Walk A Mile In Their Shoes...

Walk a mile in a CASA kid's shoes and you might just find it isn't the easiest thing to do. Fortunately, thanks to some WONDERFUL and GENEROUS donors, CASA is able to make some CASA kids life just a little bit happier with new athletic shoes! Each CASA kid participating in the 5K will receive a brand new pair of shoes!

With these new shoes, CASA kids will be able to not only participate in the 5K, but other athletics as well. Which is good for the body AND mind... exactly what we want for all of our CASA kids!

Speaking of shoes... Why not go put yours on and enjoy a beautiful workout outside today?

If you're following the training schedule CASA found, don't forget to...

Run/walk 30 minutes
Walkers, walk only. Runners, run 25 seconds, walk 35 seconds.

Keep up the good work! ONLY 10 DAYS UNTIL THE RACE!!!!!!

Don't forget to register!

Heart Gallery

We are so pleased to tell you about a special exhibit which will be on display at the Tech Theta "Speak Up for Kids" CASA 5k on April 10. We are very excited that part of the local Heart Gallery will be present during the event.

The Heart Gallery is a traveling local exhibit of portraits of children in our area who are currently available for adoption. During National Adoption Day last year we heard a wonderful story about a couple who saw the Heart Gallery at their church and were both drawn to the same portrait. They adopted the teenage girl and now are a very happy family. We hope another family will be so moved while the pictures are on display at the race next Saturday.

Less Than Two Weeks!!!!

Hey Everyone!

I know you are getting as excited as I am about the CASA 5K! Less than too weeks away! I hope the training schedule has been helping you prepare for your big run. Today, walk for 20 minutes.

As the race gets closer and closer, things are getting crazier and crazier. No worries though! Everything is coming together and this event is going to be a wonderful hit! And it looks like the weather is going to fairly enjoyable as well.

As posted in a previous blog, we are creating a little competition to get the kids of the community involved. Elementary schools have been given the opportunity to sign up for this event as a school and the elementary with the highest percentage of enrolled children participating in the Tech Theta “Speak Up For Kids” event will win a plaque as well as other prizes (including the Tech Track team making an appearance at your school) involving special recognition for your school! Not only is this a great way to encourage a healthy lifestyle for your students, but it is also a way for local children to help their fellow students who are less fortunate.

We are offering scholarships to our CASA kids to cover the race entry fee so that they can come participate in the event. If you are interested in donating the $20 entry fee to provide a scholarship for a CASA kid to participate, you can do so online under the online registration option - it provides a place to donate the fee rather than registering yourself or you can call our office at 763-CASA.

We are so excited for this event and we can't wait to see you there! Keep up with the training!

Keep Up The Good Work!

Here is what you should be doing this week:

Monday: run/walk 30 minutes
Tuesday: walk 30 minutes
Wednesday: run/walk 30 minutes
Thursday: walk 30 minutes
Friday: rest
Saturday: run/walk 4.5 miles
Sunday: rest or walk

On run/walk days: walkers, walk only. Runners run 25 seconds, walk 35 seconds

Only TWO weeks until the race!

Welcome, Welcome Kids of All Ages!

So maybe your child is not a runner or is too young to run... we understand that! And that's why CASA has prepared plenty of fun things to do for kids of all interests and ages! Check out this fun list of fun things to do for kids:

• face painting
• bounce house
• games
• autographs by Texas Tech athletes
• Kid's K (a one mile fun-run for kids!)

As you can see, there is something to do for every child! So even if your child doesn't plan on running, they can still come out and enjoy the festivities!

Here is the rest of the week's running schedule...

Today - Walk 30 minutes
Friday - Rest (a well deserved break!)
Saturday - Run/walk 4 miles (6.4 km)
Sunday - Rest/ walk

The 5K is only 3 WEEKS away, so if you haven't already, don't forget to SIGN-UP! I hope everyone is as excited as I am! See you in the bounce house!

                               

CASA and Caffeine... Two Of My Favorite Things!

