New Beginnings

I'm getting back on here with some prodding from my WOW friends. So Jayme "Fountain" Little and I have been talking about getting back in the running groove.

The thing is, I miss it, and I miss my running friends.

So this message goes out to anyone thinking about trying something new-TRY IT! I have met some pretty amazing people through WOW, and when I was thinking about getting going again . . . I saw Ray and Pat jogging the other morning-it's a sign!

I am going to meet my dear running friends Saturday am-run miserably, and then look forward to seeing them again. I am a sorry mess of a runner right now-but I miss my friends, so I'm back!:)

Teri

Obstacles!

So our training for the Wizard of Oz Half marathon started this week and already I am running into hurdles. I haven't had an ear infection since I was a kid, but I managed to get one in each ear this week. As a result I have only managed to get in cross-training and two of the four runs I was supposed to do this week! Thankfully I am helping to lead the training group for this run with my buddy, and if we drop the ball we let others down. Like so many other things in my life I find that being accountable to someone keeps me going. When I regularly go to WW meetings I lose weight, when my husband and I are working together on our finances we stay on track, when I am doing a group Bible study I read and study my verses. It sounds so simple, but it is so effective. I would encourage everyone to find at least one running buddy to keep you on track, and if one is good a group is better right? Check out the Diva Dash 5K group or the Wizard of Oz 1/2 group and get going. Keep each other accountable - someone will always be in the mood to say - yeah let's get off the couch and go, and when you have obstacles it's much easier to get going again.

Start Anew...Again

It seems that I am in a pretty simple cycle -- run, don't run, run, don't run -- and as I get back into the run part again my body is punishing me for my time off. It's hard to figure out why I don't run, I just feel better when I do. So then I am happy to be back up and running even as I am icing my hip. I feel better when I run, I look better when I run, I think better when I run! That being said - WOW is beginning a new chapter too!!! I am so excited about the new ideas and thoughts that came from our latest meeting. I think the joining together in running "teams" with one or two leaders is a great step forward in supporting new runners. And Pat's thoughts on "No Runner Left Behind" are great too say the least!!! (though I HATE that theory as applied to education-just had to keep that clear) So look into joining a "team". Two teams are starting this week - Wizard of Oz - Wickedly Fast Half in Olathe, KS on April 16th led by Jayme and Macae and The DIVA DASH womens' 5K on March 5th led by Sarah and Michelle M.

Independence Day!

Hello my running friends. We're approaching the 4th of July-which symbolizes independence. Our country was just an infant at the first moment of July 4th, 1776. That has been an enormous blessing for us all-guaranteeing freedoms many of our ancestors were never granted.



I've tried to attach the link, but it's not working-http://www.runnersworld.com
Search Matt Long-second life.

As I've talked to several friends the past few weeks, it is again, a reminder, that as runners, we have so many freedoms others don't. The ability to just make a cup of coffee, hop in the car and go to the market, hit a movie, or enjoy sitting outside watching the stars. Take a walk, or go for a leisurely run.
The link won't let me upload-if you can't get it-go to youtube, Matt Long
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v-X5K3yo3tRFY



Sometimes the limitations we have aren't from our politics, but our physical fortitude. We are very lucky, although we might not agree with the leaders we have, to make choices. When a person isn't well, those choices are oblivious, and we're confined by our bodily restrictions.





The article I'm attaching is that of a patriot, and a person who I think embodies the American Spirit. He also has the spirit of the runner-and I hope you find his story motivational.





You know, democracy and the July 4th isn't just about history, it's about the present-and there are many American heroes who walk among us- We all have the ability to make a difference in our own lives, community, and country.


God Bless America!


Hope to see you on the road soon! Be sure to drink plenty of water-it's getting a little warm out there!


Teri


WOW


Women of Warrensburg

Leading the Horse to Water

Hi Ladies-

Well, we've met some resistance. Although we've enjoyed the benefits of running/walking in our lovely community, a small minority view "road runners" as a a group similar to "spoiled-rotten-four-year-old brats."

Let's regroup-our purpose is to provide all women in our community a FREE, SUPPORTIVE group of women to exercise with. ALL WOMEN, ALL ABILITIES, ALL AMBITIONS! We want to be seen and enjoy the town we live in. We wish to be recognized as people who are reaping the benefits of living in a small community.

