4 minute read
Walk The Talk
THE TALK
by Diane Ciarloni | photos courtesy of LC Run Walk Group
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Don’t worry if you happen to telephone Grace Ward in Corinth and think you latched onto a poor quality cell signal. You didn’t. What sounds like a case of static is simply the electrified excitement in Ward’s voice as she discusses her newly established Lake Cities Run Walk Group.
Ward is a long-time, dedicated runner who’s lived in Corinth for over 30 years. She was a fitness trainer years ago, but the income for that role tended to be more toward the lower side of the scale. The alternative was to search for a “real” job. She walked through the doors of Southwest Airlines and stayed for more than 20 years in Workforce Planning as a Senior Business Consultant. However, her passion and heart always remained in helping others find health and fitness.
Then came COVID-19.
“Southwest offered a Voluntary Separation Packages (VSP) to help the company avoid
photos to the left is Grace Ward and group members at various Meet-Ups
photos to the right are group members at various Meet-Ups
furloughs,” she explained. “I took it in support of my Southwest Family. What next?”
It didn’t take long for Ward to answer that question. Her brain had sheltered a dream for 30 years. Now, she decided, was the time to pull out the scattered fragments and put it together.
“I have a lot of energy, and I’m passionate about motivating people,” Ward said. “Seeing people connect with one another is exciting! So, in January, I started Lake Cities Run Walk Group. It’s free. No membership or fees. It’s 100-percent all-inclusive, with men and women from 18 to 65-plus. It has only been four months, and we already have almost 450 members. The entire concept was based on providing a platform that allows people to walk and/or run safely, to connect with each other and enjoy our Community. The Lake Cities area is known for being safe and fun, and this is just a way to enhance that element.”
This is strictly a free-style group. No pressure. It’s okay if you don’t want to walk with the entire group. It’s fine if you don’t want, or feel you can’t, walk the full route. You choose the pace, and there is absolutely no judgment — just praise and encouragement for what you did.
“There wasn’t much activity the first month,” Ward recalled. “I think people were just hanging back, waiting to see what would happen. And, it was pretty cold. Then we had snow in February and many lost electricity. I needed to come up with some motivators to get people out and moving around. I put together a distance and consistency challenge in February, and the members were out and posting pictures in the snow. It was great.”
She added, “Then, we did a spring scavenger hunt with four different routes — one for each city. We had so much fun, and it brought so many of us together. There will be many more contests and challenges to keep people motivated and having fun throughout the year.”
This is all well and good. But why does Ward do it? After all, she must invest a considerable chunk of her time with contests, challenges, and social media. Why?
“Why not?” she answered. “Why wouldn’t I want to give back to my community? While working as a trainer, people would share their struggles — many times appearing defeated. I could always see the Warrior in them. The Warrior they could be in just a few months. I knew they could do it. I just needed them to know they could — if they would just step out that door.”
Ward overflows with passion and enthusiasm for the project that draws together Lake Dallas, Hickory Creek, Corinth, and Shady Shores. “I don’t know how much it’ll grow or how far it’ll go, but the core will always be the four Lake Cities. It’s a whole new adventure for all of us, and you never know where an adventure will take you.”
Ward made a Facebook post on April 24, sharing the following quote:
“Work Your Hardest.
Dream Your Biggest.
Be Your Greatest.”
