The year after I graduated college, I moved back to my hometown of Corvallis, Oregon and was convinced to sign up for the local McDonald Forest 50k. By then, I loved trails, and the idea of running over 30 miles on them had a certain intrigue. The whole “innocence is bliss” thing is completely fitting to running one’s first ultra. My most vivid memory from that 50k was my dad (who was also running) passing me on the final climb, attempting to chat with me while I was practically on my hands and knees trying to breathe. He outkicked me at the end and beat me by over a minute. Despite how torturous I thought the race was, I was hooked.

Just over a year later, I found myself on the starting line of the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run. I was undertrained due to a lingering injury, and completely underprepared for such a huge endeavor. However, I was determined to start and see how far I could go. At mile 62, runners are allowed a pacer to accompany them the final 38 miles for safety reasons, and my pacer happened to be Sean Meissner, of Sisters, Oregon. Sean had been the one to convince me to put my name in the lottery for the race, so when I got in, I told him he better come along and get me to the finish.  He got me there, though it took him duct taping sandwich baggies of ice to my knees the final 30 miles, which we would rip off and re-apply at every aid station, and an IV at the finish line.

It’s been over seven years since I ran my first ultra marathon, and I am still hooked. I now run with Team Pearl Izumi-Smith and compete in about half dozen or so ultras a year, with usually one or two being hundred milers. I’m currently gearing up for the Bighorn 100 in Wyoming this upcoming June.  I actually prefer the longer distances, and despite my declaration to my college coach, I now feel 50ks are too short and fast, I’d rather go longer and slower. More than anything, I love being on the trails and meeting some of the most amazing people.

My husband Josh and I just recently moved to Sisters, Oregon from Mount Baldy, California because he accepted a teaching position at the Sister’s Middle School. We have both been so happy with our new community. We love the small town feel, the wonderful people we have met, and of course, the trails. One of the first things we did upon moving here was to join the Sisters Athletic Club. Josh wanted to be able to swim, and every year one of my new year’s resolutions is to start lifting weights to get stronger- it’s amazing how heavy a water bottle can feel in your hand after 20+ hours of running. Maybe this year I can keep that resolution.  I had tried spin classes in past gyms, but would find myself counting down the minutes. Not here! I have loved the classes at SAC, and try to make Tate’s Monday morning class and Rich’s Tuesday noon class as often as I can. We look forward to meeting more Sisters’ residents, and hopefully finding some people to run with on the trails.

January 2010 ~ Russ & Sharyn Fetrow

Russ and Sharyn have been members of Sisters Athletic Club since February 2004.  They are both very active members and are an inspiration to many.  Part of their write-up comes from their family Holiday Newsletter that they sent out to family and friends in December.  Please enjoy reading:

Russ from York, Pennsylvania, was a high school football player and later played rugby at Oregon State University.  Sharyn, from Rainer, OR, had never learned any sports and had been overweight and inactive during her school years.  They met at OSU where Russ studied Engineering and Sharyn Pharmacy.  In 1991 after finishing careers in their fields they were able to quit working and begin a “new” life of world-wide adventure travel.  Russ was quite overweight at that time and Sharyn was very out of shape.  By 2000 they had gained enough endurance to do their first Cycle Oregon.  2000 was also the year they moved to Central Oregon full time.

Joining SAC and getting a personal trainer was one of the best decisions they had every made.   By 2006 Russ had lost weight and gained enough strength to cycle over 3400 miles from LA to Boston in 42 days.

After Sharyn’s diagnosis of breast cancer, followed by treatment in 2008 they both took up running. While training for the Race for the Roses Half Marathon Russ tore the meniscus in his knee.  He had surgery in March and was back in training again for the Portland Marathon when he developed plantar fasciitis.  He is now back to running and both are training for the 2010 Portland Marathon.

Sharyn ran several short races in 2009 as well as the Race for the Roses Half Marathon (13.1 miles) in April, the Pacific Crest Half Marathon in June and the Portland Marathon (26.2 miles) in October.  She finished in the top 20% of her division. Their daughter Chris also ran the Portland Marathon with her and did very well!

