Runners, A Baseball Pitcher, and a Therapy Dog

Rebecca

August 7, 2018

It’s always fun for me to read about all the different people who join our Virtual Ironman each year. This time, we have runners, a baseball player, and a therapy dog.

Regina Argo “I am a wife, mother of 2 boys 5 yrs and 10 yrs and we have a horse, 2 dogs, 2 barn cats, and a turtle. I love to be moving everyday. Running is my hobby and love to enjoy it. I don’t do it to win a competition, but to just have fun. Being healthy is my goal, and I love to encourage others to do the same!” Regina is from Hastings, Michigan.

Stephen Manley is a rising 8th grader in Clay, Alablama who also loves Clara Cookies! Stephen is an honor student and baseball player (the pitcher in the picture above) who logs his virtual ironman miles running at baseball practice, walking/running the dog, riding his bike, and swimming in a neighbor’s pool. Stephen’s mom teaches students with disabilities, and Stephen volunteered one day a week this summer helping her elementary students on fun summer field trips. They explored a cave, swam at a lake, hiked a nature trail, visited a splash pad, and went to the movies. Stephen is excited to be able to see his Aunt Rebecca in the Chattanooga Ironman in September.

Lynne Lentz

“August 9th, 2013 I became a runner. Not all at once, and I wouldn’t have called myself a runner then, but that was the day it all began. I never wanted to be a runner. I didn’t seek it, I didn’t wish for it, I didn’t plan it. But God had a higher plan! A friend was trying the Couch to 5k app, so I did too. Not long after, she quit but I was hooked! God kept driving me to keep at it – quitting wasn’t an option. On my 42nd birthday, just two months after starting, I ran my first 5k. It was the most amazing gift!!!

Running was and is an answer to prayer. I was bound up in a downward spiral of food addiction and bulimia. God didn’t take away the disease, but He added running so that there wasn’t as much room for it to thrive anymore. I can’t eat poorly when I’m training. And I’m always training for something.

I’ve now logged thousands of miles and Rebecca is helping me train for my 4th marathon. I’ve met so many wonderful people along the way who have encouraged me, motivated me, and held me up when I put myself down. The running, the friendships, and the accomplishments are here to stay.”

Storm, the Therapy Dog

We all have a calling in life, and Storm has found his- making people happy!! Storm is a 90 pound Australian Shepherd, a therapy dog, and his mom’s running partner every morning….. well, for a mile or two…. if it’s not too hot. When Storm’s at work, he’s visiting retirement homes making the residents smile and tutoring kids at school in math and reading. He’s a great motivator!!! Wouldn’t you have learned multiplication tables faster in 3rd grade with a big, fluffy dog at your side? Every morning, Storm’s day starts with a run- shorter ones in the hot summer, but longer ones in the snowy, Michigan winter. Then he sleeps for many hours while his mom runs the Clara Cookie business, trains for Ironman races, and directs Team Orphans. A couple afternoons a week, Storm gets on his vest and heads to one of his jobs. Oh course, making people happy is very exhausting, so he comes home and sleeps until time for supper and his evening walk. What a life!!!!!! Storm doesn’t care much about the Virtual Ironman t shirt and medal, but he’s looking forward to a big bone when he finishes his 140.6 miles in September!!!! And he can’t wait to watch his Mamma race in Chattanooga on Sept. 30. He waits for many long hours on the sidelines for snuggles when she bikes and runs by. In his opinion, the race is WAY TOO LONG!

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