The Weekly Pep Talk August 17 - 23, 2009

"as someone who lost a parent to suicide I applaud this email. Thank you. " Khephra

The Weekly Pep Talk August 17-23, 2009 To Walking and Life!
Dedicated to Lauren G and Mayra M – Weekend Triathletes

Dear WOW Members,

Good times, bad times, life just doesn’t stop. This week I’ve been thinking about walking a lot. We have so many great women who walk in our group: Sharmaine, Ann, Christy, Lifang, Sonia, Arlene, Rosalie, and more. Walking for fitness helps us through the bad times and can even create good times because of the walking.

I did a research project in college about the benefits of exercise for psychiatric patients in mental institutions. The research showed that the patients who exercised outdoors on a regular basis showed improved ability to cope.

Now, I’m extrapolating from that study so this is my opinion only; I have seen empirical evidence (and have felt this myself) to validate an improved outlook on dealing with the stresses of life because of regular exercise – walking or running! I bring this up for 2 reasons:

1. Yesterday I saw this info about a walk in San Francisco
September 26 - Survivors of Suicide Loss wanted to help with annual 5K Walk (Crissy Field) Reply to: Norcalafsp@aol.com

I signed up for a team. This is the link WOW Team Walk Link . I know that suicide and depression have affected WOW Families and I also know that these subjects are something that we don’t talk about. I also know that The WOW Team is there to offer alternatives. Walking can help prevent or change the darkness that moves people into depression and suicide.

The details are below. Everything from volunteering through to joining me in walking the 5K on September 26. As you know, I do not require any type of fundraising for women to join The WOW Team. What initially attracted me to this event was that it included WALKING. However, the more I read the more I wanted to share what I’ve learned. A regular exercise program can offer you and your loved ones so much, beyond those buff, young bodies in the fitness magazines.

2. You walkers are amazing! I love seeing you out there pounding the pavement and increasing your fitness levels. I thank you for being a part of The WOW Team. Whether you join us on September 26 or not, KEEP WALKING! It’s good for your body and it’s good for the soul… I hope you know how much it means to me to have you participate. I hope you are all planning to join the spring 2010 walking half marathon in Sacramento. Now that’s a good New year’s Resolution!

Run the World
I had a wonderful conversation with Kathy Loper of Kathy Loper Events who organizes races and trips all over the world! She and I are putting together a survey of 4 trips for next summer to entice you WOW Women to do something fun and physical far, far away! We want your opinion on which trip sounds best. At present we have the following trips. Dates and details will be here by next week…

Macchu Picchu – Run the Inca Trail
Alaska! – Run a marathon, half marathon, 10K, see Denali and the Alaska Wilderness
Zambia, Botswana, South Africa – Run and visit this amazing section of Africa
China – Run The Great Wall and more

How is this for starters? I’ll have details soon. I hope your interest is piqued. Start saving now…

September 1 deadline for lowest price registration at CIM Relay and Marathon. Marathoners register on the site at http://runcim.org. Relay ladies, we register together! Bring your checks this weekend! $25, please.


To Fitness and Life!
Coach Stephanie

P.S. Walking Mentors Wanted!
If you think of yourself as a walker, love walking, and want to encourage other women to be fit through walking, PLEASE contact me. I do not want to lose the walking momentum in The WOW Team. I need your help! If you can make it to the weekend workouts and/or track at least 2 times a month, let’s talk. You can share your appreciation for walking with another woman who may need that extra encouragement. Please think about it. You will also benefit. Giving has a way of doing that.

This entire newsletter will be available on http://gowowteam.com and the workout dates and locations can be found at http://meetup.com/gowowteam.

San Francisco's 5 K Out Of The Darkness Walk

San Francisco's 5 K Out Of The Darkness Walk will take place on Saturday, September 26th along Crissy Field. The walk - one of over 100 across the country was developed by The American Foundation For Suicide Prevention (AFSP) -raises awareness about depression and suicide as well as important funds to support The Northern California Chapter of AFSP in their education, prevention and research programs. This year's event is anticipated to draw over 500 participants from throughout the Bay Area, along with their friends and supporters.

WHAT WE NEED - We are in need of Walk volunteers NOW in preparation for our Walk AND volunteers for the day of the event! We are looking for volunteers to help with sponsorship, walk recruitment and/or fundraising PRIOR TO THE WALK. We are also looking for volunteers to help out ON THE DAY OF THE WALK with set up of the event, greeting of walkers, route support on foot or bicycle, handing out food and water, set of displays and clean up and take down of the event. Volunteer hours are from 7 AM to 1-2 PM depending upon the job.

The walk is very meaningful and emotional for everyone involved and we need dedicated volunteers to be a part of this wonderful event. Volunteers receive an event T-shirt and continental breakfast. Volunteers must be 18 years old or accompanied by an adult if under 18 years old. Training Takes place on the morning of the event. Requirements: all you need is a little knowledge of The Out Of The Darkness Walk (which we provide) and a smile!

For more information, visit www.outofthedarkness.org If you are interested in volunteering, please email Karin at Norcalafsp@aol.com to sign up. Please let me know what you volunteer job you are interested in when you email.

OUR ORGANIZATION - AFSP is the only National Non-profit organization dedicated to developing suicide prevention initiatives; building educational programs for families, mental health professional, physicians, schools and the public; and supporting medical research on depression and suicide. Founded in New York in 1987, AFSP works closely with its local affiliates throughout the U.S., including The Northern California Chapter which is hosting The San Francisco Walk. More information about AFSP and our chapter is available online at: http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewPage&page_id=DD2D3D45-CF1C-2465-121DF792F0CBD5C0

With more than 30,000 lives lost to suicide each year in the U.S. and over one million loves lost worldwide, the importance of AFSP's mission has never been greater, nor our work more urgent!

DEPRESSION CAN BE TREATED. SUICIDE CAN BE PREVENTED