Here at runladylike.com, Fridays are all about sharing the inspiring stories of fit people who motivate all of us to be better tomorrow than we were yesterday. My Friday FITspiration series profiles runners, triathletes and casual exercisers who are making choices every day to be as healthy as they can be – in both huge ways and through simple, small victories. Their stories are about the journey of transforming from ordinary to extraordinary each and every day.

Today, I’d like you to meet Joanna Wang from Run Fast Eat Lots. Joanna is a recent college graduate who is preparing to start dental school this summer. But before she starts, she has decided to do something pretty incredible: she is biking 4,400 miles across the country from Maryland to Oregon to raise money to fight cancer. See what inspired this runner and cyclist to take on this challenge and what excites her and scares her most about the journey.

How long have you been running and what inspired you to start?
I am one of those runners who strongly disliked running until I started loving it. I’ve been active all my life and played volleyball throughout high school. In college, I didn’t play any sports and led a pretty inactive and unhealthy lifestyle. I knew I needed to get more exercise, but the thought of running wasn’t very appealing. I would get into a “health kick” and run a few times a week, but the habit just didn’t stick. It wasn’t until the summer of 2012 after my junior year that I really started to fall in love with running. One day, a friend and I decided to sign up for a Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon together. It took some guts, but signing up with my friend gave me the courage to say, “What the hell, let’s do it!”

Once I commit to something, I give it my all. I went from barely being able to run 3 miles to doing long runs of up to 12 miles in the fall. I had a great time running the half marathon with my friend, and even before I crossed the finish line, I knew I wanted to run another race. I’ve run a few more half marathons since then and completed my first full marathon about a year later.

You are also a cyclist. How did you get into cycling? Do you have any tips for runners who want to become stronger cyclists?
I got into cycling in May 2013 when I was training for my first marathon. I thought cycling would be a good way to cross train during my marathon training. I had no previous experience whatsoever on a road bike, even though I’d been an avid mountain biker growing up. I didn’t even know how to shift gears when I bought my first road bike! I started riding on the weekends with my dad and we would explore the bike trails in Maryland, Washington, DC and Virginia. Since I love endurance events, I signed up for my first 100-mile century ride in September. I trained a lot for it on my own and was logging 50 to 80 miles a week on my bike, in addition to marathon training. My first century ride was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had! I had a blast, met a lot of cyclists and learned how to ride in a group. Needless to say, I love cycling as much as I love running.

If you’re a runner who’s interested in cycling, look into joining your local bike club. Many clubs are very welcoming to beginner cyclists, and you can learn so much from them. Riding with stronger riders is also a great way to improve your skills. I definitely benefitted from riding with a group during my first century ride, and I learned a lot of group riding skills, such as hand signaling and pace lining.

This summer, you’ll be biking 4,400 miles across the country from Baltimore, Maryland, to Portland, Oregon, to raise money to fight cancer. What inspired you to take on this challenge?
My inspiration comes in 2 parts: a high school friend who completed the ride in 2012 and my personal connection to the cancer community.

When I first heard that my friend was doing the 4K for Cancer ride, I was awed by her dedication and passion for supporting young adults with cancer. I followed her journey as she blogged from the road, and I was truly inspired by the impact a group of college students could have by riding across the country. I could not get my mind off the 4K, and I knew this was something I wanted to do as well. This year, I have the opportunity to be a part of this amazing organization, and I am so honored to ride for a great cause.

My father’s mother, Zhang Qiao Ying, died of stomach cancer when my father was in college, a lot younger than I am now. Supporting young adults with cancer is my way of honoring my grandmother. I am raising money and awareness in hopes of making a difference in at least one person’s life.

What are you most looking forward to on your cross-country ride? What are you most scared of leading into the experience?
I am most looking forward to meeting and connecting with people from all over the country. I know that I’ll hear some amazing stories along the way that will inspire me and give me strength to continue on my long journey. I know that I will also make lifelong friends with my 4K team, and after this amazing summer, they will be like family.

What am I most scared of, other than riding across the country? A lot can happen during those 4,400 miles, and I hope that all 30 of us will make it safely to Portland. Of course, I expect minor mishaps, but we will take all the necessary precautions to ride safely. Also, I’m afraid of saddle sores. Enough said.

[Note from rUnladylike: I know way too much about saddle sores sadly. You can read about them here and here. Eek.]

As part of your journey to cycle across the US, you’ve pledged to raise $5,000 for childhood cancer. What tips would you share with other runners and athletes who are trying to raise money for charity while participating in endurance events?
Make a list of potential donors: family, friends, acquaintances, etc. and send them a personalized letter or email explaining what you are fundraising for and why you are passionate about the charity. Tell them your personal story and explain your connection to the cause.

What is your running/cycling mantra(s) that keep you going when the miles get hard?
I have a silly mantra, but I’ll share it anyways: Too legit to quit!

What are your 3 favorite running/fitness blogs or Web sites?
http://fANNEtasticfood.com (registered dietitian in DC who posts delicious, healthy recipes and trains for marathons)
http://Fatcyclist.com (middle-aged beast cyclist who has an equally beast wife, hilarious writing style)
http://DCRainmaker.com (triathlete originally from the DC area who posts VERY thorough product reviews and entertaining blog posts)

How can people connect with you?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joanna4kforcancer
4K for Cancer Profile: http://4kforcancer.org/profiles/joanna-wang/
Blog: http://runfasteatlots.blogspot.com
Twitter: @JoannaWang1 and @RunFastEatLots

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If you or someone you know has an inspiring running, triathlon or fitness story to share, please send me an email at runladylike@gmail.com. I am always looking for everyday athletes to feature on Friday FITspiration.

Looking for some more FITspiration? Check out these inspiring stories:
Friday FITspiration: From Obese to Marathon Runner
Friday FITspiration: Celebrating 40 with a Marathon
Friday FITspiration: Overcoming an Eating Disorder and Finding Courage through Running

Do you regularly incorporate cycling into your training and/or use it as cross training? If you’ve ever done an endurance race for charity, what tips do you have for meeting your fundraising goal?