Spring
into the Fitness Lifestyle!
Spring time in South Georgia is a wonderful season. The flowers, bushes and
trees are beautiful and alive. The temperatures are wonderful for being active
outdoors. Not too hot, not too cold just right. The sun is shining a little
more each day more hours to get your workout done in the day light hours.
Some of us are ready to shed the winter insulation we have gained, in
preparations of the summer season just around the corner. We may have had New
Years Resolutions, but they have dwindled to the side as we have gotten farther
away from January 1st. What a perfect time to make the personal
decision to begin for the first time, or start another exercise program. It is
never too late to start a program to improve your physical fitness and quality
of life. Spring offers a variety of reasons to decide on an activity that allows
you to enjoy the outdoors; like walking, running, cycling and such.
There are plenty of events coming up in March and April that will boost your
support system. You will be amazed at how many neighbors, coworkers and members
of your congregation are active in these types of events week in and week out.
Just last weekend one young lady, Alison Peters of Valdosta, traveled to
Tallahassee and placed 2nd in the 14 and under category of the Run
for the Cookies 5K. Cookies were the awards for this event I understand the
cookies were very much enjoyed by all.
More information about events in the surrounding area of Valdosta include:
February 23rd, VSU Rec Center is offering the Blazerman Super Sprint
Triathlon 300 yard swim, 6.5 mile bike and 1.5 mile run. Contact
VSU Rec Center for more information.
March 1st, the VSU Recreation Center is offering the Shamrock Shuffle
5K. Runners and walkers are welcome to participate in this event. This is a fund
raiser for the American Cancer Society. Contact the VSU Rec Center for more
information at 333-5674.
March 8th Azalea Century Bike Ride This is a participatory
event, not a race, presented by the Valdosta Lowndes Parks and Recreation
Department. There are four different distances that can be ridden: roughly 25,
50, 75 and 100 miles. Families are welcome to get involved and you can best
decide on what distance to participate in. Check out the Azalea City Cyclists
web site for more, or get applications at Get Active or with the Parks and Rec
Department. There is also on-line registration available and the Borderline
Bluegrass Festival will be going on at the South Lowndes Complex when you finish
there. Helmets are required to ride.
March 15th - Azalea Festival 5K and 1 mile This event is open to
all runners and walkers who want to complete the 5K or 1 mile distance. Ages of
people who have joined in the past are from 4 year olds to 74 years young in
either of the two events. The mile is more for the younger children, but anyone
can challenge themselves to complete the 1 mile or 5K distance. Applications are
available at Get Active and Valdosta-Lowndes Parks and Rec locations plus on
line at www.valdostasportsandevents.com
.
April 5th Berrien County 3rd Annual Puppy Trot. This
event includes a 4 mile and a 1 mile Dog Walk. The events are open to all
walkers and runners, just sign up for the event that appeals to you the most.
There is a cool t-shirt with a fun design, awards and medals for all the Dog
Walk participants. Proceeds benefit the Berrien County Humane Society.
April 12th Valwood presents Victory for Victoria, a 5K and 1 mile
event on the Valwood campus. Proceeds benefit the St. Judes Brain Research
Program. More information will be forth coming shortly.
April 19th Hope and Faith 5K Run and Walk is presented by HUMC
and SpaceMakers Custom Closet Interiors. This
is an event to raise money for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. Over
140 people enjoyed this event last year with 10 year olds all the way up to 77
year olds joining in on the fun and festivities.
All
of these events will be good for the entire family to be involved. Be sure to
put the dates on your calendar right now. Applications are either at Get Active,
or will be soon. You will find how much fun and encouraging these events
are and you will want to participate in others coming in May thru July 2008,
including Baytree 8K on July 4th. Make the decision now to be a part of these
events raise your bar.
There are weekly, FREE activities for the runners and cyclists in the area.
Runners can show up at Get Active Running and more on Saturday and Sunday
morning at 7AM for all-comer runs from 4 to 8 plus mile runs. For more
information on the runs, check out the web page www.getactivevaldosta.com
, call or send an email. Cyclists can meet for rides on Tuesday, Thursday,
Saturday and Sunday. For more information on the cycling rides, check out the
web page at www.azaleacitycyclists.com.
Do you have results you want to share about yourself, a loved one or friend? Do
you want to share what motivates you to being active? Send an email 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. Check out www.getactivevaldosta.com
to get connected. Listen to the Get Active South Georgia radio show on Tuesday
evenings from 6 to 7PM on Talk 92.1 FM 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
Talk
92.1 FM Tuesdays 6 to 7 PM
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