strides2016

2016

Who’s up for a 10K?Changes in store for 2016PAGE 6, 7

Rock ‘N Run funMore than 500 take part incounty’s biggest race everPAGE 12

Who knew?At 40, Strider discoversshe’s faster than mostPAGE 14

Bring him back!Community embracessidelined walkerPAGE 20

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If you or someone you know is diagnosed with cancer, we’re ready to fight with you.

For an appointment, call 800-333-8874 or visit markey.uky.edu.

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TEAMCHALLENGE

S T R I D E S P A G E 3

THE STRIDE ELITE TEAM CHALLENGE IS BACK! The only thing better than running or walking for fitness is doing it with a group of people. They pick you up when you are down, and you encourage them to keep going. This year, we challenge you to challenge your friends and put together a Stride Elite team. We will reward consistency, with some bonus points for performance. Who will step up and build a team, then lead that team to victory?

The winning team will get individual trophies, special recognition at year-end awards night, and a free registration for any (5-mile or under) 2017 CWS race. Rockcastle Regional will also donate $100 to a charity of the team’s choice.

Name: _______________________________________________________________Email: ________________________________________________________________Phone: _______________________________________________________________Address: _____________________________________________________________Names and Cities of Team Members: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________Team Name: __________________________________________________________

Return form to:

Kayla RoweRockcastle Regional Hospital

145 Newcomb Ave.Mt. Vernon, KY 40456

You may also scan andemail to her at:

[email protected]

HOW IT WORKS• Each team will initially consist of four members. One member will be designated ascaptain. In June, the captain will have the option of growing his/her team to five members.• All team members must complete at least seven 2016 CWS events. Any points earned by a member who doesn’t complete at least seven events will be forfeited.• Deadline to register team is March 1. (points will be retroactive to January race).• The team with the most points at the end of the year wins.• June 1 – 7 is “free agency week,” when team captains may recruit an additional member. The new member’s points earned before becoming a member of the team will be added to the team’s total.• Team scores will be updated and put on Facebook quarterly.

POINTSMembers are awarded points as follows:2 points for participation in events 5 miles or under3 points for participation in half marathon or 10K

*Performance points (in addition to participation points):2 points for placing third or better in age group-or- 3 points for winning your age group-or- 4 points for placing in race’s overall top 10 of gender category-or- 2 points for being a top three overall male or female walker

*Performance points do not add up in a single race. For example, say youplace in the overall top 10 in the 4K for Heart Health and win your age group.You would earn 4 points (not 7) for that accomplishment. You would also earn2 points for participation, for a grand total of 6 points.

STRIDE ELITE

PA G E 4 S T R I D E S

Rockcastle Strides magazine is published each January and is distributed to

Countywide Stride participants, Rockcastle County residents,

and others in adjoining counties. It is dedicated to the promotion of walking

and running as they promote personal fitness and improve

community health.

PhotographyRuby Cline-EatonTammy Sowder

Susan Turley

Graphic DesignCathryn Hahn

On the CoverAt 78, Bernie Cornett of

Nicholasville was one of the oldest participants in the

third annual RenfroRock ‘N Run 5K.

A publication of

Maintaining a race series is a little like the sport of running itself.

There was a time when you probably thought completing a 5K was a challenge, but now you might knock out a few half marathons a year.

We once thought managing a couple of races every year was a big deal until we started doing them monthly.

Now we might not know what to do with ourselves if we didn’t coordinate monthly races. We’ve completed four years of the Countywide Stride 12-race series, and our community of runners and walkers are showing no signs of slowing down. In 2015, there were 2,278 finishes, up from 2,047 in 2014. The series also helped our community raise almost $17,000 for various non-profits and civic groups.

Thanks to the support of our participants, volunteers, and of course the administration at Rockcastle Regional Hospital, we’ve been able to build and consistently maintain an atmosphere that make fitness fun and gives Rockcastle and surrounding counties an incentive to keep moving.

