Staying fit is only a few thousand
steps away
By Tiffany Allison
As the weather turns warm and snow melts — well sometimes
melts — in Boone, some are frantically racing to devise a
plan to drop a few pounds before summer brings the heat.
Local runners find the Bear
at Grandfather Mountain an effective median between a
5K and a marathon given the rapid increase in elevation
of the 5-mile trek. File
photo by Mark Mitchell |
Instead of using Hollywood crash diets, many try training for
a road race. When some people read about running five of anything,
they start to sweat, but before that sweater gets too drenched,
remember — 5 kilometers equals only 3.1 miles.
Running 3 miles might seem like a long distance, but in only a
few weeks a person unfamiliar to distance running can finish a
mile in no time. Matt Hollifield a runner from Spruce Pine, said
that the best way to lengthen your distance is by easing your
way into running by creating a walk-run interval.
“Begin with a five minute walk with 30 seconds running and
30 seconds walking,” he said. “Jog for 30 seconds and
walk for 30 seconds and do that for 20 min.”
Interval training is said to be the best way to train for long
distance runs. According to Kristen Wolfe Bieler, a writer for
Runners World, anyone can be ready to run a 5k in five weeks by
running 3-4 times per week.
Hollifield said if people can work their intervals up to 30 seconds
on and 30 seconds off for 30 minutes, they are ready to run. But
most people try to push themselves to hard the first day rendering
them useless for days.
“Shorten your walking time if you feel comfortable, but don’t
overdue the running because you won’t be able to complete
the workout,” he said. “Beginning runners don’t
need to start out so quick, and they do not need to be afraid
to walk.”
Running has many health benefits. It helps strengthen the heart,
increase blood flow, releases endorphins and not to mention keeps
the body fat trim.
Hollifield said, “I run so I can eat what I want.”
But he has seen tremendous health benefits from running. He is
now more in tune with his body and its needs.
“It’s made me aware of my heart and my heart health,”
he said. “And it helps manage my stress tremendously not
to mention it’s a quick way to burn calories.
His love for running caused him to form annual races in Spruce
Pine,
“It helps build community and it helps get people to your
small town,” he said. “It brings people in and the community
benefits.”
Some final advice from Hollifield, “Set a goal for yourself.
Once you sign up for a 5k it keeps you motivated to keep running.”
Races around the High Country
Delta Zeta Turtle Trot:
Distance: 5k
Time: March 21- Registration begins at 9 a.m. race starts at
11 a.m.
Location: Greenway Trail
Cost: Pre-registration: faculty/students $12, $15 other. Day
of: $14 for students/faculty and $18 other
Relay for Life Spring Thaw:
Distance: 5k
When: April 18- Race begins at 8:30 a.m.
Location: Greenway Trail
Cost: $15
Six Annual Mineral City 5k Run:
Distance: 5k
When: April 25- Race begins at 5:30 p.m.
Location: First Baptist Church on Summit Ave, Spruce Pine
Cost: $20
2nd Annual Beech Mountain A Cool 5:
Distance: 5k
When: June 6- Race begins at 9 a.m.
Location: Beech Mountain Parks and Recreation
Cost: $25 early registration before includes t-shirt and socks
after May 15 is $30.
Run for Life 5k:
Distance: 5k
When: July 18- Race begins at 8 a.m.
Location: Ashe County High School
Cost: Pre-registration- $15, Race day- $20
Leprechaun Leap:
Distance: 5k
Time: March 14- Race begins at 9 a.m.
Location: City of Lenoir Greenway
Cost: Pre-registration-$15, Race day $20
The Bear:
Distance: 5 mile run
When: July 9, 7 p.m.
Location: Linville
Cost: $25
The Grandfather Mountain Marathon:
Distance: 26 miles
When: Saturday, July 11, 7 a.m.
Location: The marathon begins at Kidd Brewer Stadium on the
campus of Appalachian State University in Boone and ends on
Grandfather Mountain in Linville during the Highland Games.
Cost: $65
More info: www.hopeformarrow.org/gmminfo.htm or e-mail weaverjt@appstate.edu
This list is not exhaustive. If anyone knows of more races
in the area, please send an e-mail to reagan@mountaintimes.com
and we will publish an updated schedule.
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