Walking and Running Groups are Here!

Not everyone who looks like a running machine has always been that way or has even liked running for very long! Every person has a story and a journey towards improving their physical fitness. Below two ward sisters share what got them to start and get hooked on running:

What got you to start running? 

Lexy: I use to play softball, but it's really hard to have pick up games when you need 18 people for a game, plus it's not that great of a work out anyways.  So I wanted to find something that would allow me to have a good work out that I could do anytime and would be easy to bring kiddos with me.  So I bought a jogging stroller and decided running wasn't as bad as I use to think.

Laura: A bunch of Adam's brothers and their wives were signing up for a Ragnar and I had no excuse not to do it. So I decided if I was going to do it I was going to do it well and train properly. Plus I wanted to get in shape after having a baby. 

At what point did you realize you liked running? (You can admit if you really don't like it) :)

Lexy: I didn't start enjoying running until it was my choice to do it. So probably 3 years ago... As a punishment for losing or not working hard enough during our softball practices and games, our coaches would force us to run and we had no choice.  You had to do it or else you were off the team. So I had negative associations with running for a long time and seriously hated it.  So now that it is actually my choice, running is so much more enjoyable. I go at my pace and go whatever distance I want. It's so much better!  

Laura: I don't actually like running, but I do like how I feel after. But I think I realized I was hooked about 4 or 5 months after I started running when I couldn't run because of illness and found myself feeling jealous of Adam for getting to go on a run instead of me. 

Some people you may recognize participated together in the Ragnar Relay this year. The race is 200 miles and goes from Wickenburg to Tempe.

Whether you run, play tennis, hike, walk, swim, play soccer or participate in a slew of other physical activities, there usually comes a point when you need to consciously choose to make it a part of your lifestyle and what helps make it a habit is if you like it or find satisfaction in how it makes you feel.

• If you want to make running a positive part of your life and join our Relief Society running group, click HERE for more info.

• Also, our ward has a walking group which will start this WEDNESDAY, March 14^th at 7:30 AM at the front gate to on-campus housing. The group will meet every M/W at that time. If you’re driving there, there are a few parking spots, but if they're full Laura Foster can let you through to park inside the gate. For questions call Laura at 720 548 0956. If the days/times/location don't work for anyone who would otherwise like to come, let her know and you can work something out.

• If you want to start training for a beautiful, low-key nighttime 5k in seven weeks check out the Glow Run. The race benefits the Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona Organization.

Exercising (literally) Our Faith

Stephanie Bennion is our Relief Society's new Health and Fitness Group leader! She looks forward to bringing more opportunities to improve physical and mental health to our ward sisters.

There is a close relationship between physical health and spiritual development...When one’s physical health is impaired by disobedience to God’s eternal laws, spiritual development will also suffer. We have the challenge; we ought now to concentrate on developing and improving our present physical house, which tabernacles a spirit child of God, and prepare it for eternal glory” (Elder Delbert R. Stapely, Improvement Era, Dec. 1967, p. 77.)

When I was 14 and starting high school I felt like I needed to get involved in a sport. Even though it was only 9^th grade I wanted to get involved in extra-curricular activities because I knew it was important for college applications. Ha, can you say over-achiever? Being small and scrawny and not having many positive experiences in team sports, I felt lost. Some peers I looked up to as well as respected adult leaders in my life encouraged me to try cross-country. I wanted to try but I was nervous. I didn’t even like running – why would I want to do a lot of it, every day? As an anxiety-prone, awkward adolescent, my parents felt this would be good for me and my dad told me to pray about it. I did pray and didn’t feel any warning to not continue forward. “Treat it like Alma’s teachings on faith," (Alma 32) my dad said. “Try this as an experiment. Exercise a particle of faith and see what happens.” He told me to try it out and keep a prayer in my heart. Three weeks later my running shoes swept over freshly-cut grass at a park in Aloha, Oregon – my first race. During that 3.1 mile Junior-Varsity competition, as I pushed through discomfort and running’s mental struggle I rehearsed how I was going to tell my coaches I was quitting. I’ll never have to do this ever again, I reassured myself. As I entered the finish chute, wobbily-legged and red-faced, I was quickly congratulated by my coaches and teammates. For my first race ever, my time was decent and I had taken 12^th place! I was later recognized in front of the crowd and given a shiny ribbon. After that moment I realized I didn’t want to disappoint my coaches – they seemed so proud of me. I’ll do one more race, I thought, but no promises after that. By the end of the season I had become my team’s number one JV runner and improved my time by a couple minutes on one of the hardest courses of the season. I also qualified as an alternate for our varsity team and went to state with them to cheer on the sidelines (and pray no one got injured so I didn’t have to step in). That was the beginning. There was no going back after I made it through that first season. Later I went on to become a top varsity runner on a leading team in the state in cross-country and a top regional and state competitor in track. Those early decisions led to my transformation into a more confident, physically and mentally strong young woman. Especially as I transitioned through my junior year of high school I realized I was now a very different person from that nervous freshman girl. My motivation to run was now more intrinsic - much more deep than wanting to look good on college apps. That seed of faith I planted early on had come to sweet fruition and the Lord had blessed me. The decision to run changed my life.