But, as with any running or walking program, sometimes change is necessary. We all need variety, and we sometimes realize better ways to do things.

So, 2016 will feature some significant changes in our series. For example, we’ve made our March race a 5-miler while changing our July race to a 5K, placing the longer race in cooler weather. We’ve also made the February race a virtual one, reducing the chances of last-minute changes due to snowy or muddy conditions. Most significantly, we’ve dropped the duathlon. We will instead stage a 10K that will begin at Renfro Valley and go around Lake Linville and back.

Eliminating the duathlon, which consisted of a 17-mile bike ride sandwiched between two runs, was a tough decision, and, understandably, many have expressed disappointment. It was a unique event that gave those who like to cycle and run a chance to test themselves in a different, more challenging way.

But 2015 was a bad year for cyclists in general. In Kentucky alone, there was a time when it seemed one crash after another was occurring, accidents that resulted in severe injury, and at least one death.

So we began to assess our duathlon for safety. In the six years it was held, we recalled three accidents, each of which resulted in injuries of varying seriousness, though nothing life-threatening and no head injuries.

That’s one accident for every 83 duathlon finishes. I am not sure if that’s a good record for an unsanctioned duathlon or not, but by comparison, we’ve had no injury accidents that I know of in more than 10,000 finishes of all of our other races combined. Running is not without danger, but it seems much safer than competitive cycling.

So we decided that for all the fun the duathlon created, it wasn’t worth the risk. Hence the change.

For cycling enthusiasts, we have partnered with organizers of Danville’s Smoking Butt bike ride to make it a 13th CWS event. (It’s an 18-mile leisure ride, not a race.) So this year you’ll actually have 13 chances to get your year-end incentive prizes, which are the same seven-, 10-, and 12-race levels as always. More details are inside, and as always, watch Facebook and rockcastleregional.org/race for updates.

We thank you for your continued support of our series, and we hope to see you again in 2016. If you don’t participate with us, please participate somewhere. The important thing is to keep moving!

Dwain HarrisEditor, Rockcastle Strides

Coordinator, Countywide Stride Race Series


2016 Race Calendar

By the Numbers: The Rundown

Survey Says

Planning for Perfection

Leading the Pack

Girls on the Run

Can’t Keep a Good Man Down

Scrapbook

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CONTENTS

P A G E 6 S T R I D E S

CALENDAR

SNOWBALL EXPRESS 2-MILER2:30 PM - The fifth annual Snowball Express 2-miler is just what the doctor ordered if you have cabin fever. It’s on a flat course and is our shortest race – think of it

as a warm-up for the season. It has great support from the local fire department, school and community, and it boasts a very nice staging area downtown at the Depot Park. Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

4K FOR HEART HEALTHFeb. 18-28 - As last year’s race approached, so did a severe

winter storm, so we changed the race to a virtual event. The response was awesome so we’re going to do it again this year. You’ll still get a tee-shirt, and WHAS

Crusade for Children will still be the charity. The difference is you’ll have 10 days in which to complete the distance, and you can do so at a time and place of your choosing. We’ll encourage you to then post a selfie or scenes from your run on our Facebook page. No overall or age group awards, but we will award the most creative/liked FB posts on our page – $50, $25, and $10 for first, second and third. Check our website for registration details.

NEW DISTANCE!ST. PATRICK’S 5-MILE RUN, 5K WALK

2:30 PM - You look so good in green, we want to see you for more than just a 5K. So, pay attention, here’s a change from last year. We’re having the St. Patrick’s race as usual, but we’re swapping distances with our

July race. The March race is now the St. Patrick’s 5-Mile run/5K walk, while the July race is the Rockcastle Alzheimer’s 5K. Why? We were just kidding about the green. The real reason is this: we think you’ll enjoy running or walking five miles more in March, with cooler temps, than on a humid July morning. So, start training now for a great chance at a 5-miler PR on the flat and fast course of Renfro Valley’s Hummel Road.

