4/2/2013- Quick Updates
Check out the updated blog, races and results - all new information!
A huge round of applause goes to Jane Russ, Kay Bondy, Lori Mourer, Teri McCowan, Roxanne Burnham, Patty Herbert and Emily Herbert for braving the cold Michigan weather and participating in 5k races.
And, finally, one of the walking club chicas, Jennifer Buckler, has left the nest. Jenn has moved to Atlanta, GA, to pursue a great career opportunity. We wish her luck and will miss her greatly. But, she's promised to start a Chick Chain Walking Club chapter in Atlanta. Good Luck, Jenn!
Welcome to ChickChainWalkingClub.com
Becoming a Better You One Step at a Time
I dedicate this website to my best 'peeps' who were always there for me through all our walks - Patty Russ, Chris DeFouw, Jane Russ
and Jennifer Buckler. A special shout out to my daughter Sarah Powell who helped design the website.
In early 2011, my husband and I initiated divorce proceedings after a 26 year marriage. While the divorce was the right thing to do, it was still one of the most difficult things I had to go through.
I was feeling especially sorry for myself and felt like I was going to die if I didn't get up, move, and do some things I’ve always been too afraid to do. So, I began thinking about what I wanted to do and one night, when out with friends, I asked if anyone would be interested in walking a half marathon on beautiful Mackinac Island. I was amazed at the number of women who took me up on it. We are just normal women - not high performing athletes. So, we decided we would train for it and would meet a few times a week to walk. We started out walking three miles and it took us more than an hour. Some of us were huffing and puffing at the end of the walk, but we were so proud of ourselves for finishing.
As the summer went on another friend joined us, and one of their friends, then another, and quickly our group grew. I laughingly said one time “look at us – we are a chick chain”. The name stuck, a formal schedule was created and suddenly we were walking warriors. As the hot days and nights went by our bodies became faster and stronger. We walked longer distances, poured sweat, and signed up for 5k’s, 8k’s and finally the 5.7 mile Great Turtle Marathon race on Mackinac Island.
Throughout the summer, this incredible group of women of all shapes, sizes, and colors, listened to me tell my story over and over again. They lovingly let me cry, cried with me, laughed with me, encouraged me and supported me four days a week. The group not only helped me but also supported each other through their own difficult and joyful times.
Getting healthier and more fit every day, we found the real benefit of the Chick Chain Walking Club was not just the exercise, but the growing self confidence each of us felt doing something outside of our comfort zone and supporting each other every step of the way.
It is our hope and wish you will be motivated to start a sister walking club, join ours, share your stories, learn to love being outdoors and most importantly find your own chick chain of support.
Please use the Contact Us page for information on starting or joining a Chick Chain Walking Club.
A huge thank you goes to my sisters, Darlene Graham and Kristie Fleckenstein and to my friends Tamara Antekeier and Pam Murray. Much appreciation goes to my awesome supporter, Leslie Auld, who cheered me on from the sidelines once a week! Special gratitude goes to Judy Russ for her Wednesday Support Dinners. I can’t thank you special ladies enough.
and Jennifer Buckler. A special shout out to my daughter Sarah Powell who helped design the website.
In early 2011, my husband and I initiated divorce proceedings after a 26 year marriage. While the divorce was the right thing to do, it was still one of the most difficult things I had to go through.
I was feeling especially sorry for myself and felt like I was going to die if I didn't get up, move, and do some things I’ve always been too afraid to do. So, I began thinking about what I wanted to do and one night, when out with friends, I asked if anyone would be interested in walking a half marathon on beautiful Mackinac Island. I was amazed at the number of women who took me up on it. We are just normal women - not high performing athletes. So, we decided we would train for it and would meet a few times a week to walk. We started out walking three miles and it took us more than an hour. Some of us were huffing and puffing at the end of the walk, but we were so proud of ourselves for finishing.
As the summer went on another friend joined us, and one of their friends, then another, and quickly our group grew. I laughingly said one time “look at us – we are a chick chain”. The name stuck, a formal schedule was created and suddenly we were walking warriors. As the hot days and nights went by our bodies became faster and stronger. We walked longer distances, poured sweat, and signed up for 5k’s, 8k’s and finally the 5.7 mile Great Turtle Marathon race on Mackinac Island.
Throughout the summer, this incredible group of women of all shapes, sizes, and colors, listened to me tell my story over and over again. They lovingly let me cry, cried with me, laughed with me, encouraged me and supported me four days a week. The group not only helped me but also supported each other through their own difficult and joyful times.
Getting healthier and more fit every day, we found the real benefit of the Chick Chain Walking Club was not just the exercise, but the growing self confidence each of us felt doing something outside of our comfort zone and supporting each other every step of the way.
It is our hope and wish you will be motivated to start a sister walking club, join ours, share your stories, learn to love being outdoors and most importantly find your own chick chain of support.
Please use the Contact Us page for information on starting or joining a Chick Chain Walking Club.
A huge thank you goes to my sisters, Darlene Graham and Kristie Fleckenstein and to my friends Tamara Antekeier and Pam Murray. Much appreciation goes to my awesome supporter, Leslie Auld, who cheered me on from the sidelines once a week! Special gratitude goes to Judy Russ for her Wednesday Support Dinners. I can’t thank you special ladies enough.
~ Teri Sime McCowan ~