Coco Brown, 5th Grade TeacherLas Vegas Half-Marathon Hopeful
My name is Elizabeth, also known as Mrs. Flores, Bety, Betucha, Liz and now “Coco Brown”. I’m 36 years old (and proud), 5’7” and 165 lbs (not proud)! I’ve been teaching for 8 years and prior to teaching, I was a Probation Officer with PCJCC for 6 years. I won the Powerball when I married my wonderful, athletic, handsome, cool, hard-working husband ten years ago, and I am the proud mother of two handsome, smart, wonderful, funny, adventurous, VERY mischievous boys who drive me crazy, but that I ADORE!!! Of the entire group I believe to be the most non-athletic. The closest I have been to being an athlete is when I tried to play softball when I was in elementary. As for working out… does waking up at 7:30am in the summer to catch the “20 Minute Workout” on PBS count? Oh yeah… I’ve done a several walks (never runs) for Diabetes, Cancer, March of Dimes, Komen Race for the Cure, and the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. Like many, I too have my list of “things to do before I die.” One of the things on my list is running (walking) a marathon. When Tia sent out her e-mail inviting us to join her in the Vegas Marathon I took it as a sign. The first thing that caught my attention and was the motivator for me to sign up immediately, was that the marathon was going to be in VEGAS! Those that know me know that I go to Vegas 4-6 times a year. I love the energy there!
I’ve been fighting the “battle of the bulge” for eight years now. I’ve heard Dr. Oz enough on Oprah to know that I’m at a point in my life that I NEED to lose weight and I need to lose it PRONTO! I’m the heaviest I have ever been without being pregnant, and I don’t think I can use the “it’s baby fat” excuse anymore considering my youngest is almost SIX! I believe training for this marathon will help me lose the weight and really help me pave the way for a healthy (both physical and mental) lifestyle. Completing this ½ marathon is not only a goal, but has become a challenge. Every time I tell someone in my family that I am doing a marathon I get the same response… “Shut up!” “Yeah right!” or “Whatever!” Now I MUST do it, I have to prove to them that I have what it takes to do this! This is where my optimism, competitiveness, stubbornness and oppositional defiance will work for me! I have the courage to start and I WILL do it! I am looking forward to training and living healthy lifestyle! I pray for discipline, endurance and perseverance, because I know that for the Lord NOTHING is impossible and believe me… I NEED all the help I can get! Thank you fellow marathoners for your support and doing this together! Thank you Tia (a.k.a. MacKnitty) for the invitation to an experience that can change our lives forever! May this be the first of many life changing journeys and accomplishments together!
Si Se Puede!!!
Hellfire Heidi, Art TeacherTucson Half-Marathon Hopeful
Greetings!My nickname is Hellfire Heidi. I am a Tucson native and have hiked, backpacked, mountain biked, rock climbed and horseback ridden all over Southern Arizona. Being outdoors is my passion. However, I have never, ran before. During high school and college I was a modern dancer and have always been athletic.
Running on the other hand has always scared me. Thanks to my friend I work with, I have been inspired to run a half marathon next December!!! I have always had knee problems and consider myself an "inflexible" person even though I practice yoga and Pilates periodically.
So, this is a big challenge for me. I am ready to practice, enjoy the journey ahead, and focus my energy on finishing! My friends and co-workers are so supportive. This blog will be a great outlet for both positive and negative experiences leading up to the race. My fiance (he did the Grand Canyon rim to rim!) and my friends have run marathons so, I am in good company!
Let the journey begin!
MacKnitty, 27 years old, 3rd grade teacherNew Mom
Las Vegas Marathon Hopeful
MacKnitty has been teaching for 7 years and a runner for 4-5 years. I have successfully completed several 5K, 10K and a half marathon at a steady 12.15 minute pace. At the tender age of 27, I had my first baby girl. I enjoy reading, blogging (I especially like to publish blogs with many grammatical and spelling errors and a plethora of parenthesis), knitting and chatting about life with close friends (sometimes I try to do all of them at once with little success). My desert island must haves would be my iPod with an endless power source, two stranded shipmates Mom and husband, knitting needles and a never ending supply of top of the line yarn. My favorite time of day is early morning when it’s just you and road with your thoughts. I am running to have something exciting to talk about at my 10 year high school reunion.
