My Greatest Achievement written by Rita-Marie Goudreau, CNM For those of you who know me through your visits here at the Adler Center you know I try my best to educate you about the importance of exercise and good nutrition.  If a patient is overweight and open to listen to my perspective I try to encourage her to join a weight loss program that supports you though weekly meetings and a healthy exercise regimen (Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig are two of my favorite recommendations).  I am the first to admit that I occasionally do not practice what I preach so I was reluctant earlier this year when one of our nurses who is a good friend of mine (Tara Ryba) talked me into running a 10K race (6.4 miles) in Richmond, VA with her in April.  I have never run more than the 1 mile required by my PE teacher in 10th grade (and even then I walked the last 2 laps!).  Most of my exercise programs have been self-regulated.  I have never joined a gym or been on a strict program until Tara talked me into running that race. On the day of the race we ran side by side and that was the best support imaginable.  To tell you the truth it was the hardest physical challenge I have had to adhere to, but one of my greatest achievements.  After completing that race with Tara in April she talked me into running an even longer race - The Army Ten Miler.  It’s funny to look back on it because I remember saying “I drive 10 miles to work everyday and how in the world can I run that distance without needing an ambulance?”.  I trained an average of 3-5 times a week running an average of 4-8 miles each visit to the gym.  I lost 15 pounds and toned up.  On Oct 2nd, 2005, I completed a task I thought I could never tackle.  I finished the Army Ten Miler Race.  I had to alternate aggressive running with speed walking because of pulling my hamstring muscle the Saturday before the race but I crossed the finish line with a smile and that was my goal!   The one thing missing from the race was my buddy Tara but I have to forgive her because she found out she was pregnant with her first child one month into our training program (baby is due in late February)! The reason I am sharing this in the newsletter is to hopefully inspire someone to do something they think is impossible.  Believe me if I can complete in a ten mile race then you can climb Mount Everest or you can join a weight loss program or gym and lose that 20 pounds you put on in the last 2 years.   Oh yeah, and if you are wondering if I am now going to train to run a 26 mile marathon I would like to answer as kindly as I can - “Heck No!”.  (But you just may see me run The Army 10 Miler again next year!)