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.

“My mom has always been my teammate in life, so adding running in has been natural and rewarding for both of us.” ~Lauren Coleman

Today, I’d like you to meet Lauren Coleman and her mom Mary. This mother-daughter duo has always been close, but they both transformed their lives when they discovered a passion for health and running together. Since October, Lauren and her mom have lost a total of 100 pounds, and Lauren just completed her first half marathon.

“In October, my daughter Lauren came to me and said ‘Mom, will you do Weight Watchers with me?’ When your daughter says let’s do something together, you jump on it – especially when it’s something you need to do, too. So far we have lost the equivalent of a super model together! We both found that strength and confidence we’d been missing for a long time. I was with Lauren at the finish line when she recently ran a personal best 10K, and we both had a good cry. I had been resistant to run all my life. She inspired me to start a couch to 5K program, and I recently ran a whole mile straight! It felt great and it gave me the encouragement to do more as I now know that even at 57 years old I can push my body and do things I never thought I could. Lauren’s training motivates me to keep going!” ~Mary Coleman

What Lauren and Mary have accomplished is truly amazing. I had a chance to catch up with Lauren, who started running consistently about nine months ago. See what this awesome runner had to say and the impact she and her mom have had on each other.

When did you start running and what inspired you to start?
Running has always been in my life in some capacity. When your dad is an ultra-marathoner, there really isn’t much of a place to hide. As a kid, I was a competitive soccer player and casual runner. I had a brief stint with more active training in law school, but mainly as a stress management tool. About 9 months ago, a switch flipped and I decided to own my running rather than doing it for someone else. I also felt my weight was impacting my ability to be the best version of myself. So the long and short of it was I just decided to go running, whatever that looked like at the time. Since then, I haven’t stopped.

What running accomplishments are you most proud of so far?
Earlier this month, I finished my first half marathon. That in and of itself was an incredible accomplishment for me. As icing on the cake though, I finished in 1:53:06 and crossed the finish line with my dad.

If you had asked me a year ago if I thought I could ever do that, I would have given you an unequivocal and resounding “no.” Aside from the race, I’m most proud of what becoming a runner does for me in my day-to-day life: it makes me more thoughtful, effective at work and disciplined. I’ve also started running with an organization that uses running to help my community’s homeless population become self-sufficient and reengaged in the community. It’s an awesome organization called Back on My Feet (check it out http://atlanta.backonmyfeet.org/) and it’s a great reminder that the art of running is enriched when you’re part of a community, always reminding me to be better than I was the day before.

Between you and your mom, the two of you have lost more than 100 total pounds since October. What do you think has been the key to your success?
It knocks me off my feet. It’s legitimately bananas. The single biggest factor in our success is support. I find that support comes from all around, but my parents are the guideposts, specifically my mom. We go to Weight Watchers together every Saturday morning, which has become the anchor of our weeks. There are weeks that are ups and some that are big losses, but the fact that we’ve made a commitment to each other to do it regardless of the number on the scale has certainly had the largest impact.

What advice would you give to other moms and daughters who want to make a change or start running together?
Think about it this way, you’ve got your biggest cheerleader already built-in. My mom has been the first person to tell me I can do anything for my entire life, so why would running be any different? Also, running is addicting. All the sudden, you’ll find yourself eating, sleeping and breathing it because you simply cannot wait to see the returns on your work. Having mom (and dad) along for the ride essentially ensures a gab buddy – a person who cares if those 6 miles kicked my ass or if I had the best run of my life. She’s always been my teammate in life, so adding running in has been natural and rewarding for both of us.

For other women or men out there who think they can’t run or that it’s too late for them to start a healthier journey, what would you say to them?
Have no fear. When it comes to running, I find that fear is a completely useless emotion. Don’t think about where you are when you start. Think about where you will go. Quarter miles turn into miles. Miles turn into 5Ks. 5Ks turn into 10Ks and on and on and on. Paces get faster. It’s a product of the energy you put in, and I promise it happens faster than you think.

What running goals do you most want to accomplish this year? What’s next?
First I’d like to break 48 minutes in the 10K at the Peachtree Road Race in July. Then, I’ve got some longer races planned, including a 10-miler and two half marathons, with the goal of breaking 1:50. In the next year, I’d like to run my first marathon.

How can people connect with you?
You can find me on Twitter at @colemizz and on Instagram at @RunColemanRun.

Do you know someone with an inspiring story that should be featured on Friday FITspiration? If so, email runladylike@gmail.com.

How have your parents or kids inspired your running or fitness journey? Do you know any dynamic mother-daughter duos that should be featured on an upcoming Friday FITspiration?