Cindy Coates, Database Specialist, Somerset, Massachusetts1. What were you like before your transformation? I was broken couch potato before I realized I needed to do something. A lot of back pain, no ambition, etc. I never exercised because of doctors’ orders. I was told that because of my bad back that exercising, bike riding, rollerblading etc. was out. As far as people who did distance races – I thought they were nuts. I always would say that you would never catch me doing a half marathon (I just finished my 6th half and 8th long distance).
2. What inspired you to get fit/lose weight? My inspiration was two-fold. I was very tired of the back pain and the lethargic feeling all the time. I also saw a very unflattering picture of myself in a bathing suit. My upper thigh was disgusting!
3. How did you get started? Disney had announced their new Tower of Terror 10 mile race and I thought that this was a good way to get started into running. I had done a few 5Ks with them and it wasn’t a half, so I felt comfortable signing up for it.
4. What have you accomplished since you put your foot down? I have lost some much-needed weight and put my body parts back to where they belong. I am also now running half marathons which I said I would never do, and improving my time with every one.
5. What has been the most challenging part of your transformation? Getting people to understand how important this is for me. Running, surprisingly has not been hard. Finding the time in bad weather (snow and all) is, so I bought a treadmill.
6. Most fun part of the new you?Liking my body again and buying new clothes!
7. Tell us about your experiences with races.Every race I finish is a success. My times have always been close, within a few minutes of each other. But recently, I shaved 18 minutes off of my half marathon time. This is the new goal to maintain.
Cindy with Pluto and friends after runDisney’s Princess Half Marathon
8. Tell us about the running community you’re now part of. I belong to Pacebook Running Club and Team Expedition (both on Facebook). The first group was not hard to get into and very welcoming. Everyone is friendly. The second group is a spin-off of the first. It has a paid membership and a lot of the same members. Both groups are encouraging and easy to talk to.
9. How much weight have you lost? From the first bathing suit picture (170) to now, I’ve lost a total of 30 lbs. From 2011 to my first race in 2012 I was down 10 lbs with a lot of “roller coaster” ups and downs. This Christmas I weighed in at 150 and have lost 10 more lbs since.
10. What’s next? Hmm, I would like to lose another 10 lbs. and get faster in the half marathon races. I’d like to say a full marathon, but a half is still a lot for me.
11. Favorite training song: I have two that seem to push me now. “Breathe” & “You’re Still the One”. They are both 155 BPM
12. Favorite race: runDisney Wine & Dine half marathon. It’s a night race and a lot of fun afterwards.
13. Advice for beginners: Start slow. Do a few 5Ks to get the feel for the distance. I like the 10K (6.2 miles) best, which is new to most races. They are a nice transition from the 5K. And then I would certainly try a 10 miler before a half.
14. Anything else you’d like to share? Don’t let anyone tell you that you cannot do something. If they do, then I would use that as an inspiration to do it anyhow!
