Kathy Jarvis Heads to the Baja 1000

I received the following email today from Kathy Jarvis:

Hey Liz Thank you for posting my story on your blog. I am leaving for Baja
in a couple of days to start my adventure on becoming the first woman to solo the SCORE Baja 1000. A little nervous for it is going to be a really
tough race and hopefully I get it done in 24 hours. My head is bothering me
some and I need to get that truck to last for 1052 miles and I need to last
for 1052 miles.


I think what Kathy is doing is really awesome. I'm always impressed by women who are trying new adventures for themselves. I wanted to ask her a few questions and she was kind enough to get back to me right away.

Liz: in a couple of days you're going to start your new adventure on becoming the first woman to solo the SCORE Baja 1000. You're driving for 24 hours and 1052 miles right? How do you feel being the first woman to enter this race?


Kathy: Well, I am not the first woman to enter a lot of women drive with other teams and there are a few female teams that trade off the driving responsibilities. I just hope to be the first woman to drive all 1000 miles of this race, the Granddaddy of all off road racing. In 1972 Judy J Smith did it in a single seater buggy, a lot of respect goes out to her. It was sactioned by NORRA and they had different rules. This race is a non-stop race with no restarts everything we do is part of the race, from getting through the pits quickly to changing navigators to changing parts if something should break.

Liz: Who's your inspiration/hero's you look up to?

Kathy: I look up to those women who are strong and can speak their mind with out fear of how one will interpret it. I look up to those who can honor everyone’s point of view without judgement. I look up to those who live their lives true to who they are.



Liz: Anyone ever say anything negative to you? How did you respond?

Kathy: Yes, many people have said many negative things to me. I live in a world where jobs are coveted and people will say things to make themselves feel better. Most times I don’t say anything, and most times I wish I had. However, it is never good to mix words, to hold one’s head high, and not let it become personal is the only way to protect oneself from the negative energy. Most negative things said our fears that person has, so I try not to take them personally.

And Kathy's Favorite Quote:
“Be the change you wish to see in the world” - Mahatma Gandi


Kathy...good luck and we're all cheering for you. Can't wait to hear how your adventure goes!!!

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF KATHY IN ACTION ON YouTube

Click here to Visit Kathy's Website

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Great Thought For The Day

Heard this in my 12 step meeting today and LOVED IT.

Don't die with your song still inside of you!

This was such a powerful statement. We are all so creative. We might not think so, but each of us have something special inside of us that should be shared with the world. From artists like painters and writers, to other people who have a passion for saving the environment. It doesn't necessarily have to be something you make a living doing, and don't think you have to be a professional and perfect in every way to do it.

If you don't know what your particular song is...I suggest you get busy and discover it. The universe will be a better place when you share your song with the rest of us. Honest!

Hanging up the running shoes...for now!

A couple of days ago I ran two miles. About the middle of the run my knee started hurting very bad. And once I was done running...it was really giving me fits. As much as I would like to start trail running...for now that dream needs to be put on hold until I can get this knee fixed. A few years back I twisted it and it's never been the same since.

Now I'm going to be really honest here. I hate running. I can see myself trail running...just because I love hiking so much. But the actually running part...I hate. Now I can get on my bike and ride for miles and be so happy and think life is the best. But when I run, every part of my body cries out, "Why are you doing this to me Liz?!"

Well I'll tell you why I've done it. Because for some reason in my head I feel that I'm not really working-out unless I'm running...at least a few days a week.

I've decided that's a crazy idea. Because if I don't like it, I'm going to end up not working-out and then well...I'm out of shape and the whole good feeling I get when I exercise is shot as well.

So biking, swimming, stretching, yoga are all the things I enjoy and I plan on doing on a regular basis.

It's interesting all these theories and ideas we think are true are just simply ideas and have no real truth to them at all. AND they can keep you from things we should be doing for ourselves.

My two cents for the day.

The secret to looking and feeling young!

