A Starr is Born~Literally~HappyBirthday Starr!

As Promised working my way to update the blog with races ...but first I want to Show Case one of my Runner "Kids" Starr Gantz...

 

*****But first here's some important info on my ShowCase Runner*****

 

Starr retired after 42 years, having worked in Adolescent Medicine in Pediatrics and Young Parents Program in OB Clinic as a Registered Dietitian at UK. One door closed, and another one opened, she decided to become a Team leader for the March of Dimes/ March for Babies, and strongly believes in their programs to prevent preterm deliveries and that they are making a difference. March of Dimes provided research funding not only for the polio vaccine, but many more for babies.

This year her Step Challenge raised $1200! Friends and family donated to the March for Babies and then attempted to outstep her for a week. There were only 3 that did, Marcus, Tommy, and Mindy. Fifty eight people participated, and everyone received a prize.Last year she raised $1800. I agree with Starr, babies are our future and deserve a fighting chance.

Meeting Starr was by chance after a race that the Kid was doing in Lexington...this is where we have met Many of my Runner Kids....About 6 years ago, Starr decided that after walking 10,000 steps per day for years she decided she could get her exercise done faster by running. It was a disaster. Which led to her having to use an inhaler after only running past 3 houses along her street. Starr like all runners I've met didn't give up, and kept adding more distance to her attempts. She eventually found a trainer, Larry Jackson at Synergy Inc. Through her training she was able to build her strength and endurance. Her mileage now can average from 10-30 miles per week depending on what she is training for. Quoted from Starr "Running is something you do for yourself, not for anyone else". "And yes, I do run for the bling!" and Oh the Bling they all have acquired....

 

She enjoys  running by myself or with friends. Along with the friendships (shout out to the Flamingos {there are Four Original Flamingos} and Weekend Runaways) made through Running, traveling, and so many fun experiences is really what Running is all about. I've witnessed not just her but most of the runners like running all the various distances, and though she 'says' come June this is really going to be her last marathon referring to the first in Kentucky Women's only Filly Half-Marathon.

She joined Bluegrass Runners because of wanting to be part of putting on the Thoroughbred Classic on Thanksgiving, as it was great way to give back to the community.

 

Those of us that Know and Love Starr also know her love of Chocolate!! Last year the kids competed in 3 Hot Chocolate races. It was fitting then for her to become a HotChocolate Ambassador....a Perfect Fit indeed.  As Ambassador she shares her 'code' for those that want to also enjoy in the fun and of course CHOCOLATE! So those who want to do a destination race to Nashville use code NASHSTARR19 for extra swag in your bag.

 

Starr turned 65 this year and OMG is More out of Control than ever before...it's the hormone patch

so it was fitting to have a Race Birthday party Flamingo Style...

She IS one of the original Flamingo's More on that later.

 

During this years Quarter Horse Relay at White Hall in Richmond the Kid and her buddies put on a Lavish "tent" flamingo style surprise Birthday party before, during, after the race.....talk about pink galore, I'm not as fond of the color but have learned to go with it as I too am part of the original Flamingo's. There were flamingo blow ups, cut-outs, banner, water bottles, thermos containers, lawn deco,

 

 

as well as a Flamingos cupcake Cake from Sweets by Cindy (she did amazing as always)..

The Race itself was The Most Miserable I've been too EVER!! Rain, Sleet, Snow, Snow with Sleet, Cold, Wind you name it [only in Kentucky]....the Worst! But it was Birthday Girl weekend and the kids pulled through to make it a day Starr would remember...

Starr & Bobbie aka the 'Kid'

 Maggie Tibbles & the Kid

the Kid & Lori MacGregor

Starr & Lori

 

The next day, March 25th, after going through Cold, Rain, Sleet & Snow...she did her 'official Kick-off' Birthday Walk of .65 miles in her neighborhood which by the Grace of God is was Sunny and only slightly cool {again crazy Ky weather} the Kid and I went to help celebrate and get some steps in...she mapped out a course through her neighborhood, had a water stop, and also had a Beer, Wine, snack stop before finishing at her home where you won prizes for completing the walk A~N~D more food!

So Here's to you my Starr, and one of my Star performers...I will see you at many more races to come as well as share many more hotel rooms during the Weekend RunCations!

 

 

Hugs, Kisses, Run Safe Wishes!

