Wednesday WOOT! Factor

Welcome to Wednesday WOOT! Factor!! Today I am featuring one of my early Twitter besties, Sarah Stanley or @sarahstanley. I remember starting to talk with her on Twitter last year or late the year before and I was like DAYUM!! Read on below to find out more about this fitness fanatic and what makes her get my WOOT! label. 

"My running career started when I was 14 to deal with stress. I would get up at 4:30am and start my day with tattered sneakers & watch the sun come up. Running kept my life sane in a very stressful & uncertain world. I could've turned to drugs or alcohol, but I turned to running because it was positive. And it just may have saved my life. 

I have now run thousands of miles, in numerous states, countless half marathons, 8 marathons (plus training marathons), 6 ultra marathons (including a Double Boston Marathon and a 100mile ultra marathon). I love exploring new ways to sweat. I love Yoga, Pilates, cycling, hiking, weight lifting and any other type of sweat producing physical activity.  I'm still waiting to fall in love with swimming. Maybe tomorrow will be THE day! 

Why do I love running? I love running because I feel free. I love running because nothing can stop me. Not the wind, rain, sun, heat, cold, snow. Well, I take that back. 2009-2010 was the year of the blizzards. It tried to stop me. I fought back. Regardless, running can make you accomplish things you didn't think were possible. Running will make you a better person. Running makes you a winner. No matter if you finish first or last. 

When I was 6 I somehow came up with my life mission statement: "how can I be a blessing to someone, somehow, someway, and somewhere". And that is how I run my life. No pun intended.

My training schedule varies. I run up to 80 miles a week (running marathon distance and beyond as a training run takes on a whole new meaning! No medal, no aid stations, no crappy cotton t-shirt, just you & the trail.) I also cycle anywhere from 150-200 miles a week, weight train 2-3 days a week, swim 2-3 days a week and throw in a little yoga or Pilates.  I typically run 4-5 days a week and cycle 5-6 days a week. 

Because of training routine, I attempt to keep a clean diet. To further complicate my life, I also have Auto Immune issues as well as Rheumatoid Arthritis. So the last month I took wheat & dairy out of my diet. This has been a real challenge. I eat eggs, lots of veggies, fruit and oatmeal. I drink Hemp, Almond or Rice milk. I also make fruit smoothies with Hemp Protein powder. I'm not sure how long I will remain on this, but if I ever go back to wheat & dairy I can't wait to have some cheese, Greek Yogurt and Whole Wheat Challah! Thank god I can still have dark chocolate! I'm a big fan of Bug Bites- little squares of dark chocolate. I still crave chocolate cupcakes, but knowing that I will get sick if I eat it makes temptation a little less tempting. 

I only drink water, 100% juice (when I drink it). I am a big fan of Hemp, Almond & Rice Milk. I don't drink alcohol or coffee, iced tea or any other beverages. 

My eating philosophy is: "keep it healthy with balance". It's okay to have a cupcake, or a glass of wine or ice cream every now & then. And that's the key- every NOW and THEN. Not all the time.  

I keep motivated knowing that my life is an example & other people are watching me. That will force you to not slack Ha! :) I am always inspired & motivated by other people doing incredible things. 

In September I will be riding from Washington, DC to New York City. On a bike. That's over 300 miles. I am riding these miles to celebrate my birthday (August 22, feel free to eat cake & ice cream in honor of it!). And I am also riding to raise awareness and funds for ING Run For Something Better program. Did you know that 1/3 kids are obese? And that the next generation will live a SHORTER life than their parents? It's tragic & it’s something I am passionate about. Celebration Ride is also a part of another project I started called Run Ride Inspire. This project will involve me personally running and/or riding 50 miles in all 50 states. Each run/ride will start and end at a local school. It is slated to start in 2011. Please help support the cause! 

I have been social since I was born, so perhaps I can say I am a social expert? Kidding! I have always been fascinated by people. What makes them tick? What is their life like? What are they passionate about? What's their favorite kind of cupcake? Joking aside, social media has just enhanced my pen & paper world to the digital world. It’s been a great way to not only meet more people, but also share knowledge, causes and things I am passionate about! You can follow me on Twitter here and here

Sarah Stanley Inspired is about health, helping others, running and passion. I write from the heart. I believe content is key, but I don't write for writing's sake. From day one I was committed to no advertising (like Google ads). I want my site to be clean, friendly and inviting. We get enough junk shoved in our face as it is. Being a professional athlete, I do include my sponsor's logos and web links. Visit the site and sign up for my monthly and fun newsletter! 

I have many visions for my year and life ahead. I have a passion to ignite the world on fire that a healthy life is more than just a size. It’s about thinking and helping others. I want to encourage kids to start living a healthy life now. I want to be a positive role model and set an example for others to follow. Personally I can't wait to have kids of my own. I have always dreamed of adopting. Professionally I want to win a cycling race and ultra marathon. I am also working on a book (yeah, just like everyone else!) I have many, many goals and will do whatever it takes to make them happen. I've always believed that my life is here to help others. When things are hell, I remember that if I can help one other person with my story, then it is all worth it. 

Live Inspired. Live with Passion. Live with purpose!"