Active Living
Registration Opens For Dayton’s Longest Running Half Marathon
The Dayton River Corridor Classic (DRCC) began in 1977 and has been drawing runners both near and far to the Miami Valley. Runners are attracted to the race because of the DRCC’s intimate feel, friendly competition, business Expo, beautiful course with autumnal weather, and the good times had year after year. There will be one race with two distances, a half marathon and a 5K run or walk. The race will be held Sunday, October 12th, 2014 and starts and finishes at the Payne Recreation Center (3800 Main St. Moraine, Ohio 45439) at 9:00am.
To kick off the weekend a business expo featuring over 40 businesses and organizations takes place on Saturday October 11th at noon at the Payne Recreation Center. Looking for a chance to interact with 1000 people in a short time? Our Expo is the perfect opportunity whether you are a business, club, academic group, or any other type of organization. If you have something you think would be of interest to runners and their families contact them about reserving a table. The race is attracting a number of sponsors. Already signed up are Kettering Sports Medicine, LaRosa’s Pizza, Runners Plus, EarthFare, Key Sports, Nox Gear, among others. Many of these sponsors will have a table set up for the Expo.
There are a number of changes in store for the race this year. Registration has been increased to 2,000 total participants (1,500 for the half marathon and 500 for the 5K).
This year we will again be offering a $10 discount for early half marathon registration. You can register online at rundayton.org.
This discount will be available to all participants who register between April 1st and April 3rd. Ohio River Road Runners Club (ORRRC) members will still be eligible to receive a $10 discount for the half marathon until September 28th 2014.
Classic is a great race for both the experienced runner and someone just getting into running. Our two distances make this an event the whole family can enjoy. The goal is friendly competition and a lot of fun.
Participants will once again receive a half marathon medal and a t-shirt this year. The “Pancake Guy” will be returning, flipping pancakes at participants and spectators from up to 30 feet away. This is a family oriented event with music and entertainment for kids and parents while the runners continue on with the race.
The DRCC will also be launching a social media contest where followers and participants will vote to choose local Dayton charities to donate a total of $5,000. The contest starts with ten charities which will be voted on by participants in a social media campaign, down to 3 winners, dividing the funds as $2,500.00 for the winner, $1,500 for second place, and $1,000 for third. Look for more info soon.
Bike Share to Roll Into Dayton Spring 2015
Community leaders gathered at Second Street Public Market today 
to announce the required $1 million in capital funding has been secured to launch a bike share program in Greater Downtown Dayton in 2015. Earlier this month, Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) approved 2014 funding from the Federal Highway Administration Surface Transportation Program to cover capital costs for 22 bike share stations. Mayor Nan Whaley announced that the City of Dayton has committed to providing $250,000 which includes a needed local match to secure the capital funds and partial operating support to launch the program.
Dayton’s bike share, which will launch in spring 2015, will feature 22 strategically located stations, all within an approximate two mile radius of downtown Dayton. Each station will contain six to ten bikes, totaling more than 200 bikes. Stations will be placed within 1/4 mile of one another so it users will not have to walk more than 5 minutes to find an available bike. All bikes are securely locked, require a membership or credit card to access and will allow for GPS tracking. Customers – who range from one-day users to annual subscribers – are able to take unlimited trips on the bikes. Trips may be up to 30-45 minutes in length and may go to any other station or back to the original location.
Brian Martin, Executive Director of MVRPC shared, “The role of alternative transportation modes—such as bike share—in enriching their communities is extremely important, and our own bike share program will enable Dayton to keep pace with similar cities who already enjoy the benefits of bike share.”
The Downtown Dayton Partnership has seen evidence that that bike share programs bolster urban vibrancy, are a major factor in downtown livability, and maximize the connectivity of existing public transit infrastructure. Dr. Michael Ervin, DDP Co-Chair said, “Advancing Dayton’s cycling culture is an important strategy in the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan.” But it’s not just the Downtown Dayton Partnership who want to see this happen. Ervin continues, “Organizational partnerships have been crucial to the establishment of a viable strategy for Dayton’s bike share program, and they are a testament to the community’s enthusiasm for this initiative.”