If you’re wanting to get healthier and start moving again (and I’m not just talking about running) but feel nervous, awkward, or scared to start, treat it as an experiment. Exercise a particle of faith. Pray to Heavenly Father for guidance and strength and then if you feel it is right, start moving into the unknown. You never know how that first decision can change your life. To make it easier, our Relief Society’s health and fitness group can provide support and information to guide your journey to become stronger inside and out. And of course running isn't the only path to changing your physical and mental life. There are many options out there to explore.

Motivate

• Physical activity when you’re all alone is difficult. Exercising with others can be motivating and more fun. Come join one of our ward's fitness groups. More info on those coming soon.
• Sometimes signing up for a race or other event will be the thing to get you out the door and exercising regularly (I know it does for me). Check out these race calendars for fun events coming up. Sign up with a friend! 
• The physical part is only one side of becoming a stronger person – the eating part and the spiritual/mental side affects our outcomes as well. Focusing on those areas are crucial as we work on becoming healthier. 

As the new health and fitness group leader I’m excited to work with you and to help you reach your goals! I hope that as we increase our strength, agility and body image we also improve our faith and love for each other which will help us serve one another and grow in unity here in the Bellair Ward.

Creamy Caprese Pasta

This recipe was served at our last Relief Society Meeting.  Enjoy!

Creamy Caprese Pasta

serves 4-6

1 pound whole wheat pasta (noodles such as penne work best)

1 cup of your favorite pasta/tomato sauce

1/3 cup heavy cream or half and half

1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese + more for garnish

4 ounces fresh mozzarella, cut into cubes

1 pint of grape tomatoes (I cut some in half and left some whole)

1 bunch of fresh basil leaves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Boil water and cook pasta according to directions.

While pasta is cooking, heat tomato sauce over low heat in a large saucepan. Once warm, stir in heavy cream and grated parmesan. Once pasta is done cooking, drain and dump into the sauce, mixing to coat and turning off heat. Fold in mozzarella cubes and tomatoes, then chop 3-4 fresh basil leaves and add them in too. Once combined, spray a baking dish with non-stick spray and pour the entire pasta mixture into the dish. Top with fresh mozzarella rounds. Bake for 25 minutes, or until cheese is golden and bubbly.

Top with additional fresh basil and grated cheese. Serve with garlic bread. You can also add in chicken, steak or seafood for some protein.

Relief Society is 170 years old...

To celebrate, our Relief Society is having a "Saturday Morning of Service" on March 17th.  Sisters across the world will be celebrating by engaging in the work of Relief Society.  Mark your calendar and be sure to join us!

Sister Spotlight

Meet Dina!

Dina is an amazing artist. She loves art and loves to teach. You can read more about her passion here. She has been in the ward for a little over 15 years with her husband and 3 boys. We asked her some questions to help us all get to know her better.


1. What is an accomplishment or activity sometime in your life that meant a lot to you? Teaching art all over the world.


2. Are you allergic to anything? Housework.


3. Favorite scripture? So many!


4. What are some things you enjoy? Art journaling, scrapbooking, and cooking.


5. What is one thing you would like to accomplish someday? Make art quilts.


6. What is something we might not know about you? I've been to Egypt.


7. What is something you would like to do or see someday? Take my kids to China and be a mom of 3 return missionaries.

Thanks for sharing with us Dina! We are glad to have you with us!

February Visiting Teaching

Find the Visiting Teaching message here. We hope you enjoy your visits!

Service Opportunity

Sister Carolyn McGee in our Stake is working on newborn kits.  She has just completed cutting out 70 newborn nightgowns!  She would love your help to sew them.  She says they are really easy and take about 20 minutes each.  She is even willing to come to your home to teach you how to sew them!  Wow.   Reply to this email or contact Jessica Christensen (hydejessica@msn.com) if you'd like to help!