You know what sounds good right now? A veinte, iced, two percent quad ristretto, spilt shot Cookies and Creme mint mocha, extra shot of espresso, easy on the ice with 1 3/4 packets of Equal, no whip, topped with velvety, bone-dry foam and a dash of cinnamon. Of course if you crave something less complicated I'm sure the Starbucks baristas will be glad to make you a frappacino or cup of coffee tomorrow at Coffee with CASA.

Take 5 minutes out of your day tomorrow to stop by the Starbucks on 80th and University or the Starbucks on University and Glenna Goodacre between 4:30 and 6:30 to learn more about CASA during Coffee with CASA. Representatives will be present to answer any questions you have about CASA or the upcoming Tech THETA "Speak Up For Kids" CASA 5K. This is also a wonderful opportunity to sign up for the race. What a greaty way to wind down after a long day of work!

Also... Don't forget to keep up with you training for the 5K. Today you are scheduled to:

Run/walk for 30 minutes. Walkers, walk only. Runners, run for 25 seconds, walk for 35 seconds.

See you tomorrow... I'll be the one bouncing off the walls from the excess amounts of caffiene.

Most Fit School of the South Plains!

Hello Everyone!

Now that Spring Break is over and you are slowly getting back into the groove of things, it's time to get serious about the 5K race! It is only three weeks away!

 If you are just now tuning in to our blog, there is still time to train and get ready for the race! For today on our training schedule, run for 20 minutes.

We here at CASA have been busy, busy, busy getting ready for the 5K. In order to get the community involved in the race, we have a fun competition of the Most Fit School of the South Plains. The elementary school with the highest percentage of enrolled children participating in the Tech Theta “Speak Up For Kids CASA 5k” on April 10th will win! There will be a place to list the school on the registration form and the winning school will receive a plaque as well as other prizes (including the Tech Track team making an appearance at your school) involving special recognition for your school! We have invited all the elementary schools in Lubbock and surround in the surrounding areas to participate and are looking forward to a great turn out!

We are getting more and more excited about this even this year! It's going to be a lot of fun for kids of all ages and adults.

ONLY 3 WEEKS UNTIL THE TECH THETA "SPEAK UP FOR KIDS" 5K!

So you know what that means...

Time for your week 5 training schedule!

Today- Run/walk 30 minutes
Tuesday - Walk 30 minutes
Wednesday - Run/walk 30 minutes
Thursday - Walk 30 minutes
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Run/walk 4 miles (6.4 km)
Sunday - Rest/ walk

On run/walk days walkers, walk only. Runners, walk 35 seconds, run 25 seconds.

Keep hanging in there! It's all about to be worth it!

Winter Weather

Since Lubbock is once again expecting winter weather, you may want to change your 5k preparations and instead of resing today and running/walking 4 miles (6.4 km) tomorrow to running/walking today before the cold front blows in and taking the day off tomorrow. Just a thought!

Hope you all are getting as excited as we are about the upcoming event. Plans are really starting to come together! See you on April 10!

Race Shirts

I just ordered the race shirts this morning, and I am quite excited! The design was voted on by all the CASA 5k series programs. There will be 19 "Speak Up for Kids" CASA 5k events across Texas this year. To see where the other events will take place, please visit http://www.casa5k.org/.

The first 1000 people to register for the Tech Theta "Speak Up for Kids" CASA 5k on April 10 will receive this shirt!

So sign up today to ensure that you will receive on of these shirts! Both paper and online registration is available at http://www.lubbockcasa.org/.

Balloon Release at the 5k

The sun is beginning to peak out from behind the clouds, so it is time start training once again for the 5k! Today you should be walking for 30 minutes!

I also want to take a moment to tell you about one of the exciting things we will be doing at the event on April 10. CASA will be having a balloon release (don't worry all balloons used are biodegradable) to show the number of foster children currently served by a CASA Advocate with blue balloons and the number of foster children still awaiting someone to be their positive voice in red balloons. Check out these pictures from last year...