FAIRVIEW BAPTIST RUN FOR MISSIONS 5K9:00 AM - This race, in its sixth year, is staged with skill and care by a church family who loves running and embraces the community. You’ll be uplifted by the

atmosphere and sure to spot a few bright Redbuds along the way. Those who live in Berea and northward – Fairview Baptist is only a couple of miles south of the Madison County line on Hwy. 25. Come let an April breeze push you to a great finish! Proceeds benefit mission work.

BRODHEAD HUSTLE 5K8:00 AM - This race takes you through quiet neighborhood streets and down picturesque Main Street (Old 150) before finishing back at Brodhead

Depot Park. It’s supported by the sure hands of the Brodhead Fire Department, the 2015 CWS Volunteer Group of the Year. Come join the fun and feel good knowing that proceeds help support Brodhead Homecoming festivities.

FIT FAMILY RUN AND HALF-HOUR CHARITY CHASE6:00 PM - This event is your chance to get in a workout while raising money for great causes. The Half Hour Charity Chase is this: Run or walk around the

track as many times as you can in 30 minutes, and Rockcastle Regional Hospital will donate $1 for every lap you complete to the charity you chose upon registering (a list of charities will be provided). The popular fastest-kid-in-town race and family relay race will also be held and are sure to be as fun as ever. As in years past, the registration fee is a canned good that goes to the Grateful Bread Food Pantry. (Limit 200 participants in the Charity Chase).

*All times Eastern

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FIND US ON FACEBOOK: /COUNTYWIDESTRIDE


COMPLETE SEVEN RACESComplete 7 races for a long-sleeved dri-fit Countywide Stride T-shirt

TRY FOR 10!Complete 10 races for a dri-fit long-sleeved T-shirt and a $25 gift certificate

COMPLETE ALL 12 RACESAll 12 races for dri-fit long-sleeved T-shirt, $25 gift certificate, and a personalized commemorative plaque

ROCKCASTLE ALZHEIMER’S 5K RUN/WALK8:00 AM - Our fourth annual Alzheimer’s run will no doubt yield some faster times this year – because we’ve changed the distance from 5 miles to 5K

(see March if you’re interested in a 5-miler). This race is still straightforward – it’s a flat, summer run, straight out a beautiful country road that meanders through sun and shade and by a cool trickling stream, and then back to the finish. Proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

NEW EVENT!THE REN 10 10K RUN/5K WALK BY THE LAKE

8:00 AM - We think 10Ks will be all the rage in 2016, and we’re ready with the brand new Ren 10. It will be staged at Renfro Valley, same as November’s Rock N

Run, starting on Hwy. 25 and running around the lake and back. The best part about the race, besides the beautiful scenery, is the ease of the course. Other than one hump in the road near the end of the lake, it’s pancake-flat. This will be great for anyone interested in a first-class 10K, and it will offer past Rock N Run participants a chance to see our beautiful county in a more scenic time of the year.

LIVINGSTON LEAP 5K8:00 AM - Talk about scenery – this course takes you near the Danielle Boone National Forest on some of the prettiest roadway you’ve ever seen. Livingston, one

of Kentucky’s few designated “Trailtowns,” embraces this race and welcomes participants with open arms. Proceeds go to the Livingston Homecoming Committee.

BITTERSWEET 5K RUN/2 MILE WALK7:30 AM - This tradition-rich 5K has been the measuring stick of fitness for many participants for more than 20 years. It kicks off Saturday-morning activities

of the Bittersweet Festival, and takes you down Mt. Vernon’s historic Main Street. It’s usually cool and the course finishes on a nice and easy downhill – it’s a good race to try for a PR.

