Todd Smoot
Walking, running, cycling, swimming, soccer, martial arts, tennis, basketball, weightlifting, pilates, aerobics, kickboxing and dancing are all methods of exercise. These are the type of exercises that improve your cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as muscle tone, and therefore, your quality of life.
Your choices of exercise are plentiful. Now you need to pick a few and make the conscious effort to get involved. You are never too busy, out of shape or overweight to start a smart approach to exercise. In many cases, if you spent half the time you spend on creating excuses not to exercise on solutions to exercise, the work would be done and your quality of life and your family’s would be improved.
The Valdosta-Lowndes Parks and Recreation Department offers a slew of opportunities for children and adults in a number of the exercise activities. Call them up or check out their web page for more information on how you can get involved.
There are at least two swim teams for children in Valdosta, and there are a few ways for adults to enjoy swimming as an exercise. Stone Creek and YMCA have teams that allow children to learn and enjoy the sport of swimming. Find out more and get those little fish with a group.
Between VLPR, Boys and Girls Club and the Azalea City Soccer Club, there are no excuses in finding the right type of soccer programs that your children can enjoy.
Remember your track etiquette — rules for the track — when used for running or walking. Slower traffic stays on the right hand side, or outside lanes. If you are walking or running faster than anyone else on the track, lanes 1 and 2 should be kept open for you. Once some others come on the track who are faster than you, let those people be in lane 1 or 2, and move out to lane 3 or more. The very least you should do is move to the outside if a faster person is coming from behind – especially if they say “track” as they approach. Be aware, be kind and safe to others as all the people use the track. Slower traffic goes to the right, or outside lanes. This is the courteous action that is taken throughout our great country.
Safety for the walkers and runners on the roads: Face traffic, use sidewalks whenever possible, wear light-colored clothing to be seen easier, carry identification, be aware of your surroundings at all times and wear reflective vests or bands in the early morning or late afternoons. Watch the on-coming traffic for those drivers in a daze or too preoccupied with the cell phone to properly control their vehicle. Be courteous to others on the road to walk or run in a single file when vehicles approach. Vehicles should be able to handle a person on the side of the road, but when two or more people are abreast, the active people are not being courteous to the drivers. It boils down to sharing the road and the golden rule of do onto others as you would have them do onto you.
Next week, I’ll talk about the progress of the Valdosta State cross country team members as they continue to train and race in preparation for the Fall 2009 season. Personal bests are being run in track meets this spring.
On Thursday evenings, listen to Talk 92.1 FM for the radio program that will offer an interview with recognized experts concerning the benefits of an active lifestyle. In the meantime, start a program to be proactive and preventative – rather than reactive. Listen in and become involved on Talk 92.1 FM between 6-7 p.m. You will learn from this program.
The Valdosta Grand Prix circuit for 2009 started on Jan. 1 and continues throughout the year. There are five events throughout the year: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving Day. In each of these events, points can be earned towards overall and age group categories. Four of the five events will have an entry fee of $5 and a cap for a family of $20; however, no T-shirts will be offered. Awards will be given out to overall, masters and the top two in each of 16 age groups, both male and female. The way the points are awarded should keep everyone close in the standings. Be a part of the 2009 Valdosta Grand Prix. In conjunction with this grand prix is one designed for the younger folks who run the 1-mile events. Get the family involved in either the 5K or 1-mile events. You will feel the difference.
On March 21, the Knights of Columbus present a 5K run and walk to raise money for the ACS Relay for Life. Be a part of a wonderful family event that helps raise money to rid the world of cancer. The finish line is presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
On April 4 in Cordele, there will be a Relay for Life 5K fundraiser. The finish line is presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
On April 18, the Hope and Faith 5K in Hahira, a fundraiser for Relay for Life. It’s a wonderful presentation and a fast course to boot. Applications are out now. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
April 25 – Walk for Charity event is celebrating 39 years on the Valdosta community and they are planning to add a 5K run to the day. More information will be forthcoming – save the date for a local 5K that will support numerous organizations in our community. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
May 2 – Dewar Elementary School is presenting a 5K and 1-mile run. There is a challenge to all the schools in the area to have more participants than Dewar. This event is open to all runners and walkers in the area of all ages. They have a tot trot, too. Applications are out. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
May 9 – Colony Chase 5K in Fitzgerald. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
May 16 – Sunrise Rotary 5K will be held in Valdosta. Applications are out. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
May 25 – The second event of the Get Active Grand Prix will be presented with a 5K and 1500 meter run (the metric mile). See information above about the Grand Prix. Make plans now to participate in the event on Memorial Day in Valdosta. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
June 6 – Child Advocacy Center presents the second annual Run for the Children 5K in Valdosta. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
July 4 – The annual Independence Day Valdosta event will continue. Part of the Valdosta Grand Prix circuit. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
If you have questions about your walking, running or other training, drop me an e-mail and I will do my level best to answer your questions. Check out www.getactivevaldosta.com to get connected. Become a member of the GetActiveSouthGeorgia yahoo group with over 125 other people. Listen to the Get Active radio program on Thursday evenings from 6-7 p.m. on Talk 92.1 FM to receive additional information or to ask questions.
