2019
has been a year of lifestyle changes and interruptions for Hurley’s
Media radio personality Taylor Vaughn. She was made redundant from a
job she loved; she lost a pet she adored for over 13 years; and ended
a relationship she thought was going to last forever. She’s also
shed the equivalent of a whole person in weight, increased her
confidence level and gained a new lease on life. Now, to cap a
tumultuous year off, she’s going to run 13.1 miles for fun! Taylor
will be lacing up for the 2019 Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon,
which takes place on Sunday, 8 December, and running her very first
half marathon.

“This
year has been a crazy year for me,” said Taylor. “I had weight
loss surgery and I’ve lost 125 pounds and challenged myself more
than ever before. When I was approached about doing the half
marathon, I thought I may as well push myself further than I ever
thought I could. I've never really been a distance runner so for me
this is the ultimate challenge.”

The
Marathon is sponsoring Taylor’s participation in the half marathon
and have partnered with Scott Ruby from 7 Mile Strength &
Fitness, Cayman Nutrition, Bliss Living Yoga, Smoothie King and the
team at Cayman Physiotherapy to provide her with all the support she
needs to get to the start line and then cross the finish line.
Taylor says this has been a definite perk, and that she loves having
these tools to help her on her amazing journey.

“Scott’s
training group is amazing! I love the team camaraderie. They are
such a great support and the best thing is they do not judge you if
you cannot keep up.  Some people in the group have run 20+
marathons and then there is me who is training for the first time in
over seven years. They are warm and welcoming, and our group
chat is always blowing up with inspiration and support. I love
being a part of this group and I have made some great friends.”

In
addition to the physical training, Taylor said Dwaine at Cayman
Physio helps her recover from her weekly workouts and gets her ready
for her long Sunday runs while Chad at Cayman Nutrition has provided
her with meal plans, making sure she’s getting the proper
supplements that she needs and keeping her accountable. In addition,
vegan smoothies from Smoothie King have been the perfect post-workout
snack and she’s starting to enjoy the benefits of yoga courtesy of
Bliss.

Describing
herself as always being a bigger girl, Taylor never ran. She said she
played sports but didn’t actually run. She has done a few 5Ks but
they were tough mudders endurance events, which are more obstacle
than distance-focused. She also used to play a lot of basketball and
volleyball but in more recent years had backed away from those and
started getting into pole fitness. Now, however, she says running has
become an escape for her and she’s come to really enjoy getting out
on the road and lost in her music.

Just
like the past 11 months, the last few weeks have not been without
their trials for Taylor.

“The
most challenging has definitely been getting back into shape,” said
the 30-something BOB FM morning show host. “After being heavy and
losing weight I thought it would come a lot easier but my body has
been through a lot and sometimes I forget that. Nathan, one of
my coaches, keeps telling me I'm doing great and to remember that I
am keeping up in class with people who have been doing this for
several years. I need to keep reminding myself of that. Although
I lost the weight, I wasn't in shape, but I am getting there, and I
am very proud of my progress.”

When
asked what she has discovered about herself through this process,
Taylor said she is a lot stronger physically and mentally than she
thought which, in her opinion, is one of the best lessons she could
ever learn. 

As
for Sunday, 8 December (race day), she and her lead coach Scott Ruby
have set a target of crossing the finish line injury free in under
3.5 hours.  Taylor is excited about that goal and is already
thinking ahead to beating it in 2020. Her advice for someone thinking
about running a half marathon for the first time?

“It
can be overwhelming if you have never done it before but do it! I
am so happy I committed myself to this. And it is so cliché but I'm
going to say it: if I can do it, anyone can do it. I started with
absolutely no experience and not having worked out in years and now I
am in the best shape I have ever been in my adult life!”

She
also recommends a strong support network, joining a training club and
setting an achievable goal but most of all she says to enjoy the
process.

“Every
year we’re just blown away and inspired by people like Taylor who
step out of their comfort zone to change their behaviours and
lifestyle,” said Rhonda Kelly, Co-Race Director for the Marathon.
“While some of the changes she’s undergone were voluntary, others
were outside of her control, but she has confronted each of them with
courage and positivity and we applaud her for that. We are proud to
be a part of her year of transformation and wish her the best of luck
on race day.”

Register
now for the 2019 Intertrust Cayman Islands Marathon, Half Marathon,
4-Person Relay or Kids Fun Run. Visit www.CaymanIslandsMarathon.com
to register online or in person at the the Kelly Holding office
(https://goo.gl/maps/YPqQfPZPxP1HbtsA9).

The
event is sponsored by Intertrust, Cayman Islands Department of
Tourism, Ministry of Sports, BritCay, Compass Media, Health City
Cayman Islands, Milo, Gatorade, BOB FM, FastSigns, Cayman Airways,
Bedell Cristin, Massive Group, Kelly Holding, eCayTrade, Cayman
Islands Brewery, The Westin Grand Cayman, CUC, Cayman Physio,
Sharkeez Bar & Grill, GNC, Mike’s Ice, Bliss Living Yoga,
Quaker, Cost-U-Less, Smoothie King, Hopscotch Productions, Explore
Events, Netclues and CINICO.

For
more information, email info@CaymanIslandsMarathon.com
or call Bev Sinclair on 623-8825. Follow @CaymanMarathon on Facebook,
Instagram and Twitter.