RENFRO ROCK ‘N RUN HALF MARATHON AND 5K8:30 AM - Runners and walkers come from far and wide and can’t say enough about the homespun flavor of this race, the challenging but scenic course,

and the enthusiasm of the volunteers. Heck, the race even has its own theme song. Whether they run the half marathon with its views of the lake and countryside or sprint through the 5K, which benefits Girls of the Run, most leave saying they’ll be back. Proceeds from the Half benefit the Christian Appalachian Project.

JINGLE BELL 6K8:30 AM - Put your bells on, hope for snow, and expect some special Christmas surprises as we work to make this race - Rockcastle Regional’s oldest -

special every year. Proceeds go to Rockcastle Regional’s Miracle Fund, which benefits our respiratory care patients.

GO TOROCKCASTLEREGIONAL.ORG/RACE FOR MORE RACE DETAILS

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BONUS EVENT!SMOKING BUTT BIKE RIDEThis year, you have an additional

chance to earn incentives. Send us proof of participation in Danville’s Smoking Butt bike ride, and we’ll count that toward your CWS race total! Kentuckybbqfestival.com

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BY THE NUMBERS

P A G E 8 S T R I D E S

2015 RUNDOWN

TOTAL PARTICIPATION,ALL EVENTS: 2,278

One of the unique aspects of the Countywide Stride series is our year-end awards ceremony. This year, 55 CWS participants attended the December event. Pictured on this page, and at top on the opposite page, are the winners of the CWS prizes for completing seven, 10 and 12 races. In the photo at bottom, opposite page, is the winner of the Stride Elite team challenge. Team “We Run This Town” consisted of, from left, Teresa Hamilton, Becky Hardwick, Carolyn Collins, and Richard Birney. Also honored were Girls On The Run volunteer coaches Bryanna Mullins, Kay Carpenter, and Jennifer Peavie, in addition to the Brodhead Fire Department, recognized as the 2015 CWS Volunteer Group of the Year.

Snowball Express4K for Heart HealthSt. Patrick’s Day 5KFairview Run for MissionsBrodhead HustleCharity ChaseRockcastle 5-milerRun, Bike or HikeLivingston LeapBittersweetRenfro Rock N’ RunJingle Bell 6K

