SCRANTON RUNNING CO : Team Survivor

New Partnership!

2011-06-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

Scranton Running Company's Team Survivor presented by...Penn Security Bank!

This partnership will allow us to expand the program exponentially in an effort to better promote awareness and the Team Survivor spirit.

More updates as the team grows and begins their journey to NEPA's Race for the Cure in September 2011.

Godspeed,
SRCo

Still Going Strong...

2011-01-03T07:00:00.000-08:00

The weather has been very cooperative in allowing us to continue outside. A majority of us are still getting together 1-2 days/week. We can be found running/jogging/walking around the Abington High School outdoor track, Nay Aug Park, or the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Locations and times vary depending on our schedules, but we are determined to keep at it. Since the Race for the Cure in September, several of us have participated in two additional 5K Run/Walks -- the Lupus Loop in October and the Jessica Reap Heart Run/Walk in November. A couple of members of the group are using the winter months to complete their reconstructive surgeries with the intention of being ready to get back to us by the time spring returns.

The friendships we have developed are the greatest benefits to me of our Team Survivor group. The weight loss and overall physical changes I am experiencing is an added bonus as well : ) Thank you, SCRANTON RUNNING CO, again, for bringing us all together!! You have created an upside to breast cancer! We will continue to strive to make you proud! Happy New Year, Everyone!!

2011

2011-01-02T17:33:00.000-08:00

Last of the sugar cookies are gone(or should be),joints are a little rusty and looking for action,and supposedly a fashion show in February modeling SCRCo. apparel is in the works for Team Survivor(that could be scary,not the apparel but the modeling)!Hopefully that is just the beginning of a very active year for Team Survivor and Scranton Running Co..in addition to faster 5K times and may be longer distances!Always encouraging new members to join -no fees just a great attitude and a sense of humor!

We Continue On...

2010-09-20T11:44:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let anyone following this blog to know that we have not stopped our running/training just because the Race for the Cure is over. We are still getting together -- "partly for the running, but mostly for the socializing." Just this past week, Tuesday - Heritage Trail; Thursday - Nay Aug Park; Sunday - Lake Scranton!! We may change the locations/times week to week depending on everyone's schedules, but we do not want to quit! Haven't figured out what we will do when the weather turns against us to be outdoors, but we will figure something out. Any ideas are welcome. We have turned RJ loose to concentrate on his own training, but we do miss him! I wonder if he is missing all the "girl talk"! As long as he doesn't schedule an appointment for a Brazilian Blow-out any time soon, I think he can expect to have a full recovery. We will keep you posted...

The Pink Ladies - A Video Short

2010-09-15T20:35:00.000-07:00

If inspiration was bottled and sold as liqui-gel capsules, you'd feel exactly the way you do after watching this video. Special thanks to John and Karen Mann for putting this together. It's our sincere hope that by sharing this onslaught of smiles, we'll influence and motivate others to seek their own happy place through the pursuit of a more active lifestyle.

Godspeed,
The SRCo

We Did It!!!

2010-09-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

Saturday was a great day! Thank you, Matt, Matt, and especially RJ and Megan, for your support, enthusiasm, and for making us believe that we could do this. What a great event to give us a more positive memory to associate with 9/11. I have made some wonderful friends, and for this I am truly grateful. Now that we have been guided in the right direction, we plan to continue to get together and keep up our training, with the thoughts of hopefully participating in other community events. As Lindee said in our huddle, it's not just about breast cancer anymore -- it's about our overall health now. Thanks again, everyone! I never would have stuck with it on my own!

Finish Line

2010-09-12T19:56:00.000-07:00

Team Survivor you are Runners!Unbelievable experience to cross the finish line with individuals who showed determination, focus and dedication toward achieving their goal of running 3.1 miles.The familar mile markers slipped away almost unnoticed as we traveled the race course in celebration of our lives.There was even enough oxygen for conversation and laughter!Half the team meet their long lost relatives along the course,no casualities occured thanks to family members guarding their mother and RJ(a.k.a Forrest Gump) kept the pace by barking at his students when the cameras weren't rolling!We are truely blessed to have our paths cross in such a positive way thanks to the support of Scranton Running Co. and the guidance of RJ and Megan.What I take away from this race,I hope to share with others.Friendship and support are powerful tools in attaining what may seem like impossible goals.Let us embrace this experience and continue to make our health a priority.Thanks so much Matt B,Matt R,RJ,and Megan for being involved in this life changing experience.Lindee Kent

SRCo Team Survivor 2010

2010-09-04T13:28:00.000-07:00

I am a ten-year breast cancer survivor and proudly the oldest member of our team survivor 2010. After I was invited to join this challenge and after I had accepted that challenge, I had second thoughts about whether or not I would be able to pull it off---NOT!! Spending the past several weeks training with our leaders RJ and Megan and with all of the other survivors was a trip to behold. Not only will I be running the race with these wonderful people, I plan to go the distance with them---in more ways than finishing the Race. These are very strong, determined-to-continue women--our "support group on sneakers" (new sneakers--thanks a million to Scranton Running.) Running across that finish line with my team and leaders will be one of the brightest and proudest moments in my ten-year survivor experience--one which I hope will bring strength, hope, and courage to succeed in the lives of other breast cancer survivors. I have had a blast. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to RJ, Megan, Matt, and Matt and others who made this wonderful experience possible. Much success with SRCo. With much appreciation and love, Marie Hubal

Run Like a Girl !!!

