Author: Kristine Binder

The written word is so very powerful. Words in general are very powerful….spoken or written. We can build up or break down with just a few simple words.
Today is one of my favorite days of the year as a teacher. Yes, sure I love the first day and last days of school but this day is special. It is Incredible Kid Day. It is a day set aside to let the kids in your life know how special they are to you. There are no gifts….just the gift of the written word. I ask parents to write each student a letter. Some letters are very short…one or 2 sentences. Some are long…several pages. Some are typed. Some are handwritten. Each letter is as unique as the author. The students are unaware that the parents have written the letters until the day they receive them. It is a beautiful thing to watch the students open the letters and read the words written by the most important people in their lives.
I teach students that are just entering the tween/teen years. It is the beginning of a difficult and exciting time of growth for both parents and children. This letter allows parents to say things to their child that they often do not express. It is a tangible reminder of how much the children are loved and appreciated.
I take time each year to write letters to my own children. This is no easy task. My kids are so deserving that I want to give them the best letter possible. Carving out the time to produce the perfect letter is difficult but not impossible.
So, take time from your day to not just tell the young people in your life that they are special. Put your pen to paper or your fingers to the keyboard and write a letter. The emotions and thoughts you share are priceless.
  Peace.

We all make them….choices. Sometimes the result is good and sometimes not so much. Sometimes our choices lead to a mistake. We all make mistakes on occasion. It is inevitable. Mistakes are an important part of life. Wouldn’t it be nice if life had a delete button? Backspace button? Unfortunately this is not the case. Mistakes are an important part of process of learning and growth.
Do we choose to apologize for the mistake from the heart and learn from it? Or do we apologize because we know we should, still feeling like we are not wrong? Do we apologize and move forward? Do we apologize and remain self righteous or angry?
When we are the victim do we accept the apology? Do we ignore the guilty party, not allowing an apology? Do we forgive and move on? Do we forgive and remain resentful and angry?
I have been on both sides of the fence as the offender and victim. Neither place is easy. You can only do what you feel is right and hope for the best. We as humans need to have empathy for the other person involved and see past our anger, disappointment, embarrassment, and resentment.
Everyone makes mistakes, it is what we do after the mistake has been made that matters. How will you handle the next situation in which you are wronged? How will you handle your next mistake? Will you choose to learn and to grow……
  Peace.

Running has given me many gifts …..the greatest of which are my sole sisters. I have 2 groups of running sisters that I adore. One group started off as ‘imaginary’ friends (as my husband calls them) from an Internet group. The other women are from my local running group. I run with my “in real life” group once a week or more. I was hesitant to write this post as I do not want to offend, upset or leave anyone out. I also want to be able to give these women the honor and proper credit they deserve. I could write a full post about each of them but will limit myself. They are all so very special to me and I love them so very much.
All of these women are unique. They all make me want to be a better runner, mother, friend and human being. Allow me to introduce these fabulous ladies. They are a unique group…
Bella’sMom- Wow! This chick is a force to me reckoned with is so many ways. She is a great single mom to a stunning daughter. She is super fast and more fun than a barrel of monkeys. She is the greatest roomie a girl could ask for. I am in awe of her ability to know what she wants and not take shit from anyone.
Freckle’sMom – She is my running momma. She spoils me rotten and teaches me about faith and culture. She allows me the freedom to be myself. Our bond was fast and deep. She Is such a wonderful model of a mother and I long to be like her. The gifts she gives me are priceless.
CopMom- She is the Thelma to my Louise. She is a cop but is often surprised by her own strength and self confidence. She is a single mom to two fantastic little boys who will grow into wonderful men with her guidance It is a joy to watch her reaction to her own accomplishments. She is stronger than she knows.
BoysMom – She is Super mom. She is a wonderful wife and mother who raises a house full of boys in a seemingly effortless fashion. She fits her workouts into her busy schedule and has a husband whose knowledge of reality tv is astounding. She also provides some of the best popcorn to all lucky enough to call her friend.
Olive’sMom- the “heart” of us all. She brought many of us together a long time ago and it is no surprise that she volunteers for the Red Cross organizing blood drives. Her sense of adventure is outweighed only by her sense of humor. She is a rockstar mom to two successful young women. I want to be like her when I grow up!
BigBoysMom – another mom of all boys but hers are tweens and teens. She is the quiet, thoughtful one. Her faith is deep, as is her competitive spirit Her family is her pride and joy. I long to be fast and fit like her!
Duke’sMom- she is my pace group leader and coach. She taught me to run with the group and how to see the upside of every run. We have developed a rather “push me/pull me” relationship when we run. One of us pushing and the other is pulling. I have watched her relationship with her man grow and develop into something beautiful and wonderful. She is a constant source of inspiration and is now a member of my family.
Payton’sMom – she is my pride and joy. Watching her set and accomplish her running goals brings a fullness to my heart like no other. She started out with a goal, accomplished it, set another, accomplished it …. Like the energizer bunny she just keeps going and going. This year I will watch her train for and run her first marathon. I can’t wait to see her cross the finish line.
BanditGirl- she joined us last year to train for the marathon. It was fun to watch her constantly surprise herself with her accomplishments. I think one of the best moments was watching her finish her first 20 miler. She was so jubilant and joyful! She is now an addict and will be running another marathon in a week or so! Knowing that she is a grad of the same high school my daughters attend ….. Well I know my girls will go on to great things…. Just like her!
Each one has a special place in my heart and soul. They are more than friends…they are my Sole Sisters. Peace.

Do you have Running fever?
Running Fever is described generally as an irrational urge to run any distance from a block to miles and miles. Onset may be sudden, or may occur after a long and gradual incubation period. Couch to 5K can most likely lead to running fever. Symptoms may include signs of insanity, a sudden increase in levels of technical fabric the wardrobe; a change in sleeping patterns (such as waking up before the sun to run); hoarding of energy gels; and over spending on such items as shoes, shirts, hats and GPS watches.
Running Fever is transmitted in any number of ways. Most commonly, newbies pick it up from a friend or relative. It can be transmitted through the air, as a runner talks about her adventures. It can also be transmitted virally, like when a runner views one of those motivational images on Facebook. In rare cases, a runner can catch running Fever simply by touching a runner’s finisher’s medal.

I run for many reasons but a constant source of inspiration comes from my Girls on the Run.

Today is the start of a new season. Another new opportunity to change the lives of those girls that participate in the program. It is my privledge to see the growth and transformation of these girls as the season progresses. I feel honored that these girls allow me to go on this journey with them. We have such fun together. I learn new things each time we are together…about them and about myself. I feel so blessed to have my girls and Girls on the Run in my life Peace.. http://media.nbcchicago.com/designvideo/embeddedPlayer.swf