From the Blog

Tuesday, 7 February 2012

Barbara Boothby: Fit School Walk/Run Program Awesome Participant

Barbara Boothby

Name: Barbara Boothby

Age: 51

Where you were born (Hometown): Sandy, OR

Family: Husband, Joe (76), son, Jake (9), mom, Erma (88)

Career, business, volunteer.. Mostly, I am a stay-at-home mom running a pretty traditional household (how on earth did THAT happen!) and caring for my elderly mom who lives with us. But I also teach Sunday school and am a lay-leader and “green advocate” at the Beth Israel synagogue.Oh, and I’m also a WSU Master Composter/Recycler. I love worm bins.

Favorite music: Oh, that’s hard!  I love classical, hair rock, a smidge of rap, reggae, feminist, Canadian, disco, pow-wow, Jewish praise music.  My 9 year-old son has me listening to some current teen pop, which I find embarrassingly appealing.

Favorite book: The Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O’Brian

Favorite quote: “Getting there is half the fun” (Mary Poppins).  Or maybe “Do or do not.  There is no try.”  (Yoda)

What do you like best about walking and/or running? The endorphins

What inspires you to keep a regular exercise routine?

Honestly….nothing.  I am tragic in this regard, but when I AM on a routine, it makes me feel happy to exercise, and currently, spending time with Carol and my workout buddies keeps me going.  Oh, and did I mention the endorphins?

What are some tips you have about eating a healthy diet?

I come from a long line of people who love truly good food–and way too much of it!  But almost every day I have garden/salad rolls for lunch.  They are filling, low in fat, and healthy, so I know I get at least one really good, reasonably-sized meal on board.

What is the biggest obstacle you have overcome (this could be exercise related, career related, or anything in your life)?

Depression.  I worked at a job with crazy people who made life utterly miserable.  Fortunately, I found a strong, thoughtful therapist who had done her own good mental health work for herself.  She led me through it without medication, and left me with tools to deal with the rough patches–including exercising to straighten out the brain chemicals.

Your favorite place in the world you have walked/run/hiked:

I used to live and work out of Gold Beach, in the Siskiyou Mountains of Southern Oregon.  It is an atonishingly diverse, rugged, and beautiful place.  Good steelhead fishing, too.  I worked for the US Forest Service, so I saw places others are very unlikely to see, and hiked miles and miles of beautiful trails and beaches.

Anything else interesting about you:

I have been blessed to never have had a career.  I’ve done so many diverse jobs in my lifetime–some of them were better than others–a few of them were ones most people don’t even realize exist.  Very few dull moments!

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Thursday, 29 December 2011

Chris Eder: Fit School Walk/Run Program Awesome Participant

Chris Eder - Waikoloa View

Name: Chris Eder

Age: 47

Where you were born (Hometown): Born in Glennallen, Alaska, but my hometown is really Valdez, Alaska because my parents moved back there when I was 6 days old.  My parents were relocated, along with everybody else in Valdez, due to the March, 1964 earthquake.  My parents returned to Valdez as soon as I was born in October, once the town was safe again.

Family: Significant Other (husband, Guy Smith) and two dogs (one good one and one bad one, more on that another time)

Career, business, volunteer… I manage grant projects at Bellingham Technical College.  Previously, I worked at Washington State University Extension in several positions. I love being in a college environment, I love the energy, the students, the learning, and how college changes lives. I get to be part of this on a daily basis, and wouldn’t trade it for anything!

Favorite music: My all-time favorite musical artist is Barry Manilow!  I *LOVE* him! I have been to 6 of his concerts in 3 different states.  But, I like a lot of music, including Top 40, soft rock, classical, and rock ballads. Right now I really like Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Adele

Favorite book: I love to read, and read a lot … favorite books include: “The Crimson Petal and the White” (Michael

Chris Eder with friend Kerena - 1st Run Together

Faber), Stephanie Plum novels (Janet Evanovich), political espionage (Vince Flynn, David Baldacci).  I also like historical fiction.

Favorite quote: A lot from The Simpsons and South Park that I shouldn’t repeat since they aren’t family-friendly!

What do you like best about walking and/or running?