The organizations that have stepped up to implement the bike share program include Greater Dayton RTA, Bike Miami Valley and MVRPC. Bike Miami Valley be securing staff over the next year to oversee customer management, sponsorship outreach, customer memberships, organizational partnerships, and marketing and promotions with plans to hire an Executive Director in late summer or early fall. Once the program is launched, RTA will maintain the bike share equipment and balance the distribution of bikes across the station network. MVRPC identified the capital funding source and will provide additional support, including office space for bike share staff. Combined, these partnerships will lower the annual bike share operational costs by more than $135,000 each year. Immediate next steps will be to issue an RFP (a required step since bike share will be run by a public agency) to select an equipment vendor and develop the program branding and name.
Mark Donaghy, Executive Director of Greater Dayton RTA sees bike share as a “last mile connector” and a long-anticipated asset 
in better serving RTA patrons and promoting bus ridership. Users can ride the bus into downtown and pick up a bike to get to their exact destination with fewer transfers and more convenience; bike share adds to a system of transportation options within the downtown area. Donaghy says, “We look forward to seeing this important community asset grow.”
Andy Williamson, with Bike Miami Valley shared, “Bike Miami Valley is excited that Dayton will join the collection of more than 25 cities across the U.S. with bike share transportation systems.”
Although bike share is growing in popularity across the nation, Dayton is the second city to announce that they’ve completed the process of securing the needed capital funds. An appropriate fit since Dayton was designated in 2010 as a bronze level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists (with the goal to reach platinum level by 2020). Cincinnati is currently fundraising with hopes to launch Cincy Bike Share in the near future, and both Cleveland and University of Toledo are in research/planning modes with hopes to create their own bike share program.
But is Dayton ready? Scott Murphy with Bike Miami Valley says yes. Murphy explained, “We set out about a year and a half ago to study the feasibility of bike sharing in the Dayton region by benchmarking our community against others of similar size who have done bike sharing successfully. We looked at factors that correlate to actual bike share usage in other cities; things like population density, job density, where young people are clustered in our community. What we found surprised us; not only does Dayton measure-up to these communities, we actually outpace other bike share cities of similar size for key bike share design factors. The community is ready to do this.”
The idea is there, the plan is set, the money is confirmed: the reality of bike share roll out for Dayton in spring of 2015.
Celebrate Earth Day With Adopt-A-Park
Go green by protecting and cleaning green spaces in honor of Earth Day: Join Five Rivers MetroParks’ 27th annual Adopt-A-Park event from 9 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 19. Register online by April 7 at www.metroparks.org/adopt.
A diverse crew of volunteers of all ages, accessibility levels and backgrounds join forces during this event to make our parks and river corridors healthier, more attractive and friendlier places to visit. Volunteers will participate in projects aimed at improving the environment at more than two dozen sites throughout the Dayton area.
Volunteers will receive a free T-shirt and lunch at RiverScape MetroPark, and project supplies will be provided. Groups are encouraged to register early to ensure space at available sites.
“With this year’s high water and snow, cleanup along our rivers and bikeways will be especially important,” said Kevin Kepler, volunteer services manager for Five Rivers MetroParks. “We’ve seen some incredible wildlife during past clean ups, including beavers, otters, red fox and numerous interesting birds. You never know what you’re going to come across.”
In addition to cleanup, volunteers will plant trees, prepare garden beds, remove invasive species and paint. This year’s Adopt-A-Park volunteers also will help with conservation efforts to restore our forests by checking on tree seedlings that have been planted in past years, repairing protective tubes and making sure the seedlings are growing as planned.
“Environmental stewardship is a top of priority at Five Rivers MetroParks,” Kepler said. “We do this work year-round to help protect our environment, and the Adopt-A-Park volunteers help us create cleaner parks and natural spaces. Plus, it’s a great way to get back outside after winter, celebrate Earth Day and welcome spring.”
In 2013, more than 2,000 people volunteered at 37 sites located throughout Montgomery County to remove trash and invasive species, maintain trails, and prepare garden beds. Roughly 28,000 pounds of litter and 300 tires were removed; 13,500 pounds of recyclable materials were collected; and 6,000 trees were planted.
