Femme Fitale Fit Club presents Fierce Women Series – Lisa Vaughan-Spence

FFFC: Please introduce yourself to our readers.

LV-S: Hello My name is Lisa Vaughan-Spence I am a 42 year old mother of 2 children Anthony 22 years and Danielle 5.5 years.

FFFC: How and why did you get started running?

LV-S: Wow that is a long story, but the long and short of it is I was very sedentary and overweight so decided to try something different. A friend of mine introduced me to cross fit. I joined a great gym met lots of great people and actually began to enjoy being active. The one thing that I still hated and actually feared was running. During one of my workouts at cross fit we were told our entire workout would be running and I actually broke down in tears. I made it through with the support of my awesome new family at the gym and I decided I was going to conquer the fear I had of running so I just signed up for a 10k.The Marine Corp 10k was my first race and the rest is history. LOL

FFFC: What inspired you to start running?

LV-S: I had many friends that I made through my journey to an active lifestyle that inspired and encouraged me. I watched those around me doing things like marathons and Iron Men competitions and I wanted to be that person. My very good friend Raina Williams was with me from the start not only encouraging me but being there with me. Raina and I have done all of my races together. Well let’s say we start together and see each other at the end. She is a beast and much faster than me.

FFFC: What do you like most about running?

LV-S: I think that even after all the races I have done and the ones I plan to do to say I like running is still a bit of an overstatement. I run because I can, I run because I once thought I couldn’t, I run because I love the feeling of crossing a finish line that once seemed out of reach, I run because it burns a lot of calories. I could go on and on. I don’t know that I can say I like to run. Let’s just say I will always run.

FFFC: What is the furthest distance or longest time you have run?

LV-S: The furthest distance I have ever ran is 13.1 miles. I have completed 2 half marathons.

FFFC: Do you belong to a running group? Show’em some love right here.

LV-S: I do belong to BGR but I have to say that my schedule has not allowed me to participate with them as much as I may like as of late.

FFFC: What do you do to stay in tip top running shape (exercise, nutrition, etc.)?

LV-S: I do lots of squats and leg exercises on my strength days. Nutrition for me is always a challenge. Unfortunately I have not been able to be as consistent with the healthy eating as I am with my physical activity. I am definitely a work in progress.

FFFC: What was the biggest challenge when you started running or still is even now?

LV-S: I guess my biggest challenge is being able to maintain the same pace on my outdoor runs as I do on my treadmill runs. I also as I am sure is the case with many not yet been able to learn a technique to most efficiently tackle hills.

FFFC: Do you run races? What are some of your favorite races?

LV-S: Yes!! I will be doing the Iron Girl Half Marathon in April 2014 as well as my first full marathon or the “Big Boy” as I like to call it in October 2014. The “Big Boy” will be hopefully the Marine Corp Marathon where I did my first race. I will also be doing that with my girl Raina who has been with me from race #1.

FFFC: Who helped you as you developed your running skills?

LV-S: I would say I pretty much was self-taught. I do have a large sphere of influence that I draw from for advice and inspiration. I also read a lot and try different things.

FFFC: Any advice for someone interested in starting to run?

LV-S: Just do it!! I know it can be intimidating and daunting even at times. The benefit outweighs all of that. It for me is a place to challenge myself daily and a place of solitude sometimes used for reflection

FFFC: What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?

LV-S: I would say running in general has been my biggest accomplishment! From where I started in a place of fear to where I am now is always amazing to me. I also ran the Frederick Half Marathon with my 22 year old son which was very special to me. Not too many women can say that.

FFFC: Who are some of your running idols (Male or female we don’t discriminate)?

LV-S: That is a hard question for me because I don’t tend to have idols. I truly believe that many people have been placed in my life to inspire me and I draw from that daily. I do not idolize in the sense of the word but I do look up to many and strive to one day be that inspiration for someone.