Salisbury has recently been awarded another designation as a Fit Community. Lots of things done well by the city play a huge part in this. The Greenway has added sections, and hopefully more will come soon. There are many opportunities to take advantage of running around beautiful Salisbury. Currently, there are 16 race scheduled for the Salisbury Rowan area for 2012.
Running, of course, is a great exercise, requiring continuous effort and burning lots of calories. Figure about 100 calories burned per mile you run, a number that walking or biking canít match. People run to reach and maintain their ideal body weight. Better cardiovascular fitness is often a goal, improving both the heartís capacity and blood flow. Lower blood pressure is a likely result, allowing many who persist to go off or reduce medications previously taken. In fact, the heart of an inactive person will have to beat as much as 36,000 more times per day than that of regular runner. Lungs become strong and powerful.
Some runners use their exercise of choice as a remedy. Often the wellness aspects provide a positive addiction. Mental clarity is a huge benefit. Runners say that it is the cheapest therapy around. From my own experience, a huge problem is either solved or much smaller following a run. It is easy to get started, if you want to do it. For beginners, there comes a time when dreaded physical pain becomes a rewarding and wonderful experience. But it takes work, and usually some help from other runners. There are plenty of new opportunities coming up if you want to consider getting started.
First, there will be a new day class this year at the Civic Center. It starts on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 10 a.m. There will be eight classes on successive Thursdays. Each meeting starts with a classroom session, lasting about 30 minutes. Topics covered in the classroom will include a class overview, shoes and equipment, stretching, injury prevention, strengthening, nutrition, safety, and race day preparation. All classroom sessions will be led by professionals with specialized training and expertise in their subject of instruction. Following the class, then the participants will move outside to run at distances from [0xbd] mile up to 3.1 miles. Total time each Thursday will be about 60-90 minutes. Each beginning runner will be given a schedule to follow with mileage goals during their own training. They also will get individual coaching. Classes graduate with a ceremony, complete with food and a diploma. Graduates become members of the Salisbury Rowan Runners for one year, and have free entry into the Salisbury Fire Departmentís St. Patrick Dayís 5K on March 10. Proceeds go to repair and refurbish an antique ladder truck.
Another class will be held at Rowan Regional Hospital starting in March. This class will meet at 6 p.m. and will follow the same format of the January class. Participants in this class will get free entry into the Bare Bones 5K on May 26. This race will benefit Relay for Life.
Cost for either session is $60. Each beginning runner gets a Salisbury Rowan Runner club t-shirt. Those who enter the January class will have free entry into the March class should they desire more training.
For those who desire individual or small group coaching, these are also available at Ulearn2run.com Training is offered for anyone from beginners who are just wanting to start a personal fitness program, and continues to those who are experienced marathoners and are trying to improve their performance. Training programs can be tailored to the individual, no matter what the pace or goal. The motto of all these programs is ěA Place for Every Pace.î
Both sessions are provided by the Salisbury Rowan Runners, Salisbury Parks and Recreation and Rowan Regional Medical Center. Please call 704-310-6741 or 704-216-2709 or go to www.salisburyrowanrunners.org for more information.
What better way to start getting healthy than to join one of these classes? It is a great time to get a jump start on your own wellness goals for 2012 and follow through on one of the most important resolutions that you can make. We have a day class, an evening class and individually tailored sessions. There is something for everyone. Hope to see you there.