Many of us are not history buffs... When we hear the name Artemis, we may connect it to a masculine figure, or in Cincinnati, the tool used to monitor traffic. But in ancient times, Artemis was a woman. She was one of the most widely venerated of the Ancient Greek deities. The daughter of Zeus, goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, virginity, and young girls, bringing and relieving disease in young women; she was often depicted carrying a bow and arrow.... I found her while trying to seek out a description for an athletic goddess, which is who you will meet today. Although I have myself a somewhat strong physical character, it is the women who are able to push the physical boundaries of the human body, to achieve goals many envy (including myself). They motivate me to want to work harder, and are breathing proof that motherhood is not a box, but an open road, meant to be shared with our young....
Carrie.....
Carrie is my neighbor. The day I moved in 3 years ago, she greeted me with a smile and a delicious chocolate zucchini cake. Halloween was always a special treat, because her mother helped make the most elaborate costumes for the whole family. That first year, she was the Colonel Sanders, her husband was the chicken, and the baby was the drumstick in a bucket! We became friends while I walked my dog, and she strollered her little one off to the library. Our husbands are the same age, and have similar hobby's, so we always had something to talk about, mostly various injuries, suffered at the hands of sports. We became pregnant very closely, and she was a wonderful person to give advice, and share little quirks of motherhood. It was after she had her second daughter, I saw her strength. She quickly balanced the challenges of two children, along side the dedicated schedule of training in multiple sports. This year alone she has completed a trial half marathon in the Flying Pig, a Half Iron Man, received 1st place in a large regional triathlon, and that is what just comes to mind. I love her because she does not try to come across as snooty, she is very kind, hilarious, and humble. Her mother also helped me create a baptism gown out of my deconstructed wedding dress, so it is a generational appreciation of her family. If I was able to, I would post her photo and story on an issue of Women's Health Magazine cover, so other women would have a real example of some one who shows that you can be fit, and have kids!
Jaclyn....
I met Jaclyn a few years ago when I had gone home to run a race in Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. She is the wife of an old friend of mine, and we were introduced at dinner the night before. I quickly grew to admire who she was. For years she was a yoga instructor, teaching at resorts in Jamaica during the summer, while working on her masters degree in education. Over the years I have witnessed her do amazing things. She completed the Pikes Peak Ascent, which is one of the most difficult races in the country, which tackles a 14,000 foot mountain. During her pregnancy, she continued to practice yoga and running, and guiding rafting trips along the Rio Grande river, up to the day she had her beautiful little girl. She chose to have an unmedicated birth, and exclusively breastfeed, while working full time as a teacher. In addition to her career, she has continued to train, running a half marathon a month along side her husband, and began competing in triathlon's! They have started a blog dedicated to their daughter about adventures in hiking, rafting and running, which I have had the pleasure of following myself. Although I do not live near her, by sharing her journey with others via digital media outlets, I am able to be inspired, and pass it along.
Not all of us have the motivation, or determination to live such athletic lives, but I do believe we all need friends like these, to encourage us on our first 5ks, eating healthier, and being good examples to our children as active people.
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