Author: icanhe7bg

Arch February 26,2016

Posted on by icanhe7bg

You CAN run a 5K!

I constantly have people tell me, “I would love to run a 5k, but I don’t think that I can”. My response of course is “Yes you can!” Then come all of the excuses as to why they don’t have time to train or a list of all of their aches and pains that are preventing them from doing it. ARE YOU KIDDING ME PEOPLE? If want to run a 5k, then you CAN run a 5k and probably even farther (minus the people that have serious medical issues of course).

The real deal:

Will it be easy? Ummm, probably not, but it will get easier the more you run and/or walk. Will you be nervous the day of the race? I wont beat around the bush…yes you will be. You may be nervous because you don’t know what to expect or you are worried that you won’t finish or because you are just so damn excited! I get nervous every single time. Will you question why you are doing this at about mile 2.25? Yes you will. I know some seasoned runners that question it at times. It’s tough when you are pushing yourself, but you will keep going, and later on you will forget how you “really” felt in that moment. Will you have fun? Yes, you will! The running community is amazing. No matter how much you weigh, how fast or slow you are, or how many races you have run or not run, they are good, fun, encouraging people. Will you feel an overwhelming feeling of accomplishment as you cross the finish line? Heck yes you will! It’s a fantastic feeling every time. Will you sign up for another race immediately following? As sadistic as it sounds, YES YOU WILL. It’s addicting and you will want more. You will want to run more and then you will want to run farther. You will want to purchase cool running shoes and want to win more medals to display on Facebook for the world to see.

There are many different programs online that can walk you through the steps that you need to take to accomplish your goal of running a 5K, but I am personally a huge advocate of joining a group or team. It’s much easier to run with other people and most definitely a lot more fun. With most programs, the groups meet once during the week and once on the weekend for the longer run and then you will receive a schedule to follow for the other days. You can always “try” out the group before signing up, to make sure that you like it.

You will meet people that have a similar goal in mind, you will find people your same pace to run with, the leader will encourage you and help you through the process, and you will most likely come out with some new friends at the end.

For all of you non believers…..running can be fun. If you really want to run, then run. If that means walking first, then walk. You can do it, I truly believe in you!

Arch February 23, 2016

Posted on by icanhe7bg

You CAN make a difference:

Giving back to others. When you think that you are not making a difference, think twice.

I have read article after article about volunteering and the majority of them give all of the reasons why it will help the volunteer:

Self esteem

Make new friends

Mental and Physical well being, including lower mortality rates

Gain professional experience

And on and on………

Wow, you are all going to be fantastic, well rounded people that will live forever after volunteering! Don’t get me wrong these benefits are great, but what we are forgetting about are the people on the other side of this equation. The people that are receiving your help! We as volunteers need to help others believe that they are important. We need to make all of the people that we are helping believe that they CAN feel good about themselves and/or accomplish goals. This could be as easy as helping an elderly person boost their self esteem, using your happy energy to lift the spirits of a kid in the hospital fighting an illness, taking the time to talk to a homeless person. This all seems so easy and small to us, but the impact can be amazing.

For so many elderly people, depression is a hard feeling to fight on their own. Taking the time as a volunteer to call them, stop by and have a cup of tea with them, take them grocery shopping and most of all just talk to them and listen can change an elderly person’s life.

Children need to play and maintain some sense of their normal routine to heal and be emotionally stable. That is where volunteers can make a positive difference. Volunteers provide a wonderful gift to patients and their families by offering their time, their presence, their smile, and kind gestures that can draw a smile or even a giggle from the child, making their day as normal and happy as possible. Laughter also triggers healthy physical changes in the body. Humor and laughter strengthen your immune system, boost your energy, diminish pain, and protect you from the damaging effects of stress. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free, and easy to use.

Helping the Homeless:

“How are you doing? Would you like to talk?”

These questions are great because they’re open-ended, Zordel says, giving the homeless person a  choice either to brush off a deeper conversation or engage in one without judgment or pressure. Don’t be surprised if the individual isn’t interested in chatting, though, says Joe. “You’re getting into people’s personal lives. Maybe they don’t want to discuss that with a complete stranger.” If, however, the person is open to talking, this can lead to a real conversation — and maybe even provide a way for you to offer help. But even if you’re just having a casual exchange, you could be satisfying an important need: social connection. Many who live on the streets battle the feeling that they’re inadequate or nonexistent to the rest of the world. Having a real conversation can reduce those sentiments.
Read more: http://nationswell.com/homeless-america-5-things-to-say/#ixzz40LkgswhD

“Good morning.”

