You can always recognize a Ponya community member by that cute panda peeking out over the left ear on their bands.
