A WINNER Not a Whiner !!

The trainers at Body Dimensions in Hickory asked for t-shirt slogan ideas and got a great one from Shannon - one of their clients. On the front it reads - Whiner or Winner? and on the back it says WINNER. One of our fitness buddies - Hilary recently proved that she definitely deserves to wear this shirt.. She is a real WINNER and an inspiration to me! She finished a half marathon on June 2, 2007, hey, that is 13.1 miles.... Amazing ! Here are the comments from Gloria and Hilary...

Email from Gloria
See the email below for the true meaning of COURAGE! Thanks Hilary for sharing these thoughts with all of us. Your, "I'm going to do it" attitude has been an inspiration to me as well as others. I enjoyed every moment that we ran together and you finishing this race was one of my proudest moments. I'm sure you will achieve that Top Model spot or what ever it is you may set your sights on. I just hope I'm always near to see you make all your dreams come true. Gloria

Email from Hilary
Friends,
This weekend I finished my first half marathon, I trained for this half marathon since the beginning of March with a group at Fleet Feet and Gloria (more so Gloria). I can remember as a child my dad had to pay me to run my laps in whatever sport I was playing at the given moment, running was never something I was motivated to do; I actually pretty much hate it! However, in my quest to be “America’s Next Top Model” or just lose weight and be healthy I knew it was something I was going to have to do, to see the results I wanted.

I thought a beginner’s training program for a half marathon would be a good place to start. You would not believe how many people have said to me “Are you crazy?” or “Why would you do that?” I kind of just laughed and thought to myself “I guess I am crazy, but I want to push myself to that next level”. I was utterly nervous out of my mind, thinking what I will do if I cannot make it to that finish line and what if I come in very last.

Well, neither one of those things happened I kept repeating “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” and a quote from one of Gloria’s inspirational emails “Have courage to put your dreams above your fears” (I have the quote put up everywhere in my office, car, and home). I might not have the fastest feet or the greatest stride but I knew despite all the people that thought I was crazy and unable, I could finish that race and not be the last one in J.

I must admit that one of the greatest moments in my life was crossing that finish line, I could not contain the tears (neither could my mom who thought I was totally crazy for even attempting this), I DID IT! I did it, but not without the help of some very important people! Gloria, thank you so much for your dedication, those long runs early Saturday or Sunday morning when you should be sleeping in, and for all the encouragement and support you have given me in the last six months, I couldn’t have done it without you!

Lorin, thank you so much for being there Saturday morning with a camera in hand to remember this special day, also thank you for mile 10/11 I really appreciate the support! Keith, thank you so much for running with me mile 11-13, I appreciate your encouragement through Hickory High Hill and 4th Street Hill so much!!! Shannon, thank you so much for running mile 13 with me, your encouragement and friendship in the last six months has been priceless and I really appreciate you facilitating everyone to run with me on Saturday.

All of this to say I cannot wait until the next race, running is a personal motivator and you always want to out do what you did the last time. I really hope that next year we can have a whole team of “Winners” No Whiners to come out and tackle this again! I am sorry if this email is all over the place I just have so much emotion right now! J ( I am such a girl!)

Love Always,Hilary

Hilary - YOU ARE AWESOME !!