$196 To Go

Posted Oct 3, 2006 by Patty Kim

Updated Oct 3, 2006 at 10:27 PM

More than 10,000 people—and more than 300 teams—have registered for the 2006 Komen Florida Suncoast Race for the Cure. The fundraising extravaganza Saturday at Vinoy Park in St. Petersburg will benefit breast cancer research initiatives, with 75 percent of the money raised staying in the Tampa Bay area and the rest going to The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

One inspirational young woman is running the 5K “for all the women who came before me, for the ones who are beside me, and so that no woman should ever come after me.”

That would be Terri A. Johnson, 30, a breast cancer survivor.

Her goal is to raise $2,000. She needs $196 more.

You can make a difference.

If you’d like to donate to the cause and help Terri help find a cure for breast cancer, visit her Web site.

And don’t miss her own story in 4you this Saturday.

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Gazelle, Anyone?

Posted Oct 3, 2006 by Patty Kim

Updated Oct 3, 2006 at 10:21 PM

How many of you can say you’ve got a photo like this laying around?

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Workout On The Road

Posted Oct 1, 2006 by Patty Kim

Updated Oct 1, 2006 at 10:38 PM

This weekend, I was in beautiful Fort Lauderdale for the 2006 National Writers’ Workshop. I left Friday and returned Sunday refreshed and armed with tips to make my stories shine.

The conference was at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, which has a fitness center with state-of-the-art equipment.

Despite being out of town, I didn’t want to take a vacation from my workout regimen.

Sessions ended at 5 p.m. Saturday, and I hit the workout room before heading out to dinner with friends at 7:30.

I got in a quick, 30-minute run on a treadmill and then hit a weight-training circuit. There was no guilt as I enjoyed my Mediterranean salmon dinner later. Mmmm.

Fitness on the road doesn’t have to be elusive. Most hotels have workout rooms equipped with cardio machines such as treadmills, ellipticals and stationary bikes. A pool is a great place to log a few laps and enjoy the scenery. Don’t forget to unwind in the hot tub.

Even if your hotel doesn’t have a gym, check to see whether they have special partnerships with local gyms in the area.

No worries if you don’t have access to a fitness center. Get out of the hotel and take a walk, especially if restaurants and shops are nearby. Explore the neighborhood.

Check to see if your hotel offers bike rentals. A ride can offer the perfect tour of the area.

If you’re staying on the eighth floor, don’t be afraid to take the stairs. That’s a great way to get your heart pumping with no equipment necessary.

If you’re really ambitious, don’t forget to pack bands, exercise balls, jumpropes or light weights to get a workout in the comfort of your own room. And if you just want to get back to the basics, try jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups and lunges.

If you’re flying, don’t let layovers get the best of you. Make the most of your time.

Check out the Airport Gyms site. Here you can find which airports include fitness centers, as well as gyms near airports that offer special day passes for travelers.

If you’re on the road and want to log a great run, visit the Road Runners Club of America. You can find running clubs across the country with links to their calendars and contact information. Not a bad way to make friends on the road.

If you’d rather be riding, check out the USA Cycling site.

Bottom line: There’s no excuse not to stay active away from home. Just do it!

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It’s An Adventure

Posted Sep 29, 2006 by Patty Kim

Updated Oct 4, 2006 at 09:18 AM

For the full story on Crystal and Patty’s adventure race, click here.

Don’t laugh. Video here!

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Working It At Work

Posted Sep 28, 2006 by Patty Kim

Updated Oct 3, 2006 at 09:55 PM

So I’ve been having trouble finding time to run. Work has me scrambling at odd hours with little energy left to fuel a workout.

How can I manage my time better to keep myself in shape?

I found some options ...

Presenting the Treadputer. Yep, get your run on while answering the phone, typing a report, writing a story, checking e-mail or surfing the net.

Interesting concept. Because I have a tough enough time watching the TV directly in front of me while running on the treadmill at the gym, I can just imagine how productive I would be on one of these contraptions.

If I didn’t fall off the Treadputer, no doubt my sweating like a pig would short circuit the system.

How about a more laid-back approach?

Here’s the Geek-a-Cycle.

I could handle this. A stationary bike topped with a computer station.

For a mere $350 not including the computer, you, too, could have your very own biking bonanza at work. But wait, there’s more!

“Physical activity while you work at your computer improves blood flow and increases oxygen to all parts of your body. Your heart and lungs work harder during the day thus providing all the health benefits of a moderate workout!”

“Inhibit blood clot development!”

“By pedaling, you stimulate your heart and improve blood circulation to your brain. You DO NOT become drowsy. You stay ALERT. You think better. You do *QUALITY* work!”

Hmmm, maybe I’ll just take the stairs ...

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