Nebo Teacher Instills a Love of Health and Goal Setting - Answer to Wednesday Challenge

Submitted by lana.hiskey on

Bethany Brown, second-grade teacher at Maple Ridge Elementary school in Nebo School District, was chosen to participate in the 2018 Boston Marathon.  “Hyland’s”, a California-based homeopathic company, sponsored a team of educator-athletes from across the country to participate in the historic race. The marathon took place on April 17, 2018.

A wife, mother of five children, and an elite runner, Bethany has run nearly 40 marathons and between 65 and 70 half-marathons. BethanyBrown said, “April 2018 was my 5th time running the Boston Marathon.  This time was special because I was chosen to be on a team of educators from around the country.  I was chosen as 1 of 17 out of nearly 3,000 applicants to represent Hyland's at the Boston Marathon.”

The weather during the marathon was less than ideal. Temperatures were in the low 40’s, winds were gusting up to 60 mph, and rain was pouring down. Upon arriving at the race, Bethany recounts, “Within a minute or two of getting off the bus my shoes and gloves were soaked. My goal quickly went from a sub 3:00 finish to just making it to the finish line. This was the first race I ever started worrying about not making it before the gun even went off.  I held back tears as my team cheered for me, hugged me and wished me luck.”

What kept Bethany going were these inspiring thoughts: “My mantra for the race became a simple, ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’ I would say it at every kilometer and mile I passed and at the top of every hill.” Bethany was also running this race not only for herself, but for two other people she loved. “I was running this race for Amber who is currently going through round 30-something of chemo and my teammate Lisa who was unable to race due to a stress fracture.”

Upon approaching the last 600 meters of the race, Bethany remembers, “The emotions hit me hard and I was fighting back tears and so grateful for the die-hard crowd standing in the nasty rain to support us. I finished in 3:14:55. I got to the finish and walked a block- my Hyland’s Crew hugged me, congratulated me and swept me off to the U-Club.”

Bethany has kindled a love for running and fitness in her students. Ten years ago, Bethany started a program called “Kids Marathon”. From January to May, Bethany invites her students to run a quarter ‘mile every day. After reaching a distance of 25 miles, students are invited to a special 1.2 mile race to reach the marathon distance of 26.2 miles. The students earn a medal for completing the mileage. “Kids Marathon” has grown to six schools in Nebo School District, with the need to create a final event specific for Nebo School District students and their families.

Bethany Brown said, “I do a kick off assembly for each school in January and focus on things such as the importance and benefit of a healthy and active lifestyle, goal setting and never giving up.  I share my successes and failures as a competitive runner and how those experiences have helped me in other areas of my life.”

Congratulations to Kelsey Glenn for answering this week's "Where are we Wednesday?" challenge sponsored by Wiggy Wash.

#nebohero #NeboSchoolDistrict #studentsuccess #empowerstudents #engagestudents #focusonstudents #loveUTpublicschools #utpol #uted 

#nebohero #NeboSchoolDistrict #studentsuccess #empowerstudents #engagestudents #focusonstudents #loveUTpublicschools #utpol #uted 

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