Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

Friday marked the last day of classes! I cannot believe that this year is almost over. My dad flew into town Friday afternoon to help me get a head start on packing and to run in the OKC Memorial Marathon!

 Yesterday we volunteered at the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon Expo held at the Cox Convention Center. Kids were already running around the arena excited for the race!

After helping at registration we went to the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. What an incredible place full of western history. I absolutely loved the historical paintings, saddles, boots and artifacts. My favorite artifact was a feather Native American Headdress that was a good foot taller than me! I can't imagine how heavy it would have been while wearing it!

It was so exciting to see so many people at the Memorial Run this morning. Thousands of people of all ages came out to participate. As a safety net runner I ran alongside the kids and encouraged them to keep going. Its amazing how much a simple, "Look at you go! You are so fast!" will cheer a child up and make them want to accomplish even more. One little girl I saw was struggling to keep the motivation to finish even though she was only a block away from the finish. I came up beside her and told her how well she was doing. She looked up, smiled and began to run even faster and finished the race with a huge smile on her face! 

As the summer months approach and the weather becomes nicer I encourage you to find an exercising buddy. Find someone that you want to encourage, or be encouraged by to get 60 minutes of physical activity a day. Having someone to be active with is much more fun and also keeps you accountable! 

Love,

Victoria

Wellness Now Coalition Meeting

This afternoon Lorri Essary invited me to attend the Oklahoma City-County Wellness Now Coalition Meeting. Chaired by Mayor Mick Cornett and County Commission Chairman Ray Vaughn. Committee workgroups are focused on improving the health of Oklahomans through school health, obesity, tobacco use prevention, senior health, mental health and chronic disease. They have many wonderful projects that are helping improve the health of Oklahomans.

Their newest campaign "Are You Pouring on the Pounds?" raising awareness of the harmful effects of consuming sugar-sweetend beverages.

Some interesting facts can be found on their website Pouring on the Pounds. Here are a few reasons to avoid sugary.

1. They add calories to your diet with out even making you full! 
2. In order to burn off the calories from a 20oz soda you would have to walk 3 miles from Bricktown to the Oklahoma State Capitol building!
3. Excess calories can lead to excess weight gain, diabetes and chronic diseases.
4. Youth who drink sugary beverages get an average of 360 calories from them each day. This adds up to 130,000 calories per child over a span of a year. 
5. Obesity-related illness costs Oklahomans $5 billion in medical costs each year and Oklahoma Tax payers pick up much of the expense. 

Water, low-fat milk, and unsweetened teas and coffees are the best alternatives.

Take a look at this short commercial Man Eating Sugar. It provides a great visual as to how much sugar actually is in these beverages!

Love,

Victoria

Remembering the Oklahoma City Bombing

17 years ago today at 9:02am the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed. 168 innocent people were killed. This morning Governor Mary Fallin and Oklahoma City Mayor Mitch Cornett joined in on the Remembrance Ceremony.
Now a beautiful outdoor memorial on the site of the building, and a Memorial Museum help commemorate this tragic loss of the terrorist attack. My prayers go out to the friends and family of everyone who was effected. We will always remember.

"We come here to remember those who were killed, those who survived and those changed forever.
May all who leave here know the impact of violence.
May this memorial offer comfort, strength, peace and hope."
-Quote from the Memorial

Love,

Victoria Renard

Lunch with Oklahoma City University's President

Happy Tuesday! On this lovely sunny day Oklahoma City University's President Henry invited the ladies competing and involved in Miss Oklahoma to lunch today.  It was an honor to have President Henry show us many of his art pieces and paintings as well as tell us about his many foreign travels, and  passion for cooking. Maybe one day he will show me how to cook one of his favorite foreign dishes!  All of the food was absolutely wonderful, but I have to admit my favorite part were the fresh berries with mint grown in the President's garden! 

Love,

Victoria :)

P.S. Please keep Woodward, Oklahoma in your prayers. They were severely hit by a tornado this past Saturday.

Miss Oklahoma Contestant's Day

Yesterday I was fortunate enough to beat the storms out of Oklahoma City and headed to Tulsa University. Kristyn Baker Miss Route 66 let me spend the evening at her school. We had fun going to a Make a Wish Foundation event, a restaurant on campus, and just hanging out.

 The next morning we woke up bright and early and headed to Jenks High School for Contestant's day. Luckily we left early because a few roads were closed due to construction and I got really lost! My dad always has said I have a bad sense of direction :) My Stars also had some car trouble on the way to Jenks, but I am so glad they were able to make it to Contestant's day.

The day was full of watching talents of the incredible young women in Miss Oklahoma, working on parts of the production with Kent Parham, listening to the current Miss Oklahoma Betty speak, going over pageant week information and picking our placement! I am contestant 17 in the Omega Group. 

My competition pageant week schedule will look like this!

Monday-Interview PM

Tuesday-Talent

Wednesday-Evening Gown and On Stage Question

Thursday- Swimsuit 

Saturday-Final

I am so blessed to have the opportunity to compete in Miss Oklahoma. I can't wait to spend even more time with all of the other girls! 7 more weeks until the show!

I pray that everyone is staying safe in the midst of the high winds, tornadoes, hail and thunderstorms. Listen to the news and make sure to have a plan in case of an emergency.

Love,

Victoria Renard

"Be anxious in nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be known to man."

Philippians 4:6

Hanging out with my Stars at Contestants Day :)

Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon

Have you signed up for the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon yet? There will be a marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, Memorial 5k and a kid's marathon. My dad will be running in the half marathon and I will be running in with the adventurous youth in the kid's marathon. The last day to register is April 20th and you don't want to miss this!
www.okcmarathon.com

Running with friends is lots of fun :)

Love,
Victoria

"Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it."
1 Corinthians 9:24

I love Camp Dakani :)

The open house at Campfire USA was so much fun today! Almost 100 people showed up to take part in rock climbing, canoeing, fishing, hunting for easter eggs and basket ball. I was stationed at the canoes and was able to ride in one with my new friend Charlotte. We felt like Pocahontas gliding around in the canoe and couldn't help but sing "Just Around the River Bend!"

When we pulled into the dock and were getting out somehow I slipped and fell into the water! My dreams of becoming a canoe savvy Pocahontas were slightly crushed. :) I was a little soggy for the rest of the day, but it was well worth the memory.

If you are interested in Camp Dakani's summer programs check out www.campfireusa-ok.org/ 

Love,

Victoria 

Before the fall!

Campfire USA Easter Egg Hunt

This Saturday from 1-4pm Campfire USA Heart of Oklahoma Council is having an open house at their Camp DaKani location. Bring your family out for fishing, rock climbing and an Easter Egg Hunt! Come get a sneak peak of the upcoming summer camps for kids. I am very excited to spend the afternoon outdoors volunteering having fun outside getting physical activity!

Love,
Victoria :)