From the Motivator

A monthly periodical had a wonder article about motivation in the April 2007 issue. The author, Chris Freytag, has been inspiring people to get fit for over 15 years and is the author of Move to Lose. 
Over her 15 years of experience, she has learned the good intentions are not enough to get one active. She has helped hundreds of people make exercise a habit, and there are three words to live by: commitment, consistency and convenience.

Commitment: She encourages people to write an exercise contract that specifies when, where and how they will be more active. This action adds a personal responsibility element. Share the contract with a friend or family member; get them to sign as a witness of your commitment. Making your goal public adds to the probability of your commitment to follow through with the action.

Consistency: No matter what happens today, I am going to work out. Even if the workout you do is for 10 minutes, you are going to be consistent and follow through. Perfection is not expected or demanded, only that you are willing to stand by your commitment and be consistent in your actions. The concept is that exercise is a positive habit worth your time and effort. 

Convenience: You must be realistic with the form(s) of exercise you choose, they must fit into your life. If you like classes like yoga, Pilates or kick boxing, but you never make the classes, then use DVD’s at home. If you think you have no time, carry your walking/running shoes with you and walk whenever the opportunity comes up. 

When you make a commitment to yourself, are consistent with the activity and the activity works into your daily life – you have found the secret to making exercise a positive habit. As Freytag offers, “Promise yourself you’ll exercise – and honor it as seriously as you do commitments you make to others.” It is up to you and the benefits are endless. 

Fitness 101 Walking/Running class for people who are just starting a program to those that want answers on the why, when, where, who and how of walking. Class starts at 7:00 PM at Get Active – Running and more store on North Ashley Street, next to the WinnDixie MarketPlace. Bring your determination, your desire and your questions. Free to all those who want to learn so that you too can begin a walking or running program that can help change your life. 

Attention all runners and walkers, an event is approaching. On the early morning of July 4th 2007 – Valdosta will host the 2nd annual BAYTREE 8K road race. All runners, joggers and walkers are cordially invited to help celebrate Independence Day with an active flare. More people joined the first year event than ran in the first Peachtree Road Race 10K held on the same day in Atlanta over 30 years ago, currently the largest road race in the world. Make plans to be a part of Valdosta’s new tradition – applications will be out soon for you to participate. Check out the VDT soon for applications in the paper, on their web site and at Get Active Running and more. Put the event and date on your family calendar now – you will be glad you joined in the fun. 

OUTSTANDING PREFORMANCES

On April 28th – many people from the Valdosta area traveled to Thomasville to compete in the 30th annual Rose City 10K and 1 mile run. Alice Smoot placed 2nd Female overall, 1st Female Master’s overall and 1st GA USATF State Female Master’s Champion with a time of 41:38. Todd Smoot placed 8th overall, 2nd Master’s overall and 1st GA USATF State Male Master’s Champion with a time of 34:58. This is the second GA USATF State Championship Smoot has won in the last 8 days. On Friday, April 20th, Smoot won the Southeast Region and GA State USATF 10000m Track Championships held in Savannah, GA with a time of 35:30. 

Many people from Valdosta and the surrounding area ran in Thomasville and won age group awards including; Ashley Hoitt, Dana Ganas, Heidi Gonzalez, Jody Durham, Sherri Welch, Steve Cary, Masked Avenger, John Seppala, Tom Phillips and Alan Thomas. Mary Alice Smoot, age 10, competed in the 1 mile run for 12 and under and was the first female finisher with a time of 6:38. 

In the last few weeks, the triathlon season started in the Orlando area at a Tri-America Series event. Valdosta had five kids in the sprint races on Saturday, and went 5 for 5 on the podium in their respective age groups. Juniors’ (age 7-10) distances include: swam 100 yards, biked 3 miles and ran 1/2 mile. 3rd - Tommy Powell (7 y/o boys), 3rd - Robbie Powell (9 y/o boys). Seniors’ (age 11 - 14) swam 200 yards, biked 6 miles and ran 1 mile. 1st - Ashley Powell (9 y/o girls)(2nd overall female, 9 seconds behind 14 y/o) , 2nd - Alison Peters (9 y/o girls)(off season work pushes her to her first podium finish), 3rd - Sam Peters (13 y/o boys). The #2 overall, and 13 y/o boys’ winner was Hunter Honeycutt from Tifton, GA. On that Sunday, Jodi Harbin and Clay Powell completed the Short Course event, swimming 1k (.62m), biking 30k (18.6m) and running 7.5k (4.5m). The weather made the triathlon an epic event, as both battled through torrential rain and winds to reach the finish line.

