Melrose Boot Camp

Archive for the ‘As Seen on Melrose Patch’ Category

On April 16, 2012 I will be running the Boston Marathon as part of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Marathon Team.  Since December I have been physically and mentally preparing myself for my 12^th Boston Marathon.   I will be running for those who have lost their lives to cancer, have won their fights, and for those who continue their battles.  My Uncle Frank is on my mind and I know his spirit will be with me on race day as it has been with me during my training.

This weekend I will complete my longest training run so far this year of 16 miles.  Running such a distance provides plenty of time for reflection.  I think a lot about how grateful I am that I can physically take on such a challenge.   I think about how far I have come personally and professionally since my first one in 2001.  The marathon has given me the confidence to do more in life that I ever thought I could.  There is little more powerful in life than succeeding at something that at one time you thought you could not do.  When life gets tough I still think if I can do that, I can do anything! Running Boston and more specifically, running for Dana-Farber, has taught me the importance of paying blessings forward, generosity of spirit and has brought out the strong woman in me.  These last 12 years of running have provided me with a way to honor loved ones and to contribute to innovative cancer research.  I am very grateful for the opportunity.

We now have just 50 days until the Boston Marathon 2012!  So if you see someone out running here in Melrose, chances are good that person is doing more than running.  He or she may very well be training and could very well be training for a charity close to your heart. Give them a knowing smile and wish them well.  Such exchanges are more appreciated than you know. A dollar they raise may be a dollar that helps you or someone you love.

Best wishes runners, See you out there.

 

 

The other day one of my MBC teammates said, “Joy, I moved all of my boot camp clothes to my top drawer this weekend.” Inspired by her seemingly simple comment, I promptly went home and did the same.

Our homes are a reflection of ourselves.  From the photos and art we choose to display, to knick-knacks on the shelf, and even to the clothes in our closets. Home space is precious and the items filling it should reflect one’s interests, priorities and values.  My teammate’s vision had recently changed.  A new priority had made its way to the top of her list. Fitness had become a newly discovered interest, strength and ultimately, a new way of life. Her perspective had shifted.

Her comment prompted me to give careful thought to how my home environment supports not only who I am, but also who I want to be.  For her, the nudge came from her newly found interest in being physically active, sparked by joining an exercise group.  She acted on it by filling that top, most easily accessible drawer, with her exercise clothes.  For some of us we just know deep down we want to be that thing~ that athlete or that artist, that musician, or whatever it is that we see ourselves being. For others of us like my teammate, we don’t know until we get a taste of it. When the vision emerges isn’t as important as how we respond to it.  It is possible or we wouldn’t have been given the gift of seeing it in our mind’s eye.  By setting up the environment to support our vision, we are setting ourselves up for success.  We are setting ourselves up to be the best version of ourselves and we owe it to ourselves to settle for nothing less.

Today take the time to move something to your top drawer.  What do you want to radiate? To be? To do? Surround yourself with things that support your new vision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday morning Melrose Boot Camp teammates were invited to a bonus boot camp workout at 5:15 am. To get the workout off to an extra positive start, participants were asked to bring along donations of school supplies for Melrose students in need.  MBC teammate, Chris Cinella, is currently collecting such items at his Edward Jones office on Main Street.  His efforts inspired us to help too.

The workout was tough but, despite getting dirty and wet, we all left energized for the day ahead and it felt great to help out.

Collection efforts continue through the month of August.  While you are doing back to school shopping for your children, please consider picking up an extra pack of pencils or notebooks and dropping them off at Edward Jones, 502 Main Street.

Thanks to all who turned out for yesterday morning’s workout! an impressive number of notebooks, pencils, back packs and more were collected.

Thank you for your generosity!

 

This morning I led morning boot camp for 10 teenaged girls. They woke up early and looked a little sleepy but within a few minutes they were taking on every challenge I threw their way. Improved competitive sports performance may be their motivation, but the stage being set for living fit is far more important than winning any game. To explore physical activity now rather than 15 + years later as I first did, is such a gift.  While it is never too late, the mental and physical strength and life lessons learned through athletic experiences now, gives these girls a jump-start on being anything they wish to be and doing anything they wish to do.  Physical fitness not only leads to a powerful body but also to a powerful mind.

Involvement in competitive team sports can be of great value and enjoyment but is not the only way to set the groundwork for a life-long fitness habit.  Running, swimming, hiking, cycling, yoga, karate, fitness programs like boot camp…whatever peaks ones curiosity, challenges one physically and mentally, and brings one joy.  There is something for everyone and it is our job as parents and mentors to help our children find that thing..Whatever it may be.  I left the workout inspired knowing how important the morning was and I believe some day, they will know it too.

 

Running Revisited

June 20, 2011

Wednesday I headed out to my first race since the Boston Marathon. Every Wednesday the Mystic Runners host a 5k run around Lake Quannapowitt and finally after many I wills and I’ll do it next weeks, I found myself at the start line with some of my Melrose Boot Camp teammates.

I had sickened a bit of running; the training and the intensity had gotten to me and since the Boston Marathon I’d done little to none. Logging all of those training miles had taken their toll and for a while, I was simply done with the whole running thing. It happens every year for me following the marathon and knowing this makes it bearable, for like the ups and downs of running 26.2 miles, when things are hard it also means around the corner things will get better. Wednesday night, they did.

Running a race isn’t all about the clock, it’s about the whole experience. It’s about engaging in a healthy activity with others. It is about wishing good luck and offering congratulations.  It’s about celebrating what I can do as well as celebrating what others can do too.  But if I didn’t care about my speed I wouldn’t be running on the clock so that is definitely on my mind too.

I was fearful about my first timed run in months. It may not have been my fasted, or smoothest but I’m on my way. The hardest part is starting. If you’ve had that wish to run a race nagging somewhere inside of you, take the leap. You will be glad you did. I know of a friendly and flat 5k nearby with a very pretty course. Interested?

 

Melrose Marathoners and the MRC

May 24, 2011

The City of Melrose and the Melrose Running Club united Tuesday night in celebrating the 40+ Melrosians and members of the MRC who ran the 2011 Boston Marathon. The celebration was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall following the MRC’s weekly Tuesday night run. Club members along with Mayor Rob Dolan, Alderman Peter Mortimer and State Representative Paul Brodeur were present to celebrate the marathoner’s accomplishments.  While the Boston Marathon was the focus this particular Tuesday evening, every Tuesday is a celebration of running in Melrose thanks to the Melrose Running Club.  On any given Tuesday runners may be seen leaving the Knights of Columbus Hall around 7:00 setting out on 3-8 mile runs. In addition to the weekly runs and organized long runs on weekends, the MRC provides a multitude of other activities that promote the sport of running and contribute to the well being of the community.

The MRC is involved in organizing the annual Assault on Mount Hood in December to benefitHousing Families Inc. and the Melrose Run for Women in May to benefit the Melrose Alliance Against Violence.  These two races serve as significant symbols of Melrose’s rich running history as well as representative of the value it’s residents put on fitness and on helping others. Thank you MRC for your hard work in making these two events such positive experiences for new and experienced walkers and runners alike.

Looking around the room Tuesday night, it was inspiring to see so many active men and women of all shapes, sizes and ages together celebrating their common interest in living fit. While the MRC clearly promotes the sport of running, it also fosters camaraderie and community connection.  The club is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in meeting others with a shared interest in leading physically active lives.