A Forced Rest by Victoria DeWaters

Well, I have had to take it very easy during the past week. My radiation treatment has caused some significant swelling and skin damage; therefore, I have been unable to do any training for the Rap River Run 5K. Ugh, so frustrating to feel like you are making some progress and then you get knocked down! I am feeling hopeful though, as my last radiation treatment is on April 8th--I am ready to be done and get back to my life!!!

For now, I must rest, and let my body heal.

Hmmm...I am feeling a bit antsy though, so I wonder how long I will be able to put up with this!

Walking RRR Part One, Year Two by Ginny Pierce!

Hi to all walkers and runners,

This is Ginny Pierce. Hopefully many of you remember me from blogging last year. I'm 62 years old and last year RAP River Run was my first ever race. I was thrilled to finish it because the year before my health was so bad I couldn't even volunteer. In fact, I could barely stand. But I made it and was so proud. Follow me again this year as I go for two RRRs in a row!

I have slowly have gotten back into my walking routine to prepare for this year's 5K Walk after this cold, cold winter! I'm back to 1-1/2 miles every 2nd or 3rd day but plan to add more time so I'm doing 3 miles a day for the month previous to the race. I'm so excited and my goal is to improve my time of one hour and 48 seconds.

If you remember I have had two knee replacements in the past three years and back surgery with five metal rods implanted four years ago. My health this past year has been good other than a gall bladder bout and once they removed it I felt like new!!! I do the walk to support the RAP House and the great work they do with kids in our community. They have suffered tremendously and the small amount of effort and pain that I endure to train and do the race is nothing compared to what we can do for them by raising dollars. I will keep you posted weekly on how I'm progressing and I hope to see you all there with friends and family!

Walking for youth,
Ginny Pierce

I think I can, I think I can....by Mary Rozycki

My best Friend Michelle and I after finishing The Main Street Mile in April!


My name is Mary and I am a 5th grade teacher here in Pasco County! I have been a teacher for 13 years and really enjoy making an impact of the live of the children in my class. In addition to my 20 plus students, I have a set of 3 year old twins that keep me beyond busy. Having such a busy life I found it hard to make time to make me a priority. And then one day I did!

March 27 , 2009 was the day that I decided to regain my life back. I was ready to get healthy! So that day I started to eat healthy and leave behind the days of fast food, tv dinners and yes even soda. In exchange I was eating fresh fruit, veggies and homemade meals. I increased my water intake to a min of 1 gallon of water a day.

One year later my results have been dramatic, I am done almost 60lbs! Truly AMAZING! However, that was only part of the goal now I need to get in shape.

So I set my goal to run and yes I mean to run an entire 5k. Before I tackled this feat I needed to start with baby steps, so in April I ran the Main Street Mile, and yes I ran it, in 11min. Not to shabby considered before training for this, I had NEVER run before.

I am very lucky to have such great friends who also decided to take on the challenge I set before them of a 5k!

The training program we decided to use is called Couch to 5k, it states you can go from a couch potato to run a full 5k in just 9 weeks!

This is now week two and so far so good!
Follow me on my journey as I update you on my goal to run my first 5K at the RAP River Run !!!

The Training Begins: Some Progress...and Some Setbacks by Tory DeWaters

Well, after deciding to walk/jog my first 5K, I challenged myself to walking the entire 3.1 mile distance (around my neighborhood) within one hour. Luckily, I can do this without too much trouble; however, I'd really like to get through the race in a bit less time. Wasn't I able to "run" a mile in 14 minutes in Junior High? I think I was awarded with a "C" for that! Honestly, a 14-minute mile would be an A++ for me right about now!

Well, considering I am currently receiving daily radiation treatment, maybe I should keep my goals more attainable?

Last Thursday, I timed myself at the gym on the treadmill...no incline. One mile took me just over 18 minutes, and yes, I hustled at the end to get that time. I huffed and puffed and sweated profusely. Burns from radiation treatment mixed with sweat just plain stings; plus, my knees growled and my shins and feet barked at me. Ugh, 18 minutes times 3.1 is...will there be any food left by the time I finish this race anyway? I might could finish faster if I focus on the food...

I decided I might want to enlist the help of a trainer at my Gold's Gym in St. Petersburg. I signed up to work with Kyle, and I have worked with him 3 evenings so far. He is aware of my goal, and is also working with me to regain some of my strength and stamina that I lost during chemotherapy. He is also being mindful of the fact that I am still in treatment (well, he's pushing me a bit, but that is what I asked for!) I still need to have him help me with some stretches to ward off the growling and barking from my lower legs.

On Sunday, quite spontaneously (and without regard to the 1st and 2nd degree burns on my chest, armpit and upper back), I decided to time myself on the treadmill for the entire 3.1 mile distance--while working as hard and as fast as I felt comfortable. Well, I am unsure if I was actually comfortable, but I finished in just under 48 minutes. Woo hoo! I celebrated by doing some strength exercises for about 2 minutes. Yeah, I was pooped.

