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.

“Conquering running in my opinion was like doing the impossible, and I just could not help but give it a try. In life, all you have to do is show up. The rest will work itself out. So that’s what I did with running. Laced up and went for my first run … and never looked back.” ~Andrea Hillman

Today, I’d like you to meet Andrea Hillman. Andrea is an incredibly special person and one of the most inspiring runners and triathletes I know. She’s a mom of 3 beautiful kids, a wife, a busy professional and a serious runner and triathlete training for her third IRONMAN. What makes Andrea even more special is her attitude. I’ve never met a more encouraging, supportive friend, and her accomplishments are truly inspiring. Check out what this fit mama has to share about running, losing 100 pounds, dealing with adversity and balancing it all.

When did you start running and what inspired you to start?
As a kid, I had the impression that long distance running was something like an impossible challenge that only super humans could do, like my dad and grandpa. I remember my dad coming home from a long run and thinking about whether I could ever be as strong as he was to be able to run one day. It felt surreal and impossible for a small kid like me. Although other circumstances led me to run later in my life, these early memories were the motivation for me to give it a try. Conquering running in my opinion was like doing the impossible, and I just could not help but give it a try. In life, all you have to do is show up. The rest will work itself out. So that’s what I did with running. Laced up and went for my first run … and never looked back.

Tell us about your journey from being 100 pounds overweight to now being a fit, hot IROMAN mama. How did you do it?
I had always been within my healthy weight range for most of my life, but I gained a lot of weight during my first pregnancy. Although I didn’t gain as much during the next 2, I kept a lot of that weight so the next two pregnancies just made me heavier and heavier. The next few years were busy with family, work and getting my masters degree, so I had little time available to focus on myself. I also think that keeping busy was a way to ease the pain of dealing with my changed self-image. I knew I could one day tackle the weight issue, but I just kept reminding myself that there is a time for everything and that eventually it would happen. It was about this time that I started telling myself to “be comfortable with the uncomfortable.” I didn’t realize what impact this would have in my life.

Getting back in shape is a journey and mine took 13 months of consistent eating, exercising and discipline. For many months, no one noticed that a change was happening, and it was so easy to just stop or give up. But I knew that being comfortable with the uncomfortable was the key to achieving my goals.  That same year, I decided to join Weight Watchers and give this running idea a try …what did I have to lose anyway? I signed up for my first 5K, which I ran at a 13-minute per mile pace and about died. The feeling of that accomplishment though was absolutely amazing. From then on, I joined a local running group and set my goals to finish a 10K, then a half marathon, then a marathon … well, the rest is history.

You have faced a lot of adversity in your life and somehow continue to be positive and uplifted. Last year, you didn’t finish your first IRONMAN due to a bike issue. How did that adversity make you a stronger athlete and person?
We spend a lot of time in life regretting the things that happened in the past or the opportunities we missed rather than learning from them and coming out of it more determined and stronger.

While I was on the bike course at IRONMAN Wisconsin last year (my first full iron distance race), that’s all I could think about. After riding 80 miles of what is considered one of the toughest bike courses in the IRONMAN series with the front brake of my bike stuck (which I didn’t know at the time), seeing everyone pass me, the crowd of cheering supporters disappear, the sunset and the evening lights appear, I experienced one of darkest moments of my life. I had all the reasons to quit, get off my bike and call the event truck to come get me. But somehow, I had the clarity to decide to allow all the fear, sadness, loneliness, vulnerability and anxiety take over me. I learned that I don’t have to be afraid of the dark places or those experiences in life where I don’t have control over the outcome. Owning that is more important than any medal or accomplishment in life.

I would not wish this on anyone else or have any desire to go through it again, but I knew this was a special moment in my life and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to grow and become a better person. In Wisconsin, I did finish the bike course, but it was too late for the run. However, the experience taught me that anything can happen on race day and what makes you fit to be an IRONMAN is having the guts and determination to never give up during that journey. You have to keep giving yourself a chance to win no matter what.

