Mission Accomplished, and it feels so good!

Ernie and Sheila Chomor, Joanna Meyers

November’s 5K was the Parkville Turkey Trail Trot. When I signed up I posted it on my FaceBook page. Almost immediately my sister in law, Joanna messaged me to sign her up for the corresponding 2 mile walk. About a week later my Mother, Sheila asked to be signed up, and then my father Ernie did too. My parents were coming to Kansas City from North Miami Beach, Florida to spend Thanksgiving with me, and Joanna was to drive in from Mitchell, South Dakota, as long as the weather held out. It was fun to know they wanted to not only support me in my fitness goals, but to participate with me also, which was so special.

My signature finishing pose: "arms raised"

 They were there as I passed the starting line, because the walkers would begin about 10 minutes after the runners. What a treat it was for them to also be at the finish line to cheer as I crossed that one as well, because they had finished their two miles just a few minutes before I completed my fasted 5K of the year! 

 

My dad is 87, and he said he still had plenty of steam and could have walked the full 5K…he and my mom were troopers, because while they walk daily in south Florida, they don’t have to contend with doing it when the temperature is in the upper 30’s! Perspective is everything though, because it was comfortably mild to Joanna compared to the winter weather in SD.

December brought me to my last 5K of 2016, the Christmas Light 5K in NKC, and it was thankfully correctly advertised as “pancake flat”. I love a flat course, this one did not disappoint, and it wound through north Kansas City as we got to run in the dark through neighborhoods with lovely holiday lighting and families outside cheering us on.

Two Ninjas, Robert and Lisa

Santa was on hand for pre-race pictures, so of course I had to get a picture with his Jollyness and my biggest cheerleader, the Husband. 

Dr. and Mr. Meyers with Santa

I had extra cheers at the finish line this time, as the coolest 9 year old I know, Ninja Robert, and his parents came out to celebrate the completion of my year-long fitness goal. The four of them braved the cold (it was just 35 degrees, brrrrrrr!) to bear witness to my journey and acknowledge my hard work.

Mission accomplished!

My 2016 fitness goal was to complete one 5K race per month. Starting out in January, I thought it would be great if by December I was able to jog the whole way without stopping. Well, I crushed that goal right out of the gate, and it only got better from there. Of course, by “crushed” I mean I was going just fast enough in January to not be considered going backwards, but at least I didn’t stop or walk.

I remember the agony 12 months ago, when my mantra throughout the first 5K was a simple “of course I’m gonna finish”. I thought I was going to pass out when I crossed the finish line, but I also clearly remember how strong I felt, and how proud I was that I actually did it. That feeling of strength and accomplishment was just as present when I ended my December race, after repeating the same mantra throughout as I ran in the dark in 35 degrees.

 

January Results

December Results

 November was my fastest time all year, I shaved 10 minutes and 27 seconds off my time from January!!!

Congratulations on finishing the 2016 Parkville Turkey Trail Trot!

The following are your personal results:

Name: Lisa Meyers                    

Gun Time:   42:07   

Net Time:   38:30   

Net Time Pace: 12:24

Some things I learned along the way… my friend O’Neal Hampton was right when he said my mind would want to quit way before my body needed to (thanks Unc, wise words that I never forgot); I am stronger than I gave myself credit for; Having a buddy helped me get the fitness journey started, but showing up for myself is just as important, because sometimes you have to go it alone; Setting a goal and proclaiming it to the world is very helpful for accountability; Springing for the expensive gear makes all the difference in how pleasant the experience is; Finishing strong is a daily choice; and having special people at the finish line cheering you on is highly motivational.

What’s next?

Well, over the last few weeks I have convinced myself to train for a 10K in 2017. I feel like this is an attainable goal, and I have targeted the Plaza 10K as The One, primarily because it is later in the year and mostly flat. So…that’s the proclamation, my accountability has been activated…see you at the finish line!

TPG's Enthusiasm for Fitness Continues!

My Shadow self is AWESOME!!!

Well, this month's theme is "Don't Give Up!"

September got away from me, and I forgot about the 5K I had planned for the last Sunday of the month. When I searched for a replacement run I was luck to find one on September 32nd...also known as October 1st, :-) WHEW, I snuck it in at the last minute!

I ran a PR (personal record) at the Harley Davidson Scarecrow Run, with a race time of 36 minutes and 56 seconds. I was also 4th in my age group! I was particularly pleased with these results because on race day, minutes before the start, I realized that my I-Pod battery was dead and I would be running alone and without music. Despite these obstacles and several big hills, I finished the race strong!

 Two weeks later the real October 5K was an evening run, on October 13th. This was also my 10 year wedding anniversary, and I was happy to celebrate with fitness. It was a beautiful Fall day, and I had the pleasure of watching the sun set as I went West and the moon in the sky when I turned back East. The Great Pumpkin Run was held at Berkely Riverfront Park, and I knew it would be a mostly flat course, which is my personal favorite.

