Girls on the Run of Puget Sound is now accepting coach applications for the Fall 2011 season!

Coaches do not have to be runners! Volunteer coaches work directly with the 3rd-5th grade girls in the Girls on the Run program by leading the girls through fun & active lessons while helping them prepare for the non-competitive 5K event at the end of the season. Read what past coaches have said about their experience:

“I really loved watching the girls evolve and come to be kinder and stronger to themselves and their teammates. Every young girl wants to have someone come alongside her and say, ‘Way to go! I knew you could do it!’ What a privilege to be that person in these young girls’ lives!”

“As a first-time coach I felt really supported and well-prepared by the GOTR organization and will definitely volunteer to coach another group of amazing girls!”

“[Through coaching] I was able to fulfill my person goal of being a positive influence for girls in those critical years prior to the challenges of middle school”

For more information and Frequesntly asked Questions, please click here. To download the application, please click here.

Event website: http://www.lakeunion10k.com
Event Registration Fee: 10K: $35 until July 31, $45 August 1 to 20 (no day of race registration).
Event Registration Notes: Pre-race registration available at Fleet Feet Seattle, 911 E. Pine St., Seattle and 5focus, 1009 8th Ave. N., Seattle. Walk up registration/packet pick-up available August 20 at 5focus: noon – 6 p.m. Packet pick-up: August 20 at race start 5:30 – 7 a.m.
Registration discount is for the first 100 Group Health members or staff to register.

This is a great opportunity like torchlight was to branch out, meet new GHC employees who share your passion, make new friends, share or start your fitness journey with others, and accomplish something amazing. So invite your friends, family and co-workers, and come join me on an awesome run/walk. Keep up the great work. Best of luck to all.

“Cause sometimes you feel tired, feel weak, and when you feel weak, you feel like you wanna just give up. But you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength and just pull that stuff out of you and get that motivation to not give up and not be a quitter, no matter how bad you wanna just fall flat on your face and collapse.” ~ Eminem

“One way to keep momentum going is to have constantly greater goals.”

“It is not of importance where we stand, but in what direction we are moving.”

“Between you and every goal that you wish to achieve, there is a series of obstacles, and the bigger the goal, the bigger the obstacles. Your decision to be, have and do something out of the ordinary entails facing difficulties and challenges that are out of the ordinary as well. Sometimes your greatest asset is simply your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else.”~ Brian Tracy

“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. ” ~ Confucius

“This is ten percent luck, twenty percent skill, Fifteen percent concentrated power of will, Five percent pleasure, fifty percent pain, And a hundred percent reason to remember the name!” ~ Fort Minor lyrics

Start/Finish at Reeves Middle School Track – Olympia

8AM 5K Start; 9AM 10K Start (Runners must qualify to run the 10K.)

5K: $25 before Sept. 10, $30 after.
10K: $35 before Sept. 10, $40 after.

Register on-line at Active.com or by mail.

Join us for the first annual Puget Sound Classic 5K & 10K. There will be CASH PRIZES for the top three male and female finishers in the 10K. 5K is open to the public. Each runner will receive a commemorative t-shirt. Course is scenic and TOUGH! Views of Puget Sound… beautiful!

*A benefit for S.A.F.E. and Feline Friends.*
More Info: http://www.guerillarunning.com/Puget_Sound_Classic.html

• Danskin in Seattle on Aug. 14
• WunderWoman in Spokane on Aug. 21
• Trek in Seattle on Sept. 18

“In my 20s and 30s I was very active,” says Lamorte who enjoyed mountain biking, snow skiing, and inline skating. “But as I entered my 40s, I found I needed more motivation to maintain a fitness regimen—and a challenge, not only to keep me active, but to maintain a healthy lifestyle.” That’s what got her started training for a triathlon.

Lamorte points out that a strong athletic background isn’t necessary to participate in and be successful at a triathlon. “Just train slow and steady. Don’t worry about being fast,” she says. Training has helped her feel empowered and youthful. “We used to swim, bike, and run with our friends until our moms called us in for dinner. But we called it playing, not exercise. So now when I train or think of upcoming events, I remind myself that I am just having a little fun outside!” The WunderWoman will be Lamorte’s fifth triathlon this summer.

Julea Edwards has a different story. She’s battled alopecia since she was 8—a condition that caused her to lose all of her hair. In 2007 she was invited to do the Danskin Triathlon. “Initially, I thought I couldn’t do it. Not because of the fitness required but because I have alopecia and felt insecure about the swim and managing hair issues,” says Edwards. But after some soul searching, she overcame her insecurities and signed up. She’s now completed five triathlons.

“I am thrilled that Group Health proactively supports staff wellness. The new Group Health Fitness Network is fabulous and provides incentive and inspiration for all to get fit,” she says.

