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2009 Texas Independence Relay - March 7 and 8
Team Members' Bios and Pictures Paula Robertson - Team Co-Captain
I decided in December '08 to reconnect with old friends and train for Heels and Hills as the half has always been a really great, enjoyable distance to run. I am back to running and am THRILLED to be apart of the Texas Independence Relay team! What a BLAST~ reminds me of a Cowtown 5 person we did years ago in the rain. I have never had such a great time. Now, I am not fast, and for me, the run is a social event. This is the year of my 50th, birthday and doing the Texas Independence Relay is the first of some wonderful - yet crazy! - events for this year. When you pass me on the trail, tell this Aggie "howdy". And if your pace and PR allow it, let's run together and chat, shall we? See you on the trail - mel
I got into running because of my mother. She was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in her early 40's, she was overweight and never exercised. She was a very traditional Hispanic woman, she didn't believe in exercising, she thought it was un-lady like to sweat. The first time she saw me in a jogging bra she started yelling "oh my God you are running around naked, go put on a shirt." For years she suffered from diabetes and eventually died due to complications. When she was diagnosed I saw how she suffered, to control her insulin and her diet, it was then that I decided that I would do everything to prevent from getting diabetes. I started running and watching what I ate. I have been a runner for 22 years and have no regrets. I got involved in H&H because I am a strong supporter of women, and the importance of women exercising. I am the daughter of immigrants, from Mexico. Became a US citizen 30 years ago, one of my proudest moments. Married to a wonderful man that supports my running. No children, two wiener dogs that I exercise every day by taking them for walks. I am only the third in our family of eight siblings to receive my bachelors and masters. I am retired and have my own business.
Angie McDonald - Team Volunteer/Van Driver
Last updated March 3, 2009 |
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Paula Robertson was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, April 1999, and doctors suggested that she begin a regular exercise program that would hopefully delay the progress of her disease. Paula immediately made a commitment to begin a healthier life style, including exercise, diet modification, and stress management. Having never run nor jogged a mile in her life before this life changing series of events, Paula proved to her friends and family that ANYTHING is possible. Paula has completed 17 marathons, 25+ half marathons, a duathalon and many other events. Although Paula considers herself a "non-athlete," she has proven 
that setting and achieving goals, even big goals, IS possible and more rewarding than anyone could imagine. Along this journey, Paula quickly realized the importance of "people helping people" in conquering great challenges. In 2004, she founded the Love The Half Challenge to promote distance running at a level where individuals can be rewarded for maintaining a year round healthy and competitive lifestyle. In 2006, Paula founded the Heels and Hills, Inc., a 501C3 non-profit organization.
I started out much more as a long distance walker. I had done a couple 5Ks in 2004, but in 2005, became involved with the Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk. As a training walk leader and mentor, I raised thousands of dollars for the cause and completed the 60-miles-over-3-days event in June 2005. That year, I became interested in doing more running and joined the Dallas Running Club and the Dallas Galloway training program. Through an injury in late 2005, I suddenly found myself volunteering more and more and joined the board of the Dallas Running Club at the start of 2006. In June 2006, I became President-Elect of the Dallas Running Club, and 
then served a two-year term as President in 2007 and 2008. During this time, the club grew from 1,000 members to over 3,300 members, earning me the national 2008 Scott Hamilton Outstanding Club President of the Year award by the Road Runners Club of America, out of all the club leaders in the 700 clubs represented by this organization! I've been involved with Heels and Hills since its inception as a member of the Race Committee and am the Co-Race Director for 2009. Through my time in the Dallas running community, my goal is extreme outreach to get and keep people of all shapes and sizes active in a fun, non-intimidating environment. I am a stay-at-home mom to my 16 month old daughter, Marissa. 
I've always enjoyed sports - I play tennis primarily now. I started running because a crazy friend of mine thought it would be fun to do the San Diego marathon. Haven't quite made it and have not actually run in a long while. Started again recently - my goal is to run a half properly this year (my previous runs have been with somewhat haphazard training) and I'm training with the DRC to do so. Once I've run my first 'proper' half marathon I'll start to work on speed and hope by the end of the year to be running 91/2 to 10 minute miles with relative ease! Next year I will attempt my one and only full marathon - running that is - after which I will probably focus on continuing to run 10 to 15k on a regular basis. I work in IT - I like to sing and am in the choir at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship where I go to church.
My love for running began in the fall of 1992 when I took my first jogging class in college. I was hooked. Since 2000, I have completed 3 full marathons (one on my 50th birthday in San Francisco) and 10+ half marathons – one of those being the Heels and Hills inaugural half in May 2007. I have a Master’s Degree in Fitness and Human Performance from the University of Houston Clear Lake and am currently an instructor in 
the Department of Kinesiology at San Jacinto College. I am also co-founder of 
I am a 30 year old attorney living in Houston, Texas. After flirting with running for some time, I started to get more serious in the last year. I'm not a natural born runner, but I love the sense of accomplishment and confidence that comes from doing something that I wasn't completely sure my body could do. Some days are faster than others, and some "runs" quickly turn into "walks", but I take comfort that every day offers me the opportunity to start again and run a little bit further or a little bit faster, or just to run at all. This will be my first year participating in a Heels and Hills event, and I'm excited to do more with this organization that provides so much encouragement for all runners.