2010-09-01T20:21:00.000-07:00

Thank you Scranton Running Co. for creating Team Survivor. I am proud to be participating with you all in this great challenge and what I know will be a huge accomplishment at the Scranton Komen 5K on September 11th.

In February 2008 I was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 33. This was very very unexpected. I have seen many doctors. I have undergone lots of treatment. I have survived with lots of help from countless family members and friends. I have adopted an 'ain't no mountain high enough' attitude about beating this. I am grateful for crossing paths with Scranton Running Co. and the beautiful ladies of Team Survivor. I am energized by the running and keeping fit while also sharing stories and building friendships with you all. I look forward to sailing under that North Washington Ave. arch of pink and white balloons with you as proud as ever that there 'ain't no 5K tough enough' for us!

PS ... Dare I ask ... Is anyone up for the Philly 8K Nov 21st?

Thanks again SRCo for getting our motors runnin' and looking good as well. Love the kicks!

Posting from Lynne Sotak

2010-08-27T18:08:00.000-07:00

To RJ, Megan, Matt R, and Matt B: Not only have I never run before, I have never used a computer. Since joining this team, I like to feel I have mastered them both. This experience for me has been life changing on so many levels. I can now run three miles! I never thought it was possible. Your talented staff has enabled me to accomplish this. The efforts you all have made to get the word out about how exercise and fitness can help to prevent a reoccurrence of this disease is remarkable. That is what makes breakthroughs for this cure happen. Through this experience, I have met so many inspiring women who I now can call my friends. Best of luck with your new business. God bless you all.
(Lynne Sotak--Team Survivor 2010)

Scranton Running Co. Team Survivor

2010-08-27T16:26:00.000-07:00

I have logged a lot of miles over the years but never with a group of people with such motivation,enthusiasm,determination and goal driven attitudes as those involved in Team Survivor.Every training night there is a progression and sense of achievement.Thanks in part to RJ and Megan's ability to guide everyone in a manner where there have been no injuries ( only a few talking muscles) and in a short amount of time, running almost 3 miles!We have shared conversations ranging from our own personal breast cancer journeys to the meaning of a Brazillian Blowout.As we travel along the course ,discussions include loving Wendy's Chili (on a 90 degree day)Team Survivor running chant written by Marie Hubal,running in excersie pants without an adequate elastic waistband(thus holding up the pants along Wyoming Ave and down N.Washington)RJ's similarity to Forest Gump with all his followers and the introduction to the comfort of sports bras,and the taste of power bars.May our comradery and new found confidence be contagious to other survivors of any disease.Thank you Scranton Running Co. for this incredible opportunity.Every day we cross a new finish line!

Thank you, SRCo

2010-08-26T19:04:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of SRCo's Team Survivor. From strangers to teammates (and friends) in such a short time has been amazing. Thanks to RJ and Megan, the ladies on this team have become a force to be reckoned with. We ran almost the entire Race for the Cure 5k race route tonight and still had the breath to keep on talking and laughing after we were finished. (Some even had the breath to talk the entire way through! -- and they know who they are.) Just kidding! We have become quick friends through these training sessions. What started out as a "Tuesday night" adventure has evolved to Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday. I never would have thought I could do what I have been accomplishing these last three weeks -- thank you so much, RJ and Megan! Your enthusiasm keeps us going -- we hope to make you proud! And thank you, Scranton Running Company for bringing us all together.

Donna Rupp (8-year breast cancer survivor)

Team Survivor: An Introduction

2010-08-24T20:58:00.000-07:00

The Scranton Running Company is pleased to introduce our Team Survivor, an incredible group of women with whom we couldn't be happier nor more privileged to know. Each is a breast cancer survivor. Their goals are varied, but the target is the same: Scranton's Race for the Cure on September 11.

Surviving cancer hasn't defined who these women are, but it certainly has contributed a great deal to their current makeup. When we sat down with these women at the outset of this program in mid-July, in many cases goals were hesitantly stated but there was a common theme: they knew they needed to improve their physical condition and commit to a fitness program.

Some of our Pink Ladies just wanted to walk the entire race. Some wanted to run a mile or two of it. Others were simply looking for an excuse to start working out again. The intent was for them to meet once per week with us on Scranton's new Rivertrail for a group workout. This evolved into 3 workouts per week with their coach and inspirational leader, SRCo's RJ Stiltenpole. More than a month into the endeavor, most are running up to two miles at a time. The progress has wildly exceeded anyone's expectations. These women have shown all the while a giddy grit, which has been infectious.

Some of them will be sharing their experiences here, so check back frequently for their inspirational stories along the way to Sep 11.

Godspeed,
SRCo.