#37 - Defying The Aging Process/ Run For Autism 5k Event (Sea Isle City 2020) Blog/Podcast)

Mike’s Seafood Run/Walk For Autism 2020

This is the day that we devoted the month of December’s podcast to. We devoted three straight episodes #27, #28, #29 to raising awareness for autism. We have made it to the Mike’s Seafood Run, Walk For Autism and it was another fantastic event. We were able to catch up with Team Anthony Rocks. We met an amazing 60 year old woman named Donna that achieved a personal best for the 5k. Run To The Best You designed a 8 week training program in December to help new one run this event. Two local members members 30 years apart in age took our program. We catch up with both gentleman to get their experience. My takeaway from this event, is that age does not define you when it comes to the running community. We hope that you will be inspired!

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Team Anthony Rocks (Anthony & Sandra Martinez)

One of the first things that I had to do when arriving at the event, was to search for podcast episode #28 star Sandra Martinez and Team Anthony Rocks. In that episode, Sandra shared how important it has always been to keep herself healthy in order to have the energy to be a strong advocate for her son Anthony who is autistic. Sandra when raising Anthony, has always seen her son with abilities not a disability. Anthony is now 21 and has a team that I could not count the size of the group. Anthony ran his race with his team. Sandra ran her race with pride and strength. I was amazed by one member of team Anthony Rocks in particular. Donna, a 60 old woman that pr’d at this 5k. Donna has only been running for about 10 years. Donna is showing everyone that the aging process is only for those that don’t know better. With Donna taking up running at the age of 50, she is already about to complete her third Boston Marathon. Impossible is Nothing!

Jim Siwek (Podcast Episode #29)

Jim showed up and brought us that energy as he always does. In our podcast together in December, Jim talked about how important running has been for him. Jim and his wife takes care of their autistic son who has ton of energy. Jim needs to match that energy to keep up. Jim had to miss several trainings due to a family emergency in St. Lois. When Jim shows up to races, he isn‘t there to set records, and worry about his finishing time. He runs for himself, his son Charlie and the love of the running community. We love Jim!

Hunter Judd w/ mother Terri Koletas

We can not tell the Hunter Judd story without telling you about his mother Terri. Terri signed up to our local beginners 5k training program in November. Terri, a 47-year young woman from Egg Harbor Township, NJ, did not fully understand what she was signing up for. Terri saw some of her co-workers feeling happier through running and eating healthier with the Keep Calm and Run To The Best You Program. Terri wanted some of that energy for herself. Right away Terri was excelling very nicely and consistent in her running journey. Within a month she saw the need to share her experience with her son Hunter. Hunter came to a session to try running out for himself. On day one we put Hunter through a one-mile test. There is no pressure to achieve any time for this mile. Hunter pushed himself to complete this mile to the point of vomiting. This mile took Hunter 16 minutes to complete with him taking multiple walk breaks. 

Now the calendar changed from January to February, week after week, Hunter kept showing up strong for himself. Running has not been easy for Hunter. Some weeks he would struggle to get through some of our segments. Two weeks before the run/walk for autism event on February 16th, it all changed! It was a training day in which it had been raining. Many members took that training day off. Hunter showed up ready to practice along with two of our veteran runners! We paired off into two groups. One such pairing was Hunter and I. We got a chance to focus on matching his breaths with his footstrike. On the following Tuesday, it was time for Hunter to redo his mile test. Hunter smashed that test with a time of 12 minutes for the mile. Only stopping 3 times. So he took 4 minutes off of his mile time. During this whole process, Hunter has only attempted to run a mile straight only two times. Those two times were only for the test. One way that we help beginners is through our run, walk, run system. With this approach, Hunter has improved drastically from his day one test. Hunter completed his 1st 5k, one day after turning 21! Hunter went into the race with a strategy that he used throughout. Run for 30 seconds, walk for 30 seconds and repeat. When I caught up with Hunter in the last half mile of the race, his breathing was great. He could run and talk at the same time, he had plenty of control down the stretch. With mother and his sister at the finish line cheering him on, Hunter finished like a champion! The power of one 47 years young woman to join our program has changed Hunter's life forever. I am so proud of them both. May you both remember: “Keep Calm And Run To The Best You” -Coach Tadris

Roni & Michael Muchler 

Next, we have Michael Muchler, a 51-year-old from Galloway, NJ. Just like Terri Koletas, Michael too was attracted to our beginner's program though some co-workers that he knows in our group. Michael had a strong interest in joining and then got sick which delayed him joining. When Michael was cleared to join in December, we put him in for the mile test. Michael turned in a time of 11:30 for the mile. Michael kept showing up to training with this fire and determination to get every workout done with strength. I had no problem with giving him a little push. Then came the setback! A knee issue, oh no, say it ain’t so! Did I give him too much too soon, considering his age? Perhaps, but here is what I know, inflammation is bound to accumulate in the body with exercise. Inflammation is worse with food choices that do not serve us. In fact, I believe 9 out of 10 times that this is the cause of the aches and pains and not the exercise itself. Where did I come up with this assumption? Well, let’s just chalk that up to experience. For more on this subject read and listen to episode 36 Whole30 round Table w/ Tina Ellis and Christy Burke. I suggested that Michael avoid all grains and sugar for a while until he gets his MRI done on his knee. I said that you may find out that you would not need the MRI. 

