Can’t wait to hear your individual stories!  What an incredible accomplishment, CONGRATULATIONS to you all!  We are so proud of you!!!

Each and every sheJAMs member crested the hill and gave it their all crossing the finish line!  It was amazing!  All smiling and feeling good!  We hope to see you all tomorrow night at Julie’s house.  If you want to get a trail run in before the celebration we will all meet at Twin Brook at 5:45 – 6 pm.  Twin Brook is located in Cumberland  about 1/2 mile south of Town Hall on  the north side of Tuttle.  A gravel road leads to the parking area. 

We can do a quick trail run through these great trails and then pack it up early to go to my house for dinner around 6:45!  Please bring something to share with all!  

Water, wine and dessert provided!

If you are basking in your glory and feel you need to take the day off, don’t feel guilty…… come on over around 6:45 and join in the celebration anyway!

Again congratultions!  Awesome job!  
Julie, Andrea and Melissa

http://www.mainetriforacure.org/Volunteer

And please take special notice of  the sheJAMs hands… 

NORWAY TRI

Beth Kerbel
Alex LaCroix
Allison Stratis – 3rd Women Overall
Karen Shibles
Jade Doyle – 1st in Age Group

URBAN EPIC

Kelsey Abbott – 1st Women Overall
Julie Marchese – 2nd in Age Group
Coreen Lauren – 3rd in Age Group
Jennifer Roberts
Krista Haapala
Katie Donnelly – 3rd in Age Group
Katelyn Michaud

WOW WHAT A GREAT TURN OUT AT TRIATHLON EVENTS THIS WEEKEND!  REMINDER – When signing up for Triathons put sheJAMs as your club affiliation! Don’t forget we get a discount at Tri-Maine Events! Be proud to be a sheJAMs women on the move!

Congratulations everyone!!!

Can we claim Shannon as our own?  Absolutely!  She is doing it all!  If you’re wondering if the training is worth it, check out Shannon’s very witty descriptions and see for your self!  Then come join us!

One of the best lines I heard from her was after a wet Saturday am ride…”I have never been so cold and so hot at the same time…”   And it was said with a big smile!

She is describing what we set out to accomplish…connecting active women on the move!

Thanks Shannon!!!

By Jennifer Roberts

Heat stroke develops when the body’s temperature rises more quickly that the body can cool itself.   It can occur during exercise or when an animal is confined without adequate shade and water. Elevated body temperatures can result in shock and organ damage, including kidney failure and seizures due to injury of the tissues. 

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency intervention. Surprisingly, it occurs more commonly in springtime, when environmental temperatures are relatively mild and humidity is not a significant factor. 

There are several common medical diseases as well as breed-specific conditions which place dogs at risk. The purpose of this article is provide dog owners with a basic understanding of heat related injuries and the tools for preventing heat stroke.

A variety of factors can put both people and pets at a greater risk for heat stroke. examples of physical limitations include being overweight, in poor physical health and old age. Dogs with dark coats absorb heat, while thick coats limit a dog’s ability to cool.

Other less obvious physical factors include breeds such as Bulldogs, Boxers, Pugs and Boston Terriers whose short snouts and small nostrils dramatically limit their ability to cool.  Pets with a history of heart disease, thyroid disease and upper airway diseases (laryngeal paralysis, collapsing trachea) also have a reduced capacity to cool efficiently.

Situations that can lead to heat stroke in pets include confinement without adequate shade, a lack of ventilation and lack of water. Animals should never be left alone in vehicles in warm weather, even if the windows are left open. Dogs in open truck beds may be at risk for heat stroke as well, because in addition to a lack of shade, dark bed-liners and metal bottoms absorb the sun’s heat from which pets can not escape.

Besides avoiding unsafe situations that put a dog at risk for heat stroke, there are a number of things you can do to reduce a dog’s risk for developing heat stroke. Gradually acclimate your dog to physical activity in warmer temperatures. Plan your pet’s exercise routine according to the weather report and avoid activity at the warmest times of the day. Restrict activity in the aforementioned breeds or with pets with predisposing medical conditions in warmer months.

Pets often dig holes in an effort to lie in the cool dirt, but when temperatures rise above 89F (31C),  evaporation becomes the most important method of cooling. Unlike horses and cows, dogs don’t sweat, but rely on panting for evaporation. Panting moves a large amount of air and salvia over the tongue’s surface, but there is a limitation to the rate of cooling achieved by panting.

