The Way Missy Moves – MoToMove #5

Weather is the local topic of conversation. Because of the weather, going for a walk or run or riding a bike to dance class lose their thrill. I look around and suddenly think of Missy Foy. Missy is that fleet footed wonder who runs 50-mile trails placing in the ranks of the nation’s fastest long distance and ultra-marathon runners. She was the first PWD to qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials.

I need some help here! Despite the fact that I have just written stories of the most amazing and inspirational women and been gloriously motivated by all of them, I sit here at my desk staring out at a snowy, windy, bone chilling cold weather that has taken hold of my part of the country this winter. Everyone is complaining about it. Weather is the local topic of conversation. Stepping outdoors requires careful planning of under garment  layers, topped with water/snow proof jacket, warm hat and thermal gloves. It is exercise just to get ready to go outside! Once out there getting around is not exactly a cakewalk. Neither is coming back into the house cold wet and soggy despite all the careful outfitting.

Because of the weather, going for a walk or run or riding a bike to dance class lose their thrill. I look around and suddenly think of Missy Foy.  Missy is that fleet footed wonder who runs 50-mile trails placing in the ranks of the nation’s fastest long distance and ultra-marathon runners. She was the first PWD to qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials. And by the way, Missy was voted North Carolina’s "Runner of the Year" twice and was awarded the LifeScan Athletic Achievement Award.

Missy also volunteers her expertise with organizations such as Children With Diabetes, the International Diabetes Federation and Athletes for Hope.  She recently completed her PhD in History of Medicine. These are a few of Missy's accomplishments that I write about in The Sisterhood of Diabetes book.

Missy once told me a story about a cold, dark and rainy morning when she was training for the Olympic Trials. She stood at the kitchen window staring out at the bleak day. Her husband, Bob, asked what was wrong. Missy worried "How will I ever make it to Trials?" "Well (said Bob)  the answer is out there not in here" and off Missy went for a sixteen-mile morning run in the sleet and cold realizing the answer is never in our cozy warm comfort zone.

And so that thought of Missy Foy motivated me to move. I blasted some rhythmic jazzy music on my iPod and danced around the house for an hour. Later on that day I made a batch of my latest favorite easy to make snack:

JUDITH’S FAVORITE SNACK MIX

INGREDIENTS:

1 Cup Raw Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds)
1 Cup Almonds
1 Cup Walnuts
1 Cup Sunflower Seeds
4 Tbs. Pure Maple Syrup
1 Cup Dried Cherries or Dried Cranberries

PROCEDURE:

  1. Set oven to 300.
  2. Mix and toss well all ingredients except dried fruit. Spread out evenly on parchment lined baking sheet.
  3. Bake for 20-30 minutes. Stir and turn every 10 minutes until mixutre is golden brown. Be careful not to burn. Let mixture cool.
  4. Stir in dried fruit and start nibbling. Be careful since this can be quite addictive

There is a MoTo Move for everyone. Find yours and get inspired.