Unfortunately, my skin had gotten so bad by Monday afternoon that I had to cancel my next appointment with Trainer Kyle. As of now, I am having to wait a few days for my skin to heal up a bit. I am using compresses and creams to ward off infection and pain. Honestly, the radiated areas hurt badly enough that I am not really interested in going to the gym (or even walking around the neighborhood).

I am optimistic that I will be ready to train again very soon! Stay tuned!

Training for my first 5K, during cancer treatment and beyond!

My name is Victoria DeWaters, and I have never had much of an interest in jogging or running. Folks who know me have probably heard me say, "The only time I am going to run is if a dog or a police officer is chasing me, and the likelihood of either is very small!" So, why have I decided to walk/jog my first 5K at the Youth and Family Alternatives RAP River Run in June?

In 2009, I experienced one of those "life changing" years. Early on, I had decided I needed a lifestyle change. I wanted to re-tool my diet and introduce regular exercise into my life. By mid-year, I had worked off some extra weight, and I was exercising around 5 days a week at my local Gold's Gym. Then, just a week before my 35th birthday, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Breast Cancer. Soon after this, I endured two surgeries (including a double mastectomy), and I began an aggressive course of chemotherapy in mid-October 2009. Radiation treatment would begin in early 2010.

By the end of 2009, I had experienced 4 chemotherapy sessions...I had no hair, about 13 pounds of extra weight from strong steroids (meant to combat allergic reactions to the chemo medications), and not a lot of strength or stamina. Yet, I continued to work, and I even managed to go to the gym...about once every other week.

After chemotherapy ended in January 2010, radiation treatments soon began. This entailed daily treatments, Monday through Friday, for a total of 33 sessions.

With work, radiation treatments, and a dog who enjoys his evening visits to the dog park, one would think I had enough on my plate--especially for someone in the middle of cancer treatment! And yet, I was determined to regain my health and fitness.

In early March, I decided to set a new fitness goal for myself. As luck would have it, local Pasco County community members and my employer, Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc., were beginning to gear up for the 3rd Annual RAP River Run. This event raises money for youth in crisis who need shelter, counseling and/or life skills services. As a proud supporter of my employer and the services we provide at the RAP House, this seemed to be the perfect challenge to me (physically and mentally) to participate in our annual fundraising event--a 5K Run!

In the hopes of inspiring others to overcome and conquer life's challenges, and to help raise awareness (and funds) for the Youth and Family Alternatives RAP House, I am honored to offer my words--my story of preparing for this event. Please check in every Wednesday for a few words about my progress, and please also plan to join me on June 12th, 2010, for the Third Annual RAP River Run!

Let The Adventures Begin!

Thanks to a great response, we now have several people who have agreed to blog about their training and goals for the RAP River Run. We hope you follow along and give them lots of support as they work hard to achieve their goals. Hopefully, they will also inspire others to do the same.

Here's a little information about a few of our guest bloggers.

Ginny Pierce: Ginny blogged last year about doing the RAP River Run after two knee replacements and barely being able to stand the year before. She's back again and after again dealing with health issues, she is ready to tackle the 2010 RAP River Run with her amazing will and great spirit.

Tory DeWaters: In the past year, Tory was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has undergone surgery, aggressive chemotherapy and now is enduring radiation. But, she is determined to complete the 5K at the RAP River Run. Her story is one of great determination and inspiration.

Mary Rozycki: In March of 2009, Mary made a life changing decision to get healthy and fit. Today, 60lbs lighter, Mary is following the couch to 5K training plan and will run her first 5K at RAP River Run. Mary's story will show us that anything is possible when we put our minds to it.

Our bloggers will be updating us very frequently so check back often. Be sure to give them encouragement and join in on the conversations.

The 3rd Annual RAP River Run Is Getting Closer!

It's hard to believe, but the 3rd Annual RAP River Run is less than 90 days away. With the weather finally turning warmer, it's time to get out and start training whether you are going to run or walk.

Planning for the race is in high gear, and this year's race promises to be bigger and better than ever. Some of the things planned for this year include:

- Race fees that have not gone up! RAP River Run is still the best bargain in town at $15 for the 5K and $10 for the One Mile Fun Run. We haven't raised prices since our inaugural race.

- A One Mile Fun Run that will be chip timed and will start at 7:30. Now you can do both the One Mile and the 5K!

- Vendors/Expo. Be sure to bring some money along with your running shoes. We will be having vendors at Sims Park offering a wide variety of items

- Post Race Party by Carrabba's in Lutz. Carrabba's has handled the post race party since the inaugural run. Sugar n'Spice will be back this year too with lots of post race goodies.

- Collection boxes for shoes. These shoes will be distributed to those in need in the Tampa Bay area. We'll also be posting collection locations shortly.

- We're on Facebook! Become a fan and get updated with all the latest news, training tips and more. And, we're giving away free race entries to our Facebook fans. Become a fan at www.facebook.com/rapriverrun

We're also looking for guest bloggers. If RAP River Run is your first 5K run or walk or if you are trying to achieve a fitness goal by race time or have any other story you'd like to share, please comment to this blog or send an email to pat@pattersonmarketing.com