ABOUT FIVE RIVERS METROPARKS
Celebrating 50 years of preserving green space and natural areas, Five Rivers MetroParks is a nationally renowned park system composed of natural area parks, gardens, high-quality river corridors, urban parks and a network of recreation trails. Five Rivers MetroParks protects the region’s natural heritage and provides outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature. Educational programs and recreational opportunities are offered year-round for all ages. To learn more about Five Rivers MetroParks, log onto www.metroparks.org or call
937-275-PARK.
Sprinting into Spring
I’d love to lie to you and tell you I love winter – that I’m a “glass half full” kind of girl who can find the silver lining to the ninety thousand snow storms we’ve had this winter. But I can’t. I can’t even pretend to like anything about cold weather, the grey skies and the fact that going outside now means I’m sporting gear worn by Dennis Quaid in The Day After Tomorrow. I’ve pretty much quit winter. Given up. Stopped watching Jamie Simpson on WHIO tell me we’re going to have another “polar vortex.” Gone on strike. Done.
So, in an attempt to wish myself into an early spring and warmer temperatures, I’ve started planning ahead to my favorite part of the year: race season. I’m not ashamed to admit that this winter has definitely had an impact on my waistline. I think it’s safe to say that everyone has a little cabin fever lately, and we’re all aching to get outdoors. Soon enough, we’ll be dusting off those gym shoes (oh, is it just me whose been a little lazy on those resolutions?), and peeking outside like bears coming out of hibernation.
I can’t promise spring will come any sooner, but I can guarantee you that there are some pretty awesome races this spring worth getting off the couch for. Here are the races worth checking out this spring:
The Big Hoopla 4-miler
When: Sunday, March 16
Info: http://www.daytonhoopla.com/
Why it’s awesome: This is the ultimate area fun-run for the basketball lover. Held on Selection Sunday, the race kicks off the March Madness mayhem we’ve all come to love. Dayton hosts the NCAA First Four games, making this race an excellent excuse to pull that basketball lover in your life off the couch and right into the action.
Harrigans 5k
When: March 22,
Info: http://www.harrigans5k.com/
Why it’s awesome: Harrigans generously donates 100% of event proceeds to four different charities. And for the runners? St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t end after the green beer runs out on March 17. After a quick 3.1 miles on a fairly flat neighborhood course, runners pack into Harrigans for early morning beers. Why? Because running validates drinking before noon, of course.
Run For The Health Of It
When: April 12
Info: http://www.speedy-feet.com/race-entry.php?id=1116
Why it’s awesome: Join the Junior League of Dayton at this chip-timed 5k or 10k event that starts downtown at RiverScape. Stick around after the race – in conjunction with the Children’s Medical Center of Dayton, the Junior League of Dayton will run informative healthy lifestyle stations sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.
Panerathon 5k
When: April 27
Info: http://www.panerathon.com/index-dayton.html
Why it’s awesome: Panera’s race proceeds go towards The Children’s Hunger Alliance. The course winds through Centerville’s flat neighborhoods, and the Panerathon boasts some of the best post-race eats around. Panera pastries and sandwiches are in abundance at the finish line.
Furry Skurry
When: May 10
Info: www.hsdayton.org
Why it’s awesome: This pet-friendly event boasts lots of four-legged running companions at its 5k and 1 mile walk benefiting the animals at the Humane Society of Greater Dayton. Local vendors flock to this event, now in its 23rd year, so be sure to stick around and check them out!
There are tons of charities and organizations out there worth lacing up those tennis shoes for – not to mention the fact that getting outdoors and moving your feet is just good for you. If it’s not one of these fine races, find something that inspires you and challenge yourself to run for it. In the meantime, keep dreaming of warmer temperatures, more green and less grey, and for the day the Elsa’s patio opens for spring.
Free Introduction to Backpacking 101 Class
Dayton’s Roller Girls Season Starts **Ticket Give Away**
The Gem City Rollergirls (GCRG) are Dayton’s only skater owned and operated flat track roller derby league. Like a lot of other leagues around the country, the formation of the Gem City Rollergirls was inspired by the airing of the A&E series “Rollergirls” about a banked-track derby team out of Austin, Texas. Many of our players saw “Rollergirls” and knew that they wanted to play derby. It all began in 2005 when founding skater Helen of DesTroy scoured the internet for other girls interested in starting a team in Dayton. The team had its first Meet & Greet at the Skateworld of Kettering on January 22, 2006, and its first practice on February 19, 2006.
