Thumbs Up Thursday...Wendy Welch

Today's Thumbs Up goes to Wendy Welch. I sent Wendy an email to let her know that I would like to blog about her today and I asked her to answser several questions in the email. She sent me a text message and let me know she got the email and wondered if she could just answer my questions on the phone. I replied and said probably if I could give her a call after 9:00 and then I asked her what time was too late to call. Her reply was: "I will be asleep! I will try and reply to your email when I get home." I told her I was impressed that she went to bed so early. Her response to that: "I try to get to bed early because I am up by 4am to beat the heat and get my run in." Did I mention Wendy lives in Florida? Wendy was kind enough to answer my questions in an email last night!

Jodi: When did you start running?
Wendy: In 2000, after I walked the entire Disney Marathon for Team in Training at 208 lbs.
Jodi: What motivated you to become a runner?
Wendy: One of my Team in Training coaches.
Jodi: When did you start racing?
Wendy: Last year.
Jodi: What is your favorite race memory?
Wendy: Running Disney again in 2006 with my best friend Julie.
Jodi: What was your favorite race course?
Wendy: Chicago!
Jodi: Can I ask how much weight you have lost?
Wendy: 80 lbs!
Jodi: What is your favorite distance to run?
Wendy: Marathon.
Jodi: How many marathons have you run?
Wendy: Six.
Jodi: What is your current goal?
Wendy: 3:59:59 at the Wineglass Marathon on October 3.
Jodi: What other fitness activities do you do?
Wendy: I LOVE lifting weights!
Jodi: If you have a blog, please give me the address so I can send people your way!
Wendy: Here is my blog which I haven't updated lately but there are some stories on it about losing weight, etc. http://fengshway.blogspot.com/.

Wendy's before picture

Wendy's after picture

Me, Wendy, and Amby Burfoot at the Cleveland Marathon Expo


Thank you for the opportunity to give you a thumbs up Wendy! Best of luck at Wineglass on October 3rd. I am confident you will reach your goal of 3:59:59 (and qualify for Boston while you are at it)!


Keep running, you're simply the best, and Wendy, YOU inspire ME!!