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Lead Stories: Sunday, November 23, 2008

Q&A: Francisco Rodriguez on his transformation from avid smoker to dedicated marathoner

Posted July 19th, 2007 at 2:45 PM by Courtney Albon

Section: Running & Training, Motivation, Success Stories, Special Features, Interviews, Health & Fitness

Twenty years ago, Francisco Rodriguez smoked more than two packs of cigarettes per day - and the thought of running a marathon was almost laughable. Today, the recently-retired Bank of New York Vice President is running as many as 54 races a year and completed his 150th marathon in April at the Boston Marathon.

In the following interview TFS’s Courtney Albon speaks with Rodriguez about his metamorphosis, the challenges he faced, his source of inspiration and support, and the benefits of his new lifestyle.

TFS: What was your life like before you became a marathon runner? What were some of the specific, unhealthy habits that you had to deal with?

Rodriguez: Well, my major problem-or not problem-but my major issue is that I was a very heavy smoker. I used to smoke two and a half packs a day until 1998 when I decided that was not good. So, I started running and I haven’t stopped since then. It’s been twenty years no that I’ve been running.

I always eat healthy, but I just eat a lot. The food is always healthy, but it is in bigger quantities than other people. I don’t eat too many fats or fried foods, things like that, but my major thing was the smoking. So, now I run a lot of races and I run every day. My life is a lot better.

TFS: What triggered you to start working towards living healthier? Was there a moment of epiphany or was it more gradual?
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