Since then the team has had a variety of changing line-ups. They have skaters from all walks of life, from ages 18 to 60, single gals to moms with kids, medical assistants to teachers to accountants to cosmetologists. Meet a few of the girls:
Reckless Ratchet
Why did you pick your name?: I picked Reckless because when I first started scrimmaging with the team I was out of control… I still enjoy skating at reckless speeds toward the back of the pack. Ratchet was a nickname given to me in school many years ago. Thus was born Reckless Ratchet
What is your pre-game ritual?: Feeling sick to my stomach. I like to distract myself with cleaning the house until it’s time to head to Hara.
What do you “geek out” about?: Spending time with my awesome husband and three wonderfully rotten and precocious kids… and derby!
Demolition Curvy
Why did you join derby?: I joined after watching my first bout back in 2010. As soon as the whistle blew and both teams started hitting each other, I knew this was something I had to do! After that, I showed up at the next practice and have been doing it ever since.
Why did you pick your name?: Because I demolish anything my way and I’ve got some wicked curves 🙂
What advice would you give someone new to derby?: It takes a lot of work-off and on the track so be prepared. Don’t get down on yourself and stay positive!
Diva Vin Detta
Why did you join derby?: I have been a rink rat my entire life, I ran into the Gem City Rollergirls on Myspace, lol. I went to my first practice just to check it out in April 2009 and was immediately told to strap on some skates. I got to hit some girls and they definitely hit me back. I have been dedicated to this kick ass sport ever since.
What is your pre-game ritual?: Bathroom, banana, bathroom, red-bull, banana, choose game day bandanna, skate.
What advice would you give someone new to derby?: You will know immediately if this sport is for you. Don’t force it. If you think it is for you, don’t quit. Don’t rush your name. Names are not the sport, they are cute and fun and sometimes, a little bad ass but they do not make you a better skater, practice does. So just keep skating the name will come, eventually.
Outer Spacey
Why did you join derby?: Growing up, I was a rink rat. I’ve skated for as long as I can remember, so it wasn’t very hard to talk me in to trying it! After joining, I realized it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I feel so lucky to have found this *amazing* team.
Why did you pick your name?: I actually didn’t choose my own name. You see, if you can’t decide on a name, one will be given to you. Apparently I have a tendency to “space out” 🙂
What is your pre-game ritual?: Burger King. Enough said.
What advice would you give someone new to derby?: It isn’t easy, but IT’S WORTH IT. Please, please, please don’t give up. Because, in the end, all of the bruises/blood/soreness is worth it.
The ladies season opener is this Saturday night, Feb 22nd in the Ball Arena at the Hara Arena Complex! Get 
your tickets for this double header against Chemical Valley and A-Town. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased online at Brown Paper Tickets for only $10! At the door prices are $12 for adults and $7 for ages 8-12. Doors open at 4:30 and game time is 5:30. They will lead off with the ladies of Violet Femmes vs A-Town and finish the night off with Purple Reign vs Chemical Valley.
Do you want to be part of the Gem City Rollergirls? We can’t blame you. There are several ways to get involved.
NSO
The best way to help our organization and learn more about derby at the same time is to volunteer. An “NSO” is a Non-Skating Official. You may spot them in pink shirts at bouts keeping stats, managing the penalty box, selling tickets, keeping score, and more. Everyone who works our bouts does so on a volunteer basis, and we can always use more volunteers! NSOs gain free entry into bouts they work and get an inside look at the organization. If you plan to skate with the team when boot camp rolls around, this is a great place to be in the meantime.
Referee
Those folks in stripes are also volunteers. Is bashing and crashing not your cup of tea? Does your schedule not jive with our practice times? You may prefer to learn your way around a whistle. Referees often attend regular team practices and the skating is equally intense. Contact us to learn more.
Skate
We are always looking for new skaters for our team. No skills? No gear? No problem! All you need to start is some dedication and a fierce desire to get out on the rink and kick some butt!
Do you think you have what it takes to be a roller girl? If so, mark your calendars. Gem City will hold two boot camps this year to bring in new talent. To skate, you must be a female age 18 or older. High skill, low skill, never strapped wheels to your feet…Gem City welcomes you. You bring the will and we’ll show you the way.