It doesn't come in pill form, it's not a liquid you drink called Veta Vita Vegimen that Lucy tried to sell, and you don't have to run 10 miles a day...which is good news in my book.

No it's swimming. I'm amazed at how good swimming is for our bodies. These last few months I've started to really pick up my exercise. I'm doing a little running, and am really enjoying riding my bike. I've wanted to do more swimming, but in order to do that now...during this time of year...it would require me to join a gym. But it might be worth it...let me explain.

According to a study done by a research team at Indiana University, regular and moderately intensive swimming can substantially delay the decline of such age markers as blood pressure, muscle mass, blood chemistry and pulmonary function. With access to an indoor pool, anyone (young and old) can take advantage of the many health benefits of swimming year-round.

In addition to being healthier, swimming helps improve physical appearance by toning muscles and helping to control weight and appetite. A number of studies have found that even in middle-aged or elderly individuals, body image is an important factor affecting self-esteem, especially in women.

The problem about going swimming though is we have to get half naked to swim, and usually it's at a health club or public pool. Because of this, we loose out on the benefits of swimming. However the benefits to swimming a good two to three times a week for 30 mins each is really overwhelming.

I had a friend who was complaining about flab under her arms. She started swimming and very quickly noticed the flab was turning into a very nicely toned arm. So I know it works.

Now to find a pool to go swimming in!!

Why we can't look like the women on magazines and billboards

Check out this video. It makes a great point!!!
http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/

To think that so many of us strive to look like these women, and the truth is...these women aren't real!

Today Show and the New York Marathon

I don't usually get to watch much morning show news. But today I caught something I found very interesting. There's two ladies being profiled on the Today show who are training for the New York Marathon. They both have blogs so you can read about their progress. They've just got a few weeks to go before the big race. So if you're thinking of running your own marathon...their stories of what's worked and what hasn't could be a great help.

Here's their blogs:

Natalie's Blog
Karen's Blog

Cool Interview

I read an interview in my local paper today that I found very inspiring. It's an interview of a young entrepreneur named Brooke L. Dunton who chose a field mostly dominated by men.

Here's a short excerpt.

What is the biggest challenge your business has faced? I think being young when I started and being a woman. I entered an industry dominated by men and it was tough at first to get started and gain the respect of others in the industry. Now I just laugh about it when office supply reps come in and ask for Mr. Brooke or for the owner and repeat their question even after I tell them I am the owner!

You can read the full interview at: Napa Register

First Woman MP in Bahrain

Bahraini Latifa Al Gaoud has made history by becoming the Gulf's first woman MP after she was elected unopposed from her constituency.

"When I entered the elections race in 2002 as a candidate for constituency one in East Riffa, I reached the second round against MP Jassim Al Saeedi. I had hoped to win, but lost by a narrow margin. But I didn't give up.

"People will be looking up to me as the first woman MP, and hopefully I will not let them down. she was quoted as saying by Gulf Daily News. She added that, "The most important thing is raising the standard of living for Bahrainis."

Living the Width of Life

I don't want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well. - Diane Ackerman

Because There Were no sports for girls In her town

Last Friday morning I saw just a BLIP on the news about this little girl in a country far away (I really wish I had been paying more attention to this story. I've searched around the Internet trying to find this story with no luck).

Anyway...this little girl roller skated under this car, while doing the splits. Not an easy feat to say the least.

At the end of the story they explained that this little girl did this because there were no sports for girls in her town.

Now You Can Get Your Own Well Behaved Women Bumper Stickers

I know many of you are looking to get your hands on your own Well Behaved Women Rarely Make History Bumper Stickers. You can get your own stickers and other cool products by clicking here or on the bumper sticker sample above.

Wisdom teeth pulled, or go swimsuit shopping?

58% of women would rather lose their jobs than gain 75 pounds.

56% of women would rather have a smaller waist than a higher IQ.

Over 25% of women would rather have their wisdom teeth pulled than go swimsuit shopping.

(Taken from Women's Health Magazine Oct. 2006)