They both did several bike rides this summer but skipped Cycle Oregon because Sharyn was training for the marathon.  They are looking forward to 2010 and the opportunities it will bring.  Some of the things they have planned this year are skiing Mt. Bachelor, training for several half marathon’s, traveling to Pennsylvania, Dalmatian Coast, Greece, the Greek Islands and Crete.

Sharyn’s favorite motto is “THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ADVENTURE AND AN ORDEAL IS ATTITUDE”.  It has served them both well when they sea kayaked off the coast of Belize, built Habitat for Humanity houses in Trinidad, hiked the Timberline Trail around Mt. Hood, paddled for 2 weeks down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon and traveled to numerous third world countries.

November 2009 ~ Dennis Kuhnle

Athletics has always been a very important part of my life.  I moved around a lot as a kid attending at least sixteen different schools by the time I graduated from high school. As an example I would start a year in San Francisco and then move across the country to a little town in the middle of Arkansas to finish the year.  Needless to say I was always the new kid in School and experienced a lot of cultural shock. The one thing I had going for me was I was pretty good at athletics. Playing sports allowed me to fit right in no matter what school or state I happened to be in.

While attending the University of Oregon I always took a PE course.  Staying in some form of physical condition helped deal with the stress of exams and burn off the beer. I was at Oregon after all.

After college I moved to Portland in1965.  I joined the Mazama Mountain climbing club at 26 and learned very quickly you had better be in shape to climb.  I joined an athletic club in Portland to get in shape and have been a member of an athletic club ever since. I climbed with the Mazamas until the mid 70s, until I was completely overcome with running.  Boy did I get the running bug.  Six days a week almost every week for several years until I finally burned out in 1991 with my last marathon. I still love to run but now at 67, five miles three times a week seems just right.

I am a strong believer in use it or loose it. To me the human body was designed to be used and used everyday. The better shape you are in the better you feel physically and the better your mind works.

I really enjoy being a member of this club. I am here five to six days a week doing a regimen of weight lifting and aerobics.  My workouts here are just part of my everyday life in order to maintain a healthy active life style as I move up in years. I encourage everyone to exercise everyday.  Remember no pain no gain.

Stay in love with life!

October 2009 ~ Dianne Trammel

Last October I was in the dressing room of Lane Bryant, trying on a pair of jeans the same size I have worn the last 5 years or so.  They were really tight.  I desperately needed a larger size but didn’t want to buy the next size up.

A little history: I have struggled with my weight my whole adult life.  I’ve tried every diet out there at least once.  I have lost weight but have never been able to keep it off.  I kept telling myself, “I’ll lose the weight ...I can do it… I just need to try harder...Next Monday I’ll start that new diet….,” etc.

In that dressing room (wearing those skin tight jeans, crying inside because I was miserable with myself) I decided then and there I needed to do something NOW!  I wasn't getting any younger, healthier, or happier.  I asked myself, “what are you waiting for?  Just do it!”  So I decided to try another diet, the diet of consistency.  Consistently eat healthy and consistently exercise.  No excuses!

Guess what?  It works!!!  I have been eating healthy and exercising 4-5 days a week for almost a year now.  89 pounds have come off my body.  Wow!!  With the help of a few friends, the encouragement and support of my family, and the use of SAC, I have been able to be successful with my weight-loss and health-improvement goals.

This September I partnered up with two friends and participated in a triathlon.  We were the “Mom’s in Motion.”  I did the swim portion of the race (which isn’t my strong suit).  It was so much fun!!  Watch out ‘cause next year I’m doing the whole thing and I aim to place.  Well, I might be getting a little carried away, but I aim to finish!  How’s that?  I think my competitive spirit has been born!

A little bit about me...I was born in Portland, OR but grew up on the Central Oregon coast, in Florence.  It is a beautiful, peaceful and very wet place!  That is one reason why my husband of 22 years (Rick), our daughters (Jessica and Mackenzie), and I decided to settle down in Sisters.  We LOVE the sunshine.  Even in the cold grip of winter, the sky is blue and the sun is smiling.  I just love that about Central Oregon.  We love it here!  There is so much to do and now I can do it all!

