Over the past year or so I’ve been following the enthusiastic increase of many of my women friends taking up running, biking, and swimming. Okay! so I’m not talking about running a couple of miles or an occasional swim, or a Saturday outing bike. I’m talking about half-marathons, triathlons, and iron-men competitions!! YOU GO GIRL!

Last weekend in Chapel Hill, NC a few of my friends entered and FINISHED the Ramblin Rose Triathlon. This blog entry is dedicated to them and their support of each other, and their determination. I wanted to know “what does this mean to you,” and this is what I heard:

“I proved to myself that I can do anything I set my mind to and that I am stronger than I think I am.”

“It means developing a true camaraderie with other women. It really meant I was breaking down the stereotype of me – and there is so much more to me than that. With each swim stroke, with pedaling the bike up those hills,  and with each running stride, I reclaimed a part of myself.”

“I was 3 months pregnant and in my head I thought this would be a good opportunity to lose the baby weight. Our only goal was to finish.” After a stay in the NICU for 11 days with her new baby, this mom started walking and running for 20 minutes at the time. “I pushed myself and every time I got home my face was as red as a tomato.” After months of training with a friend, she finished and says, “I feel empowered as a woman, I’m proud of my accomplishments and all I can tell you is, if I can do it, so can you!”

Another friend of mine who is getting ready to run a half-marathon says, ” It’s me time. Time where my thoughts are my own.”

I’m proud of these women and their goals!!

Art Prescription: Climb a little bit higher than you think you can! Now sit back and take in the view…isn’t it beautiful! Life is…. claim it!