The feeling of accomplishment when it is over!  I am always amazed at what I was able to do, and that my body was strong enough to do what I asked it.  And, the feeling of getting better, stronger, faster!  With the FitSchool classes, I like the camaraderie of the women, and they inspire me to keep running and striving towards more goals!  It is so much fun to run with these women – much more fun than running on my own!

What inspires you to keep a regular exercise routine?

So many things … I like to walk with Guy and the dogs, I like the feeling of going farther and/or faster, I like the feeling of being more toned and having my muscles start to show!

What are some tips you have about eating a healthy diet?

I completely changed what I eat a year ago, and I eat mainly whole and organic foods.  I feel fuller faster and my appetite has lessened, because of the whole foods and increased fiber intake.  I also try to eat often.

Chris Eder walking in Waikoloa Village in Hawaii

What is the biggest obstacle you have overcome (this could be exercise related, career related, or anything in your life)?

A year ago I was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, and had to completely change what and how I eat.  I had been an ovo-lacto vegetarian for at least 15 years, but stopped eating gluten, dairy, eggs, peanuts, almonds, cane sugar, and many other foods due to the new-found allergies.  I had to learn how to adapt recipes to make them gluten-free, vegan and without any of the numerous items I am allergic to.  It was really hard at first, but became easier as I learned more and tried out more recipes.  My family has been really supportive and helpful.  In the long run, this has turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me because I feel so much better, I have lost weight, I feel more toned and have much more energy.

Your favorite place in the world you have walked/run/hiked:

I like to walk pretty much anywhere I am, but my favorite place to walk is Waikoloa Village on the Big Island of Hawaii.  I love walking in the warm sun and breeze, looking out over the Village and down the slopes of Mauna Kea and the ocean.  I love the tropical plants, the beautiful homes, and the smells!

Anything else interesting about you:

I love to scrapbook and paper craft.  I can easily spend hours creating scrapbook pages and cards.  I like to scrapbook vacation albums (Disney World!) and make cards to give to friends, for birthdays, celebrations, to send cheer, etc.  I love to travel too.

Chris's Favorite Place in the World to Walk

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Saturday, 26 November 2011

Silvana Clark: Fit School Walk/Run Program Awesome Participant

Silvana Clark with flower at Eureka Springs

Name: Silvana Clark

Age: 58

Where you were born (Hometown): Munich, Germany

Family: happily married for 34 years. 2 daughters

Career, business, volunteer… Professional speaker and author of 12 books www.silvanaclark.com

Favorite music: I’m tone deaf, so I can’t tell if it’s heavy metal or country

Favorite quote: “You have to earn your spurs” Sandra Day O’Connor

What do you like best about walking and/or running?

It feels good to get my body moving. My husband and I usually take a long walk at least four times a week so it’s fun to be together.

What are some tips you have about eating a healthy diet?

Try not to center your life around food. I think as Americans we talk and think about food waaaay too much. Seeing people in developing countries who eat two meals a day changes your perspective. They see food as something they need, but not as something they think about when they are depressed, or need to celebrate or plan weeks in advance.

Your favorite place in the world you have walked/run/hiked:

We hiked Machu Piccu on a glorious sunny day, loved our bike ride through Harlem and had an amazing hike up a volcano in Peru where we jumped over flowing lava and then slid down the mountain on pulverized lava.

Anything else interesting about you: Love to travel to the extent I have no need for a “regular” house. Am happiest when I’m traveling or exploring some place I’ve never been before. We spent last Christmas helping at a nursing home run by Guatemalan nuns in the remote jungles of Costa Rica.  No presents but a great experience.

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Thursday, 17 November 2011

Nancy Durant: Fit School Walk/Run Program Awesome Participant

Nancy Durant

Name: Nancy Durant

Age: 50

Where you were born (Hometown): I was born in New Haven CT home of Yale University and the best pizza on earth (and pretty much the best food).  I grew up on Long Island Sound swimming, fishing, and playing sports.

Family: I have 2 older sisters who still live in CT, 1 younger brother who abandoned the New England snow for the sunshine of Florida, and lots of extended family in the New Haven area.