$2,047$1,255$962$3,100$469$806$1,024$874$411$527$4,400$1091

235176186144138127149147123153521179

RACEDONATIONS TO CHARITIES PARTICIPANTS

COMPLETED 10 RACES

COMPLETED 7 RACES


COMPLETED AT LEAST7 RACESEldon Baker

Joshua BlaylockMatthew BrayDylan BullenCurtis CashWillis Coffey

Walter DurhamAhenewa EL-Amin

Audy FaulknerAmy Gosser

James GosserChelsie Hasty

Norma HopkinsPatrick JenkinsRhonda KnightMichelle MartinMonica Martin

Jonathon McKinneyToni McKinney

Jimmy OsborneJil Pillion

Dustin PoynterJoshua Ramsey

Johnny RodriquezMatt SherrowHarper SmithMacon Smith

Ed TalbottEmily Valentine

Janet WellsJenna WellsJohn Wells

Talia WoodallJessie WrightHeather York

John York

36 FINISHES

COMPLETED AT LEAST10 RACES

Joanna AlbrightTiffany BarronTabitha Bell

Richard BirneyTeresa Blair

Misty BlaylockTara Boone

Morgan BrayJames BullenNikki Bullen

Twila BurdetteCharon BurtonLauren Burton

Shannon BurtonMarcia Cain

Doris CaldwellRhonda ChildressSamantha Couch

Jerry CoxKim Crawford

Rebecca DurhamJen Eich

Taylor ElamBecky HardwickChelsen LarkeyCheryl McClure

Anastasia McKinneyBecky McKinney

Leo McMillenMelinda Osborne

Ken PillionRoger ProctorShari Proctor

Tasha RamseyKristi ReynoldsMary RobinsonKristi Sparks

Jeff TyreeCheyenne WillisRachel Wright

40 FINISHES

Danielle AbedAnn AbneyRita Brown

Marcus CarmicleGinger CashPaige Cash

Carolyn CollinsTommy Craft

Gayle DeBordeBarbara DeChambeau

Rachel DenneyRegina ElamJarrett Foster

Teresa HamiltonTrevor Hemsley

Jones HiattRamona Hiatt

Stephanie HinesAnnette Lawrence

Cheryl MullinsRodney MullinsWalter Norris

Emily SandersWendy SowderKaren Wilson

25 FINISHES

FINISHED ALL12 RACES

COMPLETED ALL 12 RACES

34SURVEYED

26RUNNERS

4WALKERS

4RUN/

WALKERS

SURVEYSAYS1. Do you have any pre-race rituals?

2. What do you think about most often while running/walking?“Coffee”“Delusions of grandeur”“Finish line and pancakes.”“Getting to the finish line in one piece.”

“How good I will feel when finished.”“How much longer do I have to go?”“Why can’t I run up front?”

3. Favorite race all year? BY FAR The RENFRO ROCK ‘N RUN

4. How did you get started running/walking?“A friend said I couldn’t do it.”“Encouragement from James Bullens!”“I hated taking pain medication so I started running and it worked.”“Ran in high school and should have kept it up, but on December 17th, I

will have 28 years and 6 months without missing at least a 1-mile run.”

“Walked for exercise then started entering 5Ks walking and running a few feet, then decided I needed to train to run!”

“Wanted some quiet time for myself.”“Wanted to lose weight and get healthier.”

“Coffee, potty, stretch, banana.”“Coffee, then more coffee.”“Drink a pop on way to race.”“I pray.” “Multiple pit stops.”“On longer races, half and full, I like to lay things out 3 days ahead. Then I end up with the best set of clothes for the weather.”“Stretch, prepare equipment (Garmin, water bottle, hat, sweatband, etc.), chew gum, RUN!”“Walking in circles and tying my shoes.”

P A G E 1 0 S T R I D E S

S T R I D E S P A G E 1 1

5. What are some songs on your playlist right now that you run or walk to?(on the treadmill, of course)“Fight Song” “Happy” “Eye of the Tiger”“I listen to books!” “Welcome to the Jungle”“Old school runner. Don’t listen to anything except

my legs and head fighting.”“Don’t Stop Believing”

6. Rate your overall health (1=excellent, 5=poor)

AVERAGE: 233% answered Excellent

7. Favorite running quote“Be stronger than your excuses.” “Gonna run til I don’t jiggle.” “I run to burn the crazy off.”“You can feel sore tomorrow or you can feel sorry tomorow.”“Every morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must move faster than the lion or it will not survive. Every

morning a lion wakes up and it knows it must move faster than the slowest gazelle or it will starve. It doesn’t matter if you are the lion or the gazelle. When the sun comes up, you better be moving.” -Maurice Green (attributed to Roger Bannister shortly after running the first sub-4 mile)

8. Funny stories from the races:“At the Rock N Run last year I kept catching up with the Girls on the Run gang. I said ‘you going to let

this old lady beat you?’ and they screamed and ran like crazy. I kept catching up and they would scream and run harder again. It was funny. Later on this year I was helping out with a sewing class at school and one of the girls said ‘Hey, it’s the old lady!’ I laughed.”

9. Have you had any runner/walker injuries this year?1. Knee2. Plantar Fasciitis3. Achilles tendon

10. How many miles do you run per week?

AVERAGE: 22 MILES MOST: 65 MILES

11. How many races do you have planned for 2016?

AVERAGE: 19 MOST: 65

12. What’s your best advice to a new runner?“Don’t try to win a race or run more than 3.1 miles if you’re a beginner.” “Get the best shoes with good support. Change them out every 4-5 months.”“Go for it. Don’t be afraid to sign up for a race. It’s a big motivator.”“Take it slow. Build a base. It does get easier and better.” “Keep pushing yourself and find a buddy who will hold you accountable.”“Get out and run; don’t worry about time.”

