Each Day Is a Gift

Just tell them how EASY it is and how good they will feel when they are done. i think if they want to motivate them they need to have an actual 5k for them to work towards!\

Awesome job today with all your 7's!

Smoothie, you are the perfect person to speak to them. Just tell them your story about when you first started running and about all the great friends you've made since then and how many marathons you've ran, etc. etc. You'll have them all mesmorized and ready to take on the challenge!!!

You will do great smooth. I had to do a similar thing for the 11 year old girls in our ward. I let them taste GU, Show them all the shoes/equipment I had and let them see some metals. I also talked about nutrition and how the word of wisdom helped my running.

That is so cool that you're going to mentor other runners. It will feel good to give a little back to running (as you give so much already in so many other areas). You'll do great!

You'll do GREAT! Let them ask questions as well, I was an 'athlete' in HS, but running a 5K seemed like an ETERNITY to me! I think if someone like you would've talked to me about how great it was I probably would've done it a lot earlier in life! Nice work on your run and swim, you'll be tri-ing in no time :)

Smooth, from the day I met you I aspired to be like you. Aside from your abilities to run like the dickens, you have an influential ability with people as well. I second the comment about just saying what got you into running, how you started and the fact that it takes baby steps to get to your desired potential. When I started running I ran for 8 minutes and wanted to die. I later increased it to 15, then 20, then registered for my first 10K with no additional expectations of myself. Then, once I felt I could go further, it progressed from that point. However, it will only take one person's example to inspire those girls to run and if anyone will set an example it's you!! You are going to do AWESOME!!! Good luck to you. I want follow up details on that one!

You will do amazing! I want to come and listen. Take all of your medals, that will make some jaws drop and get the girls pretty excited. You are amazing, and you have some really great stories that will inspire the young ladies.

Great workout by the way! I love the 7 stuff, you make me laugh.

Smoothi,

You are the PERFECT person to give the girls this pep talk and encouragement. Just say this, "Look at me ... I'm in my 50s and look how stinkin' good I look ... I'm a ROCKSTAR!!!" The pass out t-shirts that say, "Don't hate me because I'm Smooth" or "Smooth is so in!" or "Smooth It" ... something like that anyway!!! :)

I love you so so so much. You will do FANTASTIC!!!!

:) :) :)

In the 12 years I've been teaching fitness to teens I've found that you'll inspire them merely through YOUR passion for running. Sure you can "light your hair on fire and do the hula" (name the movie, anyone?) but kids see right through "passionless" lectures on the importance of fitness.

Kelli,

Excellent idea! I have talked to the Sport director about it. We made a calendar with dates and some local 5K races they can sign up for. We are planning a 5K possibly on the JRP midweek early Sept. Just don't know how many girls are gonna be there and if there's enough interest.

Dale,

I have met a lot of GREAT friends thru running. I will for sure share that. THANKS!

Kathie,

Hubby did ask me if I was going to include scriptures. Thanks for the reference. I think speaking to the 11 yr olds is more up my alley than with teenage girls. It's been a long time since my only daughter was a teen. Hmm I think they might get gross out with the gu.

Marc,

Thanks! I just worry that I don't have anything to offer these girls, some of them might be very athletic and super fit already.

Rachel,

Thanks for giving me that prospective. I hope I can instill that vision in them that they can do anything they set their minds to.

Kellie,

THANKS for the kind words. I have a picture of you and me after the Spectrum 10K, I look at that often to remind me of what a great friend and sweet person you are.

Great insight on the baby steps. These girls can definitely achieve meaningful goals by taking baby steps.

Bec,

You should come and talk to the girls. They will totally relate to a beautiful girl like you. They will aspire to be you. It is gonna be at the Stake Center at 7 pm. Can you come? Good idea on bringing the medals. Do you think that's ego-centered? I don't know. I'll have to ask hubby what he thinks about "showing off" the medals.

Teena,

That is so HIGH SCHOOL! You make me laugh so hard. Hey, it isn't about me...heavens forbid.

Kristi,

You speak with 12 years of experience!!! You know what teens are like. Man, I hope they don't see right thru me, I'm really a whimp inside. But I do LOVE running! What movie was that line from? I'm not good with trivia.

The answer is.....The Lion King!