Tentative dates for 2014 boot camp are as follows:
Mid-season boot camp: June 30th, July 1st, 3rd, & 6th.
Off season boot camp: October 13th, 14th, 16th, 19th.
Ticket Give Away
DaytonMostMetro.com has a pair of tickets to give away for Saturday’s season opener. If you’d like to enter our ticket giveaway, fill out the form below and comment below what your “roller – name” would be! Winner will be drawn Friday evening and posted here.
Congrats to Gretchen Henrich, our ticket winner- enjoy the roller derby!
Yoga offered at Westminster Presbyterian Church
Interested in calming the mind and feeling your stress melt away? Yes, it IS possible in just an hour. You will practice/learn how to maintain that feeling throughout your day. Yoga will be offered each Tues 12:30-1:30. Beginners Basics. No previous Yoga experience needed. Open to all ages of adults, body types and genders. (Real men do Yoga too)! Yoga isn’t about being flexible or already fit. It’s about breath work, community and allowing the body to release. What to bring: a mat if you have one, (there will be a few loaner mats available), and a light blanket or throw. Most importantly: bring your true self with an open heart AND a friend or two (the community part). Open to the public. Location: Stargazer Theater. Enter the church thru Wilkinson St side. Press intercom button, say you are there for Yoga. When inside head down the stairs. Theater is at bottom of stairs on your left. The theater is on the same side of church you will enter. Each student’s first class is free. $8/class or a 5 class pass for $35. Parking is free – use the church lot (on First across from church) and tell attendant you are going into church. Questions? 937-609-6759 [email protected]
Yoga will also be offered:
Tuesday March 04, 2014
Tuesday March 11, 2014
Tuesday March 18, 2014
Tuesday March 25, 2014
Come out and do something good for your mind, body and spirit!
Healthy Body/Healthy Mind Workshop with DCDC
Still Time To Volunteer for The Adventure Summit!
The Adventure Summit is hosted every two years by Five Rivers MetroParks and Wright State University. The Summit seeks to inspire and educate people interested in a vibrant and healthy lifestyle by offering demonstrations, classes, competitions, and vendors.
The event is February 14 & 15 at WSU Student Union. Details can be found at www.theadventuresummit.com.
All event volunteers will receive a FREE Get Out & Live shirt, access to our hospitality area and the opportunity to work with a great team of outdoor recreation enthusiasts!
The following positions still need filled. Positions will be filled on a first-come, first filled basis. Please be flexible.
Thursday, February 13
Set-up, Noon – 3:00 PM
Saturday, February 15
Classroom Ambassador, 1:30 – 5:30 PM
Classroom Ambassador, 1:30 – 5:30 PM
Poolside Support, 1:15 – 4:00 PM
Poolside Support, 1:15 – 4:00 PM
General Tear-Down, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
MetroParks Booth Ambassador, 2:30 – 6:00 PM
Position descriptions can be found at www.theadventuresummit.com/volunteer.
To help, contact Lucy Sanchez at [email protected] or call (937) 274-3171.
Courteous Mass Ride @ Fifth Third Field
Trying to stick to that New Year’s resolution to get healthy and fit? Here’s an opportunity!
Come see the city from your bike! Courteous Mass Dayton is a community of bike minded individuals who gather on the first Fridays of the month and take a street ride tour of the city. We do this to raise awareness of bikes as transportation and to raise visibility of cyclist on our streets. Courteous Mass is a bit different from other groups that call themselves Critical Mass. Courteous Mass is dedicated to following the rules of the road to set a rider standard. Courteous Mass is a great way to get yourself familiar with riding your bicycle in the streets. Dayton is recognized as a Bronze-level Bike Friendly City by the League of American Bicyclists for its bicycle friendly infrastructure. Dayton is making it easier for the citizens to use the bicycle as a viable means of transportation. No matter if you’re just starting out riding or if you’ve been riding for years, Courteous Mass is the event for you!
When: Friday February 07, 2014 at 5:30 pm and Every First Friday of the Month at 5:30 pm
Where: Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, OH
Parking: Metered parking is free after 6pm. There are various free parking spots along Monument. There is always the option of parking at 2nd Street Market and the Oregon District then ride your bike to the event.