Or say “hi” or “hello” or try to acknowledge the person in some way.  “It’s good to hear kindness,” says Joe, who has been homeless in Portland, Ore., off and on for the past 16 years. Regardless of what your greeting may be, it’s important to look the person in the eye when speaking. According to another Portland man, Troy Thompson, who has been homeless several times despite being a skilled carpenter (when he can’t find work, he can’t afford to pay rent), one of the many difficult things about being homeless is that you feel less than human. “It’s like being invisible,” he says. Adds Marbut, “The non-homeless person almost never looks the homeless in the eye. If you just look a person in the eye and sort of nod, it’s the most respectful thing you can ever do.”

I am not in denial by thinking that everyone that you come across is going to be receptive, is going to think that you are the best thing since sliced bread or that you will instantly see the end result of your efforts. All I ask is that you put your mortality rate aside for a few minutes and remember that one word of encouragement, one moment of laughter or one offer to help or just listening, can change someone else’s life for a minute, days or even a life time. That is what volunteering is about!

The history of I CAN:

Posted on by icanhe7bg

All it took was that one race in April 2011 in Clearwater, Fl. 5K (3.2 miles) 1900 people, I CAN embroidered on my shirt, I came in 22nd place, 2nd in my age category and I had met my goal.

After my race was over, I stood with my mother to watch the girls finishing the half marathon race. One girl in particular stood out to me. Her coach was on the sidelines yelling and screaming as she was pushing herself at a miraculous pace to the finish line. An overwhelming feeling came over me. This person was so strong and was clearly pushing herself so hard and I said out loud, “Wow, that is amazing, I could never do that. I could never run a half marathon”. It made me sad because I saw these women as truly amazing athletes and really believed that I could never accomplish something like that. As I stood there with my I CAN shirt on, my mother responded, “you can do that”. It was at that moment that the motto on my shirt became real and true.

I joined a team, trained and ran a half marathon. It was so hard and so rewarding and I was quickly addicted and knew that I could accomplish anything that I put my mind to. Thanks Mom!

I CAN is not only about sports and athletes, but about all people in this world. Everyone that truly believes that they CAN accomplish anything. These are athletes, people that have overcome physical or mental challenges, those that fight to make this world a better place one person at a time.

I CAN has become a way of life. Even though, there is self gratification with I CAN, it is also showing others that THEY CAN. I encourage, support and push people to accomplish their goals. Yes, push people! I have been known to be the pushy cheerleader. I yell, I cheer, I am your biggest fan and everyone knows that failure or giving up is not a choice!

You may not reach your goals overnight, in a week, a month or a year but if you keep fighting and believing, YOU CAN!

Welcome to I CAN everyone!!!! I will be here to give you encouragement, give you ideas on how you can help others, believe in you when times get tough and you think that you cannot reach your goal, expand your mindset to recognize and believe all possibilities in life and in turn improve your mental well being.

Arch – Feb-20-2016

Posted on by icanhe7bg

The history of I CAN:

All it took was that one race in April 2011, Clearwater, Fl. , 5K (3.2 miles), 1900 people, I CAN embroidered on my shirt. I came in 22nd place, 2nd in my age category and I had met my goal.

After my race was over, I stood with my mother to watch the girls finishing the half marathon race. One girl in particular stood out to me. Her coach was on the sidelines yelling and screaming as she was pushing herself at a miraculous pace to the finish line. An overwhelming feeling came over me. This person was so strong and was clearly pushing herself so hard and I said out loud, “Wow, that is amazing, I could never do that. I could never run a half marathon”. It made me sad because I saw these women as truly amazing athletes and really believed that I could never accomplish something like that. As I stood there with my I CAN shirt on, my mother responded, “you can do that”. It was at that moment that the motto on my shirt became real and true.

I joined a team, trained and ran a half marathon. It was so hard and so rewarding and I was quickly addicted and knew that I could accomplish anything that I put my mind to. Thanks Mom!

I CAN is not only about sports and athletes, but about all people in this world. Everyone that truly believes that they CAN accomplish anything. These are athletes, people that have overcome physical or mental challenges, those that fight to make this world a better place one person at a time.

I CAN has become a way of life. Even though, there is self gratification with I CAN, it is also showing others that THEY CAN. I encourage, support and push people to accomplish their goals. Yes, push people! I have been known to be the pushy cheerleader. I yell, I cheer, I am your biggest fan and everyone knows that failure or giving up is not a choice!

You may not reach your goals overnight, in a week, a month or a year but if you keep fighting and believing, YOU CAN!

Welcome to I CAN everyone!!!! I will be here to give you encouragement, give you ideas on how you can help others, believe in you when times get tough and you think that you cannot reach your goal, and expand your mindset to recognize and believe all possibilities in life.