RUN TO WIN is a multimedia "digi-biography" featuring a hardback book and DVD that shares the inspirational story of cancer-survivor Missy Koch Billingsley. For more info, see http://www.RunToWinBook.com.
This document describes two people's experiences with and perspectives on racewalking. The first person, Louise M. Stutsman, discusses how taking a racewalking class 5 years ago reinvigorated her after her tennis game deteriorated. She finds being part of the Marin Racewalkers club enriching and life-enhancing as an elderly person. The second person, Brenda Usher-Carpino, describes taking up racewalking after enjoying ice skating for years. She was familiar with racewalking from childhood and fell in love with it from her first try. She discusses the health benefits and supportive community she has found through racewalking.
This document contains 4 stories from individuals involved with the Marin Race Walkers club in Marin County, California.
Story 1 is about Phyllis Abbate who took up racewalking 7 years ago after reading an article about it. She has since made many friends through the club and enjoys the fitness benefits.
Story 2 is about Herman Arrow who had heart surgery at age 66. He later helped start the local Mended Hearts support group and took up racewalking in his 70s, winning many medals in national competitions.
Story 3 is about Esther Beirne who was encouraged by her sister to take a racewalking class and has since made it a way of life, enjoying the friendships
This document summarizes Marge Garnero's experience with racewalking over the past 3 years. She was first introduced to it through the Leukemia Society's Team in Training program for the Honolulu Marathon in 1996. She was intrigued by the efficient style of an Olympian racewalker coach. She has since pursued racewalking lessons and joining the Marin Race Walkers club, finding it enriching both physically and psychologically. Racewalking has helped her feel stronger and taught her patience. She has also enjoyed the mental focus, competitions, and friendships involved.
Being the king of Kona has been a dream for Luke McKenzie throughout his entire professional career. Despite coming close in 2013, where he finished second, McKenzie is
still searching for his perfect day where everything clicks. Here he opens up on his journey and the birth of his daughter ahead of this year’s Hawaiian Ironman.
The document provides updates from various units stationed in Afghanistan. It begins with an update from the Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade which discusses accomplishments over the past month including promotions, awards, and Soldiers reenlisting. It then provides more specific updates from individual companies and units discussing their ongoing missions, training, accomplishments and upcoming transitions. The updates showcase the hard work and dedication of Soldiers as their deployments near an end.
This document provides guidance on how to successfully complete the Christian race by focusing on reaching forward with persistence, applying yourself with purpose, conquering evil with God's power, and enduring hardness with patience. It encourages the reader to become a faithful Christian by hearing and believing the gospel, repenting of sins, confessing faith, and being baptized.
Lesson by Mike Smith Investigate the turmoil this world is facing and how we can live upright despite the confusion that is all around us. Live for Jesus my friends!
This document discusses the major decision of faith and lessons from Moses' example of faith. It summarizes that Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, chose to suffer affliction with God's people over Egypt's pleasures, and looked to the heavenly reward. By faith, Moses stood for justice, thought God would use him to deliver Israel, forsook Egypt without fearing the king's wrath, and endured invisible to his heavenly Father. The document encourages walking by faith like Moses, knowing this world offers nothing but Jesus does.
This document describes two people's experiences with and perspectives on racewalking. The first person, Louise M. Stutsman, discusses how taking a racewalking class 5 years ago reinvigorated her after her tennis game deteriorated. She finds being part of the Marin Racewalkers club enriching and life-enhancing as an elderly person. The second person, Brenda Usher-Carpino, describes taking up racewalking after enjoying ice skating for years. She was familiar with racewalking from childhood and fell in love with it from her first try. She discusses the health benefits and supportive community she has found through racewalking.
This document contains 4 stories from individuals involved with the Marin Race Walkers club in Marin County, California.
Story 1 is about Phyllis Abbate who took up racewalking 7 years ago after reading an article about it. She has since made many friends through the club and enjoys the fitness benefits.
Story 2 is about Herman Arrow who had heart surgery at age 66. He later helped start the local Mended Hearts support group and took up racewalking in his 70s, winning many medals in national competitions.
Story 3 is about Esther Beirne who was encouraged by her sister to take a racewalking class and has since made it a way of life, enjoying the friendships
This document summarizes Marge Garnero's experience with racewalking over the past 3 years. She was first introduced to it through the Leukemia Society's Team in Training program for the Honolulu Marathon in 1996. She was intrigued by the efficient style of an Olympian racewalker coach. She has since pursued racewalking lessons and joining the Marin Race Walkers club, finding it enriching both physically and psychologically. Racewalking has helped her feel stronger and taught her patience. She has also enjoyed the mental focus, competitions, and friendships involved.
Being the king of Kona has been a dream for Luke McKenzie throughout his entire professional career. Despite coming close in 2013, where he finished second, McKenzie is
still searching for his perfect day where everything clicks. Here he opens up on his journey and the birth of his daughter ahead of this year’s Hawaiian Ironman.
The document provides updates from various units stationed in Afghanistan. It begins with an update from the Special Troops Battalion, 1st Sustainment Brigade which discusses accomplishments over the past month including promotions, awards, and Soldiers reenlisting. It then provides more specific updates from individual companies and units discussing their ongoing missions, training, accomplishments and upcoming transitions. The updates showcase the hard work and dedication of Soldiers as their deployments near an end.
This document provides guidance on how to successfully complete the Christian race by focusing on reaching forward with persistence, applying yourself with purpose, conquering evil with God's power, and enduring hardness with patience. It encourages the reader to become a faithful Christian by hearing and believing the gospel, repenting of sins, confessing faith, and being baptized.
Lesson by Mike Smith Investigate the turmoil this world is facing and how we can live upright despite the confusion that is all around us. Live for Jesus my friends!
This document discusses the major decision of faith and lessons from Moses' example of faith. It summarizes that Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, chose to suffer affliction with God's people over Egypt's pleasures, and looked to the heavenly reward. By faith, Moses stood for justice, thought God would use him to deliver Israel, forsook Egypt without fearing the king's wrath, and endured invisible to his heavenly Father. The document encourages walking by faith like Moses, knowing this world offers nothing but Jesus does.
The document discusses how to find Jesus. It says that while some say Jesus does not exist, others are interested in finding him. It then provides biblical references showing that people should seek Jesus with diligence and their whole heart. It notes Jesus pre-existed, was prophesied about, and was proven to have come as the leader and savior. The document concludes that Jesus can be found through studying scripture and coming to him, and that his message should be taught to all so they can be saved.
June 12 2016 - SUNDAY MESSAGE - THE POWER OF PRAYER ... By: Ptr. Rey YutucCatherine Lirio
This passage discusses the importance and power of prayer. It encourages believers who are suffering or sick to pray and call upon church elders for prayer and anointing with oil. The prayer of faith will heal the sick and forgive sins. We should confess sins to each other and pray for healing. Prayer should be continual and done with humility, according to God's will, and with the right motives. Prayer makes us strong during hard times, brings wonderful results, and makes us bold to win others to Christ.
How to know that you are dying spirituallyMichael Smith
This document discusses signs that a Christian may be dying spiritually and provides advice for spiritual renewal. It notes that Christians can fall away if the story of the cross no longer moves them, if they are fooling themselves, or have left their first love. It encourages readers to participate in worship, save souls, and avoid worldly attractions. For those failing to do what they know is right, it advises repenting quickly. The conclusion calls all who are dying spiritually to be saved through Jesus by obeying the gospel through hearing, believing, repenting of sins, confessing faith, baptism, and remaining faithful.
This document discusses what it means to walk in the light based on several Bible passages. It means to live as Christ lived by keeping God's commandments and following His example. Christ is the source of our light, and we are commanded to walk as children of light by finding what pleases God in His word. The document encourages walking with God by agreeing with Him, walking uprightly and worthily in humility and love. It concludes by urging the reader to follow Jesus as the light of the world, not let Satan hinder them, and to hear, believe, repent of sins, confess Jesus, and be baptized into Christ.
This document discusses how Jesus's sacrifice allows believers to have full assurance in God. It notes that animal sacrifices under the old law could not truly take away sins, but Jesus's single sacrifice was sufficient. Through faith in Christ, believers no longer have their sins held against them but can boldly approach God. The document encourages Christians to prepare for Jesus's return by assembling together, stirring up love and good works, and obeying the gospel through faith, repentance, confession, baptism and faithfulness.
The document discusses Paul's warning in Philippians 3:2 to "beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation." It explains that dogs were often used figuratively in the Bible to represent Gentiles or those not in covenant with God. Paul was warning Christians to beware of these types of people who could lead them astray from true doctrine through deception or by binding parts of the Mosaic law on Gentile believers. The conclusion restates Paul's warning to be on guard against false teachers who would corrupt Christian teachings.
Feb 12, 2017-Sunday service - Overcoming LukewarmnessCatherine Lirio
The document provides steps to overcome lukewarmness in one's faith based on biblical passages. It recommends designating a prayer room, posting records of answered prayers on the wall, committing to weekly discipleship, submitting wholly to God, forgiving others, making new disciples focused on God over material things, and praying to raise devoted believers. The tips are illustrated through video clips of characters discussing and demonstrating the strategies.
