[Shades]

<b><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';">QUESTIONS</span></span></span></span></b><br><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';"><b>1.</b> <b>Why do you run?</b> 12 years ago a woman used to run by my house everyday with her twins in a jogging stroller and one day I went outside and asked her if I could join her because I had just had my second child and needed to lose the weight. I bought a stroller that night and met her for a run the next day. I would find out that day that not only was she the fastest runner on her Division I cross country team in college but she was also a competitive runner and won many of the road races in our area. I was a bit embarrassed at first since I was a novice but she took me under her wing and I ended up with a coach and new best friend! Our children have grown up together and we both moved to the same town 10 years later. Today I run because it is the only time during the day that I have for “me”, it keeps me healthy, prepares me for goal races I put on my calendar and I love my runner’s legs!</span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';"><b>2. What is your greatest accomplishment?</b> My greatest accomplishment is becoming an inner city teacher. I know I have influenced many lives through my work.</span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';"><b>3. What is your motto/theme song?</b> Row Row Row Your Boat</span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';"><b>4. How do you deal with bad runs?</b> I used to have bad runs but with age have realized that every run is an opportunity and just the fact that I am out there means I am doing something good for myself.</span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';"><b>5. Do you reward yourself for good runs?</b> How? No, the reward is the ability to be able to run and the time I made for myself to do the run.</span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';"><b>6. Who do you admire most?</b> I admire my 17 year old daughter the most in my life. She is the most responsible, level headed, goal oriented,self motivated, positive thinking, ambitious, sweet, selfless person I know. I have no idea where she came from! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile"></span></span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';"><b>7. What is the greatest advice you have ever received?</b> Take Life One Day At A Time! I received this advice while my little sister died of cancer over a period of 7 years when we were teenagers.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b>8. What do wish you had learned younger?</b> I wish I learned my value as a person younger, I think I would have done much more with my life at a younger age.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b>9. What do you wish you could do but can't?</b> Play the piano and snap. My fingers don’t make any noise when rubbed together.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b>10. How would your friends describe your personality?</b> Fun, patient, kind, happy, positive, adventurous, ambitious, creative,fiery and <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/banana.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="banana">.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b>11. What do you wear running?</b> I have finally acquired a running wardrobe for a 6 day/week running schedule-I like my running wardrobe better than all of my other clothes. I like dri release anything! My favorite outfit would have to be my hot pink nike shorts with yellow piping and my bright yellow hot chili under armour shirt.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b>12. What has been your favorite race?</b> My favorite race the Sheraton 5 Points 10k that I did last February. We made a weekend of it and brought all of the kids to stay at the Sheraton, my parents also met us, we ate the pre-race pasta dinner and swam in the pool. The weather was beautiful! My second favorite race was my first Half marathon in</span></span></span> <span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';">Hartford</span></span></span> <span style="color:#000000;"><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="font-family:'Comic Sans MS';">last year even though I forgot to put my chip on!</span></span></span> <span style="font-family:Verdana;"><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b>13. Do you have a goal race right now?</b> I am contemplating a marathon before my birthday in March for a distance race-possibly Sheraton 5 Points again. I am also trying to improve speed for my daughters senior project that focuses on this topic and I am the subject of it! She has me on a training schedule that has kept me motivated and working very hard.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b>14. What makes you happy?</b> The health and happiness of my children, weekends away with my husband, my house at sunset on a Sunday night after I have cleaned and cooked and lit all of the candles and all of my children are home.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b>15. Tell us one interesting thing about you that you haven't said (at least not often) on this forum in the past.</b> I was once nominated for teacher of the year in my state.</span></span><br><span style="font-family:Verdana;"><span style="color:#000000;"><b>16. Tell us one interesting thing about another user of this forum that has not been posted (at least not often) on this forum in the past (make sure the other person will not object to posting the info!).</b> Kasieee’s parents are named REGIS and KATHY LEE. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"></span></span></span>

 

[JackDuggan]

It is my incredible good fortune to have you as a friend<br><br>
rock on, shades-sis Moon Lady

 

[Tim]

Very nice Shades! I enjoyed reading your POTD.

 

[Xena]

Great post Shades...so nice to get to know more about you. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[Grizzly]

Having taught inner city for a year, and known first hand both the joy and pain that can bring, you have my respect and admiration for sticking with it. And to add to that, the nomination for teacher of the year!<br><br>
Thanks for this post!

 

[Shades]

Hey, thanks Grizzly. I have been "sticking with it" for over 13 years now. I do love it.

 

[Jensparks]

I love the story of how you started running, gained a coach & friend. That's awesome! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy">

 

[Ileneforward]

I am so happy to learn more about you. Especially that you teach inner city schools..oh and that your parents name' are Regis and Kathy Lee! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[Timr1]

Wow. That's awesome! Thanks for sharing.<br><br>
That's a great story on #1.<br><br>
Thanks for your work on #2 - my mom is a retired school teacher from the Detroit Public School System. I know what you must face on a daily basis.<br><br>
On #6 - sounds like she has great influence from parenting. Way to go!

 

[KP]

Excellent Shades...love your answers, and congrats on both influencing young people and other people noticing. Teachers are the most underpaid profession out there, in my view.

 

[Chelle]

Great post Shades!! I love that the person you admire most is your daughter! And I loved the visual of your home on a Sunday evening when you light all the candles and all the kids are home. Sounds like your home is very full of love. Thanks for sharing!

 

[kasieee]

I told you it was 11/25!<br><br>
And I imagine some people might wonder how we are sisters with different parents unless they read our story way back when! We shared the same biological father.<br><br>
I love your story. I knew all of that except I had no idea you couldn't snap. Why have I not known that?<br><br>
I love you sissy- I think you rock- I think you are amazing, strong, beautiful, funny and you make me laugh my patented @ss off!<br><br>
I signed on just to tell you that but now I have to go.

 

[bootsie]

WOW! Great POTD!!!! I can't pick one favorite thing you wrote because I love it all! I'm proud to be your imaginary sister! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Smile">

 

[Shades]

<br>
Giggly is that YOU???? I had no idea! Thanks for reading about me <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/banana.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="banana">!

 

[Shades]

Hi sassy kassi! Did you like my theme song?

 

[runningINnyc]

Awesome POTD post, Shades! I love your story.

 

[bootsie]

<br>
Yep! I'm Giggly! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Very Happy"><br><br>
Don't know why I changed names...guess I shoulda stayed the same! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Wink"><br><br>
And LOVED reading about you!

 

[ym]

I agree!<br><br>
It's very nice to get to know you, Shades. Congratulations on being a good teacher and friend, and your nomination.

 

[Hanging Jury]

Great POTD. Thanks for sharing!

 

[equinox marathon 43]

Shades -<br><br>
Nice post. Very cool