September 2009 ~ Keri Eady

As a child, I was never considered an athlete. That term was reserved for the Olympians and people on Wide World of Sports (remember the thrill of victory, agony of defeat and all of that?)  I couldn’t throw a ball very far, or run very fast, consequently I was chosen towards the last for the team sports by the more accomplished team captains.  I hated PE! I developed a lack of confidence that followed me until adulthood. I remember in high school, my girlfriend and I hiding behind the bleachers during PE class, so we wouldn’t have to run laps! I hated PE (did I say that already!)  My mom (bless her), made my sister and I take swimming lessons every summer.  Well, I was so afraid that I escaped to the locker room during the lesson. To this day, the smell of chlorine, ugh!

So the extent of my athletic progress consisted of baton lessons and bowling. My parents were league bowlers and they got me started pretty young, and let me tell you, back in those days we didn’t have the bumpers, so I learned the skill of bowling, an athlete in the making! 

So fast forward to the aerobics craze and Jane Fonda.  Now this was something I could wrap my hamstrings and biceps around!  I could actually do an aerobics dance class. This gave me the confidence to learn to play golf.  We moved to Central Oregon and I learned to ride horses (I prefer bicycles now).  I even earned a red belt in Tae Kwando.  So over the years I gained confidence to at least participate in some different sports.  I began to like PE! But an athlete?

It wasn’t until I had a bout with anxiety/depression that I really found out how valuable physical activity would become for me. I tried prescription drugs, but the only thing that helped was exercise. Add to that a genetic predisposition for extremely high cholesterol and I was totally hooked.  I needed/wanted exercise and activity for my mental and physical well being. Just workin’it out at SAC! I began to love PE! But was I an athlete?

I got to the point where I wanted to really challenge myself.  I started weight training with Jesse (PT extraordinaire) and getting more serious about cardio work-outs.  I bought a fancy bike and started riding.  Then, just this year, I began to train for the “Big Daddy”, a Triathlon! I know it’s just a sprint distance but it was huge for this little girl who was chosen last for the team and ran away from the swimming lessons!  Now I crave PE, but do I consider myself an athlete?  Maybe.

I have competed in 4tri’s, and I have one more to go for this season.  Although I can give myself credit for the work I’ve put into the training, I give a whole lotta credit to the SAC “family”.  There is so much positive energy and encouragement from the trainers and staff.  I have also met some wonderful club members here that have made this fitness journey a joy!  I especially want to thank Jesse for always telling me, “You can do it”.  That is what I would tell anyone who wants to achieve a fitness goal.  Just do it!  Now am I an athlete? I think it’s called a Triathlete! Did I mention that I love PE!!

I have been married 28 years to Ted. Although Ted is not a regular at SAC, he is very supportive and he has started cycling, accumulating 800+ miles for the month of August. We own a motel in Gold Beach, Oregon. Our families, including my parents, live on a 140 acre ranch east of Sisters where we raise horses and hay.  We have 2 kids, Rachel, 23 and Evan, 19. You may have seen Evan as a regular this summer working out with Jesse.  Evan is attending Willamette University this fall and is on the football team.  Go Bearcats!

August 2009 ~ Jan Hay 

When asked who our next “Member of the Month" should be, Jan Hay come to mind very quickly for Tate.  Please read her story below.  She is a very enthusiastic and inspiring person and we love having her and her husband as members at SAC.

“Make the world a better place”… our highest charge as humans on earth.  This just happened to be my theme each year when I taught kindergarten for eight years.  So, what does that have to do with SAC?  Actually, quite a lot.

Last February I hit quite a large round birthday, had a substantial amount of weight to lose and was intrigued by a fitness presentation at SAC by Dr. Julie Downing, Director of COCC’s Fitness Lab.  Much of what she said sailed over my head but, I knew I wanted three scoops of everything she had…bright, fit, healthy and fun!  Within a few days I heard about an upcoming SAC Sprint Triathlon on June 6th, a 425 yard swim, 12 mile bike, 5K run.  I could swim and bike, not well but could at least do it.  Run… that was something I did to rescue a child from the deep end … for emergencies only!