February 8. 2015- Sunday message - Part 1- THERE MUST BE A STRONG RIGHT WING ...Catherine Lirio
This document discusses soaring on wings like eagles as mentioned in Isaiah 40:31. It refers to trusting in God and finding renewed strength to reach great heights of success. Three things are said to be necessary to soar like eagles: having a strong love for God, a strong fear of God, and keeping one's eyes fixed on Jesus. Loving God is described as obeying his commands with actions, even when difficult.
The document discusses how the Israelites neglected rebuilding the temple after being allowed to return to Jerusalem from exile. God sent Haggai to rebuke them for their sins of discouragement, procrastination, and neglecting God's work. Haggai used the metaphor of a bucket with holes to describe how their lives were unfulfilling because they were not prioritizing God's kingdom. The document encourages seeking first God's kingdom by laying up treasures in heaven rather than on earth.
This document is from a Wednesday night study series at Central Union Church of Christ on the topic of godliness. It discusses what godliness means, including devotion, dutifulness and reverence toward God. It explains that godliness is an outgrowth of growing in one's relationship with Christ, and involves rearranging priorities and character to align with God. The document notes that godliness is not just for Sundays, and discusses examples of godly and ungodly behavior. It concludes with questions for group discussion about exhibiting godliness daily and developing a willingness to pursue it, as well as overcoming blocks to godliness.
The document discusses the concept of godliness according to the Bible. It explains that godliness is achieved through a process outlined in 2 Peter 1:5-7 - by adding goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance and other virtues to one's faith. True godliness enables Christians to fulfill Jesus' greatest commandments to love God and others. The document emphasizes that godliness requires continuous spiritual growth and cannot be achieved instantly.
March 13 2016- Sunday Message - Curses and blessings at the CrossCatherine Lirio
The document discusses curses and blessings at the cross of Jesus. It states that:
1) Curses in one's life are broken at the cross as Jesus became a curse for us, redeeming us from the curse of the law. It lists various reasons people can be cursed, such as disobedience, idolatry, injustice.
2) Blessings are released through the cross as Jesus enables us to receive the promises and blessings given to Abraham by faith. This includes the promise of the Holy Spirit.
3) We must come to the cross with repentance when curses persist or try to re-enter our lives through sin. Through the cross, all powers that curse or claim ownership over
Every life has storms (unemployment, divorce, sickness, loss, etc.) and when the storms hit we may wonder "Where is God?" How do we find God when the storms of life hit us?
July 12.2015-Sunday Message STRONG PRAYER LIFECatherine Lirio
The document discusses the definition and importance of prayer. It states that prayer is communicating with God through words, thoughts and feelings. It involves asking God to work in different situations. The document then states that the Holy Spirit helps strengthen prayer in several ways: 1) By helping overcome a lack of prayer, 2) By strengthening weaknesses in prayer, 3) By guiding what to pray for, and 4) By giving the gift of speaking in tongues to empower prayer. It encourages developing a strong prayer life through the Holy Spirit.
May 24.2015 THE TIME OF TESTING IS THE TIME OF BLESSING - Sunday Message b...Catherine Lirio
This document discusses how God uses tests to strengthen believers' faith and obedience. It provides several Bible verses that portray tests as a way for God to humble people, prove their love and fear of Him, and know what is in their hearts. Tests are meant to produce endurance, maturity, and blessing for those who endure and obey God through them. While challenging, tests from God should be viewed as gifts to strengthen faith rather than causes for fear or discouragement. Having strong faith, prayer, and purpose can help people withstand tests and be "tested and approved."
February 5 2017 - Sunday Message-Overcoming Barriers and LimitationsCatherine Lirio
This document discusses overcoming barriers and limitations to success through faith, a problem-solving mindset, and prayer. It provides the examples of Abraham having faith in God's promise to make him a father of many nations, Zacchaeus problem-solving by climbing a tree to see Jesus, and Daniel overcoming danger through his deep prayer life and fasting. The document encourages developing these qualities to turn obstacles into opportunities for God's glory.
The document describes the author's experience with competitive running from 2004 to 2009. It details how she developed a reputation as a strong runner who often won races. However, over time the pressure to live up to expectations took away her enjoyment of running. In her final race, she struggled and was helped by another runner who wasn't focused on placement. This made her realize she cared too much about her reputation and not enough about helping others. She decided to quit competitive running and instead pursue sports she found fun without pressure.
Women-only road races have become increasingly popular in the United States, attracting over 25,000 female runners to events like the Nike Women's Marathon. These races offer women a supportive atmosphere to socialize and celebrate their athletic accomplishments. While running was originally dominated by men, over half of all road race finishers are now women, driven by a growing sense of empowerment and community among female runners. Events like the Nike Women's Marathon provide an inviting space for women of all backgrounds and abilities to participate in the sport.
The document discusses how to find Jesus. It says that while some say Jesus does not exist, others are interested in finding him. It then provides biblical references showing that people should seek Jesus with diligence and their whole heart. It notes Jesus pre-existed, was prophesied about, and was proven to have come as the leader and savior. The document concludes that Jesus can be found through studying scripture and coming to him, and that his message should be taught to all so they can be saved.
June 12 2016 - SUNDAY MESSAGE - THE POWER OF PRAYER ... By: Ptr. Rey YutucCatherine Lirio
This passage discusses the importance and power of prayer. It encourages believers who are suffering or sick to pray and call upon church elders for prayer and anointing with oil. The prayer of faith will heal the sick and forgive sins. We should confess sins to each other and pray for healing. Prayer should be continual and done with humility, according to God's will, and with the right motives. Prayer makes us strong during hard times, brings wonderful results, and makes us bold to win others to Christ.
How to know that you are dying spirituallyMichael Smith
This document discusses signs that a Christian may be dying spiritually and provides advice for spiritual renewal. It notes that Christians can fall away if the story of the cross no longer moves them, if they are fooling themselves, or have left their first love. It encourages readers to participate in worship, save souls, and avoid worldly attractions. For those failing to do what they know is right, it advises repenting quickly. The conclusion calls all who are dying spiritually to be saved through Jesus by obeying the gospel through hearing, believing, repenting of sins, confessing faith, baptism, and remaining faithful.
This document discusses what it means to walk in the light based on several Bible passages. It means to live as Christ lived by keeping God's commandments and following His example. Christ is the source of our light, and we are commanded to walk as children of light by finding what pleases God in His word. The document encourages walking with God by agreeing with Him, walking uprightly and worthily in humility and love. It concludes by urging the reader to follow Jesus as the light of the world, not let Satan hinder them, and to hear, believe, repent of sins, confess Jesus, and be baptized into Christ.
This document discusses how Jesus's sacrifice allows believers to have full assurance in God. It notes that animal sacrifices under the old law could not truly take away sins, but Jesus's single sacrifice was sufficient. Through faith in Christ, believers no longer have their sins held against them but can boldly approach God. The document encourages Christians to prepare for Jesus's return by assembling together, stirring up love and good works, and obeying the gospel through faith, repentance, confession, baptism and faithfulness.
The document discusses Paul's warning in Philippians 3:2 to "beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation." It explains that dogs were often used figuratively in the Bible to represent Gentiles or those not in covenant with God. Paul was warning Christians to beware of these types of people who could lead them astray from true doctrine through deception or by binding parts of the Mosaic law on Gentile believers. The conclusion restates Paul's warning to be on guard against false teachers who would corrupt Christian teachings.
Feb 12, 2017-Sunday service - Overcoming LukewarmnessCatherine Lirio
The document provides steps to overcome lukewarmness in one's faith based on biblical passages. It recommends designating a prayer room, posting records of answered prayers on the wall, committing to weekly discipleship, submitting wholly to God, forgiving others, making new disciples focused on God over material things, and praying to raise devoted believers. The tips are illustrated through video clips of characters discussing and demonstrating the strategies.
February 8. 2015- Sunday message - Part 1- THERE MUST BE A STRONG RIGHT WING ...Catherine Lirio
This document discusses soaring on wings like eagles as mentioned in Isaiah 40:31. It refers to trusting in God and finding renewed strength to reach great heights of success. Three things are said to be necessary to soar like eagles: having a strong love for God, a strong fear of God, and keeping one's eyes fixed on Jesus. Loving God is described as obeying his commands with actions, even when difficult.
The document discusses how the Israelites neglected rebuilding the temple after being allowed to return to Jerusalem from exile. God sent Haggai to rebuke them for their sins of discouragement, procrastination, and neglecting God's work. Haggai used the metaphor of a bucket with holes to describe how their lives were unfulfilling because they were not prioritizing God's kingdom. The document encourages seeking first God's kingdom by laying up treasures in heaven rather than on earth.
