One year ago tonight, my life changed radically. I shattered my ankle in several places, enough to require major surgery which left me with 2 large plates and 16 pins in my right leg. Many thing happened as a result:

My fitness routine ceased, I lost my much-loved regular position at the gym where I was employed, I lost a lot of balance and flexibility in my right ankle, I was told I may never properly run again, thus, my run times slowed dramatically, I didn't accomplish many short-term goals I had set for myself that winter and spring, I racked up several thousands of dollars in medical debt, I lost respect for myself, I gained weight from inactivity, and I gained what would be chronic pain for the rest of my life. My life changed in the blink of an eye for what I thought would be for the worst.

At the same time, I gained more balance and flexibility in the rest of my body from adapting, I can run further now than I ever have been able to as a result of sheer determination from hearing, "You may never run properly again", I ran my first half-marathon, and then another, all that running has helped me lose even more weight than I gained and get down to a size that I haven't been in 10 years, I met and made new friends, good friendships I had with some awesome people became GREAT friendships, I was only a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from my best friend, Roxanne , during my recovery and got to see her lovely face quite often, my long-term goals are closer than they've ever been, my relationship with God grew much closer, my self-respect has grown vastly, the pain only makes me stronger and appreciate my ability to be mobile even more, I've been able to use my struggle to reach out to and relate to others who are hurting and give them HOPE....

And oh yeah, I got a fiance out of the deal too! Jeremiah , my main care-giver during that whole ordeal apparently liked the role so much that he wanted it to be permanent I am more than willing to be his life time care-giver as well. (I kinda owe him

Everyone has mountains and storms in their life. What good does pouting and saying, "Oh, woes me!" do? NOTHING. Pick yourself up and keep on trucking knowing that there is sunshine behind those clouds. Be strong, be still and know there is a reason for this. God is good, God is GREAT, God is in control, and he really REALLY knows what he's doing.

I think the part most applicable to the daring to stunk was when I was so afraid to enter my first half marathon and do terrible in front of everyone because I was still recovering and so much slower. But, I had to prove myself I could do it so I entered anyway and was indeed terrified all the way up to when that starting gun fired. And ya know what? I did do terrible. Very. I came in last place as a matter of fact (it was a small town race with only about 20 seasoned runners running the half marathon, not a good idea for a first race.)

But as hard as it was to cross that finish line after they had started the awards ceremony and EVERYONE watching me interrupt the ceremony and come in long after they had, the fact still remained: I just ran 13.1 miles! AND I did it on an ankle I had shattered less than 8 months prior! I realized this and stopped caring about my time and just smiled. I felt great! I was and am in the best shape of my life and I kept training after this race.

Although I was clearly no longer built for a competitive speed, I raced again anyway in another half marathon only 1 month later and I shaved a whole 30 minutes off my time!

Blessings

      Dare to Stink is a philosophy that can lead you to success in almost anything.  This idea has been around for many years, starting with the door to door salesman of the early 1900's.  They would meet in great loud meetings, pumping each other up and convincing each other that they can sell the product if they would only try.  Still today, it is a known fact that if a Tupperware salesman makes 50 random phone calls straight out of the phone book, they WILL book at least one party (they average one in 20)
      In the 1950's a man named Earl Nightingale produced an album, which became the first gold record for a non-entertainment album in history.  He stated in his production "The Secret" that people tend to become what they think about.  What does that mean?  He put it this way,  if you want to be good at something, you have to do that very thing everyday, for a long time. People who play a game, tend to be better than those who do not! That shouldn't be a surprise
          The surprise is this, if you set out to to anything, for one hour per day for 5 years, you will become nationally recognized in that field.  I've seen it happen!  I've had it happen to me!  Did I get rich...no!  Did I win awards...Yes!  The real question before you begin an endeavor is this...Do you want to get a part, or only be a star?

The DTS logo is copy written, and will be available on any shirt you desire.  Simply provide the shirt, and we will add the logo.  Don't be afraid to be the person you think you should be.  At the end of your life, no one will remember your failures, they will only remember your successes.   Dare To Stink!!!