What happened? In January, Michael decided to use our Accountability Group for help with a round of Whole30. Michael was also prompted to do this, as he was a part of a family weight loss challenge. Well in January and this first part of February, Michael is down 20 lbs and his knee pain has gone away! During this short amount of time, Michael has learned how to eat for the results that he wants to continue running. Michael has learned that shortening his stride helps him go further faster without getting tired. Michael has taken 2 minutes off of his mile time and completed his first 5k at this event. We are so proud of Michael Muchler. It doesn’t stop here, Michael has joined our 100 miles in February challenge and is primed to get it. Michael also has his sights set on future 5k’s, including the Keep Calm And Run To The Best You 5k on May 30th, 2020. I asked Roni to share on the podcast how she has seen Michael turn into this hunk of a man! She was too shy to speak, but her smile from ear to ear told me enough. Roni is liking the new Michael! “Keep up the great work Michael” -Coach Tadris 

Lisa Keating, Bryce & Chris Ballard

This pack of pros really does not need any introduction. In harmony with this post though, I have to assume that you have not heard me talk about Chris Ballard before.

Chris Ballard 43 years young has been a part of our running program since the age of 39. Chris joined the program to check a 5k off of her bucket list by the age of 40. Now what happened after that, has been a different story and I guess I’m partly responsible for it. Chris has become an endorphins dealer! Chris has been enjoying the endorphins running provides to the human body. Chris, I believe is even more addicted to getting the cheers as she crosses the finish lines at races. Chris has been dealing these endorphins to our community since joining. Chris has people saying: “I want to be like Chris.” So people are signing up based on seeing her crazy post, running with me in 15-degree weather back in 2019. Now that it is 2020, nothing has changed, she is still out here every week killing it. 

Bryce Ballard is one of a set of triples that Chris has. Yes, a 15 year old monster on the cross country circuit in high school. That is what makes our sport so incredibly awesome. Parents get to participate in a sport with their children. We can not play football, baseball or basketball, in a regulated timed game. We can run with our family members forever and it brings us closer together, and it is wonderful. Bryce is an amazing running and even more as a son that loves to help his mom and others in our crew. “Bryce, keep training, keep being that fire that keeps mom going.” - Coach Tadris. 

Lisa Keating is only 54 years young! I realized that I was an endorphins dealer after helping Lisa complete her first 10k in October 2019. Her post on Facebook called me a dealer, as she is now hooked on the runner's high. Lisa as well as other members have signed up for multiple half marathons in 2020. The beautiful thing about Lisa Keating is that she has only been running for less than a year. Lisa was introduced to our program by her sister Chris Ballard in March 2019. Lisa once said: “ I could never run like you.” Now in 2020 Lisa’s face is priceless, as she continues to set personal best in her mile times. In turn she set a personal best at this 5k event. So proud of you Lisa! You are setting such a great example for many in our community and beyond. “Keep setting the bar high for yourself.” - Coach Tadris 

It warms my heart to see this family run this race together! 

Coca Cola Bear

Coke soda and I may have our differences when it comes to sugar and inflammation! That didn’t stop us from putting those differences to the side to get this photo opportunity! 

In conclusion, I hope this article helps anyone out there that thinks it is too late for them to take up running! We showed you a 60 year old that started at 50. A 51 year old man that crushed his first 5k. My race was good as well, although I have not been training for speed lately, I still turned in a decent time. I’m 45 and I am running faster than I was at 25. 

If you can relate to any of the stories above and would like to try our program out, we are forming a new 12 week class now. We will be signing up local members on March 7th, 2020 at our Spring Health Kick Off Meeting (RSVP Now) This 12 week program will lead to our Keep Calm And Run To The Best You 5k on May 30th to help support children with disabilities play baseball.

Don’t live in NJ? No problem join our Online Training Program and get tons of support along with personalized coaching programs to help you tackle any race distance. 

We need a small favor! If you found this blog or podcast helpful and informative please leave a comment on Apple Podcast or below. Your comments help others find our material and can be a game changer for someone. 

Thank You - Coach Tadris 

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