Lamorte and Edwards share these lessons, learned through their fitness journeys:

• Give your body time to get comfortable on a bike or swimming laps in a pool.
• Concentrate on doing your personal best.
• Train with friends or participate in the various triathlon workshops.
• Have a good attitude and make it fun.
• Take advantage of gyms close to where you work – or head outside for a quick run during lunch.

Registration is still open for the Danskin, WunderWoman, and Trek Triathlons and discounts are available for Group Health staff and members through the Group Health Fitness Network. Sign up today!

Seafair weekend is coming up, which means the Benaroya Research Institute Seafair Triathlon at Seward Park on Sunday, July 24th.

For all you lady triathletes, the Danskin Triathlon Seattle is a 1/2 mile swim, 12 mile bike ride, and then a 3 mile run on Sunday, August 14th

and then there’s the West PlainsWunderWoman Triathlon, where over 800 women will participate in a sprint distance triathlon of a 1/4 mile swim, 10 mile bike ride, and then a 3 mile run.

Make sure to sign up at the Group Health Fitness Network for registration discounts and other goodies!

Help the babies! We’ll be supporting March of Dimes at two March for Babies events. The Pierce County walk (6-mile course) will be right near the Tacoma Dome and the Greater Puget Sound walk (3-mile course) will be at the Seattle Center. Our Group Health teams will be walking in the events and we’ll also have  a Group Health ”check-point” along each route where walkers can grab an Ouch Pouch. The events begin around 8:30 a.m.
Thanks to all of our staff members who are getting out there to burn some calories and support a great cause!
I mean…look at this little guy!

Diabetes Awareness! We are also a major sponsor of the American Diabetes Association Diabetes Expo at the Washington State Convention & Trade Center. We’ll be hosting the Generations Zone – promoting healthy aging. It’s an amazing event that typically draws over 5,000 people. Demonstrations, giveaways, education, exercise, eye-checks, dancing and more! Stop by and come say hi at the Group Health area. We’ll be giving away Ouch Pouches and green reusable bags. Hours are 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Here are some additional highlights for the Group Health Generations Zone:
- Our own Dr. Sascha Dublin will be presenting on Healthy Aging at 9:30 a.m.
- Marcia Mitchell will be talking through Medicare 101 at 10:15 a.m.
- Silver Sneakers demo at 12:30 p.m.!
- Eye Care will be providing free eye screenings all day

Did we mention the Ouch Pouches and reusable bags???

Lastly…

Get on your bike! Monday is the first day of the Group Health Commute Challenge! Have YOU signed up???

Group Health is a proud supporter of this important day – with more than 60 staff members (family members and friends) volunteering at seven branches throughout the region on behalf of GH.

Check out the list of locations below and stop by the branch closest to you! Group Health volunteers will be handing out Ouch Pouches and kiddie-sized jump ropes to help promote playing, exercising and healthy living. You can also see the new 2011 Group Health volunteer t-shirt, debuting THIS weekend! One could be all yours… all you have to do is…well, anything!! Volunteer, participate, walk, bike, garden, sweat, give, help… and rock a GH t-shirt while you’re at it.  

Big, HUGE thanks to all of our volunteers helping out this weekend!

1) Matt GriffinYMCA (Highline)
2) Northshore YMCA (Bothell)
3) Coal Creek Family YMCA (New Castle)
4) Meredith Mathews/East Madison (Capitol Hill)
5) Dale Turner Family YMCA (Shoreline)
6) University Family YMCA (U-District)
7) Olympia Downtown Branch YMCA (Olympia)





More information on the event also coming soon on the Group Health Fitness Network!

• One stop shopping.
• Group Health membership saves you bucks.
• Full engagement in your personal health journey through these cool event options.

Introducing… The Group Health Fitness Network, officially launched this week.

Check out the new web site. You can see stories, news, and a list of all events (phase two of the event calendar goes live after April 15th.) Find an event you like, and fill your “shopping cart” with the benefits and discounts that float your boat.  Once you submit the benefit packages/discounts you are interested in, you will receive an email that includes your discount codes and directs you to the actual registration pages.

Then, you come back here to post about your involvement, fundraising, and team recruiting!

Get moving and get connected through the Group Health Fitness Network.
(And don’t forget to log your Total Health points!)

You know what this means… cycling season is upon us! That’s right, we are turning the corner to spring! Head down to the Seattle Bike Expo this weekend to check out the latest gear and get motivated! Find your way to the Group Health booth, focused on bike fits. Our experts will ensure your bike  is adjusted to fit you properly and make your ride as smooth and comfortable as possible. Of course you can pick up an Ouch Pouch or two as well… What’s a Group Health booth without an OUCH POUCH??!!

Saturday, March 12, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday, March 13, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

@ Smith Cove Cruise Terminal. $10 single-day pass (Cascade members get a discount). Cash only!