Hounding?
"Yes, hounding," Waters said.
Well, maybe. However, she was an easy sell because she's also an avid golfer herself and knows physical conditioning plays a big part in success on the golf course — and yes, golfers are athletes.
"Physical conditioning is key for a successful golf game. Our team has to walk the course for their matches, so they have learned how important fitness is as well," Waters said. "Good core strength can make a big difference in golf. Not only can it help reduce injuries, it helps with obtaining more consistency and distance as well. I can tell when I've been slacking. I find myself using more club on the course."
Waters took a sensible approach to her training. She alternates walking and running. She used to average 2.5-3 miles each morning and another 1.5 miles at night with her husband, Jon.
"Then my company, R.R. Donnelley, began a Walking Challenge program. Each of the participants received a pedometer and had to track their steps for 12 weeks. Being the competitor I am, I decided to up my distance to 8-10 miles per day. I began losing a little weight and feeling even better," she said.
She's also setting a strong example for Boyle's golfers.
"Our team is very aware that I'm a bit of a fitness nut. They tease me about how many steps I've gone each day. Actually, they were a good motivator for me," Waters said. "Coach Sharon Beasley, (Old Bridge Golf Club pro) Bruce Brown and I have always talked to the girls about fitness and how it relates to golf. In fact, Bruce got the girls started doing push-ups and sit-ups during his winter clinics for the team."
Waters always "loved" walking. Now she has the same passion for running.
"Exercise gives me the time to slow down my hectic life and enjoy the scenery. Even though golf season is short, coaching is very time consuming. Exercise is crucial for me to reduce stress and remain upbeat even though my schedule is crazy. We have 17 girls on the team and that requires a lot of managing!" Waters said.
Still, don't be surprised to see her in more future 5K runs. Her original goal was to finish in 35 minutes. When she beat that during training — as any good coach would do — she raised the bar and set a goal of 32 minutes.
"If I achieve that and you don't have to pick me up off the pavement, I might try another race," she said before the race.
She finished in 30 minutes, 39 seconds and can now proudly tell her golfers she, too, can set and attain a goal.
* * *
Daniel Roberts won Sunday's race, which had 248 finishers, in 15:52. The top female finisher was Beatrice Hatcher in 20:21.
Teague Sims, 38, finished in 23:48. However, it was his 31st straight year to complete the race. That means he's finished every Constitution 5K, something no one else has done.
