Meet Zoe Romano

Yesterday I said that I was attending a happy hour for a good cause.  I want to tell you more about it, not only because the story is a truly inspirational one, but also because it just might show you exactly what we’re capable of and motivate you to get off your butt and run.

A friend of mine who works for World Pediatric Project emailed me a couple of weeks ago wanting to meet for lunch.  There was someone she wanted me to meet.  Her name was Zoe.

My friend gave me a little bit of background, but little did I know until I started doing some research.  I came across her blog and was blown away.  But to hear her speak in person was another story…it was her story and it gave me chills.

In 2011, she ran across the USA and raised ~$13k for the Boys and Girls Club. She pushed all her belongings in a baby jogger stroller and stopped at various B&G clubs on her way, giving talks about what she was doing.  This year, she will team up with World Pediatric Project to raise money and run the 2,262 miles course of the Tour de France.  That’s right: run it.  When asked for what other reasons she is embarking on this adventure, she said for personal reasons; she believes we as humans can accomplish ridiculously amazing things (physically), it’s just a matter of taking that step to actually do them.  She is a true Health Warrior in the flesh.  I know that for me, it would take a gun to my head to run ~30 miles daily in the hills of France for a couple of months.  But get this: she has only been running since college.  And no, she wasn’t a track star or some other collegiate athlete, just an average girl who fell it love with the sport.

Running with an altruistic twist.

I got the chance to talk to her again last night

I had 1 glass of red wine, saw some old friends, and got an update on Zoe’s training for the big adventure.  I’m so excited for her!

Hopefully Health Warrior and Zoe can find a way to team up!

On to today…

Workout/Breakfast

The pouring down rain had me stay in bed for a good 30 minutes after my alarm went off.  But I did get out of bed and I did go to the gym

• 25 minutes on the stair stepper
• 15 minutes on the elliptical

Breakfast was another green smoothie:

• strawberries
• 1/2 apple
• juice of 1/4 lemon
• 1/4 avocado
• chocolate pea protein powder
• collard greens
• ice

I headed into work for a couple of hours, then had to turn right back around to do a demo.  I stopped home on my way for breakfast #2:

I heated some cooked quinoa and almond milk on the stove for about 10 minutes

I added 1/2 mashed banana, blueberries and 1 T chia seeds.  Then 1/2 sliced banana and AB on top

I don’t think I will ever grow tired of almond butter.

For lunch, I had planned on using up some veggies in my fridge to throw together a big salad, but I saw so many people walk away with delicious soups and deli sandwiches, I couldn’t help but eat that too!

• Soup: Amy’s Garden Vegetable
• Sandwich: homemade guac, 2 hard-boiled egg whites, spinach on toasted whole wheat bread

I will be making that sandwich again.

Dessert entailed 2 pumpkin chia chocolate chip cookies with more almond butter

I did.

 I’m playing house this weekend and staying with my niece and nephew while my brother and sister-in-law take a mini vacation.  Tonight I will be making homemade Mac and cheese for the kids; I will probably be having that big salad.

Happy Friday!

Tagged as: breakfast, Dessert, Motivation, Nut Butter, Running, sandwich, soup