This document is from a Wednesday night study series at Central Union Church of Christ on the topic of godliness. It discusses what godliness means, including devotion, dutifulness and reverence toward God. It explains that godliness is an outgrowth of growing in one's relationship with Christ, and involves rearranging priorities and character to align with God. The document notes that godliness is not just for Sundays, and discusses examples of godly and ungodly behavior. It concludes with questions for group discussion about exhibiting godliness daily and developing a willingness to pursue it, as well as overcoming blocks to godliness.
The document discusses the concept of godliness according to the Bible. It explains that godliness is achieved through a process outlined in 2 Peter 1:5-7 - by adding goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance and other virtues to one's faith. True godliness enables Christians to fulfill Jesus' greatest commandments to love God and others. The document emphasizes that godliness requires continuous spiritual growth and cannot be achieved instantly.
March 13 2016- Sunday Message - Curses and blessings at the CrossCatherine Lirio
The document discusses curses and blessings at the cross of Jesus. It states that:
1) Curses in one's life are broken at the cross as Jesus became a curse for us, redeeming us from the curse of the law. It lists various reasons people can be cursed, such as disobedience, idolatry, injustice.
2) Blessings are released through the cross as Jesus enables us to receive the promises and blessings given to Abraham by faith. This includes the promise of the Holy Spirit.
3) We must come to the cross with repentance when curses persist or try to re-enter our lives through sin. Through the cross, all powers that curse or claim ownership over
Every life has storms (unemployment, divorce, sickness, loss, etc.) and when the storms hit we may wonder "Where is God?" How do we find God when the storms of life hit us?
July 12.2015-Sunday Message STRONG PRAYER LIFECatherine Lirio
The document discusses the definition and importance of prayer. It states that prayer is communicating with God through words, thoughts and feelings. It involves asking God to work in different situations. The document then states that the Holy Spirit helps strengthen prayer in several ways: 1) By helping overcome a lack of prayer, 2) By strengthening weaknesses in prayer, 3) By guiding what to pray for, and 4) By giving the gift of speaking in tongues to empower prayer. It encourages developing a strong prayer life through the Holy Spirit.
May 24.2015 THE TIME OF TESTING IS THE TIME OF BLESSING - Sunday Message b...Catherine Lirio
This document discusses how God uses tests to strengthen believers' faith and obedience. It provides several Bible verses that portray tests as a way for God to humble people, prove their love and fear of Him, and know what is in their hearts. Tests are meant to produce endurance, maturity, and blessing for those who endure and obey God through them. While challenging, tests from God should be viewed as gifts to strengthen faith rather than causes for fear or discouragement. Having strong faith, prayer, and purpose can help people withstand tests and be "tested and approved."
February 5 2017 - Sunday Message-Overcoming Barriers and LimitationsCatherine Lirio
This document discusses overcoming barriers and limitations to success through faith, a problem-solving mindset, and prayer. It provides the examples of Abraham having faith in God's promise to make him a father of many nations, Zacchaeus problem-solving by climbing a tree to see Jesus, and Daniel overcoming danger through his deep prayer life and fasting. The document encourages developing these qualities to turn obstacles into opportunities for God's glory.
The document describes the author's experience with competitive running from 2004 to 2009. It details how she developed a reputation as a strong runner who often won races. However, over time the pressure to live up to expectations took away her enjoyment of running. In her final race, she struggled and was helped by another runner who wasn't focused on placement. This made her realize she cared too much about her reputation and not enough about helping others. She decided to quit competitive running and instead pursue sports she found fun without pressure.
Women-only road races have become increasingly popular in the United States, attracting over 25,000 female runners to events like the Nike Women's Marathon. These races offer women a supportive atmosphere to socialize and celebrate their athletic accomplishments. While running was originally dominated by men, over half of all road race finishers are now women, driven by a growing sense of empowerment and community among female runners. Events like the Nike Women's Marathon provide an inviting space for women of all backgrounds and abilities to participate in the sport.
This document is an autobiographical introduction written by Deke Talbot about his running career and experiences. It can be summarized as follows:
1) Deke Talbot provides context on his running credentials, noting that while he did not achieve the success of other local athletes, he did attend the same schools that produced Olympic champions Frank Shorter and Joan Benoit.
2) He describes starting cross country in high school in 1965 and improving over his first few seasons, but often finding himself as an alternate rather than making the varsity team. He then attended Mount Hermon School where he continued running and experienced more success.
3) In 1967, Deke's running and basketball careers were sidelined
1) Heather White was an American coxswain who led her team to win gold at the 2012 and 2008 Summer Olympics. As a coxswain, she was responsible for issuing orders and leading the rowing team.
2) Coxswains undergo rigorous training of over 6 hours per day, including multiple rowing sessions and strength/cardio workouts, in order to build endurance and credibility to push the rowers. This allows them to understand the physical and mental challenges the rowers face.
3) Many rowers form relationships with other rowers because they understand the immense time commitment required for the sport when non-rowers may not. Heather met her boyfriend, also an Olympic row
Susan Loken began running in her 30s and has since had a successful running career, competing in numerous marathons across the country. At age 44, she competed in the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials marathon, finishing 40th overall. She is passionate about promoting health and fitness for youth through her involvement with Chances for Children Arizona. While pursuing her own running goals, her dream is to continue helping the organization in their mission.
Women & Horses 2020 Tips by Mary D Midkiffstrawberrywine
Tips for the Female Equestrian, including: aligned female body biomechanics for balance, strength and flexibility. Correct Saddle Fit for the female equestrian, uphill well-balanced horse for self-carriage, comfortable, safe, happy riding performance. Providing education and awareness for female athletes in leisure, performance and sport horse riding activities.
This document provides a summary of the table of contents for a catalog from Trafalgar Square Books that lists horse books and DVDs for sale. The summary includes 3 sentences:
The catalog is divided into sections for new and recently released books, a complete listing of available titles, and DVDs. The book sections are further broken down by topic such as training, riding, dressage, care and health, and young readers. The catalog provides ordering information and lists over 45 horse books and DVDs available for purchase.
Women are increasingly participating in endurance races because they see other women successfully completing these challenges. These races celebrate finishing the race rather than winning awards. They allow participants to challenge themselves physically and prove their inner strength. The author is passionate about helping women achieve ambitious fitness goals through endurance events organized by Project Athena. These challenges build confidence by pushing participants past what they thought possible. Women have certain physical and mental advantages for endurance feats, including better tolerance for extreme temperatures and ability to persevere over long distances. Training is as important as the event itself in bringing health, accomplishment and addiction to improvement. Achieving endurance goals positively impacts other areas of women's lives by increasing self-love, strength and productivity.
Descriptive Essay Write Your Paper. Online assignment writing service.Aliyahh King
This document discusses the argument that world affairs may be more peaceful if women dominated politics instead of men. Proponents of this view believe that biologically, women are less prone to violence and war than men. However, critics argue that there is no conclusive evidence that gender alone determines one's likelihood for aggression or support for war. While some research has found boys tend to be more aggressive than girls, it does not mean girls are inherently non-aggressive. Additionally, women have traditionally lacked the power to engage in violence, so polls showing women oppose war may reflect a lack of choice rather than innate pacifism. The document explores both sides of the debate over whether a female-led political system would necessarily be more peaceful.
Kirsten K. Smith cycled over 4,000 miles across the United States to raise money for cancer research. She faced many physical and mental challenges during the 70-day journey, including injuries, doubts, and difficult weather and terrain. However, she persevered to complete the journey and help others fighting cancer. Smith's main passion is inspiring others, which she demonstrated by motivating her team through obstacles on the bike ride. She believes her experiences have given her the leadership abilities of integrity, respect, and inspiration that she can apply to a professional career.
The Way to Rainy Mountain1. In many ways, Momaday is writing .docxssusera34210
The Way to Rainy Mountain
1. In many ways, Momaday is writing a memoir of a people, the Kiowas, not just himself or his grandmother. How does he use events from his own life and his grandmother’s life as a lens through which he can talk about the Kiowas?
2. This memoir is filled with visual imagery. Find five places where Momaday uses detail, to heighten the reader’s experience with the text. Then find one place each in which he uses sound, touch, smell, and taste to describe the world he is remembering.
3. Nature itself is a character in this memoir. Where in this memoir does nature seem to be taking on a living role? In what ways does Momaday use nature to move the story in this memoir forward?
The College Hazing That Changed My Life
1. An effective memoir usually starts fast with a “lead” that draws the reader in and hints at the memoir’s overall meaning or “theme.” Sometimes, as in this case, it takes the reader right into heart of the main action before backing up and providing background. How effectively does this strategy work in this memoir?
2. Rogers sets the scene with rich and vivid details. He moves from various scenes, painting brief but compelling portraits of key people, from family members to his athletic team members. He also fills scenes with sensory details (sight, touch, sound, and smell). Find specific places where this variety and richness in detail make the memoir more powerful.
3. At the heart of any memoir (or story) is a complication that the author grapples with and needs to resolve. In this memoir, what is the conflict that draws readers in and makes this more than just a personal story? How does he resolve that conflict, and how would you describe his new understanding?
4. Memoirs usually conclude with a point or “implied thesis.” How would you describe the author’s new understanding? What general point (or points) does the author make?