“Seeing the goat on the Renfro course is so unusual that it is still surprising every race that someone has a goat in their yard. Never gets old.”


FEATURE

Photos by Ruby Cline-Eaton

PLANNINGFOR PERFECTIONT

hough the Renfro Rock ‘N Run began just three years ago, you could say it has been in the planning stages for decades.

Planning first began when the state split some of the prettiest countryside in Kentucky with winding roads that would one day provide breathtaking vistas and rolling terrain. It continued in 1939 when John Lair built the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center, which would give our race its theme as well as a fantastic staging area, complete with wide open spaces for parking. And when work crews created Lake Linville in 1968, little did they know that they were also creating another unmatched scenic backdrop for running and walking.

The result is what many call the perfect setting for a music-themed, homespun, naturally beautiful and perfectly enjoyable distance race. As word continues to spread, the race continues to grow.

The third annual Rock ‘N Run on Nov. 14 grew by 23 percent from 2014 and became the largest race ever in Rockcastle County. Five-hundred, twenty-three (327 of them half-marathoners) came from across Kentucky and

six other states to participate.

“Thanks for putting together such a fun and well organized race,” Erin McMahon wrote on our Facebook wall. “This was our first time, and it was such a perfect event.”

Rockcastle County’s scenery was mentioned time and again. “The most beautiful race course I have run,” wrote Denise Wright. “Things I loved about this race: Running around the lake twice; challenging hills; flat areas with views of rolling hills; downhill near the end with wooded views… thanks to all the volunteers too!”

We can’t thank all of the volunteers enough either, as well as the sponsors and organizations who gave their time and energy to make this race possible.

Not to mention the hard workers and visionaries of a different era.

Nature and music come together to make one great race


Photo by Ruby Cline-Eaton


Photo by Tammy Sowder

FEATURE


T o see Tabitha Bell after a race, invariably draped with a medal or holding a trophy, you’d never guess

that she had no inclination for running or any other sports until about three years ago. Growing up, the soft-spoken 41-year-old never had the “opportunity, motivation or money” for sports.

But surely someone caught a glimpse of her talent sometime in all of those years. Surely some little boy on the Jamestown Elementary School playground challenged her to race, then watched helplessly as she sped away.

If it didn’t happen then, something like it now happens all the time. A Countywide Stride regular, she almost always outruns the field of females and beats most of the males.

It started in 2012, when Tabitha began exercising and making healthier eating choices. She ran the straight stretches and walked the curves of the Russell County High School track until gradually she could run the whole lap. Her first race was a 4-miler later that year. She finished in a mediocre 42 minutes, but something clicked inside her. Maybe it was trophy envy, or just the simple idea that she wanted to see just how fast she could go.

“I was so impressed with all the winners’ times at the award ceremony,” she said. “It motivated me to keep training and try to win anything the next year.”

Did it ever. She began to run at least five days a week, and her times plummeted. She ran the same 4-miler the next year in an eye-opening 31:51, capturing second in her age group in a field of 741 runners. Since then, she’s run 140 races, logging almost 4,000 racing and training miles and bringing home countless awards. Her 5K PR (personal record) is 20:28, which translates into a 6:36 mile.

She began running the Countywide Stride series in January 2014, completing all 12 races that year and

(continued on page 15)

WHO KNEW?At 39, a surprised Tabitha Bell discovered something about

herself: she’s really fast“NOW I FEEL LIKE MY DAY ISN’T COMPLETE WITHOUT RUNNING.”

Photo by Susan Turley

10 of 12 in 2015. Of those 22 races, she’s been the overall female winner 12 times and second overall female six times.

Put simply, she’s the most dominant female runner the series has had, and she’s as surprised as anyone.