One day in March after participating in a semi-annual Spin Class, I took a leap and asked Rich Hummel, a SAC Personal Trainer, if he would consider training a “fat old lady for the triathlon".  I felt like I had placed 50 pounds of heavy baggage on the floor between us, wincing with doubt and humility.  I had never participated in any athletics, including high school… ever!  My goal was to finish the Triathlon before the Christmas lights were strung in downtown Sisters!  “Of course”, he answered smiling.  This was a life-changing moment.

For ten weeks, I did everything I was asked to do, including maintaining a food log with a generous 1800 calories and following a weekly workout plan.  I did Masters Swim twice a week with Trevor Williams… who immediately took apart the only segment of the triathlon I felt I could do… my preferred stroke, breathing, turns and stroke technique.  I had no cards to play, wondered what I was thinking when signed up for this thing!  He then proceeded to reassemble these new components.

So what kept me going?  I was having the time of my life!  I laughed through every ridiculous mistake, including swimming with my goggles on my forehead, learning how not to launch a “snot rocket” on Three Creeks, (on my sleeve), forgetting underwear after two workouts in one day… always something!

I had thought that training and having a personal trainer was exclusively for elite athletes or celebrities.  What I’ve learned is that whatever your skill level, whatever your goals… a caring qualified trainer will take you to the next level, efficiently and safely.

The best part of training continues… the tremendous support and fun in this journey toward fitness.  I thank Tate, Rich, Trevor, the entire SAC staff and community of members for the camaraderie, friendships, the sheer joy of training and for making the world a better place.   Oh, and yes, I finished before the Christmas lights are strung, have registered for a second triathlon this month.

Jan and Mac have been married twenty-nine years, have two married children, one engaged and a brand new granddaughter.  They moved to Central Oregon four years ago, after vacationing in the area since 1982. 

(The photo above is of Hayli, Jan's daughter-in-law, and Jan seconds before crossing the finish line. (Hayli started in the wave fifteen minutes after Jan.))

July 2009 ~ John DiChiara

John DiChiara has been picked as member of the month for many reasons.  Not only has he served his country in the Marine Corps, but he has traveled all over the world, created a wonderful family, and kept healthy living a priority.

He is originally from New Jersey and graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a BA in English.  After college, he joined the service and became a Captain in the USMC.  John is an honorable man, as he is a Viet Nam Veteran.  Throughout his career, he has worked for Mobil Oil, which allowed his family to live in London for 2 ½ years.  He then moved to Dallas, TX where he was the VP of Global Infrastructure for Pepsi Co.   

John has lived in 6 states, plus London, England, but feels like Sisters, Oregon is home.  He has enjoyed being retired and the opportunities it has presented.  A longtime volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, John serves on the Board as well as works 2-3 days a week with the construction crew.  He has continued to make exercise a major part of his life.  John ran in the NY Marathon five times, as well as the Marine Corps Marathon one time (running both of these in the same month).    In 2004,  he participated in Cycle Oregon which consisted of riding 500 miles.  Now that he is in Sisters, he focuses on working out 6 days a week.  Some of the activities he enjoys doing here at the club are Tate’s 8:30 spin class and swimming.  He also participated in the 2009 SAC Triathlon and performed very well.

Finally, John and Suzane have been married for 45 years and have raised 4 wonderful children.  They now have 3 grandsons and enjoy traveling to Virginia to see them.

May 2009 ~ Rob Corrigan & Merry Ann Moore

It is fitting that Rob and Merry Ann have been selected as Members of the Month for May, as they will be celebrating their 16th wedding anniversary May 1st.   

The two of them both grew up east of here, Rob in Winnetka, Illinois and Merry Ann in Ormond Beach, Florida.  They both attended Harvard University, and separately moved to San Francisco after graduation.  They were eventually married in 1993, and lived together in San Francisco for 18 years.  In an effort to get “back to basics”, they eventually moved to Sisters where they currently reside.  They have both accomplished many great things in life.  Merry Ann is a Free Lance Writer/PR Consultant and Rob is currently working as a Technology Consultant where he helps with venture capital funded technology start-ups.  