The College Hazing That Changed My Life
I had no idea college was going to be so much like a gay porn movie. That’s what I kept thinking as I stood in the middle of a sun-dappled backyard, dressed in nothing but a spandex unitard and running shoes, preparing to have oil poured over my body. For the last two hours, 10 other young rowers and I had been undergoing “initiation” to my university’s varsity crew team. After two weeks of tryouts, we had finally made the grade, and this was our reward: An afternoon of embarrassing hazing activities, followed by a homoerotic climax that seemed to have come straight out of my 17-year-old gay subconscious.
Our team captain, a 200-pound hulk of a man, was walking from freshman to freshman with a large vat of vegetable oil, and letting it cascade all over them one by one. “Be prepared to have the worst acne of your lives over the next week,” he warned us. A tarp nearby had also been covered in oil, and other members of the team were streaming into the backyard with bottles of beer to watch what was about to happen. When my turn ...
LAND USE LAND COVER AND NDVI OF MIRZAPUR DISTRICT, UPRAHUL
This Dissertation explores the particular circumstances of Mirzapur, a region located in the
core of India. Mirzapur, with its varied terrains and abundant biodiversity, offers an optimal
environment for investigating the changes in vegetation cover dynamics. Our study utilizes
advanced technologies such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and Remote sensing to
analyze the transformations that have taken place over the course of a decade.
The complex relationship between human activities and the environment has been the focus
of extensive research and worry. As the global community grapples with swift urbanization,
population expansion, and economic progress, the effects on natural ecosystems are becoming
more evident. A crucial element of this impact is the alteration of vegetation cover, which plays a
significant role in maintaining the ecological equilibrium of our planet.Land serves as the foundation for all human activities and provides the necessary materials for
these activities. As the most crucial natural resource, its utilization by humans results in different
'Land uses,' which are determined by both human activities and the physical characteristics of the
land.
The utilization of land is impacted by human needs and environmental factors. In countries
like India, rapid population growth and the emphasis on extensive resource exploitation can lead
to significant land degradation, adversely affecting the region's land cover.
Therefore, human intervention has significantly influenced land use patterns over many
centuries, evolving its structure over time and space. In the present era, these changes have
accelerated due to factors such as agriculture and urbanization. Information regarding land use and
cover is essential for various planning and management tasks related to the Earth's surface,
providing crucial environmental data for scientific, resource management, policy purposes, and
diverse human activities.
Accurate understanding of land use and cover is imperative for the development planning
of any area. Consequently, a wide range of professionals, including earth system scientists, land
and water managers, and urban planners, are interested in obtaining data on land use and cover
changes, conversion trends, and other related patterns. The spatial dimensions of land use and
cover support policymakers and scientists in making well-informed decisions, as alterations in
these patterns indicate shifts in economic and social conditions. Monitoring such changes with the
help of Advanced technologies like Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems is
crucial for coordinated efforts across different administrative levels. Advanced technologies like
Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems
9
Changes in vegetation cover refer to variations in the distribution, composition, and overall
structure of plant communities across different temporal and spatial scales. These changes can
occur natural.
This presentation was provided by Steph Pollock of The American Psychological Association’s Journals Program, and Damita Snow, of The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), for the initial session of NISO's 2024 Training Series "DEIA in the Scholarly Landscape." Session One: 'Setting Expectations: a DEIA Primer,' was held June 6, 2024.
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty, In...Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty,
International FDP on Fundamentals of Research in Social Sciences
at Integral University, Lucknow, 06.06.2024
By Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
Main Java[All of the Base Concepts}.docxadhitya5119
This is part 1 of my Java Learning Journey. This Contains Custom methods, classes, constructors, packages, multithreading , try- catch block, finally block and more.
Walmart Business+ and Spark Good for Nonprofits.pdfTechSoup
"Learn about all the ways Walmart supports nonprofit organizations.
You will hear from Liz Willett, the Head of Nonprofits, and hear about what Walmart is doing to help nonprofits, including Walmart Business and Spark Good. Walmart Business+ is a new offer for nonprofits that offers discounts and also streamlines nonprofits order and expense tracking, saving time and money.
The webinar may also give some examples on how nonprofits can best leverage Walmart Business+.
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Special TechSoup offer for a free 180 days membership, and up to $150 in discounts on eligible orders.
Spark Good (walmart.com/sparkgood) is a charitable platform that enables nonprofits to receive donations directly from customers and associates.
Answers about how you can do more with Walmart!"
বাংলাদেশের অর্থনৈতিক সমীক্ষা ২০২৪ [Bangladesh Economic Review 2024 Bangla.pdf] কম্পিউটার , ট্যাব ও স্মার্ট ফোন ভার্সন সহ সম্পূর্ণ বাংলা ই-বুক বা pdf বই " সুচিপত্র ...বুকমার্ক মেনু 🔖 ও হাইপার লিংক মেনু 📝👆 যুক্ত ..
আমাদের সবার জন্য খুব খুব গুরুত্বপূর্ণ একটি বই ..বিসিএস, ব্যাংক, ইউনিভার্সিটি ভর্তি ও যে কোন প্রতিযোগিতা মূলক পরীক্ষার জন্য এর খুব ইম্পরট্যান্ট একটি বিষয় ...তাছাড়া বাংলাদেশের সাম্প্রতিক যে কোন ডাটা বা তথ্য এই বইতে পাবেন ...
তাই একজন নাগরিক হিসাবে এই তথ্য গুলো আপনার জানা প্রয়োজন ...।
বিসিএস ও ব্যাংক এর লিখিত পরীক্ষা ...+এছাড়া মাধ্যমিক ও উচ্চমাধ্যমিকের স্টুডেন্টদের জন্য অনেক কাজে আসবে ...
How to Manage Your Lost Opportunities in Odoo 17 CRMCeline George
Odoo 17 CRM allows us to track why we lose sales opportunities with "Lost Reasons." This helps analyze our sales process and identify areas for improvement. Here's how to configure lost reasons in Odoo 17 CRM
How to Make a Field Mandatory in Odoo 17Celine George
In Odoo, making a field required can be done through both Python code and XML views. When you set the required attribute to True in Python code, it makes the field required across all views where it's used. Conversely, when you set the required attribute in XML views, it makes the field required only in the context of that particular view.
How to Setup Warehouse & Location in Odoo 17 InventoryCeline George
In this slide, we'll explore how to set up warehouses and locations in Odoo 17 Inventory. This will help us manage our stock effectively, track inventory levels, and streamline warehouse operations.
ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 42001, and GDPR: Best Practices for Implementation and...PECB
Denis is a dynamic and results-driven Chief Information Officer (CIO) with a distinguished career spanning information systems analysis and technical project management. With a proven track record of spearheading the design and delivery of cutting-edge Information Management solutions, he has consistently elevated business operations, streamlined reporting functions, and maximized process efficiency.
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Date: May 29, 2024
Tags: Information Security, ISO/IEC 27001, ISO/IEC 42001, Artificial Intelligence, GDPR
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Find out more about ISO training and certification services
Training: ISO/IEC 27001 Information Security Management System - EN | PECB
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Webinars: https://pecb.com/webinars
Article: https://pecb.com/article
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How to Add Chatter in the odoo 17 ERP ModuleCeline George
In Odoo, the chatter is like a chat tool that helps you work together on records. You can leave notes and track things, making it easier to talk with your team and partners. Inside chatter, all communication history, activity, and changes will be displayed.
2. vii
Introduction
Cancer seemingly killed Missy’s two greatest passions: running, and raising a family of her
own. Any chance of realizing those dreams and passions naturally seemed an impossibility.
Run to Win is both a biography and an autobiography. At the center of both is the story
of Missy’s trials and triumphs, told primarily through the lenses of two men: Bill Frakes, a
world-renowned photographer for Sports Illustrated magazine and the Miami Herald, and
myself, her husband. The biographical section takes us from Missy’s humble beginnings in
South Florida through her years of athletic glory at Coral Gables High, and through her
grueling battle with cancer. The autobiography portion, however, is my own. It tells how
Missy and I met and, as expected, shares the love story of how we became husband and
wife. What it also shares, which wasn’t expected, at least on such a grand scale, is how her
life significantly impacted mine.
Accompanying the book is a DVD. Throughout the book are boxes instructing the
reader when to view a particular video. The video segments include video footage,
photographs, and interview footage with Missy sharing her perspective of that specific
portion of the story.
More than an inspirational account reporting the events of her life, Run to Win shares
the way Missy handled her challenges and shows how her example continues to leave a
profound and lasting impact on anyone coming into contact with her, myself included.
Within these pages you will read about God, but this is not a typical Christian book. Its
intended purpose is not to proselytize or convert. It is to openly and honestly share the
3. viii
events, decisions, and chosen paths of Missy’s life, how those decisions affected her life,
and how they in turn impacted the lives of others. You may resonate with some beliefs;
others you may totally reject. Ideas, thoughts, and actions that rub against the grain of
your own may be presented.