CHICA-fil-a, 3rd grade teacher New Mom and Veteran Mom of 2 others
Las Vegas Half Marathon Hopeful
Dolce Fashionista, 1st grade teacherLas Vegas Half Marathon Hopeful
I guess you could say that I’m pretty new at this whole “athlete” thing. While I participated in school-sponsored sports in grade school, I was by no means athletic. I loved the competitive and social aspects of the sports I played, but I disliked the training aspect—especially running. Running was used as punishment, so I quickly learned to dislike it. In fact, I soon became the middle schooler who faked sick on the day of the physical fitness test mile run, just to get out of it. I was the middle schooler, who when faced with having to make up that missed mile, chose to “protest” it by walking the entire thing. Running and I have had a hate-hate relationship ever since.
While in college, my Hall Director completed her first triathalon through Team in Training. I was intrigued by her training schedule, endurance, and desire to succeed! While I was intrigued, I was not ready to undertake such a feat myself. It took a few more years before I finally had the guts to sign up for the Team in Training information packet. It arrived in the mail and I eagerly signed up for an information session only to chicken out, three times. I would have every intention of attending the sessions, only to freak out on the day of the session and drive home because I thought that I didn’t have it in me to complete any type of race. There was always an excuse—I was too heavy, too out of shape, I had bad knees, it was the wrong time…
So, when MacKnitty sent out a school-wide invitation to join her in a training group for the Las Vegas marathon, I knew I had to give it a shot. There were no more excuses; I’ve recently lost weight, been walking regularly, and I’m healthier…it IS the right time and I couldn’t be more excited for what this journey has in store!
Peppi Enay-you, Speech Teacher
Tucson Half Marathon Past Finisher, '08 hopeful
Rascal Flat-Footed, 3rd grade teacherLas Vegas Half Marathon Hopeful
Ticket Beaumont, Principal
Tucson Half Marathon Hopeful
Run Forrest Run (AKA Earl), Engineer
Las Vegas Marathon Hopeful
My Name is Earl Shelby(Chicka Fila's husband). I am 35 years old, 5'8" tall (with shoes) 290 lbs (dry weight). Over the past decade, I've been assailed by responsibilities (job, children, wife, etc...), good living (great job, wonderful children, lovely wife, and amazing ecetera's ), and a lack of motivation when it comes to exercise and staying healthy. About 2 years ago I had a friend run in his first marathon, and the thought of completing such a daunting task piqued my interest. Then about six months ago I had another friend complete her first marathon, and I wondered, "Is somebody's trying to tell me something?" Finally, my wife informed me of Tia plan to gather a team and run in the Las Vegas marathon, and I thought, "Well, you don't have to tell me twice!" So after mentally coming to terms with the physical effort needed to pedestrianate and or run for 26.2 miles, I accepted the challenge and then sat down and devised a 3 phase 2 pronged attack ( Engineers tend to over analyze at times) for successful completion of the Las Vegas Marathon.
Rogue Rodel, 1st grade teacher
Las Vegas Half-Marathon Hopeful
Yuma Mama, Counselor
New Mom
Tucson Half-Marathon Hopeful
Heels Carrera, 4th grade teacher
Tucson Half-Marathon Hopeful
Hola, my name is Ivonne. I am in a time in my like where I feel the need to change, the need to progress, the need to get to that next step in life. I had been working hard on finishing my administrative certificate as well as my reading endorsement and have finally accomplished my goal. I have 2 adorable children and a very handsome husband. They are truly my driving force! I could not have done it without them!
Back in junior high (gosh…. these words are going to give my age away…..better known as middle school) I was very athletic. I was a cheerleader, I played basketball, and I ran cross country and track. As the years progressed my interests veered to clubs (no not night clubs..well not yet anyway) I was in every club you can name. Losing my interest in physical exercise brought upon a few pounds (not much) but more than anything, it brought stress and fatigue. I feel that physical activity is a great way to relieve stress. As a married mother of two with a heavy post graduate course load, I feel that I have not given myself “MY TIME”. I have been living for my family and will continue to so BUT, I know that I need to make room for ME!
AND THIS IS WHY I AM HERE!!! Running/walking a half marathon is one of my first steps. Not only will I get fit but I will accomplish one of the 2 things that I wanted to accomplish before I died…. Going on a game show and running a marathon. As for the game show, I still have hopes. As for the marathon, I have full control. I loved Tia’s motivation card that stated- “The miracle is not that I finished the race, it is that I decided to start.” I am actually going to do!!!! I get butterflies every time I see a marathon on TV. I am afraid of being swept by the street cleaners never to be found! If I practice and get in shape, I might avoid that. Having the right support is definitely key. Going through this alone would have been harder, but having friends doing this with me will be a great experience!