“If you had told me three-and-a-half years ago that I would be a runner, I would have said ‘you’re crazy.’”

But to her it now seems crazy not to run. “I used to think I didn’t have time to exercise, let alone run,” she said. “Now I feel like my day isn’t complete without running. It gives me some much-needed time to clear my head.”

She admits she is also spurred on by competition. Maybe her daily runs clear her head, but she empties her tank at races.

“Signing up for a race is the best motivator, then always striving to reach a PR.”


Tabitha Bell leads the pack early in the Brodhead Hustle in May. Below is her trophy and medal display from the 140 races she’s run in three and half years.


“I am furthering my career at a hospital that inspires and fulfills me with its compassion.”

-Katie Sharpe, RN

Want to make a difference?Inspired? Compassionate?

Rockcastle Regional Hospital and Respiratory Care Center is looking for dedicated professionals like Katie Sharpe and the many other outstanding nurses and respiratory therapists who make our facility one of the best in the country.

We are expanding to 121 beds, making us one of the nation’s largest free-standing ventilator units, and we need top talent to join our team.

It’s a tough job, but please be advised there are days that are almost unbearably rewarding.

WE ARE SEEKING:Licensed Practical NursesRegistered NursesRespiratory Therapists

SOME OF OUR BENEFITS:• Employee wellness program (get paid to exercise)• On-site daycare• Matching 401K• Competitive salary• Scholarships/tuition reimbursement programs• Attractive health & dental benefits

Apply at rockcastleregional.org/careers


2016CONCERTS

MORE TO COME! “LIKE” US ON FACEBOOK OR VISIT WWW.RENFROVALLEY.COM

FOR THE LATEST CONCERT SCHEDULE!

www.

Renf

roVa

lley.c

om

THURSDAY 6:30PM Hilarious hijinks with Boss, Roscoe and The Dukes!

Hazzard County Hoedown

Where you write the show! A 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s review.

6:30PMFRIDAYRenfro Valley

Bandstand

The best Southern, Country & Bluegrass Gospel that you will find!

3:00PMSATURDAYMountain Gospel

Jubilee

The show that started it all at Renfro Valley! America’s longest running Barn Dance.

Renfro Valley Barn Dance ShowSATURDAY 6:30PM

2016 ALL NEW

SHOWS!

WELCOME TO


FEATURE

GIRLS ON


Talk about growth! The Rockcastle County Girls on the Run program

took huge strides this year as it expanded from one school-based program to three. Volunteers of the local GOTR, a national self-empowerment and fitness program for elementary-school girls, started programs at Brodhead Elementary and Roundstone Elementary, joining Mt. Vernon Elementary, which has had a GOTR program since 2011. The result: Forty-two third and fourth graders completed the 12-week program, which culminated in the Renfro Rock N Run 5K. Special thanks to coaches Kay Carpenter, Bryanna Mullins and Jennifer Peavie, and to long-time coordinator Selena Thompson.

THE RUN

Photos by Selena Thompson and Ruby Cline-Eaton


FEATURE

Here’s the thing about a run/walk series in a small town: No matter where you are from, when you

register for your first race, you sign up for a kind of citizenship in a new community.

Just ask Ambrose Wilson IV of Midway, who was sidelined in March 2014 from hip surgery complications. He and wife Karen had been participating in the series since January 2013, when they were looking for a winter race and spotted the Brodhead Snowball Express via an online race calendar. They became well known in their new group – Karen is the fastest female walker at every race, and Ambrose, who also walks at a fast pace, never meets a stranger.

As the former commissioner of the Department of Housing, Building and Construction, Ambrose’s signature is on nearly every elevator in the commonwealth. But when you are immobilized, and the uncertainty of your health lingers, it can be difficult to find the buttons that will lift your spirits.

Unless you happen to be part of the right community.

“When I would come to races without him,” Karen said. “Everyone would ask about him and send him messages of support. It was a challenging time and he was always glad to hear these words.”