Every person faces challenges and a never-ending stream of trials. Some are minor
annoyances. Others can be such critical blows that they leave us completely confused and
disoriented. Stunned, it seems impossible to go on. What do you do next? Where do you
turn?
God provided a blueprint in both the Bible and the life of Christ to show how to
handle these situations, but we humans tend to be a bit thick-headed. Therefore, every
now and then, he sends along someone to provide an example.
Allow me to introduce you to my wife, Missy. Not because I am extremely proud of
her, although I am. Not because she’s ultra-cool, which I think she is. I’d like to introduce
you to Missy because maybe you’re the type of person who needs a real-life example of
how to handle adversity.
I was.
***
Every attempt has been made to make this book as accurate as possible. While written
records are easy to sift through, they provided only a fraction of the material for this book,
which necessitated hours of interviews with family and friends. In many cases the accounts
of family and friends were identical. The trauma during Missy’s bout with cancer,
4. ix
however, created such chaos and confusion for all involved that multiple versions of the
story were recounted and caused a Rashomon Effect. What ended up in these pages most
likely happened when the personalities of those involved were taken into account. Some
accounts come simply from my own memory. If there are errors or misrepresentations in
the facts, I accept full responsibility.
5. x
Do you not know that in a race all the runners
run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a
way as to get the prize.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into
strict training. They do it to get a crown that
will not last, but we do it to get a crown that
will last forever.
Therefore I do not run like someone running
aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating
the air.
No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my
slave so that after I have preached to others, I
myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24–27 (NIV)
10
6. Prologue
Missy hit the 660-yard mark and made her move. In what is known today as the 800-meter
race—back then in the 1970s it was called the 880 (eight-eighty)—she turned on the
afterburners to pull into the front of the pack for the final 220 yards. Missy was three-
quarters of the way through this race, pitting several athletes from various Miami–Dade
junior high schools.
The 880 is a track and field event no one really knows much about except for two
weeks every four years when the summer Olympics roll around. Suddenly, everyone
becomes an expert on how to run this grueling race. Because there is no point of reference,
the American brain has difficulty computing a distance of 800 meters. With most high-
school tracks encircling the school’s football field, the 880 consists of two laps around the
football field. It is a half-mile sprint, a delicate balancing act of endurance and speed. This
is a race that requires the athletes to perform as close as possible to their potential because
oxygen debt and fatigue induces exhaustion rapidly. It requires very specific training. The
goal is to cover as much distance at the greatest speed in the minimum time possible. Put
more simply: get to the finish line as quickly as possible before fatigue becomes intolerable.
Even though she was young and inexperienced, Missy had been trained well by her
coach, Paul Kilcoyne. She knew what her body could handle. Competing as a new athlete
at the junior high school level, she knew adrenaline would be coursing through her veins.
As she approached the start line, she willed herself to calm her nerves. She knew it was
7. 2 TODD BILLINGSLEY
important to maintain focus and eliminate distractions throughout the entire race. She
knew to run at her pace, find her comfort zone, and stay relaxed. She knew the critically
vital key was to maintain that pace, not to accelerate or decelerate. Her split
differential—the amount of time between her first and second lap—should not be more
than five seconds. After all, most of these races were won by the one who, rather than
running the fastest, slowed down the least. It was imperative to stay comfortable and
relaxed, keep track of the competition, and not fall too far behind, but above all, maintain
her pace, run her race.
The first 220 yards defines the race. Missy knew her competition. She had
encountered most of the other athletes in earlier track meets. Nevertheless she had
prepared by studying each runner’s tendencies thoroughly, and she had developed her
strategy accordingly with the aid of her coach. As the race progressed, she would make
any necessary adjustments. At the 220 mark the race had just gotten underway and things
had shaped up nicely. At that point she was in the thick of the pack, right where she
wanted to be, and she made sure to position herself where she wouldn’t be boxed in.
At the 440 mark—the first time completely around the track—Missy assessed how the
race had developed. She was tired but still had something left in the tank—a good sign.
She needed to be able to kick it into another gear toward the end of the race. If nothing
remained in the tank, she would have known she had started the race too fast and wouldn’t
be among the leaders at the end of the race. For the final lap it was important to keep the
pressure on the gas pedal, but above all remain relaxed.
At the 660 mark, however, Missy became concerned. A couple of competitors in front
of her were still running extremely well and showed no signs of slowing down. She hoped
8. RUN to WIN 3
they had started the race too fast and would begin exhibiting signs of fatigue, but the girls
were still running strong. They were proving to be worthy competitors. Missy mentally
assessed her strategy and options. The remaining distance of 220 yards created a difficult
gray area: the distance was too far to run at a full sprint, but the opportunities to make her
move decreased with every stride. Missy was unsure of what her next tactic should be but
feared if she didn’t make her move now, she wouldn’t have enough distance to pull in
front.
Missy turned on the afterburners. Her coach and Pop, both standing on the sidelines,
winced and voiced concern over her decision. In all likelihood she had made her move too
early, and both men feared she would run out of steam long before crossing the finish line.
As she made the final turn of the 880, she felt as if an elephant had jumped on her
shoulders. Not only had the lactic acid begun to shut down more and more muscle fibers in
her legs but she faced an opponent she hadn’t accounted for, an opponent she couldn’t see.
As she rounded out of the turn, she ran directly into a stiff fifteen-mile-per-hour wind. It
felt like running into a wall. The wonderful cool South Florida morning air—these races
were always held when the sun was barely up—now felt like ice accumulating and closing
off her windpipe. Her throat burned and it was becoming next to impossible to breathe.
Missy’s body implored her to stop, but her mind vetoed the request. She could see the
finish line. After running 800 yards, she knew her competitors were hitting the same wall
of wind. She only had a little more to go. She knew if she didn’t decelerate, her
competitors had little chance of passing her. She rocked her pelvis forward, made sure her
wrists remained cocked in order to feel springier, and focused on driving her knee forward
to compensate.
9. 4 TODD BILLINGSLEY
With only twenty yards to go, Missy searched within to see if her body could muster
any additional speed. Not only was there none to be found, her body wanted to shut itself
down; the ferocious pain from her legs, arms, lungs, and stomach implored her to stop.
Ten yards—almost there! Just keep going!
Her brain was still in control of the war that raged within her body. At the very least
she willed her body to maintain the current speed.
Five yards—only two more steps!
For a split second there was doubt in her mind as to whether she could even make
those final two steps so severe was the pain.
The ribbon snapped.
She crossed the finish line—first—to the surprise of her coach and Pop. Amid
unsuccessful gasps for air, her body showing signs of collapse, Missy still beamed from ear
to ear with an infectious smile. Ignoring her inability to breathe, speak, or even take a
drink of water, her proud laughing coach approached her with a spoonful of honey.
“Here, drizzle this down your throat. I was afraid you turned it on a little too early
there.”
Even her coach did not realize how well he had coached her.
***
At this early age, Missy had no way of knowing this three-minute race would
provide a perfect snapshot of her life.
12. RUN to WIN 7
Chapter 1
Old Miami
On an otherwise average, beautiful, South Florida day in 1970, Missy lined her toes up on
the chalk line, tucked into her optimal position for starting the race, and awaited the start
signal. As a third grader, races for the most part were nothing new to her; she ran them
every day with her brothers, sisters, and neighborhood friends. But she suddenly found
herself in unfamiliar territory. She was about to run a race with huge implications. She was
moments away from running head-to-head against the fastest boy in the third grade.
“On your mark!” boomed her PE teacher’s voice.
In her mind she knew she was going to lose, but Missy simply loved to run. The spirit
of competition was fun in its own right, and her competitive nature implored her to do well
and put in a good showing for the girls. The din of the squealing children began to fade in
Missy’s ears and was replaced with the pounding sound of her own heartbeat.
“Get set!”
The time between each signal seemed to take an eternity. All of Missy’s senses were
highly enlivened almost to the point of short-circuiting. Life was moving in slow motion,
13. 8 TODD BILLINGSLEY
enabling her to be keenly aware of her surroundings: the smells of freshly-mowed grass
and other tropical vegetation in the schoolyard, the slightest movement by a child or bird.
Up to this point in her life, Missy was the average American girl, and Miami in 1970
was a happy place for a child. Except for the daily, brief rain shower in the afternoon, the
weather was always sunny and warm enough for children to go outside to play every day
of the year. And outside was where Missy resided. Once school was over, she would walk
home and immediately knock out her homework, have a quick snack prepared by her
mom, then head outside to ride bikes, swim, run races, or play some kind of ball game.
In 1970 life was much simpler, and the streets of Miami were perfectly safe. Miami in
this period, when there were no security bars on windows and doors, is referred to
endearingly by locals as “Old Miami.” In fact, windows and doors were mostly left open
because no one owned air conditioners. Dishwashers—the stand-alone kind that required
affixing the hose to the sink—were just coming into vogue.