This is quite a moving moment as we all witness before us the many, many children still awaiting a CASA Advocate. We are very excited to announce that it is now easier than ever to complete the CASA Advocate training, because we are now able to offer an ONLINE SEGMENT of the training thanks to Lubbock Christian University! Our first training to include the ONLINE SEGMENT will begin next Monday, March 22. If you have ever thought you were interested in helping a child in need through becoming a CASA Advocate, this is your chance. If you are interested in this CASA training, which includes the online segment, please call Peggy at 763-2272.

It is Spring Break!

Although this is Spring Break week for all Lubbock schools, as well as Texas Tech, please do not take a BREAK from getting ready for the Tech Theta "Speak Up for Kids" CASA 5k on April 10. We are just one month away from the event!

I know it is pouring down rain today, but I will post the training schedule for the week so that when the sun comes out you can get out and enjoy the Spring weather.

Training Schedule:
On run/walk days, walkers walk only. Runners run for 20 seconds/walk for 40 seconds.


Monday - Run/walk 30 minutes
Tuesday - Walk 30 minutes
Wednesday - Run/walk 30 minutes
Thursday - Walk 30 minutes
Friday - Rest
Saturday - Run/walk 4 miles (6.4 km)
Sunday - Rest/ walk

I know you can it! And I can't wait to see you on April 10!
Remember to register today at http://www.lubbockcasa.org/ (you can print the paper forms or register online).

Cookouts for CASA

As you head out to do your grocery shopping this weekend, be sure to check to see if your local United Supermarket location is hosting a "Cookout for CASA".

Various United Supermarkets will be hosting "Cookouts for CASA" during the coming weeks. Some will be grilling burgers and hotdogs, others will be selling sandwiches, while still other stores will have sausage wraps available in parking lot. However your local United chooses to partipate in the coming weeks, please consider stopping to support CASA.



"Cookouts for CASA" Dates, thus far:
82nd & Boston United - 11am on March 13 & 14
Levelland United - March 12&13, March 19&20, March 26&27
(Other United locations are still in the process of setting up their Cookouts for CASA - be sure to check your local store on the weekends for their participation this month)

Additionally, CASA t-shirts will be on sale for $5 at the Service Desk at the 82nd & Boston United location, as well as the Plainview, Levelland, Slaton, and Brownfield locations.

Thanks to United Supermarkets for partnering with CASA to make a difference in the lives of children on the South Plains as we enter into April (Child Abuse Awareness Month).

Pets and Strollers are Welcome!

Just a reminder that you should be ready to WALK for 30 minutes tomorrow, and then on Friday you can rest! Stay healthy. Stay happy. Because we cannot wait to see you on April 10 at the race (either walking or running)! Register today at http://www.lubbockcasa.org/. Remember that pets and strollers are welcome at the event.

Just One More Way To Support CASA...

Aren't these shirts cool?!

Wanna know how you can get one? Well lucky for you, I'm just the girl who can tell you...

United Supermarkets on 82nd and Boston, Levelland, Plainview, Slaton and Brownfield are selling these shirts for only $5! After getting your groceries at one of these locations, stop by the service desk to buy a t-shirt! Keep in mind that these are NOT the same t-shirts that will be given to people who sign up for the 5k.The money raised from the sale of these t-shirts will go toward the Tech Theta "Speak Up for Kids" CASA 5K, so go get one today.

Speaking of the 5K, here is what you should be doing today and tomorrow:

Today: Walk 30 minutes

Tomorrow: Run/Walk 30 minutes (Walkers, walk only. Runners, run for 20 seconds, walk for 40 seconds)

Happy running!

Just a Little Reminder...

If you're using the training schedule CASA found, here is what you should be doing this week:

WEEK 3
Today: Run/Walk 30 minutes
Tomorrow: Walk 30 minutes
Wednesday: Run/Walk 30 minutes
Thursday: Walk 30 minutes
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Run/Walk 3.5 Miles
Sunday: Rest/Walk
On Run/Walk days, walkers, walk only. Runners, run 20 seconds, walk 40 seconds.

