Meet our challenge winner – Judith Romano Garcia
Sportlyzer’s very first challenge was concentrating on finding the most inspiring sports challenge. We were very happy to see that the Garmin Forerunner 405cx certainly found the right owner – Judith is an outstanding example of the inspiration we were looking for. But better read yourself and see if she inspires you, too!
Please tell a few words about yourself.
I live in Spain, I’m 28 years old and I work as a surgeon. I’m rather a restless soul and I love to practice all sorts of sports. However, running is still my favorite.
When and why did you start running?
When I was a kid, I had lymphoma. I managed to beat the illness at the age 7 and for faster recovery I was forced to adapt healthy lifestyle. I started running in a small club in my city and very soon running became my lifestyle.
In your challenge you said your goal is to run every day. Please describe your average weekly training routine.
I try to run every day. I try following a training plan provided by my trainer, but due to my work it’s sometimes quite complicated. Twice a week I take a longer run (about 10 miles). Rest of the week I either run shorter distances, fartlek (1000m), or I go to gym.
Would you rather prefer to run alone or work out with friends? Would it be important to you if you could see where and when your friends are training?
I prefer to train with friends and colleagues; it is much more fun if you share the effort and suffering. Sometimes it’s complicated because the pace is not the same. However, we try to start and finish together. If we don’t manage to organize a common training, I’d still like to keep my eye on my friends’ progress. That is one of the reasons why I like Sportlyzer.
Do you sometimes struggle with training motivation?
Of course it’s hard sometimes. Especially during winter or when I arrive late from work, completely exhausted. There have been times when everyone has gone home by the time arrive to the club– I’m all alone, and so tired I can hardly start… Then, sometimes, I’m unable to find enough motivation for a training.
But diseases like cancer change your attitude towards life and living. I try to enjoy life as much as possible – to travel, experience things and simply “LIVE it”. This is my main motivation.
Did you use any devices before you won Garmin Forerunner 405CX? If yes, which one?
I used a watch and heart rate monitor already before and I have no complaints, but I believe my new Garmin helps to maximize my development, especially in combination with IPhone and Sportlyzer.
Have you ever tried to use an online training diary? If yes, could you please describe its main values for you?
I haven’t used any online training diaries before but I planning to start using Sportlyzer regularly because I believe it offers the values I’m looking for: to find support from other athletes, tips, routines, control of my progress, and of course, personal advice.
Sportlyzer is specialized in training planning and training advice. Which kind of advice would you like to get from a virtual coach?
Mostly I’m interested to know if my training load matches with my parameters and how not to train with too low or too high loads. I also like the idea of an online coach who is easily able to analyze the data from my devices and give me an advice based on this data.
What would you suggest to people who have just started running?
I suggest that you first do a medical examination to rule out pathology, buy good shoes and hydrate sensitive areas that may become irritated. Definitely read and talk with people who know the first practice for problems with stiffness, aches, etc. Follow a training plan – it will help you to improve faster and achieve your results without major set-backs. Give Sportlyzer a try – it gives you a good plan for beginners as well as advice what to do and not to do.
