Introducing 'The Heelers' - Our Bluenose training team!

INTRODUCING THE HEELERS: Healing Metro One Step a TimePlease join our new walking and running group for anyone who wants to find a way to sweat and smile more often.  Everyone is invited! We have moms with kiddy strollers, dog-lovers, husbands being dragged along...  The main goal of this laid-back group is to set personal goals for fitness with the support of a fun team.  Training for the upcoming Bluenose Marathon events ranging from the 5km to the full marathon is an objective of the Heelers, but not a requirement or expectation.  The Heelers mindset is all about low-pressure and high-enjoyment. Exercise needs to be enjoyable or we are just not going to do it often enough to reap benefits.  Many of us have gone through flurries of motivation to get healthier, but if the approach is more of a chore than a joy, it loses the staying power to truly be a life-style change.The Bluenose events are the morning of May 19th.  The Heelers and company will have the opportunity to enjoy brunch at Niche after all the cheering and succeeding.   They serve a delicious brunch and have lots of comfy seating for story-time and some good laughs.  We have a few Heelers going for the half-marathon so you know there will be some good stories…like who put those hills in Point Pleasant Park at the 14 km mark?!How to get involved:We will be communicating via email and a soon to be available Heelers facebook page so please forward your email to balanceforliving@live.com.   I will send out reminder/check-in emails each week and we will stay in communication in case of storms.

• The first Heelers run/walk will be held this Sunday Feb 3rd at 1pm.

We will meet at the main parking-lot of Shubie Park next to the Fairbanks Center off of Locks Road.  Each work-out will start with a chat, stretch, and plan.  The goal is to stay out in the fresh air moving for about an hour.  If folks want to connect with other Heelers to work out and/or encourage one another throughout the week that is great.  Sunday can be a busy old day so carving out more than hour may not be realistic. The work-out needs to feel comfortable and fit for you.  We will choose a scenic route and encourage one another along the way. This time of year Shubie Park is often too icy for ankles, but the Waverley Road sidewalk is cleared.  There will be the option of a team stretch and cool down back at Shubie around 2pm.Suggested dress if it is cold or windy is light layers and face protection that can be removed if feeling over-heated.   Until the park ground clears up, runs will occur in open, windy areas and you want to err on the side or warmth.   Please remember water because that is a good reward when you get back to your car after a good work-out.Why I am guiding this teamOver the years I have learned that I need a low-pressure, high-fun group like The Heelers to make a real, lasting commitment to exercise.  If left to my own devices I will come up with a pile of elaborate excuses not to leave the office at a reasonable time or step away from the internet…or lay off the snooze button.  All too often sweat sessions stay mere, procrastinated ideas and my lonely sneakers get stiff with under-use.  A few years ago I found the self-worth to register for the Bluenose Half-Marathon as a means of holding myself accountable to dying slower.  This was my first running event beyond 5 km.  I knew my waist circumference was in the major danger zone for multiple diseases in my genetics and personality.  My energy was almost non-existent and my work as a mental health therapist was taking over.  I decided to make my health a priority so I could feel happier on a personal level and more genuine when teaching others about the value of self-care and stress management.  I also felt I owed getting in better shape to my amazing team of soccer players The Dynamos who were kind enough to teach me how to play after not touching a soccer ball in almost 20 years.   I recently received another dose of motivation after being diagnosed with arthritis.  Years of tension headaches and chronic pain are making more sense now.  The only thing that really works is keeping my wheels greased – I have to keep walking and running or I am laid-out.

Please join me and other members of the Pillars of Health team in our effort to encourage one another to live healthy.

We will be selling long-sleeve team training shirts (super-amazing style and highly wearable) to raise money for people who want to join the Heelers and/or get into walking or running, but need the proper gear.  We hopefully will raise enough to pay cover registration for the Bluenose for those who would otherwise miss out.   We are hoping that Feb 3rd first meeting of the Heelers will grow to be whatever team members want and need it to be.So come on out and join the HEELERS because we are intent on making a difference on a personal and community level!The HEELERS…healing Metro one step at time.