Of course, Karen is his biggest supporter.

“It was a struggle,” Ambrose said, “because basically it changed so many things we had done together, but we just became closer in the things that we could do. She was just such a huge help.”

As he gradually improved, he was able to tag along with Karen and be the “official

photographer” for her and others.

“I just transferred my energy from competing to taking pictures and emailing them to friends. It was my way of being part of the group,” he said.

“One of the things that impressed me about the Mt. Vernon folks, even though I wasn’t competing, people would approach me, and everyone was so nice, offering hugs and prayers and well wishes,” Ambrose said. “It was just wonderful.”

Even better was Ambrose’s return to competition. His first Countywide Stride race since his illness was the Livingston Leap in September 2015.

“It was a great day,” he said, because he was back in the pack, slapping hands and trading stories with people he wouldn’t “even know if it weren’t for the series.” He also was glad to see another old familiar friend – the finish line.

“When you go through illnesses, all those kind words and prayers help you to see the finish line,” he explained. “And if you can see it, then you just kind of keep moving forward until you get there.”

ABOUT AMBROSEAge: 64

Occupation: Retired Dec. 7, 2015 as Secretary of Kentucky’s Public Protection Cabinet

Favorite CWS race: Fairview Run for Missions

PR: 18:40 (Though he walks races now, he was once a very fast runner)

Why run/walk?: Started at age 40. Had quit smoking; didn’t want to gain weight

“AND IF YOU CAN SEE IT, THEN YOU JUST KIND OF KEEP MOVING FORWARD UNTIL YOU GET THERE.”

CAN’T KEEP A

GOOD MAN DOWN

Photo by Jana Bray

The 4th Annual

HALF MARATHON AND 5KThe only half marathon with its own song!

You won’t believe running 13.1 miles could be so much fun.

November 19, 2016

www.renfrorocknrun.com Look for us on Facebook


SCRAPBOOK

2015 SCRAPBOOK

Do you recognize any of these faces? Be the first to e-mail IDs of one of the photos to [email protected] and receive a free extra t-shirt at your next Countywide Stride event! (Limit one ID’ed photo per person). For example, type “Number 17 is John

Smith,” then type your name. (Note: you may identify yourself). For photos showing multiple people, you need only to identify one. Photos 1 and 6 by Jana Bray. All others by Ruby Cline-Eaton.

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5801 Kingpost Ct.Lexington, KY 40509

859.263.2800Integratedsign.com

Serving your signage needsfor over 28 years

SAFETY FIRST!

Safety First! We say to our children daily, we practice it in our jobs, yet we don’t always adhere to it when we

have those few extra minutes to take a run. Safety is essential.

• Never run alone, especially if you are on an open road or in a rural area. Not only is it safer to run with friends, it is far more enjoyable and you might find that you go farther and faster. There is always safety in numbers!

• You and your friends must always be visible. If you are not, then you are in danger. Wear bright, reflective clothing. Don’t run at night. You may think that just because you know the area, that it’s safe. This assumption puts you at risk.

• Limit what’s going on around you. If you are using your iPod or phone and it’s a busy street, you might find yourself more concerned with changing your song than the oncoming traffic. You can’t control the person behind the wheel, but you can control how quickly you have the ability to respond.

So, the next time you think to yourself that this may not be safe, it probably isn’t. Ask yourself, “Is it worth the risk?” When in doubt, go to a gym, find a treadmill and keep running!

For more safety tips, visit:www.active.com/women/Articles/6-Running-Safety-Tips

(606) 256-8504Mt. Vernon, KY

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145 Newcomb Avenue • Mt. Vernon, KY 40456 • 606-256-2195

Keeping our community moving

Through the Countywide Strides series, more than 440 people have begun their fitness journey by participating in their first organized run/walk. It’s one of the many ways we keep the community moving.

strides2016

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