Active Southern West Virginia takes great pride in its Community Captains. We strongly believe that without them our mission would be impossible. They are dedicated to making their communities a happier, healthier, and an altogether brighter place to live. We are forever grateful for their service and passion for creating free opportunities for their community members to participate in. This month we are highlighting our newest Community Captain, Amy Webb, to both show appreciation for her service and to showcase a little bit of her story. We hope it will resonate with some of our readers and motivate them to start their journey toward a healthy and active lifestyle change.
Amy first adopted a physically active lifestyle in middle school when she began running with her dad in Babcock State Park; from there she started running track for Nuttall Middle School. She continued with the sport through high school and college running track and cross country for Midland Trail High School and then received a scholarship with Concord University to run distance and steeplechase.
Amy also has a background in mountain and road biking which turned into competing in triathlons with her husband.
“I have completed Xterra off-road tri’s and several Olympic, Sprint, and 70.3 distance road triathlons. My biggest accomplishment so far is completing an Ironman 140.6.”
Amy is excited to lead the way for her community to develop a physically active lifestyle and is motivated by the things she sees happening in other communities when she travels with her husband for races.
“We also have noticed these communities involve all ages to become active. I believe that becoming a leader in my community will show others that they can be active no matter their age and or skill level, or if they are older and want to start running or walking.”
Amy is excited to lead the way for her community to develop a physically active lifestyle and is motivated by the things she sees happening in other communities when she travels with her husband for races.
“We also have noticed these communities involve all ages to become active. I believe that becoming a leader in my community will show others that they can be active no matter their age and or skill level, or if they are older and want to start running or walking.”
Amy says that her biggest obstacle when it comes to maintaining a physically active lifestyle is time management because she has three kids and the oldest is five years old. She overcomes this challenge by taking her kids with her when she and her husband go for a run or bike, they choose locations where there is a playground the kids can play on while they take turns running and watching the kids.
When asked, “Do you have any words of encouragement for people thinking of becoming a Community Captain or interested in committing to becoming more physically active?” She responded, “You never know unless you try. Taking the first step is the biggest obstacle, after that everything falls into place.”
Amy will be joining Kendall Messer in leading the Little Beaver State Park Running Group. Kendall leads the group on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 7:30am and Amy will lead the group Saturdays at 8am. Anyone is welcome (especially beginners) to join the group at any time and encouraged to bring a friend! The group will be utilizing trails around Little Beaver State Park and specifically the one mile loop around the lake so you have the versatility to run as many or as few miles as you want. Keep up with Active Southern West Virginia’s Facebook page for updates on possible time changes and cancellations. We will be following the school cancellation schedule, so if school is cancelled the running groups are also.
Join the Little Beaver State Park Running Group Tuesdays & Thursdays at 7:30am and Saturdays at 8am.
We are so excited to have Amy and Kendall on our team and are still recruiting Community Captains in the communities of Shady Spring, Stanaford, Mabscott, Rhodell, Daniels, Lester, and all points in between! As winter approaches we are specifically looking for indoor programming opportunities and are willing to help get that programming started whether it be Zumba, Yoga, seated exercise, aerobics, hoop dancing, you name it and we’ll help you get it started. Contact Program Assistant Courtney Roark at [email protected] or 304-254-8488.