On April 28th, these people from Valdosta were racing in St Petersburg, Florida at one of the largest triathlon weekends in the country. Saturday was the "sprint" length Meek & Mighty events with over 500 athletes from across the US and many foreign countries, with adults (15 and older) and senior youth (ages 11-14) running one mile, biking 5.4 miles and swimming 200 yards. The junior youth (ages 7-10) ran a mile, biked 3.6, and swam 100 yards. Here are the stats: Stephanie Powell -1st in age group - ran a 6:02 mile and survived a bike crash to preserve the win. Sam Peters (13 y/o boys) 3rd in age group, ran a 6:22 mile and had one of the fastest swims in his group.

Ashley Powell (11 y/o girls) 2nd in age group, ran a 6:13 mile and one of the fastest bike legs in her group. Alison Peters (11 y/o girls) 7th in age group, ran a 6:25 mile. Robbie Powell (9 y/o boys) 4th in a/g, ran a 6:50 mile and had the 2nd fastest bike in his group. Tommy Powell (7 y/o boys) 2nd in a/g, ran the fastest mile in his group with a 7:22. Sunday held the world class St. Anthony's Triathlon, with over 4200 athletes and the top Olympic pros in the sport. Consisting of a 1.5k (.92m) swim, 40k (24.8m) bike, 10k (6.2m) run, this is the first key event of the pro season. Valdosta results: Ben Hogan 2:42:56 - he had a personal best. Clay Powell 2:44:09, Kathi Blais 2:44:49 - had the fastest swim of the Valdosta competitors. Jodi Harbin 3:03:04 - a personal best by more than 10 minutes.

All four adults now begin training for an Ironman event (2.4m swim, 112m bike, 26.2m run), with Ben, Clay and Jodi participating in the inaugural Ironman Louisville in August. Kathi Blais will participate in the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii in October, as she won entry into the sport's premier event every triathlete's dream. 

May 4th, a hearty group went to Camilla, GA to enjoy the Gnat Day’s 5K held Friday night at 7 PM. Todd Smoot was the overall winner of the 20th annual event with a time of 16:59. Many age groups awards where won by people from Valdosta and the surrounding area including Chris Gaither, Chad Novak, Chelsea Wiza, Masked Avenger and Mark Steele. Frank Ryan, Joe Wilson and Scott Wiza ran well in some very tough age group competition. 

May 5th, the morning dawned in Lake Park on the 2nd annual 5K for Kids, and event to raise funds for Big Brothers and Big Sisters of South Georgia as well as youth programs at the Lake Park YMCA. The event was won by the Masked Avenger. Alice Smoot finished 2nd overall, and 1st Female. Mark Pumphrey won the Male Master’s division while Darla Dillard was the fastest Female Master’s. Other Age Group winners included Mary Alice Smoot, Aleona Waller, Stephanie Whelebel, Melaine Hall, Jody Durham, Cathy Deyo, Galen Mirate and Carol Brookhouser in the ladies division. Hunter Honeycutt, Josh Steele, Roosevelt Standfer, Jessie Benefield, Tony Smith, Jerry Bailey, Tag Welch, Don Van Otegden and Bob Bowen where the age group winners in the men’s divisions. In the One Mile event, 6 year old Dylan Durham was the fastest across the finish line, while Emily Grondahl was the fastest young lady to finish. Congratulations to all who participated in this annual event. 

There are weekly, free activities for the runners and cyclists in the area. Runners can show up at Get Active on Saturday and Sunday mornings at 7AM for runs from 1.5 to 8 plus mile runs. Check out the Two-Minute Drill for more information on running and cycling. Cyclists can meet for rides on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information, check out the web page at www.azaleacitycyclists.com. 

Do you have results you want to share about yourself, a loved one or friend? Send, email or call the information in to me at Get Active – Running and more. 

If you have questions about your walking, running or other training, drop me an email and I will do my level best to answer your questions. Email getactive.val@earthlink.net or join the GetActiveSouthGeorgia yahoo group. Listen to the Get Active South Georgia radio show on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7PM to receive additional information or to ask questions.

Thank you,

Todd & Alice Smoot

GET ACTIVE 
Running and more

GET ACTIVE SOUTH GEORGIA as heard on NewsTalk 105.9 FM WVGA Wednesdays
6 to 7 PM - call into the show at 229-241-1059
GET ACTIVE SOUTH GEORGIA  as read weekly in the Sunday VDT - look for us
www.getactivevaldosta.com
3200-C North Ashley Street
Valdosta, GA 31602
229-219-0010
229-219-0012 (F)

In the long run, one must have goals to succeed.

"To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift" Steve Prefontaine