With the Mariel Boat Lift and all the racial tensions still ten years away, Old Miami
was perfectly safe for kids to walk about freely. Riding your Schwinn bike to school was
not only considered safe but cool as well. The only dangerous thing in those days was
maybe having a case of the cooties, or encountering the neighborhood witch. Back then
every neighborhood had one: the mean, old, crotchety lady who would scream, yell, fuss,
and scold children to stay off her section of sidewalk.
The city was safe enough for a couple of third-grade girls to be out and about. Living
on Tarrega Street in Coral Gables, a small city of forty thousand residents, surrounded by
the metropolis of Miami, Missy and her best friend and neighbor, Maria Poblocki, literally
had the whole world within walking distance of their homes. The two would walk a couple
14. RUN to WIN 9
of blocks to the drug store for a candy bar or to Howard Johnson’s to buy an ice cream
cone for a quarter. Their mothers, while in the middle of cooking dinner, would send the
girls for missing ingredients to Publix, the neighborhood grocery, located just a block
away.
The two girls, often mistaken for twins, were inseparable. They took walks around the
neighborhood on summer nights. The massive banyan trees with their sprawling roots
would cast eerie shadows. While the girls were alike in so many ways, they were also very
different. Maria was overly cautious while Missy was highly inquisitive, fearlessly taking
risks to find out what she wanted to know. Not knowing what lurked beneath the shadowy
banyan trees, Maria—stopping dead in her tracks—muttered a mantra Missy would hear
many times for the next several years.
“You go first, Missy.”
Whatever endeavor the girls undertook, Maria spurred Missy on with some kind of
encouragement—such as when Missy gave Maria a ride on her bicycle and a dog chased
them.
“Faster, Missy,” Maria kept repeating matter-of-factly.
To Missy it seemed odd because there was no panic in Maria’s voice. She was cool as a
cucumber, but her fear had her pinching Missy on the backs of both arms like a jockey
urging his horse to increase its speed.
Through her relationship with Maria, Missy learned the true meaning of friendship.
There was never any jealousy between the two. Even in the early years, when playing a
game they invented inspired by Gilligan’s Island, they took turns playing the role of Ginger,
a glamorous movie star.
15. 10 TODD BILLINGSLEY
But on this day in the third grade, as Missy awaited the coach’s signal to start the race,
she had no idea her life was about to change. She had no way of knowing it would be a day
that the students of Sunset Elementary in South Miami would talk about for years to
come. The day had started like any other. PE Coach Carifeo announced that all the third-
grade classes would compete in a race. Coach Carifeo ran his classes based on his military
training. Muscular, sporting a crew cut and a dark tan gained from spending most of his
time outside, he had the appearance of the quintessential military man of the 1960s. He
even taught the children in the class how to stand at attention as well as other military drill
commands such as: “Left face!”; “Right face!”; “About face!”; and “At ease.” He also
taught them how to march.
On this day that would stick forever in the memories of so many, Coach Carifeo
organized preliminary races by dividing the girls and boys into three groups. Six races in
round one would determine the three fastest girls and the three fastest boys. Missy easily
won her first race.
The next wave of races pitted the three winners against each other in their respective
categories. In this heat Missy emerged as the fastest girl, and Craig Downs—as expected
by all the kids in the third grade—stood alone as the fastest boy.
In the 1970s the determination of the fastest girl and boy signaled the end of the
competition. Pitching a boy against a girl was unheard of. But Coach Carifeo made the
shocking announcement to the students of the third grade that a championship round
between the two fastest runners would be run—a colossal battle of the sexes.
The quiet, picturesque, grass field of Sunset Elementary, lined by massive banyan
trees, suddenly became electrified, crackling with nervous energy. The crowd of children
16. RUN to WIN 11
in the middle of the field separated, the boys migrating to one side as the girls congregated
on the other. The boys, naturally brimming with confidence, lofted volleys of typical third-
grade trash talk toward the girls. Undeterred, the girls squealed words of encouragement
to Missy.
“You can do it, Missy!”
“Go, Missy!”
As Missy and Craig took their places at the starting line, Coach Carifeo spotted an
infraction and instructed Craig to put his shoes on. Despite Craig’s protests, Coach Carifeo
stood firm—all competitors had to wear shoes. Craig and Missy lined their toes up on the
chalk line, tucked into their optimal positions for starting the race, and anxiously awaited
Coach Carifeo’s start signal.
“Get set!”
The din of the squealing children began to fade in Missy’s ears and was replaced with the
pounding sound of her own heartbeat.
“Go!”
Missy began pumping her legs as hard and fast as she could. Having launched herself
powerfully, she gained an early lead. It was common knowledge among the students that
Craig was the fastest runner in the third grade. Figuring without a doubt he would win,
Missy kept her eyes focused straight ahead and waited for him to blow past her.
He never did.
Crossing the finish line, Missy looked back at the students. The scene was not what
she expected. The girls had erupted in a joyous celebration while the boys, initially with
expressions of shock on their faces, now bowed their heads in quiet humiliation.
17. 12 TODD BILLINGSLEY
No matter the gender of those third-grade students, their world had just changed. This
was 1970, a full three years before the most famous battle of the sexes, which took place
when Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in a tennis match that created a media frenzy.
Missy’s achievement was huge, and the third-grade students of Sunset Elementary would
talk about it for years to come.
Missy had made her first mark as a gifted athlete, a mantle she would carry with her
through her junior high and high school years.
***
Sports were a way of life in the Koch (pronounced “cook”) household. Jon Koch,
Missy’s father, whom she and her siblings affectionately called Pop, was a coach for one of
Dade County’s Khoury League baseball teams. Even to the Koch children’s friends, he
was simply known as Pop, the politest man on earth. The small, stocky fireplug of a man
encouraged all five Koch children to try all sorts of sporting activities. To his mind, if it
involved sports, you could never do too much. So the Koch children were constantly
involved in sports.
It was no different on St. Patrick’s Day, 1978. It was a typical glorious spring day in
Miami: no humidity, the temperature hovering around a perfect seventy degrees. In the
month of March Miami hosts several annual events such as the Youth Fair, the Doral
Open golf tournament, and the Miami Grand Prix. The several practices and games in
which the Koch family participated on this St. Patrick’s Day made it a typical day for
them, so there was no time for special events. For Pop and Missy’s mother, Elaine, the
18. RUN to WIN 13
schedule of chauffeuring their children to sporting events and practices was a carefully
choreographed dance of logistics. On this day Elaine was charged with taking Missy to her
soccer game, delivering Jimmy to his baseball practice, and somehow finding time to pick
up groceries along the way.
After successfully uniting nine-year-old Jimmy, their youngest son, with Pop at the
baseball field at Flagami Park, Elaine steered the family’s Mercury Marquis station wagon
back to Missy’s soccer game. She had been able to see the entire first half of Missy’s game
before dropping off Jimmy and making a quick trip to the grocery store for dinner. She
hoped to see the end of Missy’s game.
Things seemed to be getting easier on the parenting front. With their two oldest
daughters, Lauren and Leslie, off to college, they now only had a girl and two boys at
home. They would have Jimmy around for a few more years, as he was only nine, but two
more of their children would be off to college in a couple of years. Jon, the oldest of their
sons, was a freshman in high school, and Missy, a junior, would be off to college in two
years.
Nearing the high school, Elaine peered into her rearview mirror and noticed an
ambulance quickly approaching. She pulled out of the way to let it pass and resumed
driving. Her face fell once she saw the ambulance turning into the high school’s parking
lot. At first she exhaled a sigh of concern, as any mother would, regardless of whose child
was hurt, but then her intuition kicked in; Elaine instinctively knew the ambulance was
there for Missy.
As Elaine approached, she quickly scanned the field. Although the ambulance had
been driven onto the field, what she saw made her feel a little better. “It’s funny the things
19. 14 TODD BILLINGSLEY
you remember. I thought, ‘Oh, they’ve resumed play. It’s obviously not a fatality,’” Elaine
recalls, her eyes shimmering and a giggle erupting.
Once she passed through the gate to the field, though, all eyes turned toward her, and
she knew something was wrong with Missy. As she made her way toward the huddled
mass of people, Paul Kilcoyne, a fireman for the city of Coral Gables, approached Elaine.
The small, solid man in his forties was a close friend of Pop’s, and was also regularly seen
coaching community softball and track teams.
“Here you go, Elaine,” he said as he held up his hand clenched in a fist. Elaine held
out her open hand. When Paul relaxed his grip, into Elaine’s hand fell Missy’s contacts.
The mother of one of Missy’s teammates came by to deliver something else of Missy’s: her
two front teeth. Missy’s teammates, friends, and other parents had searched the field and
recovered Missy’s teeth and contacts, carefully wiping away all the grass from each item.
Paul began informing Elaine what had happened.
The Coral Gables Cavaliers girls’ soccer team was taking on the Miami Springs
Golden Hawks. The game, which had been scoreless, became exciting when the Cavaliers
advanced the ball close to Miami Spring’s goal. Missy was playing forward, and a
teammate launched a beautiful pass toward her. With the ball in the air and approaching
the goalie’s box, Missy positioned herself for an attempt to head the ball into the goal. Her
focus was completely on the ball, so she never saw the opposing goalie moving forward in
an attempt to block the shot. Timing it just right, Missy launched into the air, but just as
she made contact with the ball, her face smashed into the head of the goalie. Missy was out
cold before she hit the ground.
