{"id":19275,"date":"2013-03-13T08:39:51","date_gmt":"2013-03-13T13:39:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fitzness.com\/blog\/?p=19275"},"modified":"2014-10-29T11:19:14","modified_gmt":"2014-10-29T16:19:14","slug":"liliane-opsomer-this-is-why-i-run","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fitzness.com\/blog\/liliane-opsomer-this-is-why-i-run\/","title":{"rendered":"Liliane Opsomer: This Is Why I Run"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"To_the_Finish_Line\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Liliane Opsomer<\/a>, 54, Deputy Director & Media Relations Tourist Office for Flanders and freelance writer, Forest Hills, New York<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why do you do you run?<\/strong> One year ago I was 197 lbs. After losing about 35 lbs through portion control, I decided together with a friend that we would participate in the RunDisney 5K <\/a>in Orlando.\u00a0 I started training daily and the activity not only helped me shed more weight, but also was the best medicine ever for stress relief. By the time I did the 5K, I had lost a total of 42 lbs and I now enjoy running, it makes me happy!<\/p>\n

How long have you been running?<\/strong> January 2013<\/p>\n

Do you compete?\u00a0<\/strong> No, but I am now bitten by the running bug and intend to do more races. Next, hopefully a 10K and by October, I want to participate in the Tower of Terror 10 Miler<\/a> in Orlando, FL.<\/p>\n

Most challenging aspect of running<\/strong>: In the beginning, it was certainly the simple fact that I really did not like running nor did I like getting up every morning to do so before work.\u00a0 The biggest challenge though was training in freezing temperatures outside while actually running the race in 70F.<\/p>\n

Most fun aspect of running<\/strong>: I did run in a Princess Merida costume which I made myself.<\/p>\n

Most rewarding aspect of running<\/strong>: It felt great to realize that I was able to run, something I never thought I could do.<\/p>\n

Who\/what inspires you when you\u2019re feeling weak?<\/strong> My friend Laura Spencer who encourages me to continue running, meeting April Holmes a US Paralympic champion and Ali Vincent.<\/p>\n

Advice for others who\u2019d like to get started:<\/strong> Take it easy. I used the run\/walk\/run method of Jeff Galloway <\/a>and recommend it to those interested in running.<\/p>\n

Your must-have equipment for running:<\/strong> All I use is the run\/walk\/run timer I bought and of course, good running shoes are a must. I am still a beginner and have only now started looking at running clothes and other equipment.<\/p>\n

Favorite training song:<\/strong> Touch The Sky<\/a>\"\" from the Disney movie Brave\u00a0.<\/p>\n

Favorite healthy food<\/strong>: Fruits & nuts.<\/p>\n

Favorite not-so-healthy food:<\/strong> A nice big steak with fries and mayonnaise instead of ketchup!<\/p>\n

Funniest \/weirdest\/most awkward experience running:<\/strong> Running on an outdoor public school running track with the Merida wig to see if it would stay on my head.
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