 

a Runners Mom & More





 



~~ Bad, Bad Blogger ~~

 

 Hi, my name is A Runners Mom its been 3 months and too many days since my last post [hanging head in shame]. It's obvious that I need to enter a support group for Bad Bloggers. Soooo much has gone on since my last post and though there are a lot of reasons why, they all sound like excuses. I really need to do some catching up posts, but for now I want to just start fresh with today. Let me start by saying I was suppose to have several weeks off from the running photography stuff.

Well that didn't happen!

Leave it to my young'un to get back in the swing of things with not only running yet again on her wedding {Jan 1st} anniversary with her Hubby, but to also start competing in races. I didn't go with them on the anniversary run, since the kids eloped 13 yrs ago and I wasn't there then {and I'm OK with that} I decided that's their day and good ole Mom is sleeping in and doing NOTHING!! I did however go with her to the Resolution 5K Run and she started the Rockcastle Series with a race in Brodhead, enjoy some of the pictures of ''my'' runner kids from the race.

 

Bobbie & Gerard before the race. At least it was a good day we had been having Polar Vortex cold weather during January so this was a welcome surprise. 

 

Harper Smith

one of our running Preacher's - Brother Stillman

Morgan Bottoms - I'm not sure he would have ran had the weather been colder.

 

Kim Hamilton

 

LaWanda Carr

Here's my SIL, isn't he cute!

 



my young'un Bobbie, sun in her face and looking determined

 

Amanda Smith-Sheffer

 

2nd in her age group, great way to start this Series.

 

 

 

a runners mom~~that's what I am!



10K away and My New Runner Kids...

Having children is a blessing, and I'm truly blessed with not only my own daughter (+ 2 others), I'm blessed to have acquired so many 'runner kids'. The hobby of running that Bobbie choose to start doing in 2009 has helped provide us to not just being together but with a way of connecting more as Mother and Daughter. Talking about - well - everything, life, work, marriage, the sport, friends, family, money, kids you name it we've talked/laughed/defended/owned it. Little did I know that her sport would benefit me in having more and more kids in my life. Let me show you my newest adoptive 'runner kids':

Sherry Peavler 

Sherry started running early this year and if I went back through my folders I've most likely taken her picture at some point. I'm not sure how she and Bobbie know each other (other than running) but at the last race in Stanford she was included in the group photo. More about her in a later post.

 





Lisa Mattingly 

Lisa! O~M~G she is a MESS!! {in a good way}. Lisa approached me several races ago talking about seeing me at all the races and who was I with, you know info in general. She is so funny and has an energy about her that doesn't seem to end.  Lisa's partner-Bob- is in the picture below. Bob is the Yin to Lisa' Yang - or Yang to Yin what've, all I know is that they're cute together.



 







Bob Griffin 

The race was at RJ Corman and as always fun to be at. His facility and grounds are undoubting the best I've been to with the runners. They hosted a 5K as well and in the typical RJ Corman style everything went without a hitch. The runners knew where and how to go on the course and the after party again was typical RJ Corman, complete with Banana Ice Cream!! And yes even us non-runners were allowed in indulge. Check out my runner kids;

Back Row= Bob Griffin, Russell Woods, Jason Todd, Darin Cundiff

Middle Row= Lisa Mattingly, Sherry Peavler, Angela Todd, Rachel Cundiff

Front Row= Nitzi Stinnet, Kim Hamilton, and last but never least  My Baby~Bobbie Perkins 

 

This is part of the Bluegrass Runners Group.

 There will be more to report and I still want to touch based on more of the 'Not a Slacker' post you can read about it here!  Until later this chick is hitting the hay it's work day tomorrow!!



a runners mom~that's what I am!

Shakertown 5K 5/4/13

Let the season begin...again...with the Wilderness Series that is!  WoooWhooo here we go! First I want to post a picture of one of my runners...

Mark Morgan this is for you! Your first on my list, with the positive remarks you gave me after the race I couldn't resist. Thanks for taking the time to read this blog, your humor and wit is awesome and you simply amaze me with your dedication to the sport of running ..

Speaking of humor just look at my young'un...I didn't know what the heck she was doing....keep in mind she's starting to be more like me every day...in the picture she's showing how she 'tested' the stretch of her shorts in order to carry a stuffed animal..oh yea I'm a proud Mom....

OK so the shorts are stretchy enough, I give all my kids their Good Luck hugs, kisses and be safe before I head down the path to find a spot for photo opportunities... The spot I wanted was occupied by resident geese, geesh they were LOUD and not happy about me wanting to stand near them...

they decided to waddle their butts back to the water and nest, huh...fine by me, I had runners getting ready to roll...

Jason Todd #425...smiling as always...

