JANUARY 2010 R3 FEETURE Runner

Read here about Kate Hover, a Mom, a Military Wife, a Runner, a positive part of the Clarksville Community.

FROM KATE:
I am a military wife and mother of three (6, 5, and 3 years old). I started running 13 years ago in Georgia after meeting another military wife who was a runner. We lived in the same apartment complex, had both recently married, and moved away from home for the first time in our lives. We’d meet to run, chat, and to pass the time while our husbands were away. Since I was new to running, a mile or two was about all we’d accomplish. Next, my husband and I moved to Hawaii where I met another military wife who motivated me to run. She had just recently had a baby and was trying to get back into shape. While in Hawaii, I ran several races including a marathon, a triathlon and an adventure race that lasted over 17 hours and covered 72 miles! However, I didn’t consider myself a serious runner and I just enjoyed each event at my own pace. It wasn’t until three more moves and three babies that I started to get serious about running. I had three kids in three years, and I had already quit my job as a teacher to stay home and take care of the children.

After my third child was born (on the same day my husband left for a 12-month deployment to Iraq), I set a goal to get back into shape and to become a better runner. I started out running short mileage, but I trained for and ran the Army Ten Miler in October 2007 averaging 8:20 per mile. I was thrilled! Up to this point I never thought that I could run faster than a 9-minute mile. After that race, I joined a local running group in Charlottesville, Virginia and trained for another ten-miler. Just five months after the Army Ten Miler, I ran the Charlottesville Ten Miler at less than 8:00 per mile!
Now I am part of the R3 Team in Clarksville. Running with a group has helped me meet people in the community, to learn the area, and to run in places where I normally would not have visited. I never would have met my running friends if it weren’t for the group. I would rather meet friends for a run than for lunch, shopping, or pedicures. The R3 Team has also helped me become a better runner. I ran the Country Music Half Marathon in April at 7:37 per mile.

Although I usually crave running , there are times when it can feel like a chore. Times when the kids’ homework and extra activities seem endless... Times when my kids are sick or when my husband is working long hours or deployed... But it doesn’t matter - I make running a priority. I schedule it on the calendar along with my children’s school and sporting events, volunteering, FRG meetings, etc. It helps that my husband is a huge supporter, but I get a babysitter for times when he can’t be home. Running requires a commitment, but the payoff is more than worth it.

To all of you busy moms out there, I say NO EXCUSES. Make a commitment to yourself. Set a goal and start out small if you are new to running. If I can do it, you can too! Running makes me a better mom. I love it!

Resolution Run!! Jan 1, 2010 10 am from the Island Bar and Grill.

Hello Everyone. I know that Christmas and the Holidays are upon us.. but now is the time for us to manage next years races or walks and to entertain a goal that we would like to accomphlish. A 5K, A triathlon, a Marathon.. whatever it is that your body and mind accept. Now is the time to take a few days off of regular training and look at the upcoming schedules of the New Year's offerings.

I hope everyone's Holidays are full of family and love, and everyone's addiction to getting healthy continues into the New Year.

We have such a variety of people that come into the R3 Store. It is a great reminder of what a healthy lifestyle can offer: lifelong friends that choose to finish a 5K, Sisters that walk for a cause, parents that drive their children to excel in running and sports, brothers from around the world running the same race, and then there is you...you with your own campaign and compelling passion not to win every race, not to win any race, but to just improve your last time.
To feel that last push of energy and to know that you did that, in that moment of time, that you pushed yourself to run just a little bit harder, to give just a little bit more, to desire something and drive to receive it.

It will be a great year ahead, whether the marathon is on the agenda or those first two miles.

