We have such great readers!  Two people stepped up with “Look at You” submissions after yesterday’s call. So today, we launch our new regular feature with profiles of Stephanie Drago and fitness blogger Robin Kadet.

Stephanie Drago

I’ve been a fan of the blog for probably most of 2013.  As I write this, I am nine days away from turning 40, so stories you tell and the adventures you have give me ideas of what is yet to become for me!

As you can tell from the photo, my big hobby is running.  This is a snapshot a friend took at the San Diego Rock & Roll half marathon in June 2013.  2013 has been a big running year for me, since it started with the Carlsbad marathon back in January.  While that was my sixth marathon, it was the first I’d run in 9 years, and I can say that training, racing and recovery has been a little bit different with nine extra years under my belt.  I am friends with a foam roller in ways that I never thought would be necessary when I was in my 20s!  Training just started for my next marathon, which will be Los Angeles in March.  I said I would retire from marathons by doing one when I turned forty, but anyone who runs with a group knows how peer pressure works, so we’ll see how that goes.

When I am not running I enjoy other activities like yoga, spinning and Pilates.  I unfortunately don’t do as much strength training as I would like, so I always have aspirations of focusing on that.  And my secret aspiration is to one day participate in a century ride.  Considering I haven’t owned a bicycle since I was in high school, I read Tracy’s posts about getting on the bike with great interest.  I still have plenty of time, right?

Robin Kadet (Blog: A Fit and Focused Future)

My name is Robin, and my whole future revolves around staying fit and healthy. Every day I have around 45 minutes to an hour of formal workouts, involving weights, yoga and various strength training workouts. I call this my “formal exercise”, but really I do this so that I can stay in shape for all the activities I love to do outside in rural Vermont where I live. Whether it’s wading through the river behind my house, fly fishing, hiking, foraging for mushrooms in the woods or snowshoeing and skiing in the winter, I find the strength, flexibility and balance I have gained w/ inside fitness enables me to make the most of whatever I like to do outside. I love to write about fitness and health, and help others in a relaxed way, keep their health top of mind. I’m an advocate and cheerleader for my son and my husband, and anyone else who would like to listen. Because keeping fit as we get older is hard, and so many people I know want this to happen, but don’t really know how to make it a priority. It doesn’t come by chance. Sometimes I need the reminder too, and writing in my blog every few weeks, (and reading others, like yours )even when other priorities vie for my attention, always helps me circle back to where it needs to be.

Thanks so much for your blog–I really enjoy reading it.

If you’d like to be profiled in “Look at You!” please send a photo of yourself in action and a 75-150 word bio focusing on what you do to stay active. You can send your submissions to fitfeminist50@gmail.com.  We look forward to hearing from you!