Career, business, volunteer…After I graduated with a degree in Computer Engineering, I spent 14 years with Pirelli Tire in various IT positions.  I had the good fortune of moving around the country and working in tire factories in Nashville, TN and Visalia, CA.  I know that doesn’t sound like ‘good fortune’, but I really enjoy factory environments, machinery, wiring computers to machines, and watching things get built.   One day I got a call from a recruiter who said he was from Microsoft and wanted to talk to me about my resume.  I thought he was joking.  I was living in central California and my mom was sick and in CT so I wanted to get a job back on the east coast to be closer to my family.  After a few phone calls and a quick flight to Charlotte, NC, I became a Microsoft employee and relocated to Charlotte NC.

I held 3 jobs in 3 years, progressing to more management positions.  I was offered a position in Bellevue so I jumped on it and relocated to Kirkland.   The job didn’t go as well as I had hoped, the stock market had crashed and I was burnt out.   I made a decision to leave Microsoft, take some time off and hopefully find a new position.  I took a well deserved break and spent time doing yoga, rollerblading, hiking, and generally recovering from being a workaholic.  I met the woman of my dreams online and we dated for a 1 ½ years before she finally convinced me to move to Bellingham in Oct 2001.  East coast girl meets small town charm.  Yikes.

Much to my dismay, jobs were scarce in Bellingham.  I did some sales, office management, and technical support.  Coming from the east coast, we have a propensity to eat.  Eating is a social event to us where we spend hours dining (and drinking) with family or friends.  I love to cook and entertain so I researched the culinary arts program at Bellingham Tech and decided to become the oldest member of the 2004-2006 class.  I loved going back to school at a more mature age and graduated at the top of my class.

Cooking for a living is not as exciting as it seems.  It involves hard work, long hours, little pay, and unhappy customers.  After a summer of cooking at a local restaurant, I was happy for the experience but longed for a day job where I could be on the same schedule as my friends.

Now I’m back in the corporate environment working as Project Manager for Operations at Ryzex, a global mobility solutions company.  I enjoy my job because I get different projects and I support a wide range of groups.

In my spare time I like to be outside, go to movies at the Pickford, check out restaurants, entertain friends,  read, play scrabble, and generally stay busy always doing something.  I also volunteer my time helping friends and neighbors with their computer issues.

Favorite music: All across the board.  Country, Classic Rock, Classical, Jazz, old school rap.  Always open to new sounds

Favorite book: Mary Doria Russell, The Sparrow

Favorite quote: “I’m a true believer in karma. You get what you give, whether it’s bad or good. ” Sandra Bullock

What do you like best about walking and/or running?

The challenge to run a little bit more every time, enjoying nature

What inspires you to keep a regular exercise routine?

I’ve lost 30 lbs so far so losing weight and controlling my health is a big factor as well as mentally feeling better about myself, the challenge of it, and being active and outside.

What are some tips you have about eating a healthy diet?

Don’t starve yourself.  Try to keep a healthy diet during the week and give yourself a treat on the weekend.   Think before you eat.

What is the biggest obstacle you have overcome:

A few years ago I struggled with alcoholism and bipolar disorder.  There were many difficult days and I wasn’t sure if I was going to survive them.  With a caring, supportive partner by my side, some very good therapists and  doctors, and medication to control the mood swings, I am in a much better position and enjoying life with a clearer perspective.

Your favorite place in the world you have walked/run/hiked:

Hiking with partner Pam in Kauai along the coast to hidden swim holes in rock formations.  Here she is in the jeep rental she loved and one of the swimming holes.

Pam and Jeep in Kauai

Swimming hole in Kauai

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Thursday, 10 November 2011

Melinda Herrera: Fit School Walk/Run Program Awesome Participant

Melinda Herrera

Name: Melinda Herrera

Age: 34

Where you were born (Hometown): Laredo, TX

Family: Youngest of 3 and only girl. I don’t have children, yet. The majority of my family lives in Texas and my mom lives in Ferndale. I do however have a dog and that is like having a child. His name is Toby and he a 5 year old Chihuahua.

Career, business, volunteer…I work at North Cascades Health and Rehab, I’m the Admissions Coordinator and Director of Sales and Marketing. I’ve been here about a year and half and I love every second of it. Knowing that our elder population is well taken care of makes me very happy. I like to volunteer as much as I can. I sit on the board for 2 non-profits. One is Elder Service Providers (www.elderserviceproviders.org) connecting people with appropriate services for their elder loved ones. The other is Communities In Schools of Whatcom County, (www.whatcomcounty.ciswa.org) we are a dropout prevention education program.

