No Boundaries Spring 2010: Hang on to your fork!

A tribute to our Spring 2010 No Boundaries Runners and Walkers.




You have all sat around a big dinner table at a large family gathering and have listened to an aunt, grandmother or mother say, “Hang on to your fork! Dessert is coming!” No Boundaries participants: We applaud you on a fabulous season and an outstanding race, but this is just the start of your journey. So here is a fork, because whether you walk, run, practice yoga, ride bikes, or climb mountains… the best part is still ahead!

You signed up to do
this No Boundaries thing
not knowing just what
the next 12 weeks would bring.

With slight hesitation
you dove in head first,
wanting the best
but expecting the worst.

You sat and you listened
as one cocky young blonde
claimed we'd never miss practice -
boy was she wrong!

Because sweet mother nature
had a much different plan --
it was two weeks of snow
before we walked or we ran!
But when we finally got started
on that slick frosted track
it was full force ahead
without looking back.
We trained up big hills
all over town...
but each hill we ran up
we soon ran back down.
And each week after running
and walking for miles,
we spread out on our mats
our faces covered in smiles...
...for pushups and planks
and crunches galore.
When coach said, "We're done."
we cried out for more!

..or maybe not quite..
But as your No Boundaries Coach
there are a few things I've learned,
and my unending respect
you have undoubtedly earned,
Because you overcame the odds:
It seems that No Boundaries of 2010
is the year of participants
unwilling to bend
or to break under pressure
or tough circumstance -
I guess when y'all trip in life
you make it part of the dance!

I know just a few stories
of challenges you faced.
And your response to these challenges?
"There is no time to waste!"

Because right after surgery
or a hospital stay
you were back here at practice
and leading the way.
For some of you training
was done with great pride
in honoring a loved one
who had recently died.
Others rediscovered
old injuries
but would not be stopped
by those crabby old knees!

And some of you could have
used kids as an excuse,
but instead you pushed strollers
forming a train and caboose!
It seemed that nothing could stop ya
No Bo Twenty-Ten,
and I know you'll push forward,
this isn't the end!
With each training class
we have one message to share,
but No Boundaries Twenty-Ten?
You guys are rare!
We worry with some groups
when we’re at season’s end,
that their faces and feet
we won’t see again.
We worry they’re done,
moving on and away.
But No Bo Twenty Ten?
You’re with Fleet Feet to stay!

Whether you’re at practice next week
or later next fall,
whether it is Tri or 10K
we know all y’all
will hang on to your forks
because when the main meal is done,
dessert is on the way –
Yep – the best is yet to come!