Rob and Merry Ann have enjoyed the many opportunities the club has given them and their family.  They have been members of the gym since the “old building,” shortly after the club was founded.  They are both very appreciative of the atmosphere SAC provides.  They like that they can walk into any class and see members of all ages, working out at all different levels.  Rob’s only wish is that was allowed to grunt more when he’s in lifting weights.  

Rob and Merry Ann provide a lot of adventure in their life.  Rob has made it to the summit of Aconcagua, which happens to be the tallest mountain outside the Himalayas.  Merry Ann has a dream to see the mountain gorillas in Rwanda.  She also has a lifelong passion for horses, and hopes someday to try endurance riding.   

Finally, Rob & Merry Ann have two wonderful children who are in the 7th and 8th grade.  This year, they are also hosting an exchange student from France.  Her name is Nathalie and she has been a wonderful addition to their family.   If you don’t see them here at the club, you may see them on the soccer field, as they are both coaches.   

April 2009 ~ Casey Gardner

Casey grew up in Portland, OR and attended LaSalle High School.  After high school she ventured down south to Southern Oregon College in Ashland where she got her B.S. in Communications.  She moved to Sisters in 2007, as her husband got a job offer to start up a horse ranch.

Christmas 2007 Casey received a gift for a Sisters Athletic Club gym membership.  With that she made it a personal goal to work out 4 days a week.  She has done a great job living up to that goal.  She feels that being a member here has helped her enjoy being a stay at home, especially living in a small town with no support.  You will often see Casey in the 9:30 am yoga class, as yoga has become a passion of hers.  If she’s not doing yoga, then she is running or lifting weights.  Casey feels SAC has been a great resource, not only for her, but for her family too.  After working out, she often takes her boys (Griffin 5 and Kale 2) swimming, which they all really enjoy doing. 

Casey is a wonderful inspiration to us all.  Some of her hobbies include painting, gardening (she just bought her first green house), yoga, being a mommy, helping at the preschool and most importantly date nights with her hubby.  A major accomplishment that Casey has done is ran two marathons…good job Casey.  Lastly, a fun fact about Casey is that her favorite color is pink!  

Thank you Casey for being who you are, you are a great person with great spirit and energy!    

March 2009 ~ Pat Smith & Lesley Allison

Something fun McKibben does in his spin class is “this day in history”.  Last week was Pat Smith’s big day in history as he celebrated his 70th birthday.  We thought this would be a great way to introduce both Pat Smith and Lesley Allison as March’s Members of the Month.   During that class, Lesley wrote up a small, but meaningful excerpt about her husband’s journeys, and it went as follows:

”This day in history 1939, Pat Smith was born.  He is a graduate of Whitman College and Boalt Hall School of Law, UC Berkeley.  He is the father of two and grandfather of seven.  As counsel to the High Chief Ibedul in the Pacific Island nation of Palau, Pat protected the world’s first nuclear free constitution, and was rewarded with an assassination attempt.  His narrow escape from a fire bomb left him with a great love of life.  He has traveled to all seven continents.  He has hiked the glaciers of Patagonia, the peaks of the Dolomites and the hills of the Millford Sound.  He has rafted the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe and dived with sharks, sea snakes and millions of jelly fish.  He has walked with penguins in Antarctica and lions in Zimbabwe.  He has stood on the Great Wall of China, walked in the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, and crawled through the Cu Chi tunnels of Viet Nam.  He retired to Sisters in 2004 and loves to spin, ski, travel and spend time with friends and family.” 

Lesley too has been an extremely successful person. She graduated from San Diego State University and the University of San Diego School of Law.  After college she practiced law for about 7 years and then moved on to be the CEO of a medical management group.  As the CEO, she managed the practices of over 650 anesthesiologists.  She stayed with this company for 14 years.  One of Lesley’s passions is traveling.  In 2007, she traveled to 6 continents with Pat by her side.  Their decision to make traveling a way of life was due, in part, to Lesley’s father passing away.  They saw it as a reminder that “life really is too short” and to “make the best of every moment”. 

This September, this powerful couple will celebrate 10 years of being married.  Thanks for your dedication to life and the SAC family.