Ginny Pierce Finishes RRR in record time!

Hi to all walkers, runners, bloggers and fans,
My plan to "Walk Ohio" fell through with the connection of me and a bacterial/sinus infection the day I left. I spent my two weeks in bed mostly instead of working out!! It was miserable but I did still enjoy being with my family and my grandchildren, 7 year-old-twins, AJ and Ashlea. They were my nurses and always made me feel better even when I didn't physically!!

I returned last week in time to finish fighting the worst of this awful infection off and was able to walk on Saturday. I even shaved 5 minutes off my time from last year and was I proud of that! I saw so many people I knew cheering me and all the walkers and runners on and it was an absolute wonderful feeling to cross that finish line.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committee members and participants that made this happen. You all worked so hard and gave so much to the kids. I know it's truly appreciated and I'm proud to be a part of something that continues to grow each year to support our local kids and give them a safe place to go if that option arises.

See you all next year!

Ginny Pierce

RAP River Run this Saturday!!!

I am so excited that the RAP River Run is this Saturday! I am elated that this is my first 5K, and I am proud to be participating for such a great cause!

My fitness regimen has been somewhat interrupted during the past couple of weeks due to work and home/family obligations; however, I have managed to squeeze in some training time. I do feel like the heat does get to me a bit, but I am sure that I will be able to finish at around the 48 minute time. I feel a bit disappointed that I have not been able to reduce this time much...but I am at the same time quite proud of myself for being able to participate at all! My body has been through a heck of a lot during the past year, and I am going to continue to work on my fitness level. I feel so inspired by preparing for the RAP River Run...I hope to see all of you this Saturday!

P.S. I love cheering and clapping...bring it on!

Ginny Pierce Off To Walk Ohio!

Greetings,
Well, not all of Ohio, just around Columbus and southern Ohio where my kids have their lake house. Lots of hills though so that should finish getting my calves in shape for the Rap River 5K Walk. I'm also looking forward to a little break from the heat and anyone that knows me that I detest the heat and humidity that our summers serve up. I leave Thursday morning and will return June 7th so I will catch everyone up on my training just before the event. I am happy to report though that I am walking 2-1/2 - 3 miles daily and I'm so excited about the upcoming Walk this year. With the new route and many, many more walkers and runners we owe kudos to those have done all the organizing. Thank you Rap River Run Team. This is proving to be one of the most popular events in the surrounding area so that means we will be able to help more children reach a safe place when they are in situations of abuse and neglect.
Sincerely
Ginny

Shaving off Some Time!!! by Victoria DeWaters

Well, this past week has been a whirlwind of activity for me! I have been working, taking the dog to the park (and the beach), and exercising regularly! During the past few nights, I have been focusing on reducing my time for the Rap River Run 5K...just a few short weeks away!

Since I have been using my trainer, Kyle Woodward for help with weight-training activities and nutrition advice, it has really been up to me to focus on my running and walking. I still struggle very much with running for any distance--I seem to have to do short intervals of jogging mixed in with walking at a fast pace. Last night, I completed the entire 5K distance in just 48 minutes! Tonight, after an intense weight-training workout, I completed a mile in just over 15 minutes...woo hoo!

I have still struggled with getting out in the heat to jog/walk very much. I seem to get very tired, very quickly. Luckily, I can complete the entire distance; however, I cannot keep up the same level of speed that I can indoors. So, I have decided to work in some short bursts (of faster walking and jogging) to help shave off some time!

Check back in next week for an update!

Ginny Pierce's Neighborhood Cheering Her On!

Hi Walkers and Runners,
I live in Nature's Hideaway and the residents on my street are really close, friendly and spend alot of time outside. Most of them have small children, dogs and cats and it's really an ideal neighborhood to raise children with great neighbors. Rick and I are the older (in age and time of residence) people at the end of the cul de sac. They all helped see me through the bad times, surgeries, rehab and even helped take care of me when Rick had to work so they really give me the high five and cheers when they see me walking every day. I've given out flyers and am hoping to get some of them there with me for the 5K Walk or Run. Alot of them didn't even know about the RAP House and the wonderful safe shelter they provide for kids that are less fortunate than theirs. If nothing else I hope to educate them about our mission, our needs and build some support. They all know I'm a Rotarian and am on the board for the PACE Center for Girls. They save news articles for me about my activities when they see them in the paper, especially if I happen to appear in the photo. It's amazing what you can learn about people when you walk your neighborhood and I feel really blessed and grateful to live where I do know my neighbors and I can call on them if I need to. I also hope they know they could call on me and I want to say "thank you neighbors" for supporting me in all activities and especially giving me encouragement for the RAP RIVER RUN and the kids we are walking for!
Ginny

Wait, she's going inside and I'm headed out?...by Victoria DeWaters

Goodness! The last couple of weeks have been hectic for me. I went on a trip to Baltimore/Washington D.C. for a memorial service, and I have been traveling around a lot for work (including an overnight stay in Orlando last week). I seem to have found little time for any sort of structured exercise.

Thankfully, I have been able to get up to the gym during the last couple of nights. I continue to meet with my trainer Kyle, who is now working on helping me gain some upper body strength (yeah, I apparently cannot bench press a sandwich.)

The Rap River Run is just 1 month away! I have got to re-focus on my 5K time...and getting out to run/walk in the HEAT! I've exercised so much indoors, that I am unsure how I will do outside. We shall see...

I Would Have Never Guessed It....by Mary Rozycki

I am now on to week 7 of the C25k program! Here is the routine for the week 5 min walk warm up run 25mins 5 min walk cool down. When I saw this pop up on my IPhone for the week training I almost fell over. No way was I ready to run for a full 25 mins, just last week I was still doing intervals, with breaks in between!!!!

The day came that I had dreaded it was workout day! The heat was just too much for a 25 min run so i broke down and went to the gym. Wow I realized what I had been missing by running outside, AC!!!! And TV. This combo made the 25min run no problem ! Can you imagine 25 min of running in a row!!! Me either but it is true and looks like I am increasing next week. Check back to see if I am able to keep up this pace of training!!!