Favorite music: I listen to just about anything. Some of my favorite artists are Jack Johnson and Bob Schnider

Favorite book: This is a hard one as I love to read and have read hundreds of books so to narrow it down would be hard but I’ll share my favorite as a teenager and continued to read it throughout college, Forever by Judy Blume J

Favorite quote: I am right now where I am meant to be. It’s my mantra and I say it on a daily basis.

What do you like best about walking and/or running?

It’s just over all good for you. I see lots of people who are young and have to end up in a nursing home because they weren’t active. I like the pushing myself further than I ever thought I could have. One day I will be a real runner.

What inspires you to keep a regular exercise routine?

see above

What are some tips you have about eating a healthy diet?

I try to eat 5 times a day to keep from getting really hungry and over eating at the next meal.

What is the biggest obstacle you have overcome:

4 years ago life wasn’t the best. I was living in TX and in a bad relationship, one day my mom asked me to move away from it all. It was rough, my whole life was in TX and I am a TX girl through and through, never did I think I would leave. So in the blink of an eye I quit my job sold the majority of my belongings, packed my car and drove to Bellingham. Almost 4 years later I’m happier than I have ever been in my life! Life is amazing here and I don’t take one single day for granted.

Your favorite place in the world you have walked/run/hiked:

My favorite place in the world is Sitka, AK. I have traveled Europe and many places in the US but Sitka is by far my favorite town perhaps because it holds such great memories, while there I hiked every single day (8 days total) but my best hike by far was Mt. Verstovia it’s a 2500 ft elevation in under 3 miles. It was rough but so amazing. Anytime I think I can’t do something I think back to that day when I was finally at the top!.

Melinda Herrera on top of Mt. Verstovia, AK


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Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Tricia Bennink: Fit School Walk/Run Program Awesome Participant

Tricia Bennink in Epcot

Name: Tricia Bennink

Age: 39

Where you were born (Hometown): Olympia WA

Family: Husband Dave, 14 yo daughter Emma, 18 yo son Mike

Career, business, volunteer…Self-employed in medical transcription (digital from home), medical billing/coding

Favorite music:

I love almost all music!  My collection includes a wide spectrum of genres. Raised on everything from 1940s swing/big bands to 1970s classic rock & easy listening, my own era 70s-90s, plus current artists, some hip hop, some country/western, Christian contemporary, classical violin, guitar & piano.  Pretty much anything but metal & gangster rap.

Tricia Bennink at Mickey's Halloween Party 2011

Favorite book:

Favorite book is the Bible, followed by the Narnia series.

Favorite quote:

Lots of them! One I have by my desk:  “The cure for anything is salt water – sweat, tears, or the sea.” – Isak Dinesen (pseudonym for the woman who wrote Out of Africa)

What do you like best about walking and/or running?

My favorite thing about running is that it combines fitness with friendship.

What inspires you to keep a regular exercise routine?

Two things keep me on my routine – the accountability of exercising with friends (incl XFIT http://bellinghamx-fit.com/) and the desire to improve my pace.

What are some tips you have about eating a healthy diet?

The rule I follow most effectively is moderation. (except with raw veggies, then I eat as many as I want!)

What is the biggest obstacle you have overcome:

Parenting my 12th grader thru the previous 3 difficult yrs of high school. He and I took a trip together this summer and reconnected. This school year looks like it’s going to be his best ever. woohoo!!

Tricia Bennink - Disney 1/2 Marathon Postrace Party 2011

Your favorite place in the world you have walked/run/hiked:

I want to run everywhere in the world! Every time I hear about someone doing a race somewhere I want to put it on the bucket list. But I absolutely LOVE running in DisneyWorld whether it’s a race or a training run around the Epcot resort area. running+Disney=happiness (my own quote) :)

Anything else interesting about you:

Besides running, I love Disney & scrapbooking. “runcroprun” is what I call my annual schedule of races & scrapbooking events. I also love helping people plan Disney vacations and sharing my knowledge of Disney parks & history with them. Someday, I plan to be a tour guide at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Finally, I have a geeky fascination with words – grammar & spelling, pronunciation & speech, languages & word origins. (Handy for a transcriptionist.)