Email: [email protected]
This month’s route will go through the main streets of downtown and will be shorter in length to accommodate the weather. All tours are free and they welcome any skill level.
Visit their website for more details! www.courteousmassdayton.com
Jean Woodhull Recognized For Lifetime Of Local Green Space Advocacy
Jean V Woodhull Prairie at Possum Creek
Long-time nature enthusiast, green space advocate and Oakwood resident Jean Woodhull has been selected as the recipient of The Outstanding Citizen Award from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association (OPRA).
Parks and recreation professionals, citizens and legislators were nominated by parks and recreation professionals and agencies from throughout the state. The award winners will be recognized at the annual OPRA Awards Celebration and Dinner on Feb. 4 in Sandusky, Ohio.
Woodhull, along with other visionary citizens, recognized the need to preserve open space in Montgomery County and the greater Dayton region. She was instrumental in organizing the “Save Open Space Committee” in the 1960s that ultimately gained community support and funding for the park district now known as Five Rivers MetroParks. In addition to her role in helping establish the park district, Woodhull also served on its Board of Commissioners for a decade.
“These individuals really represent some of the best in parks and recreation, past, present and future,” said OPRA Executive Director Woody Woodward. “Each of these winners understands the vital role that parks and recreation plays in establishing and maintaining community and building quality of life.”
Register Now For Miami Valley Gardening Conference
MetroPark’s annual kick-off to the spring gardening season will take place Saturday March 1st at the Sincalir Ponitz Center. This year’s theme is Gardening for the next decade. Enjoy breakout sessions led by local experts on Plant Selections for the future, Proactive choices for a better environment, Playing in the garden, and The Most Beautiful Garden is YOUR Garden. Fee includes breakfast snack, full lunch (vegetarian options available), breaks and covered parking. Online registration $50. Walk-in and phone registration $60.
Walk-in late registration will be accepted on the day of the conference for $60. Please call 277-6545 for information.
Keynote speaker Jeff Lowenfels is an international proponent of organics and the award winning author of Teaming With Microbes: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to The Soil Food Web. His weekly column has appeared in theAnchorage Daily News for over 37 years and he was once an Editor of the Harvard Lampoon, America’s oldest humor magazine, so his talks are alway humorous and witty and entertaining. He is also a reformed lawyer; the combination of garden writing and law earning him the moniker: America’s Dirtiest Lawyer. In addition to writing, Jeff hosted a statewide tv gardening show. Today, Jeff has a popular radio show.
Thomas Rainer, the second keynote speaker is a registered landscape architect, teacher, and writer living in Arlington, Virginia.Thomas is a passionate advocate for an ecologically expressive design aesthetic that does not imitate nature, but interprets it. His planting designs focus on creating a modern expression of the ground plane with a largely native palette of perennials and grasses. Thomas has designed landscapes for the U.S. Capitol grounds, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and The New York Botanical Garden, as well as over 100 gardens from Maine to Florida.
| SCHEDULE: | |
| 7:30 am | Check-in, late registration and refreshments |
| 8:05 am | Welcome Carrie Scarff, Deputy Director, Five Rivers MetroParks Betty Hoevel, Education Supervisor, Five Rivers MetroParks |
| 8:15 am | Morning Keynote: Jeff Lowenfels “Teaming with Nutrients: The Organic Gardener’s Guide to Optimizing Plant Nutrition” |
| 9:20 am | Session One: Plant Selections for the future |
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| 10:15 am | Morning Break — door prizes, demos, book signing |
| 10:40 am | Session Two: Proactive choices for a better environment |
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| 11:35 am | Lunch — demos, door prizes, Great Hall |
| 1:00 pm | Afternoon Keynote: Thomas Rainer: “Sustainable Garden Design” |
| 2:05 pm | Session Three: Playing in the garden |
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| 3:00 pm | Afternoon Break |
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| 3:35 pm | Session Four: Laura Deeter: “The Most Beautiful Garden is YOUR Garden” |
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| 4:30 pm | Pick up door prizes |
Win A 55′ TV At The Super Sunday Sprint
This new 4-mile race is a great way to get some exercise in before the big game and great commercials. We will be giving away two 55′ LG HD TVs. One will be a random drawing. The second will be drawn from the top ten men and top ten women in the race!
