Shelly Uner

Burying Hatchets

This past Sunday I had the opportunity to run at Apalachee Regional Park in Tallahassee, a.k.a. the state course for Florida high school cross country the last several years. The last time I was at this course was fall of 2020 when the high school girls’ team I was coaching made it to state. WeContinue reading “Burying Hatchets”

The Little Engine Who Could…Until She Couldn’t

The two images above have a couple things in common: one, they were both discovered while out exploring local trails; two, they are both train tracks. Yes, I know, one of them doesn’t really look like train tracks, but when we stumbled upon it after a very early, somewhat long jaunt through the forest, myContinue reading “The Little Engine Who Could…Until She Couldn’t”

The Value of Exploration

I was creating a route through a map program one day and noticed a location I had never seen before, Banana Lake Cemetery. Odd that I’ve lived and run in this area of Florida for years and years and never saw a cemetery on the corner of a regularly traveled intersection. As I was planningContinue reading “The Value of Exploration”

Digging Deep through Health Challenges

Responses to attack are thought to fall into three categories: fight, flight, or freeze. I think these can also apply to times we experience fear, and when we encounter worrying health issues. Some people receive unsettling or fearful medical news and choose to fight it head on; some may choose to ignore it and flee;Continue reading “Digging Deep through Health Challenges”

Mentorship & Teamwork: It’s Not All About the Running

I’ve been coaching a small school girls’ cross country team for going on eight seasons now. While we spend a bulk of our time running together, I have always seen the importance in building relationships through a variety of times spent together, not just at weekly practices or races. My biggest concern isn’t actually howContinue reading “Mentorship & Teamwork: It’s Not All About the Running”

Nature’s Nurture

I was listening to a podcast while running this morning that focused in part on the benefits of being in nature. As a society we have lost touch with our natural surroundings over time. We often crave what we perceive as comfort in having a solid roof over our heads, heated or air conditioned spaces,Continue reading “Nature’s Nurture”

Stop Killing the Dead White Guys

I was once criticized as a high school English teacher for teaching “too many dead white guys.” The critique was leveled at me by a fresh, young female college graduate who was to be taking over my classes as I moved into an administrative position. While I was leaving the classroom, because I had aContinue reading “Stop Killing the Dead White Guys”

Adventures in Running Camp

Last week I had the opportunity to attend a running camp in Brevard, NC with two of my cross country girls. It was a new experience for all three of us and not without its ups and downs, quite literally. As both a runner and a coach, I have some takeaways… Runner Shelly Welcome toContinue reading “Adventures in Running Camp”

Smarter Not Harder

A friend and I have been on a mission this summer to thoroughly explore as much as possible of our local preserves and forests and their hiking trails. Some locations are fairly easily accessed, some require longer hikes than would be appropriate with the heat and four dogs in tow. Recently we discovered an effectiveContinue reading “Smarter Not Harder”

Digging Roots: Value of Hometown

Some thoughts from inside my head this week… I listen to a lot of contemporary country music and a song that’s been running through my head due to daily radio play is “My Hometown” sung by Kelsea Ballerini & Kenny Chesney. While it’s definitely catchy and I frequently find myself singing it in my head,Continue reading “Digging Roots: Value of Hometown”