Tricia Bennink at Hollywood Studios

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Wednesday, 26 October 2011

Amy Van Pelt: Fit School Walk/Run Program Awesome Participant

Amy Van Pelt - Cedar Tree Fitness

Name: Amy Van Pelt

Age: 60

Where you were born (Hometown): I was born in Michigan, and I’ve lived lots of places – Indiana, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Illinois, and now Washington.

Family: Husband Joe, children Sam & Julia

Career, business, volunteer… I’m a personal trainer with my own studio:

www.cedartreefitness.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cedar-Tree-Fitness/204627907138

Favorite quote:

“If you don’t do what’s best for your body, you’re the one who comes up on the short end.”~Julius Erving

What do you like best about walking and/or running?

On the good days, running makes me feel light and strong and as if I could accomplish anything.  On the bad days, at least I can still say ‘I did it’.

What are some tips you have about eating a healthy diet?

Small changes can add up to a lot if you stick with them.

Your favorite place in the world you have walked/run/hiked:

I love running on the interurban, it is such a peaceful, beautiful place.

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Tuesday, 18 October 2011

Joan Miller: Fit School Walk/Run Program Awesome Participant

(from left to right) Joan Miller with daughter and daughter-in-law

Name: Joan Miller

Age: 58

Where you were born (Hometown): Santa Barbara CA

Family: Husband, 1 girl 1 boy 4 grandchildren 3 girls & 1 boy

Career, business, volunteer…Office Manager/Payroll for Full Facility Management Company-love my job!

Favorite music: I like all music, except country and opera

Favorite book: Just finished “The Help” and enjoy all Jodi Picoult books

Favorite quote: Don’t have a favorite – Love Life!

What do you like best about walking and/or running? Running gets me together with friends who share the same interests

What inspires you to keep a regular exercise routine? I want to be able to enjoy an active life as I get older

What are some tips you have about eating a healthy diet? You will feel better eating a healthy diet

What is the biggest obstacle you have overcome: I am 22 years clean and sober, each day I make a choice to stay sober and healthy

Your favorite place in the world you have walked/run/hiked: Boston

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Tuesday, 4 October 2011

Emily Ufkes: Fit School Walk/Run Program Awesome Participant

Name: Emily Ufkes

Age: 30

Where you were born (Hometown): Seattle, WA

Family: Husband and two kitties

Career, business, volunteer…

Employer: http://www.wecu.com/

Online craft shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/emelina

Blog: www.emuf.blogspot.com

Favorite music: I’ve been listening to The Wailin’ Jennys a lot lately (and love music like theirs on Pandora Radio). Fall always makes me want to hear more Madeleine Peyroux, too.

Favorite book: Any memoir on display at Village Books.

Favorite quote: “Walk with the dreamers, the believers, the courageous, the cheerful, the planners, the doers, the successful people with their heads in the clouds and their feet on the ground.”  Wilfred A Peterson

What do you like best about walking and/or running?

I love how I feel after running: tired. Not just regular-old-exhausted, tired because I accomplished a physical feat!!! I still underestimate the mental benefits of physical exertion: clear head, heart pumping, strong legs, lungs at peak performance all puts me in a better state of mind.

What inspires you to keep a regular exercise routine?

My friend Michelle! Since we started exercising together in June, I am WAY more committed than I ever was all by my lonesome. Whether we’re attending boot camp (summer) or running class (fall), I’m much more consistent knowing we have an ongoing commitment to work out together.

What are some tips you have about eating a healthy diet?

I started experimenting with fruit and vegetable juice this year. I love it! Favorite combination to throw in my juicer:

1 beet

5 carrots

1 green apple

1 lemon (peeled)

1 inch fresh ginger root (peeled)

1 cucumber (peeled).

It looks like crazy Kool aid, but it is delicious!

Your favorite place in the world you have walked/run/hiked:

Emily on top of Table MT in Cape Town, South Africa

I’ve hiked Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa (December, 2005).

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Tuesday, 23 August 2011

Be Inspired by Colleen!