I truly believe we do consider safety at all measures when we run. And frankly-pedestrians do have the right of way. But with that being said, we don't surge in front of cars in blind abandon. We use reflective gear-run facing traffic, and run with a group if it is dark.

I know for each of you-when you exercise-you feel happy. Obviously, this writer does not know that or he would not condemn and attack it.

With that being said-BE SAFE-I am attaching a link for safety considerations when running on the road.

Hope to see you on the road-SOON!

Teri

WOW

It Changes-But It's Still There!

Hi Ladies-

Spring, Spring, Spring! It's here! Several of us have attended some really cool races. Some of us are gearing up for the season-but race season is here! I'm looking forward to reconnecting with my running friends as my schedule is more forgiving. As Pat would say- "Whoo Whoo!"

You know, life is a cycle. We begin it and transform. And as we get older we go through periods of being docile and inactive, or energetic and motivated. We hit surges and slumps-the constant teeter-tottering. And frankly-it gets old and a little frustrating!

It reminded me (dorky teacher!) of Newton's Law of the Conservation of Energy. Energy isn't created or destroyed; it just changes form.

So what does that mean for us?

Well, I would like to think that we don't "lose it" as we would think when we fall off the exercise wagon. It just changes form. Sometimes, it might show up in the form of tending our children. Other times it might be in focusing on our homes or careers. Then, there are the unforseen instances, where we need to send immediate and focused care to loved ones in need. The sick and the suffering, or just broken-hearted.

As women, we are the caregivers. So many, many, many times our energy is diverted from a workout to those we love. It drains us-it occupies our time-it consumes us. I guess that's life. As Forrest Gump, a very respected runner would say, "Life is like a box of chocolates-you never know what you're gonna get!"

Don't be fooled: Just because you haven't expended it running/walking-you've been using it.

That energy is not created, nor is it destroyed.

It just changes form to fill the needs of those we care about so dearly. It isn't gone. It just changes.

So when you get the time to get back on the street-you WILL have the energy to do so-remember-you had it with you. It didn't leave. Maybe that's why women are built as they are-so they can give immediate abandon to pay full attention to the needs of the circumstances that are on the frontburner. I think somebody had a pretty good plan with this! ;)

We all have a fire within us-it is always there. It might dwindle and fade, but it isn't dying-it's just sending it's light somewhere else that is dark at that moment! So stoke it-build it up-and get recharged! WOW is here when you're ready!

It's a beautiful spring-and I hope to see you all on the road or hear from you soon!

Teri

WOW

Oh the Places You Can Go!

Hello Ladies-

I hope you are all doing terrific and making strides on your journey.

This is the time of the year when I begin to think of the end of the school year. It's also graduation for both high school and collegiate scholars.

I had a visit with a former student the other day. We were talking about his future plans and reflecting on our time together in 5th grade.

It reminded me of the Dr. Seuss book "Oh, the Places You'll Go". (He was a GENIUS!) A dear family friend gave me this for HS graduation. (Dan and Robin Smith) I still read it in my classroom!

Whether we are graduates of high school diplomas or collegiate degrees-or maybe, just maybe, runners on the street, we can all look forward to all the places we can go.

Last weekend, I competed in the Country Music Half Marathon. I was not prepared-I will admit that. But I wanted to experience something new. And I did!

This is a book that was most likely written for graduates or small children even. But don't let yourself think for even a second that we can't have dreams as adults. We can still find those mountains to climb.

The school district I teach in has a motto. "Believe and Achieve". I would like to correct that.

I can tell you after my experience last weekend completing my first half marathon-that it begins with the DREAM that you BELIEVE you can accomplish. And the icing on the cake is when you ACHIEVE it! So whether you are a 1 miler, 5k, 10K, Halfer, Full Marathoner-Keep going!

So to all of you-DREAM-BELIEVE-ACHIEVE! And Oh, the PLACES YOU WILL GO!

http://www/homepages.ius.edu.HARRISLA/places.htm






Hope to see you on the road-Who knows where we will go!
Teri