I challenge everyone.. to find at least one person you know, just one...from the office, from your daycare, a family member, a close friend, a person you just met... to encourage them to take a walk, if they run, to finish a race. This race can be with you on a training run or organized race. Make it an event, make it an experience to remember. Some examples of fun things to do to get people motivated, hmm...that is easy.. (1)Dress up for the walk, I mean really dress up in your favorite funny, decorative gear and watch the heads turn,, time will go by so fast and your belly will hurt from laughing more than your legs.. (2)Walk or run to a place, once completed with your run, have a drink, have a healthy snack, have a coffee, run with the stroller to your babysitters and keep running after you drop the kids off. (3)Have an established run or race on the calendar (i.e. www.active.com or www.r3running.com are good websites. A suggestion is to have one more than 4 months away. Get as many people that you know to run or participate, either by support or watching and encouraging or just walking the event. Make shirts for your cause and get busy!!(4)Find a cause and have a reason. This is really the easiest one.

Lastly, be prepared, be safe and have fun.

RESOLUTION RUN!! JANUARY 1, 2010 AT 10 AM FROM THE ISLAND BAR AND GRILL OFF MADISON. 2551 MADISON ST, CLARKSVILLE, TN.
FREE RUN, just bring your shoes, warm gear and your resolutions.

Can not to see you in the store for upcoming new items.



Take Care,
Cyleste
R3

In the blink of an eye...

Hello Runners!

Today's topic is how fast things can go wrong...

My leg is starting to feel like a leg is supposed to. So, of course, on a run last week I managed to roll my left foot. I was pretty sure I had managed to break it in half. I rolled it one time in my college days, and ever since it has been a little touchy. I was just running along and stepped on a rock or something and... BAM!! Pain. I was furious! Finally back on track (kind of) and lost it again! I cut the run short and took the next day off. Luckily all seems to be well now.

It just goes to show you how all the preparation in the world can be derailed by a rock in the road. I was going for a very easy run the day before a half marathon a few years ago and stepped on a stick and rolled that same foot. I was, of course, in a state of panic. I managed to win the half, and my foot made it through ok. The panic was for nothing. I could have easily talked myself out of a good performance.

I guess one thing I've learned is that you can't control much outside of your body (or in it for that matter). There are going to be sudden tragedies. There are going to be colds. The weather is going to be terrible. You may even step on a rock and twist your foot. You'll run through the things you can and take time off when you need to. What I haven't learned is how to stay positive. It's one thing to say that these things are going to happen, and that they are just a part of running. It's another to believe that when it all goes wrong, but I'm working on it.

Keep it up!

Devin

"A trip to Omaha" or "My friends are all runners"

Hello Runners!

I just flew in from Omaha and boy are my arms tired. But seriously...

I spent the weekend in Omaha visiting one of my best friends. We were pretty lazy all weekend but managed to log some miles and have a lot of fun. James was one of the first people I really bonded with at Murray State. We ran a lot of races side by side (though James usually beat me in the end).

I have a some really great race memories with James. There was a 10k on the track at Arkansas State University. We took turns leading a lap at a time until James finally out kicked me (of course). At the regional cross country meet my sophomore year, James and I were tied for dead last for the first half mile or so of the race (we both finished much better than that). At the OVC track and field championships my junior year, James and I took turns leading the 10k for the first mile. At one point we heard the race announcer, over the loudspeaker, saying that it looked like we were having a pretty good time. We didn't place very well, but like the man said we had a pretty good time. There was a meet at Vanderbilt that we ran unattached from the team. I wore a Batman T-shirt, and James wore a shirt that said "here comes the dummy" on the front and "there goes the dummy" on the back. Every lap people would yell "go dummy!" and "go Batman!" We both ran PRs that night.

Most of the really important people in my life are runners. Many of them are my former teammates. It's comforting to be a part of the "tribe". Those former teammates of mine are people I know I'll always be able to count on. Something about the "trial of miles" really bonds people together. Even when we weren't running we spent most of our time as a team. We'd be at a meet all day, stuck in a van together for a few hours, and still hang out when we got home. We spent countless hours goofing off in the locker room, inventing ridiculous games. The team was the best part of running in college. Not the races. Not the times. The team. I miss the team. I'm lucky to still have some great people to run with. But, nothing will ever be like being a Murray State Racer again.

I don't know if most runners are really great people, but I've been lucky to find some of the greatest. I wish everyone could have the "team" experience. I think the world would be a better place.