What motivates you to keep pushing yourself?
That’s an interesting question. I wish I could give you a deep answer, but in reality, I just love the challenge and pushing the limits. There’s nothing like the feeling of working hard and accomplishing your goals.

What is your #1 fitness goal you want to accomplish in 2014?
Last year taught me that we can push the limits of our bodies through endurance sports, but it is just as important to bring our body’s health and balance back after that. My approach this year is on preserving and replenishing my body not after, but during the training season.

What advice would you give to others just starting on their running journeys?
Nothing makes a run more enjoyable than having a group of fun and committed friends to run with. Join a local group and train together for a race. It makes a world of difference on your training and your knowledge of the sport!

What is your training and race day nutrition strategy? Everyone wants to learn more about that topic and what works for others.
Mine is simple: Race day plan should be the same tried-and-true plan you worked on all season long during training. Too many people take this practicing for granted and pay for it on the course. You have to go with what is best for you and everyone is different. Be willing to adapt if required, but you should always plan ahead and practice! I am gluten and dairy-free, so I am using products that complement my lifestyle. UCAN, Huma gels, Pure bars and NUUN are some of my preferred options.

What’s on your running playlist right now that pumps you up?
I usually let my kids pick one song that means a lot to them and add it to my playlist. That way, I can focus on them when I’m out there on the course. Once I create my playlist, I listen to it during training days, so I will remember the songs during the race. So it is really up to them!

What is your favorite race you’ve done? Which is your least favorite? Why?
My favorite race was IRONMAN Augusta 70.3 in 2012 because it was my first experience doing a long distance triathlon. My least favorite was the A1A marathon a few years ago because I didn’t look good in any of my pictures. Ha!

You balance a full-time job, a family with 3 kids and IRONMAN training. That is more than a full plate. What tips do you have for finding balance while fitting everything in? Tell us your secrets!
1. Family is the most important support system you have, so don’t take them for granted. Your decisions, mood and attitude will greatly impact them, so make sure when you come back from a long day of training, you focus on them and not so much on yourself. Also, make sure you make time for date nights or time off with your significant other. Pick the night before the long training days (mine is Friday) and surprise them with a nice time together. That way, they will be a little more patient dealing with your training and the exhaustion that can come with it.

2. Communication is the key. Make sure everyone in your life who may be impacted by your training knows what is going on with you. Trust me, you will become an ogre to them and they need to be prepared for that. You don’t have to hide that you are hurt, tired, annoyed or upset. Just let them know how you feel so that they can prepare themselves and help you through it.

3. Make time for you. Not going against what I said about focusing on your family, but sometimes just taking 30 minutes of “alone time” after a tough workout right before you reengage with your family and friends will make a world of difference. Fighting through tiredness and hunger only makes things worse.

You started a closed Facebook group for triathletes in Atlanta last year as a free way for people to connect and find others to train with and support. It has grown to 300 people and is making a huge impact. What spurred that idea and what tips would you give others looking to do something similar?
A group of us needed a way to get connected and plan open water swims and bike rides together. So the group was created. Since then, we have just been adding friends of people in the group who are also looking for company for the long hours of training. This group has become a gateway for me and many others to give back to this amazing community of athletes, so it gives me great pleasure to be able to help. I have opted to keep the group without a particular brand or identity because I want it to be a place that anyone can feel welcomed and participate. There are top athletes, beginners, members of other clubs, race organizers, sport store owners, coaches and more. Everyone knows and understands that the group is not focused on one person or brand promotion. If someone has something to share, or a question or a need, this is the place for them to share and ask. Everyone gains from the expertise and the information shared and it complements all of the extra stuff we do to get better at the sport. Anyone interested in doing something similar can just start by getting a few friends together for a single purpose. The rest will take care of itself.

What else should people know about you?
My passion for endurance sports has changed from just being able to achieve the milestones to also helping others do the same. I am neither a coach nor do I have huge podium finishes to offer, but I do have the experience and knowledge of what it feels like to get started on a journey in endurance sports.

***If you or someone you know would be a great candidate for Friday FITspiration, email me at runladylike@gmail.com.

What inspires you most about Andrea’s story?