Fit on Vacation

Dr. Meyers went out of town recently and recruited several people to join her in a 5K in South Florida. This was an opportunity for her to continue to work on fitness goals while on vacation with family and friends.

Cathy, Lisa, and Michelle strike a super-hero pose at the finish line!

The Fifth Annual Triumph 5K fit in the travel schedule, and the entry fees went to help the Triumph Crisis Recovery Center  put an end to the epidemic of domestic violence against women and children by stopping individual victimization and reducing the devastating impact of family violence. All proceeds would benefit survivors of domestic abuse through counseling, emergency shelter and legal services, a very worthy cause to support.

It was really special to have two childhood friends participate. Cathy is a friend from grade school, and Kim is a friend from high school. In addition to them, Michelle and Regaine, friends from a trip abroad last summer ran the race. Family members were well represented too, with Sheila and Ernie, Dr. Meyers' parents, walking with her brother Gene, along with his son Patrick.

The whole crew, from left: Kim, Michelle, Regaine, Lisa, Patrick, Cathy, Gene, Sheila, and Ernie

This was Cathy's very first 5 K, and she began training in January to be able to run it. It was also Sheila and Ernie's first full 5K. Back in November 2016 they walked in the 2 mile portion of the Turkey Trot when they came to Kansas City for Thanksgiving. And Michelle has done other 5Ks but this is the first one she ran the whole way. Despite the heat and humidity, the whole crew finished.

Ernie,at 88 years old, won second place for his age group
and scored a winner's medal.

TPG is so proud of how the fitness journey Dr's Turner and Meyers began in 2016 with the concept of "one 5K a month" is inspiring others to get out and get moving to experience better health!

Trolley Track Run 2017

Wet, WET, & WETTER was our start to today's Trolley Track run, but right before it started the rain slowed a bit and stayed a mild drizzle the whole way.  A beautiful morning S-L-O-W jog winding through the gorgeous Brookside neighborhood makes this one of our favs. 

Month 4 to getting fit in 2017

A cold-n-rainy start is no deterrent for our enthusiasm and dedication.

Woot. WOOT! We are 1/2 way done. Feeling strong!!!

Wet ...but we did it!

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!