Hi everyone! I just wanted to share this brief but inspiring message from a McCain colleague and avid runner ...

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Mary / Shane,

I believe you’ve both been involved in motivating McCain employees to become fit by increasing their physical activity. I would like to congratulate you and to encourage you in this initiative. Those who follow your lead will never regret taking that path …

A number of years ago, weighing over 200 lbs, I found myself overweight and lethargic. I had tried doing something about it a number of times … but all my efforts were failures.

Then I read a book called "Aerobics" written by Dr Kenneth Cooper. I took a fitness test by seeing the distance I could cover in 12 minutes and commenced a program of walking and jogging with progressive increases in distance and time. I began with a small 3x5 coiled notepad to log the dates, distance and time for each outing.

Today, many years later, I am on my 6th log book. After this morning’s run the log shows I’ve completed 6,355 runs on 5,686 days totaling 22,234 miles (35,804K).

I run to help manage stress, to control my weight, to be healthy and to live a healthy lifestyle. I run because it makes me feel good about myself and what I can achieve.

For a number of years I ran alone, but in recent years I’ve been running with a small group of friends on weekends. I have completed 25 half marathons and 1 full marathon. I’m not an elite runner but I generally finish in the top 30% of all participants (1:55 for a half marathon). I am happy with that.

My log is like a diary. The dates and locations provide a reference point for the runs I have had in so many wonderful areas. As runners we see countryside that regular tourists do not. I have run along the awe-inspiring coastline of Oregon and British Columbia, and the shores of Lake Michigan and Lake Ontario. I have run on cobblestone streets in Northern England and within a gated compound in Kruger Park in South Africa……what wonderful memories.

I have recently written to Dr Cooper thanking him for the positive impact his program has had on my life.

The initiative you have taken may very well provide that same inspiration for McCain employees.

Good luck to you in your efforts.

Sincerely,

Fred Greene
Director of Purchasing
Day & Ross Inc.
Hartland, NB, Canada