Colleen Haggerty took part in the summer session of The Fit School for Women Walking/Running Program.  Colleen is an above-knee amputee.   With her permission, I’ve reposted her perspective of her first and last day of the 6-week program.  You can visit her blog at http://mymilewalk.wordpress.com/.  Get ready to be inspired…

Staying on Track (7/20/11)

Last week I started Carol Frazey’s Fit School for Women Walking/Running program

This program was recommended to me by my friend Cami Ostman, a marathon runner, who assured me that Carol is a great teacher and very accommodating to anyone’s needs. I emailed Carol to be sure she could accommodate me, an above-knee amputee.  After some dialogue, I felt assured she could.

On the first morning fifteen women met at 6:30 am at a local high school track.   I expected  about five women, so when I saw so many, I was intimidated.  Just that many more people to look foolish in front of.

We started off by walking around the track.  Carol wanted to get a baseline mile for each of us, so she timed us.  As I started walking I felt as self-conscious as I did after I lost my leg when I was 17 years old.  When some women started running past me, my throat constricted.  It was a challenge for me to not compare myself to these fit, two-legged women.  I don’t go to a gym; I don’t work out.  I just take my daily mile walk.   Hell, I don’t even have workout clothes.  I wore my cargo pants, an old t-shirt and a corduroy jacket.  So to be around women who are clearly active and fit was at first disconcerting. I panicked when I realized that all the other women would likely finished their mile while I still had half a mile to go.  Would they all have to wait for me to finish?

Then I remembered what Carol said before we started walking:  this is not about comparing ourselves to each other; this is about doing something for ourselves.  I’m a busy, working mother.  I don’t take much time to do anything for myself – and when I do it’s not usually something healthy, like waking up at 6:30 in the morning to walk and do push-ups.  So I puffed out my chest and stood a little taller.  I realized that I can compare myself to every woman there till I’m blue in the face and in doing so I’ll only feel worse. Or I can acknowledge that I’m doing this for me, for my health and perhaps I’ll learn a more efficient way to walk.   Every woman on that track has a story, a reason to be there, and I decided I’m just another one of those women.  I’ve excluded myself, physically and emotionally, for so many years because I’ve told myself I don’t fit in.  Well, that morning I decided I do fit in, simply because I showed up.

And, yes, I was the last one to finish the mile.  But who’s keeping track?

Personal Best (8/21/11)

Last Thursday was my last day at Carol Frazey’s Fit School for Women. I walked onto the track that morning knowing that we were going to be timed as we pushed ourselves four times around the track – 1 mile.  The first day of class six weeks ago we did the same thing  - so there was a time to beat.

I told myself it didn’t matter, that going faster is not my goal, that I’m not in this to win anything or to prove anything to anyone.  I’m simply doing this class to get fit and be healthy.

What amazes me about runners is that they do it.  When I was a girl with two legs, running was always hard for me. Within a block I had a splitting side ache and my lungs felt like they were on fire. Even if I still had my leg, I doubt that running would be my thing.  There was one woman in the group who clearly loves to run.  Each time she passed me I heard her breath, heavy and steady.  Little puffs of morning air escaped, like she was a small dragon-lady.  Her gait was fresh and light; her ponytail bouncing behind her like it was swishing flies from her back.  It’s not that she was fast; it was that she was determined.  She probably was my opposite, wanting the beat her time from the first day of class, wanting to see improvement.

She kind of rubbed off on me.  All the women walking and running that morning did.  After my first lap, I realized that it I did want to I improve my time.  I acknowledged that how fast I walk is directly related to increased fitness.  By increasing my pace I increase the benefits of the workout.  So I kept walking, despite the muscle cramps in my residual limb.

On my third lap I remembered how hard it was six weeks ago to join this group of able-bodied women who seemed so comfortable in their bodies, who could run if and when they wanted to.  I remembered stifling back the tears, feeling like the odd girl out again, just like after I lost my leg.

But this wasn’t about them, this was about me.  This was about doing my personal best.  And that one runner who ran laps around me inspired me to do my personal best just by doing hers.  I decided that this does matter.  I did want to improve my pace.  I did want to prove to myself – not to anyone else – that I can get better at walking.  Even if my fastest walking pace is still slower than everyone else on that track, it was better than when I started.

I am proud to say that I rocked!  I finished my mile  2 1/2 minutes faster than 6 weeks prior.  I came in at 18 minutes, 41 seconds.

Maybe I’ll sign up for Carol’s next session.  Who knows what my personal best can be.

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