Feature Friday: See Cindy Run

Every Friday we chat with one of our blog content network contributors to find out what most inspires them to be fit and find adventure every day.

This week we're chatting with Cindy from Cindy Runs.

Despite being a high school track athlete, Cindy says she didn't always love running. It wasn't until she ran her first marathon that she truly started to enjoy the sport. What she initially planned to be a "one time" endeavor as a way to celebrate the memory of her grandma quickly became something she "couldn't imagine not doing."

 Now, she's working towards a handful of exciting running-related goals and, of course, is chronicling her journey on her blog along the way. Read on to find out her biggest hopes, dreams and insights about the sport.   

The Active Times: How did you first become involved in running?
Cindy: I hated running when I was young, though I was a sprinter and thrower on the track and field teams in high school and college. My times and distances weren't competitive but for some reason, I just stuck with it. I hated running more than 200 meters back then and it wasn't until after college that I discovered distance running. Though it still wasn't something I stuck with until I decided to run the 2012 NYC Marathon with the Athletes to End Alzheimer's team in memory of my grandmother.

What spurred you start your blog?
I started blogging as a way to document my training for the 2012 ING NYC Marathon. Before I started training, the furthest I had ever run was one five-mile race, so every week was a milestone. The blog was a way for my family and friends to see how training was going but also to share memories of my grandmother.

Describe in 140 characters or less how you judge the success of your blog.
My blog is a success if I can look back on it and feel proud that I was true to myself in my posts. It serves as a journal for me personally but also hopefully allows others like me to know that they're not in it alone.

What is the greatest joy you get from running?
Running is my happy place. No matter the distance, I am a much happier person once I get out there. It gives me time to think and a sense of accomplishment.

What's one thing many people don't know about running?
I'm actually petrified of races but I get excitement from signing up for them. I get so worked up before any race distance no matter how prepared I know I am. There's something that scares me about trying to best my previous time and that this one race will measure how successful my training has been.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to try running for the first time?
As long as you want to do it, you will be able to do it. Heart and passion will overcome any physical barriers.

If money were no object, what piece of kit or equipment would you buy?
I wouldn't buy any specific equipment but just spend the money traveling the world running.

Who do you think is the most inspirational figure in running?
Any runner that you pass on your runs. Most of us are not professional runners and running is just a hobby. It is hard to find time to get out there between work, family, friends, and life. It is an inspiration to see so many people find time and train for events despite all of the other commitments in life.

Are you passionate about any activities besides running?
I love all cross training activities that give me a good sweat or burn—Barre classes, spinning, rock climbing, and boot camp classes to name a few. I wish I had more time to do all of these.

What is at the top of your bucket list when it comes to running?
I never thought running marathons was going to be my thing. I thought once I ran my first marathon, I would never want to do another. However, I clearly caught the bug. My bucket list includes running all of the World Major Marathons, so far I've run NYC and Chicago, next up is London in April, I have entry to Berlin for this September but I may defer so then I would still need to work on Boston and Tokyo. I also want to complete the Disney World Dopey Challenge and run an ultramarathon one day.

What, if anything, did you most recently knock off your bucket list?
I am one step closer to completing the World Major Marathons. I ran the last two NYC Marathons, Chicago last fall, and London is in April.

What would your life be like without running?
I would have a lot more free time! But I know I would not feel as fulfilled.

Learn more about Cindy on cindyruns.com.