We Caught the Running Bug!

Dr. Lisa invested in better footwear before February’s Mardi Gras 5K because after the Groundhog Run in January she had a blister that didn’t heal for a week! She now tells everyone who will listen about the benefits of proper fitness enthusiast gear, especially running shoes. At the urging of Dr. Turner, she went to Garry Gribble’s and got an assessment and recommendation for better sneakers. She found out that she need a neutral shoe to better support her foot shape and stride.Boy did it make all the difference! Not only was there no blister the past four races, but she no longer has to wait a day or two between runs. 

TPG’s running duo had high expectations for the TropiColor Run, but the morning of the race Dr. Turner was pulled away to provide family support in a crisis, so Dr. Lisa represented TPG at the Color Run, our fifth 5K for 2016

 

This was a great opportunity for Dr. Lisa to see if she had what it takes to go it alone. The solo run was cathartic, and she achieved a personal record, as her race time was 41 minutes.

 The good doctors make time to train in between 5K’s and they had the opportunity to continue this practice while in Puerto Rico recently for the annual AASECT conference. There were no beach-side trails; however, there was a lovely lagoon nearby that made daily runs enjoyable despite the heat and extreme humidity.

Spring Runs Were A Success!

The chosen race for March was the Storybook 5K located at Theater in the Park, in Shawnee Mission, KS. It was a beautiful early Spring day, clear and sunny, with temperature in the mid 40s.

In keeping with the theme, several runners were dressed as their favorite characters from children’s books. The good doctors snapped a photo with the Cat in the Hat post-race.

Bright and early Sunday morning, we ran the Trolley Track Race, the fourth out of our 12 races. Not sure WHY runners like the wee hours of the morning, but we greeted the day with smiles. The day could not have been better, not a cloud in the sky and temperatures in the low 70’s. This was one of the most popular races with an estimated 8000 runners. WOW! Running through the beautiful Brookside neighborhood we were greeted by neighbors with words of encouragement, cow bells, and even a couple of Prince medley serenades, which really motivated us. Feeling like we are able to get into a running groove much faster now. Mind you by running we are still talking a slow, S.L.O.W. fast walk/jog.  But that groove seems to be key to making the run less work. We still  operate under the rule to "just finish" and allow walking breaks when needed. Having this respite rule makes the race less daunting.

Is "Porn Addiction" real?

Porn addiction gets a lot of media attention. No wonder most adults worry about it and most have no clue what it is or isn't.

Check out Marty Klein's thoughts on the topic in his recent rebuttal to the "Porn Addiction" hysteria.

Our team of sexuality experts recently attending the SSTAR (Society of Sex Therapy and Research) Conference in Chicago. Many in the field of sexuality are concerned with the misdiagnosing by the lay public of complex sexual issues. Often people are demonizing relatively common or non-pathological sexual activity and unfortunately all too often untrained clinicians fall into the trap of popular hysteria around sex. The public deserves better trained practitioners around sexuality and we in turn need to advocate for a more holistic understanding of health sexual pleasure.

Is sex the last frontier to full inclusion for people with disabilities?

Guest Room is a powerful look at an often ignored topic: sex and  individuals with Down syndrome.

 The 13-minute film follows their journey from the bedroom to the moment of truth where Amber takes a pregnancy test. Starring Lauren Potter (from Glee), this award-winning short narrative film focuses on the relationship between a young couple with Down syndrome and the complications that develop after a surprise pregnancy.

As Amy Allison, Executive Director of the Down syndrome Guild recently shared, "People with Down syndrome are not eternal children. They grow, develop and mature into adults who seek out intimacy and sexual relationships. Proper education and support is critically important to ensure healthy sexual expression."

"People with intellectual disabilities desire love, connection, intimacy ...just like the rest of us. They want to experience a full and meaningful life", shared Dr. George Turner. His 2012 research defined a "sexual voice" as a tool that may help people with Down syndrome live a healthier, safer, and less isolated life. Drs. Turner and Meyers will be presenting this research August 18-19, 2016 at the Transgressing Boundaries and the Intersection of Sexualities in Social Work in Olten, Switzlerland . "An inclusive life can not only focus on community living and working, but must integrate social-sexual skills if we are going to help people with Down syndrome and other disabilities navigate the landscape of adulthood," stated, Dr. Turner.

 

Pursuing Fitness in 2016

The good doctors have continued their relentless pursuit toward better health and wellness this month. Together they have been attending Bootcamp through their Groupon of-the-month at Freight House Fitness, in addition to the monthly 5K they committed to.

Freight House Fitness bootcamp has allowed us to expand our fitness efforts into strength training. As we age our bone density can be compromised though the natural aging process, and strength training is an excellent way to combat some of these effects of aging.



Pre-race festivities

This month our 5K focus was to have fun in the spirit of New Orleans by tackling the Mardi Gras KC 5 K Run. The weather was beautiful for a winter run, with sunny skies, low wind, and temperatures between 35 and 40 degrees. 

In the two weeks since the Groundhog Run we were able to increase our speed and endurance, and we shaved off 5 minutes, 18 seconds from our race time. It felt so great to have a tangible outcome that validated our hard work.




At the finish line

We have our year planned out for one 5K a month, and we are excited to track our progress and growth over the next 10 months and share it with you! If you are thinking about setting your own fitness goals for 2016, here is a link to local runs

There are so many fun ways to enjoy fitness and challenge yourself. We have learned that the collateral benefits to this journey are strengthening friendships and building community. So what are you waiting for...Grab your bestie and sign up!