Holiday Haikus at Title Nine

holiday-haiku-bagSubmit your original Holiday Haiku for a chance to win a sweet Haiku Messenger Bag embroidered with your poem! Click here to refresh your memory on what a haiku is. We’ll pick our favorite 5 haikus and then the Timeout community will choose the grand prize winner. The fave 5 will all receive a 1 year Team T9 membership. The gift that keeps on giving.

Enter to win by 6PM PST December 16th, voting will begin December 18th. Winners will be announced on December 24th.

The submission period has ended. Thanks to everyone who participated. The finalists will be posted soon. Stay tuned!

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Turkey Trot Traditions

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Do you pound the pavement before you pack on the pie? How about waddle through a post-Thanksgiving trot? Outside of the big feast, do you have a Thanksgiving Day tradition you’d like to share?

Inspire or confess your traditions below.

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Thankful for the ones who came before…

thankful2THANKFUL for the ones who had to fight with brass knuckles while wearing power suits, panty hose and pumps. THANKFUL for the ones who never played on a field or a court but somehow knew that it was important nonetheless. THANKFUL for the ones who may now seem humorless, but only because their cause was so dead serious. THANKFUL for the ones who by guile and by aggression got a seat at the table. THANKFUL for the ones who could see the ceiling beyond the glass. THANKFUL for the opportunities built by the resolve of these women. THANKFUL to be an American woman in the 21st century-opportunity awaits. THANKFUL for a little girl and a little boy who do not know that it was every any other way.

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Missy Park, Founder

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Family Planning

When I interviewed her for this article, Melanie McLouth worried that her story sounded “boring compared to the ladies that run marathons and triathlons.” But the point of this column, and Title Nine itself, is that there is no such thing as “ordinary” when a woman take fitness seriously…and has fun doing it. Sometimes the quiet achievements are most impressive.

Melanie is a registered nurse in the labor and delivery department of a rural hospital in Michigan. “It’s the perfect job,” she says, “meeting new, young families who are having a baby.” Still, she works twelve-hour shifts and, by the time she gets home, she’s been on her feet for fifteen hours. On her days off, “I’m up at the crack of dawn to get Max off to school. Then my two year old is up and demanding—you name it. In between, my sweet Riley wakes up and he needs to get off to preschool by 11:45. Cleaning, laundry, yard work, cooking, and working out have to fit in somewhere.”

And they all do. Melanie squeezes in three workouts a week on her Total Gym and at least one power walk with her black lab Charley on her days off.

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Melanie and Guss

For most of us, “working in working out” can be a juggling act. For Melanie, it almost literally is. “Sometimes, Gus (my two year old) won’t let mommy work out and wants me to hold him. I say, ‘Come on up, Gus’ and the Gusser hops onto my Total Gym and away we go, giggling and smiling.” Her reaction to working out while carrying an extra thirty-two pounds? “I just think: Oh well, I’m getting stronger.”

Speaking to Melanie, it’s obvious that the effects of such strength are far reaching. Like most of us, she works out to “keep my strength up and keep my weight down…and fit my clothes!” But, more importantly, working in those workouts transforms other aspects of her life. As Melanie puts it: “When, I feel great about myself, I have more patience for my family and at work.”

You don’t have to be a triathlete to be a champion.

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Home: Three-bedroom house in the country. Five acres surrounded by farm fields.

Occupation: Registered Nurse: Labor and Delivery

Partner: Husband Thomas of 19 years

Children: Max (8), Riley (5), Gustav (2). All boys!

Age: 39

Height: 5’6”

Weight: 133 lbs

Sports, past and present: Softball, swimming, track, walking, strength training.

Athletic accomplishments: Just staying in shape as a busy mom and nurse.

Little known fact about you: I hate TV. I’m a reader.

Environmentally incorrect preference: I failed at cloth diapers and use disposable.

Guilty pleasure: I eat peanut butter out of the jar.

Most embarrassing moment: I’m too old…I can’t think of one!

Favorite thing to do when not working or working out: Gardening, reading, painting.

Moment of Inspiration: I’ll never forget when my son Riley was born. I had a tough pregnancy, which required a lot of meds to stop labor, etc. I was worried he would not be normal. When I saw his face and little body crying (and he was okay)…words cannot describe the inner calm and peace I had for him that very instant. I will never forget.

Favorite Quote: “I’ve got my big girl panties on,” which means I’m ready and can handle whatever comes my way.

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I work out any spare chance I can get.

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Emily and Alice’s Winter Picks

Our in-house style experts’ winter picks are here!

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Emily’s Picks

1) Trixie cap: You can stay warm, look super chic and cover up a bad hair day all in one cute hat!

2) Jolie Long-Sleeve: This is basic shirt with a twist: slub fabric is super soft, feminine styling keeps you styling.

3) Twirling Girl Skirt: Comfortable, flattering and classic. It’s a must have all year round!

4) Uptown down jacket: Who doesn’t want to snuggle up in this jacket?! My favorite part is the high collar that doesn’t let the chill in.

5) Must Have Boot: Comfortable, warm and the perfect in-between height so that you can wear with skirts and pants.

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Alice’s Picks

1) Reflective Run Cap: Keeps the sun/rain out of my eyes, my hair out of my face and is so light it doesn’t make me overheat.

2) Valkyrie Long-Sleeve: It’s really nice to have a cool looking top to run in that is also so functional. Wicking and just warm enough for cool morning runs.

3) XT Wings Runner: Rugged enough for the trail and cushion enough to keep my old knees from aching.

4) Reflective Power Capri: Because they’re just the right weight for most morning runs and not too hot to wear to the gym.

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