Hello everyone! Below is more of the professional viewpoint of my practice and why I LOVE teaching for FHSU in the RN to BSN program.
Now for a couple fun facts about me….
I love running! Running is my favorite. I’m currently attempting to run a half marathon in all 50 states! So far I have Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico, Washington, Wisconsin, Florida, South Carolina, Missouri, Utah, California, Wyoming, Ohio, Indiana, Oregon, Alabama, Tennessee, Iowa, Illinois, Colorado, Louisiana, and Massachusetts complete.
My husband (who is also a RN and FHSU graduate) and I have two girls who are full of awesome! We love traveling together and seeing this beautiful country!
This person is my greatest inspiration, my Dad. His entire job was research (chemical engineering)! From a very young age, he instilled his spirit of inquiry into our daily lives. His passion and support for education and in-depth knowledge of the research process is a major driving force behind who I am, and who I aspire to be.
Now, tell me about YOU!
It is so nice to meet you! I will be posting my introduction video later today or tomorrow. I think running is amazing. I have always wanted to run but never got into it. I wish you luck in your journey to run in every state. You will get there. Looking forward to getting to know you better!
Crystal Townsend, RN
Thanks, Crystal! I look forward to seeing your introduction. It looks like you are near-ish to Atlanta? It’s home to one of my favorite runners, Jeff Galloway! I got to meet him last summer and he is quite a person. If you have ever been interested in running, I recommend his run-walk method to get started. I wanted to be a runner for so long until I finally found a program that used his method and now I have been running consistently for 10 years! I love it. Running is for everyone!
This is my second class with you and I had NO idea you are an avid runner. So awesome. I love running, as well. I am more of a half marathon girl as I just had my 5th knee surgery on 5/20. As soon as my PT lets up on the reigns my feet are going to be back pounding the pavement.
I hope you have a good recovery! I definitely am not a fan of the full marathon, even though I somehow finished 2. I can still run a half and enjoy the rest of my day. I’m so glad to have you back in my class!
I wish I could run long distance, lol. (I was a sprinter in my younger years.) I had this dream of having one of those shelves with all the unique metals hanging down….ahhhh…how lovely!
I’m scared my right knee is against my plans. Any tips on keeping the knees safe/ strong/ decreasing pain?
I tried to start running for years but would always end up with knee pain. It was all about how I was building up rather than an actual injury. I always recommend walk-run programs like couch to 5k or the Galloway method, because it helps you build up gradually without developing an over use injury. Once I started running longer distances, I eventually had pain again but it was from tight muscles (IT band, quads). Using a foam roller is a huge help! Past that, it’s all about using the foam roller consistently, stretching, and just listening to my body. Now I’m at the point where I run about 20-30 miles a week as maintenance mileage, but when I started I could barely run to the end of my block. Running is for everyone!
Thanks for the advice! I do have several rollers, I’ll have to put them to use more often/ more strategically.
Katie,
Did you do any running at the collegiate level? My wife ran long distance track and cross country at FHSU and still runs 20+ miles a week, dwarfing my 7. Looking forward to learning all I can from you this summer.
I did not! I probably would have loved it, though. I actually did not start running consistently until I was 29. I do love running the back roads outside of Hays when I travel to campus, and often see the college team out there. One of my favorite runs was from Hays to Catherine and back (about 16 miles). I also have run to Victoria from Hays but I made my husband come pick me up. And 7 miles/week is awesome!
I wish I loved to run! I was a sprinter, 100-yard dash, 440 back in the day and I still love to run fast and short. I always admire the people that can run long distances consistently. I have tried several couch to 5k programs…one day one will stick!
It will! Just keep it up! I wish I was better at speed work.
Well Mrs. Gabel, It is nice to hear of your love of running. I also love the running community! Due to 8 knee surgeries, the last two total knee replacements, I am not permitted the high impact of running. I volunteer with a great running company near my home and often walk 1/2 marathons. Running people are awesome and they don’t seem to care that I am slow but still willing to put in the miles. My greatest fun with running people so far, occurred last summer when I walked pretty fast- my portion of a Ragnar trail race in Colorado.
That is awesome! Walkers are definitely included in the community; it’s just about being out there and having fun. I have always wanted to do Ragnar. Some day!
Ragnar is the best! It is such an amazing team event! I hope you do try a Ragnar race sometime!
Hi Mrs. Gabel. I love that you mentioned that your dad was a source of inspiration to you. I feel the same way about my mom. We’re lucky to have that! I look forward to learning more about issues and trends in nursing with you this semester!