Page 115 - HCPVitalityChronicles

Cynthia McNamee Sprints Her Way to Better Health and World Medals

When she was approaching the age of 40 a In the height of her competitive season,
couple of years ago, Cynthia McNamee, she trains for two and a half hours, four
Paralegal, Legal Services, CasaPacifiCA, days a week and lifts weights at the gym
thought to herself: Let me be proactive two days a week. During the less compet-
rather than reactive. itive season, she trains for three days a
week. She is currently gearing up for the
She already had a fitness routine—she Outdoor Track and Field Championships
worked out at the gym and attended some in Baton Rouge, La., this July.
group classes there as well. But she started
to get a bit bored with her routine. Cynthia “It’s gotten fun; it makes me feel really
contacted her old college track coach and good,” said Vitality member Cynthia, who
asked if she could just come out and train joined the wellness program as soon as
with him. she became eligible and currently works
on accumulating points. “The training for
At the urging of her coach, she started to the 400 meter sprint is really intense. It
compete again, as she had during her col- makes me feel good, healthy, vibrant,
lege days. Now, Cynthia is regularly compet- and more peppy.”
ing as a USA Track & Field (USATF) Masters
Sprinter. Her impressive list of recent victo- Cynthia McNamee competing in Australia in Having her teenaged son and daughter
ries includes: 2016. there to cheer her on at her events gives
her a lot of encouragement. “They’re re-
Represented Team USA in the World Masters Athletics Champi- ally proud of me,” she said.
onships in Perth, Australia (Nov. 2016)
• 200 meters and 400 meters (placed 4th in the world) Becoming involved in running again has changed her outlook.
• In the 4x4 relay, team USA took the silver “Before, I just wanted to stay fit. Now, I am doing all of this to
Represented Southwest Sprinters Track Club in the Indoor Track actually be healthy,” she said. She has changed her eating habits
and Field Championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico (Feb. to keep up with her training and competing needs—eating more
2017) calories during the competitive season so that she has more en-
• 400 meters (Silver) ergy. She also does meal preps and pays strict attention to the
• 4x200 relay (Gold – Set American Record) proper mix of carbs, protein, and fat in her diet—noting that a
• 4x400 relay (Gold – Set American Record) certain percentage of each is necessary to reach her training
goals.
And Cynthia currently holds:
• 3 gold medals from the Southern California – Regional Champi- She aims to reach Platinum in the Vitality program, using her Fit-
onships (2015) Bit to log her steps and runs. For her Extraordinary Achievement
• 2 gold medals from the West Coast – Regional Championships recognition, Cynthia will receive 700 Vitality points.
(2015)
• 1 gold and bronze medal from USA National Championships Cynthia is a big believer in making time for what is a priority in
(2015) your life. “You make time for what you want to make time for. If
• 2 gold medals from the Penn Relays (2016) you really want to do something, just do it. You’ll fit it into your
schedule and it will all work itself out.”

Do you know someone who has completed an extreme physical fitness activity or healthy living event within the last year?
If you would like to nominate their Extraordinary Achievement, please contact Catherine Crow, Janelle Howe or Janet Galli.