Know Your Madisonian

Another feather in her cap, for Cap'n Kimmer, From Sunday's Wisconsin State Journal:


Know Your Madisonian
Wisconsin State Journal :: LOCAL :: D5
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Interviewed by Heather LaRoi

Name: Kim Virden\ Age: 46\ City: Madison\ Family: No children, soon to have a dog\ Occupation: Systems administrator at TDS Corp.

Volunteer activities: Organizer of the local Achilles Track Club for disabled athletes.

"My athletes have survived strokes, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries. They have multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy or epilepsy. They may be visually impaired, amputees, or have Parkinson's or other medical conditions. Achilles meets once a week for a workout. This means walking, running, handcycling, whatever the individual is able to do. We also participate in mainstream run/walks throughout the year."

How she ended up doing this: "After reading Trisha Meili's book, 'I am the Central Park Jogger,' I learned about Achilles International Track Club. When I discovered there wasn't a chapter in Wisconsin, I spoke to the New York-based founder and president Dick Traum and started the Madison chapter three years ago. We now have about 50 active members."


Why is what you do important?

"I really love my group of folks. They have become my family. It's great seeing folks get active again and form very special social bonds after surviving a life-changing medical problem or disease. It gives them new goals, new friends, and a new outlook on life something to live for. This makes my heart grow and grow."

Hobbies: Downhill ski racing, cross-country skiing, marathon running, kayaking, biking, swimming, camping, hiking.

Right now I'm reading: Bob Woodruff's book, "In an Instant: A Family's Journey of Love and Healing"

Person I admire most: "Lance Armstrong, for surviving cancer and going back to be world's greatest bike racer"

Favorite way to spend free time: Movie and dinner with friends

If I could change one thing about Madison: High property taxes

If I could convince people of one thing: I would convince them that we all have different beliefs and thoughts on how we should live our lives to make ourselves happy. The world would be boring if we were all exactly alike.

- For more on Achilles Track Club, visit www.achillestrackclub.org.