Register in advance for only $12. Race day registration is $20.
Registration Is Open For The Hoopla Four Miler
In its third year, the Hoopla Four Miler is one of the best community races in the Dayton Region. The Four Miler is run on Selection Sunday (March 16th) and draws hundreds of runners. Electronic timing will be provided by Key Sports. The event ties together the Dayton’s love for college basketball, America’s most passionate fans and America’s #1 tournament host site. The exciting community fun-run is a great way to kick-off the Madness in Dayton, Ohio each March.
Adult 3 mile run is $30 and Youth (12 and under ) runs $20. Register early and save $5
5 Tips to Staying Active and Healthy This Winter
Baby it’s cold outside-j
ust because the mercury is dropping don’t let your activity level drop too! Don’t let the winter blues get you down and keep you from living an active lifestyle. The winter isn’t meant for us to hibernate. We still have to get up and go to work every day just like in the summer so why shouldn’t we still keep active. Here are five easy remedies to fighting winter hibernation and starting the year off right.
1. Go out and PLAY!
If you can’t seem to muster the energy to work out this time of year, try “playing” instead. You can burn quite a few calories playing indoors or out. The best part is that it doesn’t feel like working out—though you can still get your heart rate up and have an excellent cardio and muscle toning session. Take advantage of this snow filled winter and have a blast in the winter wonderland outside by making snow angels, having a snowball fight, building a snowman or sledding! These are fun activities you can do by yourself, with friends or kids. They are great family bonding activities that will leave everyone sweaty, fit and exhilarated!
2. Take up a winter sport
If, like me, you’re a competitive type, why not try a new winter sport? From skiing to snowshoeing or ice-skating, there are many great options that burn mega calories and put a whole new twist on staying active this winter. In the Dayton area we are fortunate to have the Five Rivers MetroParks that offer outdoor skating to add some scenery to your activity. Ski slopes like Perfect North and Mad River Mountain offer a lot of discounts this season and are a short drive away. This winter, try something new, challenge yourself in a way you never thought possible, and I promise you won’t regret trying.
3. Try a workout class
Workout classes are a great motivator for me. They offer accountability and the hardest part is showing up. Don’t have a gym membership? No problem! There are plenty of drop-in classes open to anyone in our area. Hot Yoga is a “hot” trend right now with multiple classes all over the Dayton area. Kettering Rec Center has some awesome Zumba and TRX classes as well as many of the other recs and YMCA’s in town. If you’re a woman, I highly recommend trying out BAER Fit Chicks! All of these classes offer great workouts in different ways and will keep you going through the cold months.
4. Try a workout DVD
Too cold to leave your house? No time for an hour workout or feel you need to spend more time at home? Try a workout DVD! You can find DVDs that offer rejuvenating workouts ranging anywhere from 8 minutes to 1 hour. I am a huge fan of the Jillian Michaels DVDs, especially the 30 Day Shred. Jeannette Jenkins also has a great kickboxing DVD that is so much fun I don’t even realize I’m getting a workout. Want something you can do with the kids or the whole family? Try Just Dance on the Wii! I have worked up some of my best sweats playing this game and it is SO MUCH FUN!!!!
5. Do your household chores
Admittedly, this isn’t my favorite option. But it does help me not spend the entire day on my couch, in my PJs, accomplishing nothing. Unless you’re tuning in and working out with a fitness show, limit your downtime at the TV and computer. If you’re stuck indoors, get a jump on spring cleaning. (Remember, when the warm weather returns, you’ll want to be back outside, not cleaning the house.) Collect and recycle old clothes and used appliances that have been taking up space in your closets, and take care of the various household chores you’ve been putting off since the summer. An hour of housework burns about 200 calories; plus, this winter activity will give you a great sense of accomplishment.
So it’s time to get excited. If you’ve never been a winter fan, start focusing on what you do love about it and how this time of year provides new opportunities for your fitness and health. From eating delicious in-season produce (oranges, kale, and chestnuts, oh my!), to curling up with a steaming mug of hot cocoa in front of the fireplace after a long workout, there is much to love about winter when you embrace it and appreciate all it has to offer.
