It is Summertime again, and we had the annual Hospital Hill Run/Walk Saturday. Great day for a race! I ran this year, so I did not take much for picture during the race. I have some here from Jill, who is a mainstay of the race. It was the 27th year for this event. Proceeds go to the Caring Club House to help with patients and their families during hospitalization stays.
The awards table was set up just past the finish line. Lots of medals for the 5k, and we had medals for the kids 1 mile run, and all kids 10 and under got a medal for participation. When I created this event all those years ago the main emphasis was to get people moving. I especially wanted the kids out there. Start young and learn how to be healthy. My kids have participated in so many of these events over the years. They also helped set up and take down as well. They were all out of town this weekend, so will have to see what next year brings. We will need to start the grandkids as well!
We had lots of treats after the race as well. Modak dairies donated cheese sticks. We had beef jerky, granola bars, bananas, chips, water…all well-earned after the run/walk.
Many of our run club members were there as well, now with their kids as well. Pictures will be posted this week of all of the runners.
Tom and I were still both there. This is from last year. I did not think to get a picture this year! Too busy getting everything set. He ran last year, and I ran this year. We have been helping and setting this race up from the inception. Whether we run, walk, or work it, it does not matter. This event was created by us, and we will keep helping.
And of course, Sue was working the event this year just like last year, and always! Thanks!
The timing has come a long way over the years. Thanks, DASH! We surpassed last year’s numbers this year. Hope to see everyone out there again next year. Appreciate everyone continuing to participate. Special shout out to Sally, McElroys, Steve, Jill, Sarah, Jenn, Natasha, Bethany, Missy, Jason and kids, and all of the healthcare workers who showed up as well. Will have to see this coming week who had the largest percentage of participants for the departments. (Crossing my fingers on either Primary Care or Administration). Will see! I had a traveling trophy made this year for employees of Prairie Lakes to increase more interest and participation. “Hospital Hill Traveling Trophy. A Hill of a Run!” Hope to see you all next year. It is all about moving and staying healthy. Work at it. It is never easy, but the rewards go a long way. Keep moving everybody!
We all have those moments when we need to do something, and we really don’t want to. This was yesterday at run club. After running up the Hospital Hill, and working our way back down, several had said that if it was not for the group meeting, we probably would not have run this AM. Or at least would not have gone as far. Now, this is what having somebody else help you be accountable does for you. It helps keep you moving!
Sarah and Megan ran the Brookings Half Marathon a few weekends ago. They pushed each other in workouts prior, but they each ran their own race that day. Megan set a new PR (personal record), and Sarah came in much faster than she thought she would. Way to go both of you! You keep moving during training, and the rewards pay for themselves.
Proud of both of you. It takes work to stay committed to a longer race. It takes time, patience and energy. There are many times you would like to just quit, and relax, but then, deep down, you just end up disappointed with yourself. You don’t know what you are capable of until you try.
We had our DASH run around the lake last weekend. Between the 5k run Friday night, and the Half Marathon Saturday morning, we had over 200 participants. All people working on a goal to improve themselves. The end result of that goal is that we keep moving. Use it or lose it! I see too many times every day when people don’t keep moving. Now they can’t move. Life changes quickly. Don’t stop!
We all have a finish line at some point. Take advantage of it all along the way. Watch life bring all it has to enjoy while you can!
There are so many things to do and see. Never take a day for granted. You have no idea what may show up that day. Look at things differently. Experience what life has to offer. Keep moving, and you will be around longer to take it all in. Strive to survive. Keep moving everybody!
Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there. Whether you have your own kids or not, many of you are a “mom” to someone…your pet, your niece or nephew, friend, neighbor. You know who you are. This day is for you as well. Spend the day enjoying and celebrating everything you do for everyone else. You deserve it. You work long and hard for your family, friends, pets. Celebrate it!
When our granddaughter Tessa was baptized, we had Sarah’s mom and dad there as well. Those generations started everything we have now. 4 generations in this picture!
We took Tessa and Connor to see my mom in the nursing home in Sioux Falls. Another 4 generation shot here as well. Appreciate everyone for as long as you can. Those days are not forever. Cherish them!
Your moms have been with you from the start. There are with you until the end as well. There is nothing like family. You can always depend on them. Always!
It was no different for Sarah and our kids. She was always there for them and is always there for them now. They are always our kids. We will always worry about them. We will always love them.
Celebrate well moms! Your work is never ending, just like your love. Keep doing the “mom” thing because it is appreciated more than you know. Sometimes it may not feel like you are appreciated, but that is why we always need at least this one day a year to help remind all of us how important you are to us, and to our family. “To the world you are a mom, but to our Family, you are the world!” We love you all! Thanks for everything you do!! Keep moving everybody!
Some days, if you wait for good weather, you will be waiting a long time. There is no such thing as “bad weather”, only “bad gear”. If you are prepared, you can walk or run outside regardless of the weather. Now, there are some exceptions, but at least today, and a few times this week, it was not raining hard. When it is time to go for a walk, Dakota does not care what the weather is like outside. She is ready to go anytime, under any conditions!
This was the perfect time to spend some time inside working on the weights. So, Sarah and I spent several days this week out in the “Reiflex Center”!
I still was paying attention during the week for any breaks in the clouds or rain. There is always potential for some sunset shots. You just have to be at the right place at the right time. Here are a few of them.
So, remember. There are always alternatives to do to exercise if the weather outside is not very good. Just remember, have the right gear as well. There are always benefits by trying something else as well. Whether you have alternatives for doing some exercises in your own home, or you belong to a gym, just do it! There is always something you can do to help take care of yourself. You will feel better in the long run. Keep moving everybody!
Spring season is coming…or maybe I should say was coming! Last weekend the weather was great. I just hope we did not have Spring and Summer all in one weekend! The temperatures keep changing. Life keeps changing. The biggest thing we can learn to do is go with the flow! We can’t change the weather. We can’t always change what happens in our daily life. We can control our attitude with both. Change will come. No matter what we do. Change will come!
Even the temperature differences this week. One day we can be comfortable walking, and the next we are prepared for Winter again. Dakota does not mind. She will go walk no matter what the temperature is. We could all learn a lot from a dog. Have fun with every day. Enjoy it for what it is. Each day is different. Each day the weather is different. Don’t let the “changes” change you. You have a choice to make with these changes. Adapt and deal with it, or let it ruin your day!
Each day brings something else to look forward to. It may even be an experience you have never had before. These sunset shots were from the last week. Similarities to other sunsets, but yet each and every one is different. There is always something else to experience and enjoy. “Spring” into those changes. Spring is a great time to start really looking forward to things. Better weather days are coming, which leads to better days in general. Experience the changes for what they are…a new way to look at things.
Our Sunday run clubs are the same thing. We always have to see what the weather is going to be, and then prepare for what we will wear, and what we need to expect. Preparation is key. Preparation comes into play with everything we do. We can’t always anticipate everything, but a little preparation can help us handle the “curveballs” that come each day. It just makes things in life easier to “roll with”.
Spend time with family and friends. Enjoy the “good” days when they come. They will help us get through the “bad” days when they come. Live! Adapt to changes like we adapt to the weather, and the seasons. We should all be used to that in South Dakota! Keep moving everybody!
