The spring semester has finally come to an end, leaving me with plenty of time to reflect on the actives of the last month. I have been luck enough to have been surrounded by some amazing individuals who have reminded me just what the word "INSPIRED" means.
At the end of April I was honored to be asked by Skirt Sports to again help with the Boston Marathon Expo - standing along side owner and founder Nicole DeBoom, assistant Noelle Wilson, and epic marathon pioneer Katherine Switzer. INSPIRING is being surrounded with three women who define the meaning of #realwomenmove - through their personal accomplishments, promotion of general health and fitness to women of all shapes and sizes, and support of our growing young ladies who are about to join the active lifestyle movement.
I would have to say that the best part of the weekend was watching Katherine Switzer interact with a 3rd grader who wrote a school hero report all about Katherine's impact on female marathon running. Katherine was so grateful, and took her time to talk to the young lady all about her experiences and what it was like being a marathon runner prior to the 1970's. Having such a woman leading the way for health and fitness among our youth is one of the reasons I love working in the field of exercise physiology and being an Ambassador for Skirt Sports - I know that we are making a different to the lives of so many women and young ladies across the globe.
After enjoying two days at the expo with my favorite Skirt Sport ladies - it was off to be INSPIRED while volunteering on the Boston Marathon Course on Monday. Despite the cold rainy weather this year, nothing could have been more rewarding than seeing thousands of runners pass by the tables, 9 miles into their marathon journey. Among them, those that INSPIRE me the most - the disabled athletes. Those athletes who have persevered through so much more than just the training for a 26.2 mile run. The athletes who run with one, or even two, prosthetic limbs; the blind athletes, the wheelchair athletes, all of the athletes who work harder than the typical human to achieve greatness.
I left the marathon experience feeling uplifted, feeling stronger, and feeling humbled. A clear reminder that no mater the challenge, perseverance, dedication, and determination can lead to achievement. That achievement does not need to be a 26.2 mile race - it doesn't even need to be a 13.1 mile race - choosing to get up off the couch and make today the day to start the healthy journey towards a new body is achievement enough. Today's achievement will turn into tomorrow's reward.
Looking for a little more INSPIRATION??? Take a minute to enter to win a basic entry into the Skirt Sports Virtual 13er (this means that you can run from the location you live in - no traveling to Boulder, CO required. Although Boulder is an amazing place to race!!!). In order to enter - leave a comment below (be sure to add in your email address where instructed so I can notify if you have won) and winner will be selected at random at 6:00pm EST (so you make your entry for your printed skirt!). Even if you don't win - the virtual 13er is a great way to INSPIRE run a half marathon with friends locally!!
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