RUNNER'S PROFILE
Wendy Mombourquette
Wendy at the finish of the Lake Ainsley Full and Half- Marathon
Over the past three years, Wendy Mombourquette has been an active participant in our Cape Breton Road Runners Racing Circuit. To date, she usually places in the top 3 of her age category .Wendy has competed in the Cabot Trail Relay three times, running up and over rugged terrain such North and MacKenzie Mountains. Presently Wendy has her sights on competing in a Triathlon.
Wendy can often be seen running
through the streets of Sydney with training partners, Donnie McInnis"
who is always ready for a 20 mile training run"... Peter Hanna"
who
has been instrumental in getting Wendy involved in the running
circuit" and Judy Brufatto..." who has helped bring out the best in
Wendy as a competitior".
But this healthy life style was not always the case for Wendy. She has truly gone through a major transformation in the past four years.
Back in 2000, Wendy was not
happy with herself. In April of 2000, she weighed approximately 230
lbs.
At her workplace, Wendy became involved in a weight loss incentive
program. Over a six month period she lost between 35 and 40 lbs, but
this wasn't enough for Wendy. She continued to walk and watch her food
intake. Wendy attended aerobic classes three times per week near her
Whitney Pier home and started running at the Whitney Pier track. It
wasn't easy ....she worked her way up to one lap around the
quarter mile track and was determined to succeed at her goal
which was not only to lose some weight but also to be a competitve
runner, like her brother, Donnie .
Since running that first lap, Wendy went on to become an avid
runner. On August 9th,2001 she competed in her first road
race. The" Action Week Five Miler" put on by the one and only Peter
Hanna. Wendy tied for 22nd spot, in a time of 44:37. From that
point on there was no stopping Wendy. Now weighing a lean 125lbs, under
the watchful eye of Peter Hanna, she continued to train and compete in
the local races. With her training team in place, Wendy wanted to try a
marathon.... that's right... 26.2 miles and she did just that.!!!
On September 8th, 2002 Wendy
competed in and completed the Lake Anslie Marathon in an amazing time
of 3:41:53 qualifying her for the prestigious Boston Marathon.
" I pulled the top of my leg muscle but I just wanted to finish it."
said Mombourquette of the 42-km trek around Lake Ainslie.
On April 21st, 2003, still
suffering with the leg injury, Wendy, along with her running
partners, made the trip to Boston and once again she conquered the
marathon.
According to Wendy, "a running lifestyle" has had a major"POSITIVE" impact in her life. Prior to her lifestyle change, Wendy would come home from work tired.... in need of a nap... with no energy. Now she is totally different.With energy to spare she is usually out the door for a five mile run.... sometimes she is out the door for a 10 miler with present training buddies Donnie McInnis and Cecil Snow.
Wendy"s story is truly an
inspiration to
anyone who is interested in embarking on a healthy active lifestyle and
needs a little motivation.
Wendy believed in herself, set her standards high and succeeded.
She saw herself differently and became that image.
Congratulations to Wendy
Mombourquette , from her family, who are all extremely proud of her
dedication and
hard work and from" The Cape Breton Road Runners," who are proud
to have Wendy as a member of our club.
Keep up the great work!!!