Page 8 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - May 2016 - 23-05

Page 8
Senior Times - May 2016
RUNNING WITHOUT FEAR:
Senior Times
WHERE 50 IS A PLUS
Published by Scene Publications,
A Division of W.W. Thayne Advertising Consultants, Inc. 4642 Capital Avenue Southwest Battle Creek, Michigan 49015-9350 Administration — (269) 979-1411 Advertising — (269) 979-1479 FAX — (269) 979-3474 Email: ssherban@wwthayne.com
Publisher & Executive Editor............. Sherii Sherban Advertising Consultants........................... Pat Fosdick ....................................................................... Sally Goss Marketing / Administrative Asst . Christyn McCleary Staff Photographer ............................... Keith Sherban Artists.................................................... David Sherban .............................................................. Matthew Travis ......................................................... Frederick DeRuiter Publisher Emeritus .......................... Richard DeRuiter
TM
Senior Times of South Central Michigan is published twelve times per year by W.W. Thayne Advertising Consultants, Inc. Senior Times is distributed free through our advertisers, area profes- sional offices, and key points of interest throughout South Central Michigan. To be added to the distribution list contact Christyn McCleary at extension 301.
Senior Times is also made available by mail subscriptions for $20 per year. To subscribe call Christyn McCleary at (269) 979-1411 ext. 301. Due to bulk rate restrictions, copies of Senior Times are not forwarded automatically by the U.S. Post Office to recipients when they move or are tempo- rarily away. Please contact Senior Times with your new address before you move or are temporarily away so we can update the mail list and provide you with uninterrupted service.
Opinions expressed by writers in Senior Times are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of Senior Times or W.W. Thayne Advertising Consultants, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without permission is prohibited.
SANDI FRITZ
By: Gale Fischer
Coming In June
Summer fun, travel and
Pets - Be sure to send photos! To be included please
call by May 10.
269-979-1479 • www.scenepub.com/seniortimes
“If you’re trying to defeat the human spirit, marathon runners are the wrong group to target.”
~ David and Kelvin Bright
As mature grown adults we
often assume that we have grown out of that stage of feeling invincible that we shared with many of our peers as teenagers. We often examine the reckless behavior of
our teen children wondering when they will exit this phase of their lives in which they feel they can
do no wrong and that nothing can harm them. If we look in the mirror however many of us still live in this box as we look at the world with blinders ignoring the potential consequences of our behaviors.
Sure we mature adults have replaced some of the rash behaviors from our youthful years with more responsible ways of living our lives, but if we look closely at our actions each and every day it is easy to see that we still flirt with disaster more often than what we like to admit.
As runners we place ourselves
in situations every time we head
out the door. Running in the dark, not getting over far enough on the shoulder of the road when traffic approaches and being unaware
of our surroundings as we find ourselves lost in our playlist and the beat of our hearts with each stride are all examples of how we as runners live with this attitude of invincibility. I’m not suggesting that we change our routine and the way in which we live our lives by locking ourselves inside of a bubble. What all of us must do from time to time is examine our actions, raise our awareness
of the environment that surrounds
us and think about ways to make ourselves not quite so vulnerable while at the same time trying not to cast judgment on those we perceive to be living as if their protective armor cannot be chinked.
As members of the running community it is critical that we find this fine line of enjoying our sport without worrying over those things which we cannot control
while at the same time examining what we can do to minimize the odds of putting ourselves in harm’s way. This month’s featured
runner, Sandi Fritz has experienced firsthand perhaps running’s most catastrophic event which has no doubt strengthened her passion
as a runner while also raising her awareness of increasing her safety on the roads.
Sandi began her running journey eight years ago, giving it a try for the first time in 2008. She embraces some of the same characteristics
of our sport that many appreciate.
“It is a great stress relief, and it is great time to clear your mind and think about nothing. All the great running friends I have met throughout the years are a bonus as well.” Like many who reside in Michigan, winter’s harsh conditions are Sandi’s least favorite thing about running.
Sandi’s running mentor is a good friend of hers who has been involved with running for a quarter of a century. “Peg Flannery, a good friend who has been running for over 25 years, is my running mentor. She has taught me so much about running, helped me qualify for Boston and taught me how to train for Boston. She taught me how to train smart and run hard. Through her I realized that I can gut anything out for five miles!” Ryan Hall is Sandi’s greatest running inspiration. “I love his heart and passion
for running.”
Sandi’s advice to other runners is a perfect metaphor for anything in life. “Enjoy it! It’s not always about training for the next race. It’s about enjoying today’s run.”
Sandi’s most memorable moment as a runner came while running her second Boston Marathon. “Running Boston the second time and getting my picture taken with Meb was such a cool experience!”
Sandi’s favorite distance to run is 10 miles but she has covered distances from five kilometers all the way up to 33 miles. Her short-term goal is to run the Big Sur Marathon while long-term she wants to still be running when she is 80 plus years old.
SENIOR TIMES DISTRIBUTION SITES
ALBION
Albion Library Chamber of Commerce Family Health Center Family Fare
Forks Senior Center Parks Drug Store Youngs Pharmacy
BATTLE CREEK
Art Center
Battle Creek Chamber of Commerce Bronson Battle Creek
Brookside Medical Facility
Clara’s on the River
Community Action
Family Y Center
Family Fare
Finley’s Restaurant
Helen Warner Branch Library Kellogg Comm. Fed. Credit Union Kool Family Center
Lakeview Square Mall
Lux Restaurant
M-66 Bowl
Main Street Market
MoonRaker Restaurant
Old Country Buffet
Omni Community Credit Union Pancake House
Regional Medical Lab
Sweetwater Donuts
The Family Health Center
US Post Office
Walgreens - Beckley Road
Willard Library
COLDWATER
Branch Co. Commission on Aging Branch Co. Community Health Agency Branch District Library
Chamber of Commerce
Community Health Center
Goodie Shop (30 N. Monroe)
Family Fare
Walgreens
Pines Behavioral Health
H&C Burnside Senior Center
COLDWATER (Cont.)
Monarch Community Bank Southern Michigan Bank
HASTINGS
Commission on Aging Family Fare
Laundromat
Magnum Health and Rehab McDonald (W. State St.) Pennock Health Center Pennock Hospital
Pennock Professional Building Ponderosa
Thornapple Credit Union
JACKSON
Chamber of Commerce
Flagstar Bank (Downtown Branch) Krogers
Heartland Health Center
Jackson Area Libraries
Laundromat (Wisner Road)
Marrs Avenue Grill (E. Michigan Ave.) TLC Eyecare
MARSHALL
Chamber of Commerce County Building
Library
Mancino’s Restaurant Monarch Community Bank Oaklawn Hospital
UNION CITY
Monarch Community Bank Village Library
 Delivered to all Meal Sites
and Meals on Wheels recipients.
 For those who can’t get out, please visit us online at www.Scenepub.com and click on the Senior Times icon.
 Have Senior Times delivered to your home. Call for a subscription (269) 979-1479 ext 301.
This is a partial list of Convenient Senior Times drop locations.