Sunday, October 21, 2012

PR's, WOW's and Kitty Morgan

Dr. Desiree Smith had just arrived at HHS as a new administrator.  She looked over the class schedules and needed to make a few adjustments in the math department.  She brought Kitty Morgan into the office and explained to her that her class schedule would change for the upcoming school year.  The math department at HHS required a few adjustments to "ensure our students would have the opportunity to reach their potential."  Ms. Morgan sat patiently and quietly listened to her new challenge.  Ms. Morgan is always up for a challenge, doesn't back down from hard work or the need to make adjustments in her life to be the best she can be for HHS.  As Dr. Smith, finished up her explanation, Ms. Morgan began to smile.  You see, Ms. Kitty Morgan-one of the hardest working members of the custodial staff, happens to have the same name as Ms. Kitty Morgan our former math department chair.  Kitty Morgan, custodial staff member, wouldn't be comfortable in the confined space of a classroom.  Instead, she needs to be in a large area such as the space provided by the entire campus at HHS for her career path.  Really, she's more comfortable out on the trail or South Lakeshore where she trains for 5K's.  She has now completed four 5K's over the past year.  Her finish times continue to improve, her strength continues to improve, the weight loss is steady and her constant smile is a reflection of her healthy lifestyle.    Not only has Ms. Morgan made those adjustments, but she now has a training partner.  Ms. Angela McKenzie is another member of the custodial staff at HHS.  Ms. McKenzie has completed two 5K's since beginning her fitness endeavors in October of last year.  One of the best things about The Movement is watching as we continue to expand to more participants and the best recruiting tool we have is each other.  On the bus ride back from the Susan Komen-Race for the Cure, I decided to challenge Ms. Morgan to once again "reach her potential".  Mercedes Marathon training begins now.  If you see Ms. Morgan out on the trail, ask her if she is training for the 10K, 12K or Half-Marathon.

I hope you are asking yourself that same question.  If you are aiming for a 5K, you need 8-10 weeks to be comfortable running the 5K.  For the 10K or 12K you need 8-12 weeks, dependent upon your current fitness level.  For the half, you need 12-14 weeks.  For the full you need 16-18 weeks.  Mercedes Marathon weekend is February 15-17, 2013.  Set your goal, reach your potential:  Start training now.  If you are interested in this Movement event, stay tuned for team information in next week's blog.

WOW=Workout Of the Week.  Gann's Clan, ITF:  The Movement and the Afternoon Outlaws have been posting some incredible numbers and times.  Now, we will offer the WOW.  Anyone can participate, on their own.  Just check out the tab above for the workouts posted for Gann's Clan and ITF: The Movement.  If you beat the leader board time posted feel free to shoot me an email or Tweet your success to #hwdmoves.  The competition is fierce and makes us all stronger.  For Gann's Clan:  Pam White is an athlete you will be chasing.  She has proven to be on the top of the leader-board for many of our WOD's.  In Gann's Clan, some of the athletes to watch out for are Tyler Burgess, Megan Laney, Teri Varnado, Alison Glover and Maggie Stoffregen.

Congrats to HHS on their second win of the 2012-'13 Season of the PPC.

Walktober leader after week two is Genie Christian at SCES.  BUT, watch out, as I am blogging, I currently see the runner-up Laeri Boyd and his dog, Ozzie making laps past my kitchen window!

Opportunities to Move this week:

SPIN Class at HHS:  Wed. 4:15-5pm and Fri. 6am-6:45

Gann's Clan and ITF: The Movement-Tue/Thu at capacity

Open Gym: Afternoon Outlaws at HHS Mon/Wed. 3:30-4:30

Zumba:  At Edgewood Elem. Thursday 3:45-4:45pm

Keep Moving.

 

Saturday, October 6, 2012

W2WW=Fun, Fitness, Friends

[caption id="attachment_888" align="aligncenter" width="768" caption="W2WW"]W2WW[/caption]

Nancy Scruggs and Mary Jane Coker took full advantage of the Nat'l Walk to School Day last week.  When Nancy topped the hill coming from Vestavia on Columbiana headed toward Hall Kent Elementary, she had no idea that Mary Jane was topping the same "hill" on Hwy 31 coming from Vestavia headed to Shades Cahaba!  Yep, both of these ladies were amongst the 118 employees who decided to hoof-it to work on Wednesday of last week.  So many great stories came from our first Walk 2 Work Wednesday of this school year.  Congratulations to all participants.  Let's don't make this a one and done practice.  The Movement will organize a few more W2WW throughout the year with our participating coffee stops (by the way, be sure to thank O'Henry's, Hart and Soul and Homewood Diner), but you don't have to wait on those special occasions.  Walking to work is as simple as deciding to plan ahead.  Did you know Homewood is Alabama's Most Walkable City?  If you live outside the city of Homewood, here is your plan to take advantage of our Walkability.

Hall Kent:  Park your car at Patriot Park, walk to work and back to your car after school.

HMS and Edgewood:  Park at Central Park, walk to work and back to your car after school.

SCES and HBOE: Park at SOHO, walk to work and back to your car after school.

HHS:  Park at Brookwood Mall, walk to work and back to your car after school.

This practice of walking allows you to add movement into your daily routine.  Eventually, the movement becomes part of your healthy lifestyle.  One of the HBOE teammates has decided to use walking as her exercise to coincide with Iron Tribe training.  The two-mile loop she measured near her home, is the perfect addition to the muscular strength/endurance and flexibility training plan she has added with ITF/The Movement.  Way to go, Dr. Betty Winches!

Walktober Challenge:  Be sure to post your total number of steps in the provided space on the PPC card.

PPC Week Four Winner:  HBOE hosts Mr. Movement Trophy for the second time this year.  Edgewood finished in second place with a great week of points.  KEEP MOVING!

RACE FOR THE CURE, OCT. 20:  Your PPL is recruiting members for our HCS, The Movement team.  This is a walker-friendly event.  Our goal is 100 participants from HCS.  Transportation will be provided if needed (must have at least 20 people interested in the bus transport).  This event is perfect for anyone who has never participated in a 5K.  Please register asap to allow race packets to be delivered to your school.

Movement Opportunities:

No Spin Class this week

ITF and Gann's Clan: Tue/Thu. -at capacity

Open Gym aka Afternoon Outlaws:  HHS- Monday/Wednesday 3:30pm until

Zumba:  Edgewood- Thursday 3:45