Real sporty women: Lucinda McNeil

Fitness is a team effort

Name: Lucinda McNeil

Age: 47

Involved in: Water skiing, airchairing, hiking, running - especially half marathons!

The impact of commitment and accountability

As a family we were always, always active. We rode bicycles and went boating nearly every weekend during the summers. As an adult I found that work became a priority, and sports and fitness became a weekend activity. Then I discovered yoga - in my 20s bikram yoga became a weeknight activity, which I supplemented with bicycling and hiking on the weekends.

Then I hit my 30s: more school, more work, less time for sports and fitness. I started hiking, but it took too much time. In 2004 one of my closest co-workers, Tom Waldeck, suggested that I start running for exercise. I thought he was crazy. Me? Run? He said I could start by walking my first half marathon. His encouragement changed the lives of myself and my training partner, Diana Martin. We were committed to aging gracefully, so we became accountable to one another, meeting every week in order to live up to our commitment. We read Andrew Weil's book on Aging Gracefully. We practiced Jeff Galloway's method of run/walk training for marathons. Wednesdays have become our favorite morning, where we not only train, but we have our time together. Our goal: 50 states, 50 1/2 marathons!

Staying motivated and challenged

GirlsGoneSporty (GGS): What is your motivation for staying active?

Lucinda McNeil (LM): I want to look and feel my best, naturally.

GGS: What sports or fitness accomplishments are you most proud of?

LM: Running in the San Francisco Half, completing five Rock 'n' Roll Marathons, running in five Prescott Whiskey Row Marathons and completing a full marathon - the Honolulu Marathon.

GGS: How do you keep challenging yourself to improve?

LM: My training buddy and I challenge each other.

Tools of the trade

GGS: What’s your favorite healthy food or dish?

LM: I have two. One is a quick and easy smoothie:

1 banana
1 teaspoon ground pumpkin seeds
2 cups almond milk
8 ounces silken organic tofu
1 chopped apple

You blend the ingredients until they're smooth, and that's it - it's not only healthy, it's delicious!

The second is steel cut oatmeal made on the stove top. It takes about 30 minutes - make it with water, then add in fresh blueberries, a little honey, a teaspoon of organic peanut butter, some almond milk, stir and enjoy!

GGS: What's on your workout playlist?

LM: Gypsy Kings and ZZ Top.

GGS: What’s in your gym bag?

LM: Beauticontrol facial cleanser, moisturizer and foundation. My yoga mat, sport towel, water bottle, sun block, running shoes, running bra, running shorts, sleeveless tank top, running socks, swimsuit, Sport Beans, Sunrider Fortune Delight electrolyte tea packets and Clif bars.

Live the sporty life

GGS: What does the phrase “live the sporty life” mean to you?

LM: It means fitting in fun exercise, and also balancing the food I eat, the things I drink and the sleep I get to make sure I'm nourishing myself after a busy day at the lake, in the yoga studio, or out running a marathon.