06:
Last Saturday, April 4, I discovered what I love most about being a runner. The enjoyment of exercise isn’t in logging hours on the track, treadmill or your neighborhood’s sidewalk (duh!). The joy is sharing an experience with others who also dedicated months and months of their time to achieving a fitness goal.
On Saturday, I observed a new view of the finish line from the eyes of thousands of children enrolled in Marathon Kids, a free fitness program that teaches kids (in kindergarten through fifth grade) about the value of exercise and healthy eating. Sponsored by Whole Foods Market, the program requires participants to log 26.2 miles during a six-month course. Saturday’s final mile celebration marked the completion of this journey. 
My co-worker Kendall and I braved the windy and cold weather (alongside hundreds of volunteers and supporters) to help serve this great organization and the kids who committed themselves to healthy living.
The experience was one to remember. Our volunteer duty was to help the runners get pumped up before hitting the track to run their final lap — a task that involved lots of cheering and occasional goofiness (our specialty). 
It was truly special to see how exciting this moment was to so many kids. They spent six months dedicating themselves to exercise and learning about healthy nutrition. From the looks of it, they loved every minute! How many kids share those feelings when it comes to exercise?
As a reward, each finisher received a medal. One young boy showed his medal off with tremendous pride, saying, “Isn’t this the coolest this you’ve ever seen?!” I agreed. It was surprisingly cool to spend my morning with little runners who will surely treasure their Marathon Kids experience for the rest of their lives.
—Gretchen
18:
Dallas’ newest shopping mecca is getting ready to welcome its first customers. Nordstrom Rack will be the first retailer to open its doors at Park Lane, a 33.5-acre development across from NorthPark Center, Thursday, March 19. The store will host Race Through the Rack starting at 8am that day, during which one lucky fashionista will win a $1,000 shopping spree. Dick’s Sporting Goods will also be open this weekend, starting March 21, at Park Lane. Stores slated for April openings include Lane Bryant and The Children’s Place. 214/369-0860; www.parklanedallas.com.
11:
Get ready to be blown away. The students of Dallas’ Booker T. Washington School for the Performing and Visual Arts will wow the crowd at Taste of the Arts from 6-10pm Feb 28. The fun evening will include student performances, food, auctions and tours of the renovated school campus. WFAA-TV Channel 8 anchor Gloria Campos is honorary chairwoman of the event. Tickets start at $25. Visit www.btwhsptsa.org/announce/html for more information.
21:
See spring fashions, enjoy a catered lunch and raise money for a good cause at the “Hope for a Better Tomorrow” Luncheon and Spring Fashion Show at 11:30am Feb 24 at Dallas’ Brook Hollow Golf Club. The event will benefit A Child Can Do All Things, a nonprofit Dallas school for children with motor disabilities. The luncheon will feature special guest Abbey Curran, a Miss USA contestant who has cerebral palsy. Tickets start at $150. For more information, call 972/788-2856.
21:
The new V Spa at Dallas’ Hilton Anatole Hotel Has the perfect way to help a local charity while winding down from your Thanksgiving stress. Through Nov 30, the spa will donate a portion of sales from its treatments to Genesis Women’s Shelter, which provides safety and shelter to local battered women and their children. The spa offers manicures, pedicures, massage, facials, men’s treatments and more. Services are available from 9am-8pm daily. Call 214/761-7800 to make an appointment.
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Last Saturday, April 4, I discovered what I love most about being a runner. The enjoyment of exercise isn’t in logging hours on the track, treadmill or your neighborhood’s sidewalk (duh!). The joy is sharing an experience with others who also dedicated months and months of their time to achieving a fitness goal. 
It was truly special to see how exciting this moment was to so many kids. They spent six months dedicating themselves to exercise and learning about healthy nutrition. From the looks of it, they loved every minute! How many kids share those feelings when it comes to exercise?