Ricky Lane #446...in his zone eyes straight ahead..

 

Our own Ernst Crown-Weber #478...

 

Betty Lewis #475...her sister #479

Bobbie (my baby) #450 talking to Judy #432

Sheri Satterly in pink not sure what her number is...

Melinda Wofford #434 with her friend and new running buddy...

this is the first year that it didn't rain during the race...though it was in the forecast it stayed nice and dry for the runners...the gift of this rainbow proves just how great life is... 

 

sometimes it's not good for me to be alone waiting for my runner kids and the rest of the runners to finish, I tend to talk to whoever is there but mainly I get into stuff, the awards were already set up but here I am moving stuff around looking for one particular age group...you already know it's my young'uns...I swear it's the only one I picked up and took this picture...And She Won 1st in her age group....

well apparently my baby didn't like her run...doesn't she realize I've already taken a picture of her award... 

 

here are a few of my kids...and they ALL received awards...Woot Woot!!

 

Well Blog land here it is, May starts the season and is one of the busiest with all my runners, stay tuned for other posts from races in the meantime follow Danville Bike and Footwear on face book here:https://www.facebook.com/DBFKY?fref=ts or go to their website and look around a bit here:http://www.dbfky.com/. Trust me you won't be sorry,

 

 

arunnersmom~~that's what I am!!



Derby Half Re-Cap!!

As promised here's a re-cap of the Derby Half Marathon that some of my runner kids competed in. Of course the day starts EARLY...Like getting up at 3:30 in the AM early. We live close to Louisville so we saved the money from getting a hotel room and drove up the morning of the race. It was a short ride for me...LOL I slept for part of the drive. Working so much during the week had caught up with me on top of working late the night before the race.

I went prepared for rain, I had my book, some water and snacks, and a blanket for warmth this Momma was ready!! Guess what? Didn't use anything in my stash. Katrina went along with Sheri so we hung out together while the kids ran....a nice surprise for me. We arrived at the Galt House to meet up with as many of the runners as we could, after of course pictures, we headed to the start line. Even though I'm pretty good about spotting Bobbie during races I found myself studying her attire, I was getting her picture if it was the last thing I did! (the race was sold Out!)

Admittedly I was apprehensive about the race. Not long ago as the nation watched Boston Marathon runners crossing the finish line only to witness explosions, Yes People, Bombs were set off near the finish line of the race.

If you missed it you can read about it here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-boston-marathon-explosions-20130416,0,4548564.story

As a Mom to not only a daughter and SIL that runs but also a 'runner Mom' too many other runners, was shocked and appalled to say the least. My mind went all over the place with the Why's. Why did someone need to do such a thing? Why are there people in this world that could do this?

What a lot of people don't know is that the Derby Marathon is one of the races that is a qualifier for Boston...and my runner kids were doing the half that shares the same finish line.

I already knew that 1 'bomber' was killed and the other had already been captured but that didn't stop me from saying yet again a prayer for not just my awesome group of kids, but for every one competing. I caught myself tearing up as I seen all the security around, thanking them as I stood at crosswalks watching all of the runners pass by. Katrina and I went and found a coffee shop then went to the 12 mile mark to wait for the kids to pass through and of course get more pictures, we already had a 'finish' point for after the race to meet up before heading home. I was able to see all my kids after they finished to again give them hugs and kisses for yet another race well done, and safe trips back home....please enjoy photos of my kids!

 

meeting up at the Galt House

several of my kids were accepted into 'Team Beef'

we met up with Jenica (in gray) on the way, she's just the cutest!

Check this Out!!

18,000 people and look who I see..

My Baby, I'm I the Mom or what?

Jason Todd, seems surprised to see me...

Ricky Lane, he's in pain...

Michelle Gilbert:), focused on her running.... 

Jenna Ellsworth with her Uncle Todd Kirkpatric

I was talking with a little girl and her mom and almost missed my own...oops!

there's my Boy!  well my SIL Gerard Perkins that is...

Jennifer Gover, she's still going strong!

Sheri  Satterly, this is her first long race,

she had a baby less than a year ago...

got'ta give her credit!

Judy in the purple tank top..

Angela Todd, again Jason always goes back for his wifey,

I Love that about him...

 

 

I will be posting a bit more as the Wilderness Series is starting this weekend with the Shakertown race, it's rained during this race for the past 3 years so I'm getting the rain gear ready and will post as soon as I can!  Happy and Safe running to all and remember...

 

 

arunnersmom~that's what I am!