It's time for another runner spotlight! If you are interested in being spotlighted on my blog please email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com. I would love to feature you! You don't have to have a blog to be spotlighted...you just have to be a runner! I'm running low on spotlights so don't hesitate to send me that email! :-)
Today I am spotlighting Coco from Running With Perseverance! I've never met her but she has an awesome running journey! Keep reading to learn more about her!
Name: Coco
State: Virginia
When and why did you start running?
I started running in 2001, when I was
in my 30s. I had lost 40 pounds without really exercising, and was struggling
to maintain my weight loss. I started doing exercise videos at home, and wanted
to keep up my exercise routine when we went on vacation, so I decided to try
running. It didn't take long to get hooked on the feeling of accomplishment of being
able to run farther or faster, not to mention those endorphins!
What is your favorite race and race distance?
My favorite race is the George Washington
Parkway Classic held in April in Alexandria, Virginia. It’s a beautiful course
that basically follows the Potomac River from Mt. Vernon to Old Town, with
rolling hills, shady trees, and great crowd support. It’s a 10 miler, which is
my favorite distance.
What is your race day routine?
I like to wake up an hour or so
before we need to leave so I can take a quick shower, get dressed in the outfit
I picked out the night before, walk my dog, and eat breakfast—usually a Kashi
whole grain waffle with a sliced banana and a cup of coffee (just one!). I get
my husband to take a picture of me in my race gear, and then he drives me to
the race venue so I don’t have to worry about parking, shuttle buses, etc.
What is your most favorite piece of running gear?
It is really hard to choose between
my Garmin Forerunner 10 and my iPod. Would it be cheating to pick my iPhone,
since it has Apps that can track my runs and all my running playlists?
Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement
your running?
I don’t really follow a specific
diet, and I am horrible at remembering to take vitamins. I generally eat a
healthy, balanced diet, with plenty of lean protein, whole grains, fruits,
veggies, nuts, yogurt, and dark chocolate.
What do you wish you’d known when you first started running?
I wish I had known that you do not
have to run every run at your goal race pace! After only a few months of
running I ended up with a serious injury that kept me on the sidelines for
weeks because I didn't know about “long, slow, runs” or “easy” runs. Once I
recovered I started reading running books and Runner’s World magazine to learn
how to run without getting injured. While I have gotten smarter about running,
I’m still learning!
What is your fondest running memory?
I’m not sure I have a single best
running memory. I like to run at o’dark-thirty in the morning, and whenever I
get to see the sunrise I appreciate the gift of running and take that blessing
with me throughout the rest of my day.
What is one thing that most people do not know about you?
I had to do cross-country in high
school because I couldn't fit P.E. into my schedule and I hated it. Maybe if I had
known about BodyGlide or had compression shorts to keep my thighs from rubbing
together I wouldn't have been so miserable!
Blog: http://got2run4me.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Got2Run4Me
Facebook: http://facebook.com/got2run4me
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/Court3nay
Instagram: http://instagram.com/Got2Run4MeThanks for sharing with us Coco!!!
QOTD: What did you do this weekend? Are you having fall weather? (Not me...it was in the 90's this weekend...bring on the cooler weather!!!)