It's not too late to start training! There are still 5 weeks left until the 5K, which is plenty of time to become race ready!

Well bloggers, I would write more, but I'm running a little short on time and I have a 30 minutes of walking and running to do!

Plane, Train or Automobile... Get to the Texas Tech Travel Fair However You Can!

Today at CASA there are all sorts of exciting things happening all over town. Interns are preparing for the 5K, our Development Director, Rose, will be on a radio show promoting the 5K, and your truly will be working a booth at the Texas Tech Travel Fair. So TTU students and faculty be sure to take 5 minutes out of your day to come say "hello" and learn more about CASA, or stop by the Theta table to sign up for the 5K. The Travel Fair is today on the Texas Tech campus in the Ball Room of the Student Union Building.

Speaking of ways to travel... what about walking? Or running? Not only can walking or running get you from place to place, when you walk or run with CASA you're helping a great cause! Yes, I'm still talking about the Tech THETA "Speak Up for Kids" CASA 5K. And if you haven't started training, don't worry, there is still plenty of time. With the help of the training schedule CASA found, you will be race ready in no time! For everyone out there who has been using the schedule, here is what you should be doing for the rest of the week:

Today: Walk 30 minutes

Friday: Rest
Saturday: Run/walk 3.5 miles (Walkers, walk only. Runners, run 15 seconds, walk for 45 seconds.)
Sunday: Rest/walk

Think you're alone? You're NOT! New studies estimate that there are approximately 75 million runners in the United States! YIKES! That's a lot of miles being covered!

Keep up the good work everyone! The 5K is getting closer and all of your hard work is about to pay off!

Come Support CASA and Texas Tech Basketball at the Same Time

The wonderful ladies of Theta will be at the Texas Tech men's basketball game this evening to help people sign-up for the Tech THETA "Speak Up for Kids" CASA 5K. The Raiders will be taking on the Baylor Bears at 8 p.m. at the United Spirit Arena. Be sure to get there early so you can stop by the Theta table to sign-up before heading to your seat to cheer the Red Raiders on to victory!

All of you out there using the training schedule that CASA found, here is what you should be doing today and tomorrow:

Today: Walk 30 minutes
Tomorrow: Run/Walk 30 minutes (Walkers, walk only. Runners, run for 15 seconds, walk for 45 seconds)

Hopefully you are not getting too wary of this exercise routine yet, but for those of you who are, here is a little tip: find a committed partner to exercise with. It is much harder to skip a walking or running session whenever you have someone else depending on you!

For example, my roommate and my dog are my two running companions. She is the most committed training partner out there. Since I started training, she has woken me up every morning at 7 a.m. with her leash in her mouth and her tail wagging. I'm describing my dog, not my roommate of course! Talk about committment!

Rain Rain, Go Away, Come Again Some Other Day

Yes, it is cold and rainy today. Trust me, I am well aware. But I didn't let the bad weather ruin my run/walk and hopefully you won't either! In fact, once I bundled up the cool weather actually made for nice exercise conditions. But if you're not a rain loving person, you can always exercise inside. Call a local gym or the Texas Tech Rec Center for a day rate. Or, you can always do 30 minutes of cardio workout right in your own home (jump roping, jumping jacks, a home workout video, etc.)

 If you're using the training schedule CASA found, here is what you should be doing this week:

WEEK 2:
Today: Run/walk 30 minutes
Tuesday: Walk 30 minutes
Wednesday: Run/walk 30 minutes
Thursday: Walk 30 minutes
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Run/walk 3.5 miles
Sunday: Rest/walk

On run/walk days, walkers walk only. Runners, run 15 seconds, then walk 45 seconds.

I'm sure Mother Nature is just getting rid of all of the bad weather now, so on April 10th there will be nothing but blue skies and sun. So hang in there, I'm sure you're doing great!

Don't forget to sign-up for the Tech THETA "Speak Up for Kids" CASA 5K today!