#47 - Walk The Walk w/ Marie Geary (The Benefits Of Walking)
Ida (Marie’s sister) Marie Geary, and Katie (Marie’s Daughter)
Shirley Mae Breast Cancer Run 2019
In this week’s blog/podcast we get to learn how a 59-year-old teacher from Galloway, New Jersey keeps in shape through walking to be able to keep up with her students and grandchildren! My writing this blog post will pale in comparison to you pressing play and listening to the podcast. Meet Marie Geary a walker in our local Keep Calm And Run To The Best You Program. We will learn some benefits of walking. What got Marie started walking as an exercise. What keeps her going till this day. I hope you find this enjoyable.
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Marie Geary & Sonia Muhammad (Trail Of 2 Cities (2019)
Health Benefits of Walking:
So let me jump right into this. There is nothing like body weight exercises. Push-ups, pull-ups, lunges, wall squats, and yes walking! Some of the benefits to this amazing exercise include:
increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness
reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
improved management of conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes
stronger bones and improved balance
increased muscle strength and endurance
reduced body fat.
Walking for 30 minutes a day
To get the health benefits, try to walk for at least 30 minutes as briskly as you can on most days of the week. ‘Brisk’ means that you can still talk but not sing, and you may be puffing slightly. Remember you are working out, so this means that you are hustling. A fun way to make sure that you get your mindful walks in is by starting a streak! I like to call it the Coach Tadris Streak! You can feel free to friend me on Nike Run Club app and join one of my monthly challenges. When posting on your favorite social media you can tag us in the post: #coachtadrisstreak or on Instagram: @ run_to_the_best_you (Your photo may be featured on our page, so post away.) Moderate activities such as walking pose little health risk but, if you have a medical condition, check with your doctor before starting any new exercise program of physical activity.
Let’s Meet Marie Geary Who Is Streaking!
Shealen Parker (Marie’s old student) @ Group Training
I met Marie in 2013, as she was my son Shealen’s first ever teacher! Marie teaches preschool and loves her little children very much. The community of parents loves her back for taking such good care of our little ones. Marie would open up her pool during the summer for all the children to come swim on Tuesday’s. I remember telling Marie that year that I was a health coach and was starting a couch 2 5k training program. Marie said: “Oh no child, there is no running for me.” Marie did however tell me that she was walking a 3 day 60 mile event to help raise money for cancer. I was so impressed. It wasn’t until this week that I found out that her two of her sisters passed away from cancer, that motivated her to take up the 60 mile challenge. Now let me take you to the interview, so that you can hear from Marie.
Coach Tadris & Marie Geary Interview:
Marie’s First 5k As A Member of The Keep Calm and Run To The Best You (2018)
Coach: What Is It That You Do For A Living?.
Marie: I teach preschool
Coach: How Long Have You Been Doing Your Profession?
Marie: I’ve been teaching for 23 years
Coach: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Marie: Working with my students
Coach: Being a teacher, for that grade level would you say that it is sedentary, or are you active at work?
Marie: I’d say active
Coach: You have been a part of our walking community for a few years now, were you ever athletic growing up?
Marie: No I wasn’t athletic at all
Coach: Take us back to the start of your journey into walking, how were you feeling? What was your wake up call?
Marie: I’ve had a few wake-up calls. I know I need to stay active to ward off the illnesses that run in my family.
Coach: What made you get up one day and say I need to change my habits?
Marie: I need to stay active to be there for my daughters and grandchildren. I need to start walking again. I used to walk a lot beginning in 2010 - 2014. I would sign up for Susan G Komen Cancer 3 Day (60 Mile Walk) in honor of my sister whom I lost to cancer. After 2014 I fell off from walking as much.
Coach: What made you join our Run To The Best You program in 2018?
Marie: I joined because it was a way to donate to the South Jersey Field of Dreams. You were putting together training that helped the community-run or walk their first 5k. That 5k was your very own Keep Calm and Run To The Best You 5k. I found out it was you running it and I said: “sign me up.” I really enjoy the group, I’m staying because the group is like family and I need to keep moving! Walking also helps clear my mind.
Daughter Katie Ayers First Half Marathon
Episode #21 - Get Out of Your Own Way w/ Katie Ayers
Coach: Then your daughter Katie joined late 2018. How did you feel to have her in the group?
Marie: Awesome, I’m so proud of her. No matter how old she gets, she will always be my baby! To see her cross the finish line of her first half marathon in October 2019 was wonderful. I know how hard she worked for it. Again a proud momma moment.
Coach: What changes have you noticed in Katie when she’s on top of her game? Because she was gonna take off one winter and her husband said nope, you are less crabby when you run…… He paid for her for the next 3 months.
Marie: LOL, I noticed Katie’s asthma is so much better as well.
Coach: What At The Moment Are Your Healthy Habits?
Marie: I’m on a walking streak! I'm determined to keep it up. My streak is currently:
115 Days of One Mile A Day
84 Days of Two Miles A Day
27 Days of Three Miles A Day
82 Days of 10,000 Steps A Day
Coach: Wow, what a way to track the journey. So many people lose track of this sort of thing, but you are on it. In our Accountability Group, your post about getting out there in the middle of the night to walk your driveway! So much determination, so proud of you.
Coach: Do you Intermittent Fast?
Marie: Yes nothing after 9 o’clock at night until lunch at about 12:00 pm, so about 15 hours.
Coach: How do you fit it all in with your work schedule and such?
Marie: I walk after school usually. Even with the stay at home order, I am still walking at what would be after school time. I am adjusting to teaching from home, and I miss my kids.
Coach: How do you feel now since adopting this healthier lifestyle?
Marie: I feel great
Coach: Wow, how much have you lost?
Marie: I’ve lost about 20 pounds before the stay at home. Sorry to say I’ve gained some of that back.
Coach: Well I must tell you like I tell our runners: “You cannot outrun or walk a bad diet.” During this stressful time, many of us are stress eating. (Not me of course, lol) If you notice yourself grabbing that snack out of boredom, catch yourself before eating and try to bring in a new habit. Maybe wall push-ups or wall squats, walk up and down your stairs if you have any. It’s all about creating new habits around your emotions.
Is there anything that you are doing now that, You could not do before taking up walking?
Marie: My grandson and I took a cross country trip by car to the San Diego Zoo, and I was able to walk all day with no problem. Thanks to walking as much as I do, I didn’t have to sit on the sideline and watch the game, I was in it all day long! That’s why I continue to walk and take care of myself, I want to be the active grandmother!
Coach: WOW, that’s so beautiful. What have you fired today? Anything you are working on at the moment?
Marie: My walking streak is what has me fired up every day.
Coach: Thank you for being on the show. Before we let you go........
WHAT can you say to our listeners who may be ready to start their journey tomorrow?
Marie:
Just do it! Do what makes you feel better.
Episode #47 - Walk The Walk w/ Marie Geary
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Thank You - Coach Tadris
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