Couch to 5K with Fleet Feet Fort Mill

I've noticed a common thread while scrolling my weekly news feed. Friends of all ages, sizes and athletic ability are participating in fun, color, mud, obstacle, spartan or charity runs. Being an adamant non-runner, I began wondering what all the buzz was about.

As I neared my 35th birthday and the blaze of candles that awaited, I pledged that 2014 would be the year I ran a 5K. Now a 5K isn't very far, but it's far for me - and would be a challenge and accomplishment. My hubby Jim and his sporty, sexy self had run the Baltimore Marathon 4 years ago finishing in just over 4 hours. He has always enjoyed running, but he's fast and wasn't an ideal running partner for me. I needed a starting point, and place to find support and camaraderie.

Enter Fleet Feet of Fort Mill which has just opened in the Harris Teeter shopping center on 160 and Sutton Rd. They offer their No Boundaries couch to 5k program. I signed up with some of the hot mamas in my neighborhood and we were ready to begin our 12 week training program.

Week one began and we were off! The program asked that we run as a group twice a week and train on our own either running, walking or doing cross training another two times a week. At the first group run we did a trial mile, which was a challenge for me. The other runners and coaches cheering me on really made a difference, and helped to change my 'I can'ts' to 'I think I cans'. I finished in 15 minutes, amid huffing and puffing and cursing my 'great' ideas. 

The next day my shins and quads were sore, but I ran/walked/complained another mile while my husband pushed the kids in the stroller. I had to admit, it felt good to get out in the fresh air and see what my body could accomplish.

Photo from: http://thestylebadger.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/no-matter-how-slow-you-go-you-are-still-lapping-everyone-on-the-couch/

Stay tuned as I train for my 5K over the next 11 weeks with the support and guidence of Fleet Feet of Fort Mill. Check them out on their website here, and like them on facebook!

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Girls + STEM = EXCITEMENT

Girls + STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) = EXCITEMENT!!  Project Scientist in Charlotte wants to share this equation for fun and success with your daughters ages 4-12 through their Project Scientist Academy.  

Photo Credit: Project Scientist

Project Scientist Academy is a weekly summer program which will engage and inspire your daughters through hands-on experiments, discovery-based learning, field trips, expeditions and the arts. Female STEM role models and mentors will interact with your daughters, and share their passion for their STEM careers. 

Project Scientist Academy is now enrolling for weekly curriculums held at Queens University and the Trinity Episcopal School. This is an amazing opportunity to help your daughter cultivate her knowledge and develop leadership skills to help her reach her highest potential.

Photo Credit: Project Scientist

 Project Scientist through a National Science Foundation funded curriculum Sci-Girls recently hosted 30 educators from CMS and surrounding Charlotte area schools. They educated the teachers in the best practices to encourage girls in STEM's. Many of the educators will become instructors at this year's Project Scientist Academy and others will bring these techniques into their classrooms around the Charlotte area.

I was honored to participate in last year's Project Scientist Academy as a STEM presenter, I'm an embryologist and I spoke with the girls about how embryos develop into babies and about my interesting career. I was impressed and encouraged by the organic curiosity of the girls and the well thought out questions they asked.

To enroll your future scientist visit the Project Scientist Academy. Sessions begin June 23rd and run through August 8th.

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