Wednesday Winner - Meet Lori!

 Happy Wednesday, everybody!

It's time to meet another running/blogging buddy.....

This week, I'd like to introduce you to a fellow over-40 blogger whose story is one of inspiration and one that has recently earned her 'celebrity status' in my book, appearing on the Dr. Oz Show and doing a photoshoot for Shape magazine. Pretty exciting stuff, right?? This lady, a Pay it Forward 500 Club Member, shares her experiences, revelations, struggles, and delicious recipes as she blogs about her healthy journey.  Friends, I'd like you to meet....

Lori,

of

Finding Radiance

How would you describe yourself as a runner?
 Slow and steady

Ageless and Beautiful…. Are you:
 Forty-plus and feeling fine

Are you:
 A middle-of-the-pack mover

How long have you been running and why did you start running?

A:  Being overweight pretty much my whole life, I hated running. From PE in high school to my poor attempts a couple of times since - I thought is was something I would never do, let alone *want* to do.

I started running in April of 2008 with the C25K program. I always felt that running was something I needed to conquer as a final piece to the puzzle, as I was never able to do it. I did biking (which is my true love) and strength training, but felt that for me to feel like I was getting in better shape with weight loss, that was the last hurdle (so to speak).

Favorite running gear and why?

A:  I love, love my Danskin Trisuit. I bought it for my triathlon, but I love to run in it because it is so darn comfortable. Best.purchase.ever. I also found Saucony running shoes, which fit my wide feet really well.

What do you listen to when you run?

A:  Currently I have Sweeney Todd soundtrack and 2 albums from Hot Club of Detroit. Eclectic, I know :D

What is something you cannot run without, and why?

A:  Water. I sweat like crazy!

What race distance is your favorite and why?

A:  I have only done 5K as races so far, which is good. My most favorite event I have ever done was a duathlon, which was a 2.2 mile run followed by an 18 mile bike ride followed by a 2.2 mile run. That was fun, hard, COLD!!, and am going to do it again LOL!

What time of day do you usually run, and why?

A:  I run pretty much in the early mornings before work. I used to do evening runs, but then in the summer I switched to mornings because of the heat and then just stayed there.

Treadmill, streets, or trails, and why?

A:  I prefer outdoor running, although I can't too much in the winter here, so it's treadmill right now. This is my first year with a gym membership so I can keep running. In winter of 2009, I didn't run much because it was so predicated on the weather and people shoveling. Now I can keep it up on the treadmill (or hamster wheel, as I call it).

What has been your most significant running-related learning experience to date?

A:  It has to have been the start of the C25K. I learned that training to run is not going for an all out sprint from the get-go. I know it sounds pretty basic, but I had an all-or-nothing mentality, which doesn't work for training. That was a huge change for me, not just with running, but with weight loss and living healthy.

What advice would you give to someone new to running?

A:  Don't pay attention to how fast anyone else says they run. You run at the speed you can do. The great thing about running is that you can always improve, and when you first start out, improvements happen so fast!

Short-term and long-term running goals?

A:  Short term is just to keep my base mileage at 5 miles per run (3 x per week).  Long term - I am not totally sure. I sort of want to do a 1/2 marathon, but that's a lot of running for me, and the training for that would probably take away from my biking. I have a few 5Ks planned, and possibly a 10K. The duathlon for sure!!

Mileage goal for 2010?

A:  750 and on track (knock on wood).

Do you have a blog, blog(s), or a website you’d like to share? If so, please list them.

A:  My blog is http://www.findingradiance.com - I have had this blog for a few years now. It's about me losing over 100 pounds and keeping it off while enjoying food and becoming a budding athlete.

BONUS:  Any additional info you’d like to share??
A: Always speak kindly to yourself, even if you have a bad run (or just a bad day). You can accomplish so much more than you think you can - so positive thoughts breed positive action!


Thanks, Lori!

 Happy running, friends.....

Robin