Pub. 54 2013-2014 Issue 3

20 Penny and Her Daughters Helping People One Mile at a Time P enny Dikeman Thomas, besides being TADA’s liaison for endorsed companies and 20 groups, is also the staff’s role model for fitness and a healthy lifestyle. From running in the Austin Marathon for local charities, to biking from Houston to Austin in the MS 150 aiding victims of Multiple Sclerosis, to competing in obstacle runs such as the Warrior Dash Benefit for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Penny has to date completed 32 extreme sporting events, all for charity and many with her daughters, Amber and Susan. Distance runs, and even longer distance bike rides pale in comparison to one of Penny’s most recent accomplishments, “The Muddy Buddy Adventure Race, Athletes for a Cure for the Prostate Cancer Foun- dation.” In this unbelievable challenge, 250 pairs of athletes competed in a bike race and mud swim through a ranch near Johnson City, Texas. Daughter Amber was Penny’s teammate for this themed exercise which was depicted on their competition helmets. Daughter Susan was the lucky one who was in charge of the photography this time, but she got some great shots of her mom and sister giving their all for another worthy cause. Susan is also known in Austin as a blogger for fit foods and recipes. One of her recipes was recently chosen by Austin Fit Magazine as one of their three healthy options for the February, 2014 issue. Penny’s third daughter, Nicole has her own exercise program, keeping up with Penny’s one year old grandson, Joseph, but Joseph better be prepared because with his family’s genes, there are likely some 26.2 mile runs and 250 kilometer bike rides in his future.  The following page is an excerpt that first appeared in the February 2014 issue of Austin Fit Magazine . Reprint- ed with permission. Photo Credit:  Brian Fitzsimmons