20. RUN to WIN 15
After recounting the story for Elaine, Paul added that Missy was still unconscious.
Elaine and Paul’s attention turned to Missy. Already loaded into the ambulance, she was
being prepped for the ride to Doctors Hospital. Aro Sastre, a young man in his twenties
and a close friend of the Koch family, had rushed off to Flagami Park to inform Pop of the
news.
At Doctors Hospital near the University of Miami Missy still had not regained
consciousness. When Elaine asked the ambulance driver how Missy was doing, his reply
was terse.
“She’s stable—for now.”
Not the comforting words a mother wants to hear.
Making matters even more worrisome, Missy was still on a gurney in the emergency
room hallway when Pop arrived. A doctor led Pop to Missy. Her big brown eyes, usually
full of life, were closed. Her long thick brown hair was still wet with perspiration from the
game. The doctor held up both of Missy’s arms by her wrists and let them go. Her arms
fell limply back to the gurney. She was still unconscious.
That exhibition of lifelessness unnerved Pop and Elaine. Sure, they had experienced
their children suffering various injuries and even other ER trips. With five children the
odds of that happening were rather high. But seeing their youngest daughter lying
motionless on a gurney was something they had never experienced as parents.
After a few hours concern subsided as Missy regained consciousness. Other than a
slight concussion, the tests revealed she would be just fine. Assured all was well, Elaine
called home to let little Jimmy know his big sister was going to be okay. With the
important news out of the way, Jimmy had one more question.
21. 16 TODD BILLINGSLEY
“Did she score?”
“What?” Elaine responded with confusion.
“Did … Missy … score?” he repeated emphatically, stressing each word.
“Oh,” Elaine replied. “Yes, she did!”
Because it was late Friday afternoon, all dentist and oral surgeon offices were closed.
Using the payphone in the waiting room, Pop called a friend from his softball team, Alan
Stoler, who happened to be an oral surgeon. Dr. Stoler came that evening to temporarily
wire Missy’s teeth together, which would hold them in place until Monday. The procedure
gave him time to accurately determine what needed to be done to repair her teeth.
Later that evening Missy regained consciousness. Approaching her while she was
recovering on the gurney, Dr. Stoler asked how she was feeling, playfully slapping her on
the ankle as he did so. Little did he know, she had been nursing a chronically sprained
ankle, suffered during a soccer game earlier in the season. Her wince surprised him. Even
though it was obvious she was a tough cookie, he had her monitored in the hospital
overnight.
She was released the next morning with no long-term neurological effects. The teeth,
though, were a different story. She saw Dr. Stoler on Monday, but the teeth weren’t
repaired in a single trip. Instead, a series of multiple trips were required before he finally
managed to replace her two missing teeth along with root canals in all four upper front
teeth.
The injury caused a few problems for Missy. Fortunately, Dr. Stoler had replaced her
teeth pretty quickly, so appearance wasn’t one of them. Nor did she have to repeatedly tell
22. RUN to WIN 17
people how the injury had occurred because the news had spread like wildfire. When she
returned to playing soccer, she had to fight through the fear of sustaining a similar injury.
Initially, she found herself shying away from opportunities to head the ball and knew she
would never be the same player if she didn’t get over the fear. She also struggled while
playing because the mouth guard she was required to wear restricted her breathing.
The toughest part of her recuperation was the necessity of cutting all her food into
small pieces. Burger King was a frequent hangout for Missy and her friends because it was
close and it offered a lot of perks. Because the chain’s corporate headquarters were located
in Miami, it tested various marketing strategies there, usually in the form of contests for
free food or soft drinks, and the children in Missy’s neighborhood reaped the benefits.
Missy and her friends won those contests frequently enough to enjoy a steady supply of
after-school snacks. Her teeth, however, continued to cause problems, so Missy would ask
the employees to cut her food into small pieces.
Her original teeth, which her doctor was able to replace, lasted eight years until Missy
bit down a little too hard on a regulator mouthpiece while scuba diving. The original teeth
had to be taken out and replaced with a permanent bridge.
Missy was eventually put back together from that head-on collision and returned to
finish the soccer season. Later that summer she coached soccer at the Youth Center and
thought the world couldn’t be any better: doing something she loved to do and getting paid
for it.
Fall rolled around, signifying the beginning of Missy’s senior year. It was one of those
times when she juggled multiple sports: volleyball and cheerleading. While playing
volleyball, she noticed a lump at the base of the second toe on her right foot. It was painful
23. 18 TODD BILLINGSLEY
whenever she jumped. By the time soccer season rolled around toward the end of her
senior year, the lump had turned into a marble-sized growth. It hurt her to kick the ball, so
the trainer placed a donut-shaped pad around the growth and wrapped her foot and ankle
to cushion it against any blows.
The growth continued to enlarge, so Missy decided she had better have it checked by
the family doctor. Assuming it was a cyst, he thought it was a simple matter of draining the
fluid. Upon inserting a needle, however, he was surprised to find no fluid. This was
beyond his scope, so he sent Missy to an orthopedic surgeon to have it checked.
Following doctor’s orders, Missy promptly saw the orthopedic surgeon, whose
diagnosis determined the growth was a benign tumor that, nevertheless, needed to be
removed. Feeling no sense of urgency, Missy and the surgeon scheduled the surgery for
convenience between the prom and graduation.
Like any senior, Missy was excited as she looked ahead to graduation and college. Her
senior year ended on a high note: she was selected to the Miami Herald’s All-Dade girls’
soccer team. Heading off to college is a life-changing experience for everyone, but it was a
bit more so for Missy. In March 1979 her mom, who had been the consummate housewife
while raising her children, decided to return to the working world. She landed a job at the
nearby University of Miami as the secretary to the athletic director, Dr. Harry Mallios.
The job not only offered additional income, but another enormous benefit: a 75 percent
discount on tuition.
Money was tight in the Koch household. As a commercial real estate broker, Pop did
all he possibly could to provide for his family, but great chunks of time could pass between
paydays. Sometimes that required creativity with ultra-frugal dinner plans, which Elaine
24. RUN to WIN 19
mastered. Despite budget crunches, the needs of the family were always met. Pop not only
learned how to stretch money but always had an eye out for a good deal.
Missy fondly remembers that real estate bargain hunting was a practice from which
Pop never took a break. The family station wagon, which had no air conditioning, would
be loaded to the gills on family vacations with luggage, five kids, Olga, the German
Shepherd, and Rover, the Chihuahua. Despite the discomfort and miserable conditions,
Pop would prolong the trip even further by stopping at real estate offices along the way to
check out the local deals. All five Koch children would bellow out in protest each time Pop
made an unscheduled stop.
Of course, he also left no stone unturned where he lived. One of the bargain deals he
landed included a small bungalow on Plantation Key in the Florida Keys. Nearly every
weekend, the Koch family would head to their weekend retreat. Pop would have the five
Koch children mowing, painting, and cleaning the property—things Missy would complain
about as a child but look back upon fondly—but he also taught them how to fish, dive, and
hunt for lobster.
He came across a sweetheart of a deal on a home on Blue Road in Coral Gables, just a
couple of blocks from the University of Miami’s campus. In 1976 the Koch family
relocated across U.S. 1, or South Dixie Highway, to the north part of Coral Gables.
Enrolling at the University of Miami three years later, Missy did her part in helping
keep expenses down by living at home because it was so close to the campus. She jumped
whole-heartedly into co-ed life despite living at home. She went through sorority rush with
Delta Gamma (DG), which required membership candidates to demonstrate some kind of
talent. In the sorority room Missy met Martha Freeman who was sitting at the piano
25. 20 TODD BILLINGSLEY
offering her piano-playing services to any new pledges who might need them. Martha, a
budding mezzo-soprano from Chicago, was full of life. Another fresh-faced, blond
freshman from Dallas, Texas, named Gina Robinson, was on her way out of the room.
Stopping at the door before leaving, Gina turned and addressed the other girls in the room.
“If anyone wants to get together later this evening, please give me a call.”
Missy and Gina did get together that evening.
Within a few days of their arrival on campus, a new circle of friends began to form. As
the semester progressed, Missy developed close friendships with Martha and another DG
member named Patti Heydet, a beautiful brunette who was a University of Miami
cheerleader.
It turned out that all three of Missy’s new friends—Martha, Gina, and Patti—had
close ties with the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. All three girls dated Pikes. Martha dated
Charlie Bartz; Patti was in a relationship with Andrew Kirsch; and Gina was still dating
her childhood sweetheart from Dallas, Andrew Kelton, who was also attending the
University of Miami.