 The clinical signs of heat stroke vary and depend on the duration of high body temperature.  The exact temperature at which heat stroke occurs in dogs is not known, but rectal temperatures as low as 105.8F (41C) have been associated with permanent brain damage. Excessive panting and restlessness should raise concern for heat stroke. Seek immediate veterinary help if you see vomiting, loose stools, collapse or seizures. 

If you think your pet is experiencing heat stroke, take steps to begin rapid cooling. Seek shade for your pet.  Provide drinking water if your dog isn’t vomiting. Encourage your dog to lie in a lake, stream or ocean water. If you soak your pet with a hose, make sure the water penetrates down to the skin. Cool or tepid water is ideal, because very cold water will cause constriction of the blood vessels in the skin trapping heat. Use a fan or open the car windows while driving. If accessible, apply ice packs over neck and groin regions.  Do not give Aspirin, Rimadyl, or other medications because they will not change the body temperature and may further damage kidneys and gastrointestinal tract.

In conclusion, there are many factors which contribute to the development of heat stroke, making it difficult to predict which animals will be affected. The clinical signs are variable and depend on the duration of elevated body temperature. Unrecognized or untreated heat stroke may lead to permanent kidney and brain damage. Confined animals must have access to shade, fresh water and ventilation at all times. Restrict your pet’s activity to cooler times of day and even well-conditioned animals should have only brief periods of exercise on hot days.  If your pet is exhibiting signs of heat injury begin active cooling and seek immediate veterinary care.

Jennifer Roberts, DVM, MS is residency trained in Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. She is the Director of Emergency Services at the Maine Veterinary Referral Center, which provides 24 hour emergency care in Scarborough

Original article printed July 2009, Volume 4, Issue 7 of DEDN

I wanted to invite you all to come and swim at the 1st sheJAMs ocean swim at SMCC on Wednesday, July 7th from 6 – 7 pm…. We will swim from the beach at Spring Point Headlight which is the Tri for a CURE swim course.  This is going to be just a fun get together for ALL members!  The more the merrier.

I will coach you through the Tri for a CURE swim course and we will all support each other if this is a challenge for anyone!   We will not have life guards, but we might have a couple of kayaks in the water to spot us!!!  Hopefully it will be a great night to get out and celebrate that we are going swimming in the ocean for the first time!

After the swim, I am going to El Rayo Taqueria, 101 York Street in Portland to see Melissa Allen’s daughter sing (fellow sheJAMmer!).  This is her release party for her new CD called “Honey”,  and the proceeds of the event go to the Tanzanian Children Fund! If anyone wants to come along that would be GREAT!  The more the merrier!  It will be a fun atmosphere and great food and good drinks at reasonable prices!

I hope you all can join us!

Please let me know if you are going to attend.  I would love an idea of how many people we might have!

THANKS!  

Julie J Marchese
USAT Certified Coach
julie@sheJAMs.com
www.sheJAMs.com
207-671-2420

Julie J Marchese
USAT Certified Coach
julie@sheJAMs.com
www.sheJAMs.com
207-671-2420

You can check them out at:

http://www.myspace.com/jkelleysalon

And thanks to all our members and friends who came!  I don’t know about you, but my hair is criss crossed and bobby pinned today and way sassier than my standard pony tail!   More importantly that magic cream that I bought that smooths out the wrinkles …which I bought for special occasions…has  turned casual Friday into a special occasion …and I LOVE IT! 

Stay tuned for the July Social and have a great weekend!  If you have any fun ideas for get togethers feel free to share!  We are wide open to suggestions and in the process of planning out programs for the Fall and Winter!

Cheers!

Andrea of

Julie, Andrea and Melissa

For active Women on the Move!

SheJAM racers:

Julie Marchese

Andrea Brown

Melissa Smith

Coreen Lauren

Kelsey Abbott

Katie Donnelly

Paula Nueslein

Jennifer Roberts

Sandra Day

Katelyn Michaud

Jade Doyle

Sarah Halpin

Laurie Raymond – volunteer

When you sign up for these races, remember to put
sheJAMs down at the team affiliation!  Let’s get the number of sheJAMers on the move up there!