‘Tis the Season All Over Again   

Do you remember that New Years Resolution you made a few months ago to improve your quality of life?

It is time to renew that commitment and enthusiasm that you had between Christmas and New Years.  Remember your decision to improve your weight management, feeling better, making those choices that offer so many positive benefits to you and your family’s health. The novelty has worn off; the excitement is no longer there, seeing the impact of your work takes longer.  Even when you have taken a little time off, your body is still enjoying the improved level of health. If you have slowed down your workouts per week to a crawl or stopped all together, you are normal. Many people struggle at times with keeping the workouts up. However the healthy improvement is there and you can still get going again.

Maybe you need to switch it up and add the gym, swimming, cycling or jogging to put spice to your workouts. Find that workout partner that needs you as much as you need them.  Revive the excitement and commitment you had before and train smarter, not harder. Set those realistic goals, create a plan to obtain your goals and put yourself in the position to succeed.

Maybe a goal like completing a large walking and running event in the area is the motivation you need. Annually on Independence Day, the Baytree Road Race 8K event is held in Valdosta. The event starts at 7:30 AM near the intersection of Baytree and Gornto. Follow Baytree to Oak Street, turn left on Oak, turn right onto Georgia, turn right onto Patterson, turn right onto Brookwood, turn right onto Oak Street and then left onto Baytree. Head down Baytree to Norman Drive, were you turn left and finish at the first traffic light. The distance is 5 miles and the feeling of accomplishment on this great American Holiday is immense.

Rather than offer excuses that your feet, knees, legs or back hurt – follow the example of so many and look at your equipment. One surprised individual shared that once he put the right equipment on, he shortened his time on a three mile run by 4 minutes – he did not have to deal with the foot pain had had for the weeks before.

Whatever effort it takes to achieve your goals, find within yourself the power to commit to a program for yourself and your loved ones. Have the confidence in yourself that you can make the change and then get on it – GET ACTIVE!

Bottom line – give yourself the best opportunity to enjoy and improve in your conditioning program – train smarter, not harder and get the proper equipment. Now, let’s see you meet those fitness goals throughout 2008 and beyond!

Powell, Harbin and Honeycutt family’s all had phenomenal success in triathlons in Clermont, Florida (Orlando area) at the Tri Kidz races this past weekend. In a regional race with a strong field of youth triathletes from across the Southeast, our South Georgia athletes won male and female overall and every age group they entered. The Powell’s had three, the Harbin’s had one and the Honeycutt’s had two young athletes and they all won their age group division with fantastic swimming, cycling and running. The future is bright.

More information about events in the surrounding area of Valdosta include:

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.

April 26th – The Rincon Run – a race against cancer. Call Southland Christian School for more information – 229-245-8111.

May 17th – Run for the Children – 5K and 1 mile events for the whole family. All proceeds benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center for Lowndes County – a non-profit organization that strives to promote prevention and awareness of child abuse and to minimize the trauma to children who have been abused. The event is being hosted by Leadership Lowndes Class of 2008.

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 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 Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. For more information on the cycling rides, check out the web page at www.azaleacitycyclists.com.

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 program 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