I have been running in some fashion ever since I can remember. I started training for my first race in 2001 (Frankfurt Marathon) with a fellow military wife. Our goal was to stay in shape while our husbands were deployed. I had a great time and really enjoyed myself. Over the next four years, I ran races with my friends and husband all over Germany. When I returned to Texas, I continued running and participated in the 'Love the Half' Texas & 
National challenges. I am a H&H veteran and was fortunate enough to be able to continue running throughout most of my pregancy. I am now a mother to one year old Madison, who enjoyed her first race last year in the Richardson Family Gobble Hobble 1K!
Life really DOES begin at 40!! Running life, that is. As a 40th birthday present to myself, I trained for my first marathon with Galloway.... and met the funnest, craziest people I have ever known in my LIFE! Several marathons, wonderful people, events and years later, I sidelined my running and let corporate america get in the way, resulting in no running and a much more stressful lifestyle over the last 3 years.
Right now I'm a Graduate student at UNT getting my MBA. Running really helps with the stress of that task! I've been running for about 2 and a half years now and coming from five years ago or so being the, "I HATE running, I CAN'T do it," sort of person before then, it never amazes me that sometimes the prosepects of a nice run is what gets me through the day! I've run 16 marathons since January 2007 and through running, have found an activity that gives me zeal and calmness all in one. I moved up to Dallas a little over a year ago and have run alone for much of that time; not a bad thing at all but sometimes a nice chat when running can be cathartic, 
right?! I finally joined the Dallas Running Club in December of last year and since then have enjoyed the camraderie and friendships that are formed so quickly when people have the same passion. Although this will be my first year participating in the Heels and Hills half in May, based on what I've seen so far of the distance challenge participants and online community - this event and distance challenge takes that passion to a whole new, fun, exciting, and pink level! The race vibe of any race is always a thrill, but the vibe of the Heels and Hills events is not only thrilling- but also friendly, fun, and completely welcoming to runners and walkers of all levels. I love the thought of a bunch of ladies (and men!) getting together to do something good for themselves, meeting new people, and definitely getting some girl talk in with both friends and strangers! I'm looking forward to May 3 to take on the half marathon and for the following years to participate in the entire Heels and Hills distance challenge!
When winter break rolled around in 2007, I decided I needed to make some changes. I NEVER exercised and had put on 35 pounds over the last year. I was 25 and out of shape. My friend suggested I start running, to which I replied, "I'm just not a runner." She told me the only reason I wasn't a runner was because I refused to work at it, that running was challenging for everyone. That night, I bought my first pair of running shoes. When I started, I couldn't run one mile without stopping; I thought running was impossible, but then another friend told me about a half 
marathon in Dallas that was first-timer and women friendly. I signed up and followed Hal Higdon's half marathon training schedule. I even lost 45 pounds in the process! I finished my first big race, the 2008 Heels and Hills Half Marathon, finally feeling like a runner. Since then, I have run several more half marathons and two full marathons. Thank you Heels and Hills!
Started sprint triathlons in 2001 after having a baby because I could run maybe do 5K. started training for half because I thought I could push myself a little bit further. trained with Galloway and Paula for about 3 years and worked up to a full marathon as a life dream. something I never thought I'd be able to do. did WR and thought I was done. then signed up for NYC marathon and did WR the same fall. then got talked into going to Chicago by Paula (again) then did WR again. had somehow ended up signing up for the half at Grasslands (trail) in 2007. loved trails and did Tyler, Cross Timbers, and Rockledge that year and a few others. increased distance to a full marathon. 
figured I'd try the 50K at Sunmart 2008 and haven't looked back. have done 5 road marathons then 3 50K trail runs and loved the trail runs more. did my first 50mile race at Rocky Raccoon in February 2009 and had a great time. already planning to do it again next year. trail running is my passion and I hope to keep going for many years.
Bio coming soon... 
I am a 48 year old mother of 3. My children are 22, 19 and 14 years old. I am married to a wonderful man from England named Owen.
I have been running seriously for approx 3 years, initially to lose weight. Before that I was a casual runner. I got hooked on running 5K/10K races and then found the half marathon. I ran the Heels and Hills half marathon in May of 2007. It was only my 3rd half marathon and it looked like it would be a fun race. It was such a great time. I loved it from beginning to end. I have decided after my next marathon that I will go back to the half marathon distance. It is such a fun distance. I have made numerous friends running and to this day we travel together to run races. Running to me is great therapy.
I’m a 29 year old female who has been running for 7 years. Running has been a struggle to conquer, yet through all the rough spots an addiction has been formed. I came into running through a friend of mine; Dave, and hated every minute of it! Some say they ran their first 5k race and were hooked from that moment on; well that couldn’t be further from the truth for me. When I first began Dave would have to hold my hand and make me run because I disliked it that much. My first several years were not pretty but were definitely a true accomplishment for me. Since then I have done 2 marathons, half a dozen half marathons, countless 15K, 10K, and 5K, 
and a 1mile race. Soon to add a crazy 203 mile relay—CRAZY! This year I partnered up with Heels and Hills for couple of reasons: 1) the races are in Irving and wanted a change in scenery from running White Rock Lake, 2) a great way to meet some amazing women with the same passion, and 3) I love to talk so being with a 100+ women is a prefect match for me. After running only two races so far with them (1 mile and 5K) I already I feel like one of their team. Thank you! I still would not say that I love to run, but I do think it’s become a bit of an addiction and a positive change in lifestyle. The drive is to see exactly how far I can push myself and what my body is capable of. The human body is truly an amazing thing; all in conjunction with the power of the mind to push it further. Running has been and continues to be a relationship of joy and pain, all brought about to see where one can take themselves.All Rights Reserved.