In a strange twist for that day and age, Martha and Patti not only dated Pikes, but
lived with one as well, a fellow from New Jersey named Vinny Quaranta. A couple of
years earlier a new television sitcom called Three’s Company had aired. It was controversial
in its day because it depicted two single women living with a single guy. Pretty risqué stuff
considering that just ten years earlier The Dick Van Dyke Show had featured a married
couple sleeping in twin beds. But Patti, Martha, and Vinny decided to try it in real life. Of
course, their friends enjoyed making comparisons with the show.
26. RUN to WIN 21
Missy’s world was changing on several fronts. She was saying goodbye to friends she
had known all her life who were leaving Miami to attend schools around the country. By
the same token she was meeting new friends from different parts of the country. Her mom
was working and no longer at home during the day. And the growth on her foot had
reappeared.
In December, just a few months after having had the growth removed, Missy was back
in the hospital to have the new growth removed. It was a relatively easy surgery. A few
days later the doctor removed her stitches and told Missy she could do anything she
desired. This was an error because he knew nothing of Missy’s athleticism. Missy was
playing in an under nineteen soccer league out on Key Biscayne, which is a quaint,
upscale, island village located just off downtown Miami. To locals it’s simply known as The
Key.
The day after the stitches were removed, Missy had a soccer game. She gave no
thought to whether or not she should play in the game. After all, the doctor had said she
could do whatever she wanted. She dressed, warmed up, and started the game. The first
time the ball met her foot, her foot split wide open. Not only did she reopen the incision
that ran between her first and second toes, she tore new skin.
She found herself back in the surgeon’s office. He had very few words. “You really
made quite a mess of your foot.”
This time, he placed her foot in a cast to slow her down.
***
27. 22 TODD BILLINGSLEY
Missy received her love of sports and a heavy dose of her values from Pop. Her father
possesses a huge heart. Her earliest memories of him are of her sitting on his knee while he
sang “You Are My Sunshine” and other fun folk songs. Pop played with Missy and her
brothers and sisters every day in the yard after they came home from school. He would
teach football plays, and then yell “Hut!” to send the children scurrying off on their pass
routes. The family had a full-length chalkboard on the hallway wall where he would write
math equations for each child to solve.
Missy has a love for animals, which she inherited from her father. The Koch household
at times looked like the oddest menagerie you have ever seen. Wounded cats, mangy dogs,
pigeons, iguanas, and snakes were nurtured back to health under Pop’s care. Pop once
rescued a turtle from two guys intending to turn it into stew. On a family vacation when
another car driver had made no attempt to avoid running over and crushing a turtle, he
followed the car for miles out of his way to give the insensitive driver a piece of his mind.
Missy also learned from Pop that compassion wasn’t only for animals; it extended to
people, too. Pop is deeply respected in the Miami community because of this. One act of
compassion that had a profound impact on Missy occurred when Pop came across a man
named Eli Jones, who was struggling to make ends meet. Most would simply have handed
over a few bucks and sent Eli on his way. Even though Pop really couldn’t afford it, he
asked Eli to mow his yard. The act of offering a job rather than a handout not only helped
Eli feed his family but allowed him to keep his dignity as well. Her father’s compassion
deeply moved Missy.
Pop can also be brash and rough around the edges. He may have mellowed over the
years, but not by much. As a young lad, he never backed down from a fight. As an adult
28. RUN to WIN 23
and protective father, he enforced the speed limit on their street with his own speed traps.
Speeders were encouraged to slow down with flying coconuts. He also possesses a
controlling streak and loves to offer his two cents’ worth. When Missy went out on dates,
he would insist she wore a certain outfit, or bracelet, or wore her hair a certain way. Of
course, as soon as she was out the door, whatever she had been required to wear was
immediately discarded.
With her two older sisters off at college—Lauren to Biola University in Southern
California and Leslie to Kansas University in Lawrence, Kansas—Missy was the only
daughter at home. Although she too was in college, she didn’t enjoy the same liberties as
her two older sisters, the difference being that Missy lived at home: Pop enforced
boundaries and curfews as if she were still in high school.
Missy, by her mother’s account, had always been extremely inquisitive and a source of
never-ending questions. The Question Child is what Elaine called her. This trait did not
begin in college; she had always been that way. Missy has never been one to simply accept
things as they are. In her mind there is always a reason for the existence of something.
Above all, as a child, if she was not allowed to do something, she needed to know why.
While growing up, the Koch children respected Pop and followed his orders without
much question. Of course, the fear of being sent to their room as a punishment helped
keep most questions at bay.
“The fear was even worse if Pop was standing in the doorway of your room, pointing
in the direction you were to go,” Missy reflects. “Passing by in the narrow space between
him and the doorframe, with no chance for any kind of evasive maneuver, you never knew
if you were going to get swatted on the bottom or not.”
29. 24 TODD BILLINGSLEY
That fear didn’t deter Missy from asking questions, so Pop would employ the tactic of
delaying his answer to buy time. Ignoring Missy was never a viable solution, though,
because she possessed—and still possesses—an abundance of persistence that gets under
the most patient person’s skin. Missy detected early on that a delayed answer from
Pop—for example, on whether she could spend the night at a friend’s house—meant a
valid reason for the delay didn’t exist.
The parental mantra, “because I said so,” simply wasn’t acceptable to Missy. For that
reason she began to find herself in Pop’s doghouse frequently. A strain began to develop
between the father and daughter during her high school years. Despite the punishment, if
a valid reason wasn’t provided, there was strife in the Koch household. Missy has always
adored her father, but as she settled into her new environment at the university, the
tension in their relationship worsened.
The irony is that Pop and Missy are so much alike. Both can be hard-headed and
stubborn. While the adage states that “opposites attract,” these two during Missy’s college
years were the poster children for “similars collide.” Tension mounted with each
unexplained order Pop would try to enforce.
The boiling point came on a night when Missy didn’t come home on time. When she
finally arrived, Pop lost his temper and launched into a verbal tirade. He interrogated her
about where she had been and angrily reminded her of her curfew. As he attempted to lay
down the law in the form of some kind of restriction or grounding, Missy interrupted him.
Rather than fully tolerating the lecture, Missy geared up and matched him in intensity
with her side of the disagreement. Missy communicated her point that, as a college student,
she wasn’t being given the same liberties as her sisters. Because he was being unfair with
30. RUN to WIN 25
her, she told him that she was not inclined to listen to anything he had to say or pay
attention to any discipline he might try to enforce. As the two engaged in the heated
shouting match, Elaine watched quietly from a distance.
After the disagreement, Pop and Elaine left the house for the evening. Missy at first
had not made plans for the evening, but that changed. She had not contemplated moving
out before because she had assumed her problems with Pop would eventually work out.
Instead of becoming more tolerant, however, Pop became more and more controlling. That
night Missy called her friend, Gina Robinson, and asked if she had room in her apartment
for another roommate. Gina told her she’d love to have a new roommate, so Missy spent
the evening moving out. Elaine’s motherly intuition would prove to be correct again: “I
knew you would be gone when we got back.”
Missy was finally on her own. The bonds with her new friends grew stronger. She
plugged into other activities around the campus such as being a batgirl for the University
of Miami baseball team and serving as a Hurricane Honey by baking bags of goodies for
football players. She also began dating Martha and Patti’s roommate, Vinny Quaranta.
Vinny possessed a great smile, a swagger, and an unbridled machismo. He exuded self-
confidence, which some may have thought a little over the top, but which Missy thought
was a strength. He was protective and possessive—qualities she liked.
By the same token, Vinny was attracted to Missy’s brand of self-confidence. She didn’t
possess the swagger he had, but she did indeed exude self-confidence. Outwardly, she was
quiet and soft-spoken, but she knew who she was and was comfortable in her own skin.
She’d never tell you how great she was at something, but if an athletic competitive
31. 26 TODD BILLINGSLEY
challenge were to come along, chances were good that her athletic prowess would be put
on display.
In May, as the school year was winding to a close, the growth on her foot appeared yet
again. Vinny was in the process of packing up to head back to New Jersey for the
summer, but Missy was gearing up for a third surgery to remove the growth. The two
couldn’t stand the thought of being apart for any length of time, so Vinny invited Missy to
his home in New Jersey after the surgery. She didn’t think seriously about it until he sent
her money for a plane ticket. As she was in love, it didn’t require much thought on her
part.
Pop’s thoughts were entirely different: “You are not going to New Jersey!”
Although Missy no longer lived under Pop’s rule, she still felt his presence. He had
gotten wind of the New Jersey plans and had attempted to deliver an emphatic veto. It fell
upon deaf ears.
Missy informed Vinny that Pop did not like the idea.
“Are you still coming?”
“Oh, absolutely.”
“Are you sure?”
Unwavering, Missy boarded the Eastern Airlines flight to Newark. While she was en
route, Vinny, who had tremendous respect for Pop, realized that this trip could cause a
sizeable rift between Missy and her father. Upsetting Pop was one thing he did not want to
do. When he met Missy at the airport, he had cash in hand for an immediate return flight
home and suggested she use it if she had any second thoughts. Missy wouldn’t hear of it;
she was staying.
32. RUN to WIN 27
It was a decision that would ultimately save her life.
VIDEO
Old Miami