Todd Smoot
Walking, running, cycling, swimming, soccer, martial arts, tennis, basketball, weightlifting, pilates, aerobics and ballroom 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 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.
The Valdosta-Lowndes Parks and Recreation Department offer scores 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 two swim teams for children in Valdosta, and there are a few ways for adults to enjoy swimming as an exercise. Stone Creek and the 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 the Parks and Recreation Department, the Valdosta Boys and Girls Club and the Azalea City Soccer Club, there are no excuses for not finding the right type of soccer program 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 lanes 1 and 2, and you should move out to lane 3 or further. 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 kind to others, as all the people use the track.
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 mornings 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 and walk or run in 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: “Do onto others as you would have them do onto you.”
It is up to you – I have confidence that you can make positive changes in your life. Start with small steps, then incrementally start doing more and become a role model that people want to emulate. I know you can do it – just make the decision to do so.
n
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. This Thursday, be listening and call in with your questions. 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 Get Active 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 Get Active 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.
July 4 – The Valdosta 5K is the new and only Independence Day running event in Valdosta, continuing the tradition. The Valdosta 5K is part of the Get Active Grand Prix circuit. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
July 16 – Barnes 100 Years 5K – A new event, celebrating the 100 years of service Barnes has offered the Valdosta area. Applications will be out within the week. Enjoy the extras the event offers the participants. Finish line presented by Valdosta’s own A Course/Line, LLC.
September 7 – The Labor Day 5K is being planned for Labor Day. This event will be a part of the 2009 Get Active Grand Prix circuit, and you should make plans now. 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 138 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.