The obstacle with this race was my own thoughts and emotions. I was really annoyed and frustrated with the traffic and parking difficulties, and was in a bad mood by the time I got parked after taking 30 minutes to go a quarter mile. I wrestled with thoughts of turning around and just leaving, but at the same time being excited about my tenth 5K for 2016. Fitness enthusiasm won, and even though I was late I decided to stick it out and run my race.

I was not expecting to beat my time was two weeks ago, given the level of frustration I was starting with. My mind was focused on just finishing without stopping. I had my music ready and shifted my thoughts to visualizing crossing the finish line.

I felt so accomplished after this race, and could not wait for the results, because I felt pretty sure I ran my fastest time to date. When the results posted I was proud of myself for not giving in to frustration and I was reminded of the power of positive thinking. I hit another PR, with a race time of 36 minutes and 18 seconds! That's a far cry from my time way back in January when I completed the Groundhog Run at 48 minutes and 57 seconds...proof that great things happen when you honor your fitness goals by showing up consistently and following through. Every. Single. Time. #10down2togo

8 down, 4 to go! TPG's 5K Challenge

We are eight months into our year-long challenge of completing one 5K per month in 2016. It has been a wonderful adventure in dedication and self challenge. June brought the good doctors to the Donut Dash in North Kansas City, with a wonderfully urban flat course. 











July's 5K was Rock the Crossroads, and it was a ridiculously hot night run. But the t-shirt and medal were too cool for Dr. Meyers to pass up, so she strapped on the camel back and when Dr. Turner took a pass, she recruited her husband, Jerry, to fill in. He was a trooper in the heat, and it was exciting for him to complete his first 5K.

A friend suggested the 5K for August, Head for the Cure, located at Corporate Woods. This was by far the largest 5K TPG participated in so far this year. There were thousands of people in attendance, and the atmosphere was like a huge party.







We are planning to participate in the 13th Annual Smithville Dam 5K Run/Walk and the Great Pumpkin Run for our next two races. Think about joining us in September or October for fun and fitness!

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!

Feels Sooooo Good: A Massage Is More Than a Luxury!

Along with a diverse team of mental health clinicians, Turner Professional Group has several massage therapists to provide clients relief and rejuvenation. One of the many benefits of a multi-disciplinary practice is being able to offer patients who are struggling with stress a proven method of relaxation, such as massage. Massage Benefits Are More Than Skin Deep according to the NY Times. As holistic practitioners, this is a great alternative to the over-reliance on medications.

Some of the ways we utilize massage for our clients, include patients who are experiencing anxiety or stress. An example of this might be women who are seeking our help with painful intercourse. There can be great deal of emotional frustration with the process and massage can be a welcomed and soothing tool in their healing.

In addition, massage is a good tool to help clients become more mindful and present in the moment. For those folks who have a tough time slowing down or taking time for themselves, this can be a useful but sometimes challenging homework assignment. So suggesting a massage appointment can be a fun way to train patients in the skill of ‘self-care’.

To get a better understanding of massage, we sat down with one of the skilled massage professionals at Turner Professional Group,  Sarah Chapman.

TPG:    How long have you been practicing massage?

SC:       I began practicing after graduating from massage school and becoming nationally certified in August 2011. I have also been practicing Jin Shin Jyutsu acupressure since 2004 and Raindrop essential oil sessions & Emotional Release with essential oils since 2008.

TPG:    People think of massage when they have a kinked up back, but what are some other reasons a person might want to integrate massage therapy into their routine?

SC:      People who receive massage and bodywork on a regular schedule see improvement in their muscle tone, circulation, and overall body function. Their bodies are better equipped to cope instead of holding on to those knots and kinks, so they are able to perform at an optimal level and feel their best. A small portion of my regular clients also report that routine massage helps them lose weight and maintain their weight goals.

TPG:    Many people think of massage as a vacation-type luxury. Is there any benefit to routine massage?

SC:      Yes! Besides the physical benefits, there is a huge emotional and mental wellness component to massage. My clients share that they often feel more calm, balanced, and are better able to respond to stressful situations in their lives. It will also boost the immune system, keep brain function sharp, and lead to more restful sleep.

TPG:    How often should someone schedule a session?

SC:      This really varies for each individual. Some of my clients come weekly, others come every 6-8 weeks, but overall most people do really well with a monthly massage. For the majority of people, getting a monthly massage is the perfect schedule to keep the body and mind at optimal wellness. Another great benefit of routine massage is that the effects are cumulative. One massage does wonders, and the effects of receiving massage on a regular basis adds up!

TPG:  Sarah, this has been very useful. Thank you. Would you mind taking some questions from folks who are following us?

SC:     Thats a great idea! Ill post answers to more questions next week and Ill add some resources for folks. Hope everyone joins us here again soon. Thanks, again and happy relaxing to everyone!

TPG:   You can post your questions in the comments sections and Sarah will give you some useful tips.