The best gifts keep on giving….

Ideas for Gifts from Atlanta Wellness Solutions**

For a limited time, add $50 to the value of any gift certificate given!**

1. New Moms- Give her what she wants: time to herself and a jump-start to getting back in shape after baby!

2. New Exerciser- If your loved one has expressed an interest in getting in shape, get them started on the right foot with a trainer that will show them how to get results safely and effectively

3. Sports Aficionado- For someone who wants to get better at their favorite sport, sports specific strength training is an essential building block

         A. Golf

         B. Running

        C. Triathlon

4. Children – For children, exercise should be like play. Get them a head start and a love for fitness with a fitness program that will develop skills, coordination, and body control

5. Teens- Whether their sport of choice is cheerleading, volleyball, dancing, or baseball, core strength, agility, flexibility and strength is essential. Additionally, their program should keep them engaged and motivated.

6. Older Adults- We lose muscle mass and bone density as we age, but resistance exercise can help! Whether you are getting back into shape or trying exercise for the first time, we can help.

As always, Atlanta Wellness Solutions utilizes only degreed, certified and experienced professionals. For more information call (770) 605-3700. And remember, for a limited time, add $50 to the value of any gift certificate given!

Making the Most of the Off-season

After a long season of racing most people feel the need to dial back a bit and enjoy an official “off-season.” The word “off- season” can mean different things to different people. Some cut intensity and volume and use the extra time to reconnect with friends and family, while others mainly eat, drink, and gain weight. Unfortunately, the latter approach can mean losing all the fitness they worked for during the year .
On the other end of the scale are those athletes who try to keep up the same intensity and volume logged during the season, which can lead to burnout and injury. According to coach Sergio Borges of Ironguides, a leading lifestyle facilitation company, the idea is not to be a”January National Champion,” loosely defined as someone that logs crazy epic workouts in the winter, only to burn themselves out physically and mentally by summer.
 

Certainly there are ways to utilize an off season more effectively that either approach, namely by emphasizing a single-sport focus, strength training, or cross-training Think of it as gaining an advantage over sedentary competitors and setting yourself up for an even better season next year.
 

Single Sport Focus- The obvious candidate for a single sport winter focus would be running. With a plethora of races every weekend in Atlanta, you only have to bundle up or hit the treadmill to keep up your running throughout the year. A goal of a winter marathon or half-marathon is a good way to stay focused on running consistency.
A cycling focus is slightly more challenging, but an indoor trainers or organized cycling classes are good way to focus on a cycling weakness. An alternative is to invest in some cold weather gear and brave the roads. As for swimming, Georgia lakes remain a possibility throughout much of the season for those willing to brave colder temps and don special gear such as booties and gloves. An option for the less brazen would be to invest in some swim lessons to improve technique.
 

Strength training- It can be hard to incorporate consistent strength training into the racing season. The off season is a great time to improve power, agility and functional strength , which will set you up for a great 2010 season. A trainer or coach can help you put together a comprehensive program which can help with injury prevention and power in 2010.
Cross training- For those who are burned out or longing for another sport that took a backseat during race season, nows the time to get your cross training fix. Time spent pursuing other hobbies can help the competitive fire to train and improve return when spring arrives.
 

I always love to hear what you’ve got to say. Leave a comment or email me if you have an endurance event you would like profiled: Bethany@AtlantaWellnessSolutions.com.

Upcoming Atlanta Endurance Events- November

October 2, 1:55

It is officially fall and to endurance athletes that means road running season! With practically dozens of turkey trots and fun runs every weekend, new events are trying to set their races apart. If you are looking for something different or fun for the whole family,  there are a number of unique running events taking place in October in Atlanta.

Peachtree City Classic 

15K Open, Women’s 5K, Men’s 5K 

Saturday, October 17, 2009  

Address

Peachtree City cart paths
191 McIntosh Trail

 Voted Best Course in Georgia Athlete Magazine, this race definitely has great scenery. The course weaves through paved cart paths green belt areas and lakes of Peachtree City.  The Open 15k is the 2009 RRCA Southern Regional Championship as well as the USATF Grand Prix series, so be prepared to see some fast runners! There is also a separate Men’s and Women’s 5k. Prizes are awarded to racers in 15 age categories and all racers receive a technical vest. The races usually sells out so register early! For more information check out the Peachtree Running Club Website.

Dirty Spokes Ekiden Trail Running Race 2009

Sunday, October 18, 2009  8:30 AM

Address

1996 Centennial Olympic Parkway  Conyers, GA

This is an the inaguaral running of the Ekiden Trail Running Race. Teams consist of one to four runners   racing laps and handing off their timing chips to one another in lieu of a baton.  Runners can decide how much of the course each wants to run and all teams will race to see who can complete 40 kilometers the quickest.

The terrain consists of rolling hills, steep climbs, single track and double track. It also contains some technical sections and creek crossings (about 2-3 feet wide / 2-3 inches deep). Race categories are based on the sum total of team members ages and there are additional categories including walkers and high school/college teams.

Prizes for the race include cash, medals and other prizes. Registration closes at 250 teams or October 13.  For more information: www.dirtyspokes.com or email tim@dirtyspokes.com

Dolce Toga Trot 5k

Saturday, October 31, 2009 @ 8:30

Address

201 Aberdeen Parkway

 In a unique twist  on Halloween, Atlanta Southern Crescent Alumnae Panhellenic Association (ASCAPA) & the Rotary Club of Peachtree City are sponsoring a 5k run in togas! You can create your own toga or buy one onsite for nine dollars.

Run on the paved paths of Peachtree City, this race is a good way to get in the spirit of Halloween and pick up a last minute Halloween costume! For more information check out www.togatrot5k.com.

I always love to hear what you’ve got to say. Leave a comment or email me if you have an endurance event you would like profiled: Bethany@AtlantaWellnessSolutions.com.

New Partnership with Your Mobile Gym

Atlanta Wellness Solutions is excited to announce a new partnership with Your Mobile Gym. The two are teaming up to provide the highest standards in professional training, coaching, and various other ventures. The following is a little bit more background about Your Mobile Gym:

Voted Best of Atlanta 2006 for In-Home Personal Training by Creative Loafing! Your mobile gym, Inc.™ is a highly respected and reputable in-home training company in Atlanta. Our qualified and certified Personal Trainers offer a variety of fitness and nutritional programs personalized to meet your needs at any stage of your life.

For more information about Your Mobile Gym or Atlanta Wellness Solutions, Click on the links!

Over 1300 Georgians to participate in the inaugural Augusta 70.3 this weekend

The training required for half iron participants can be grueling. Each event consists of a 1.2 mile swim, a 56 mile bike, and then a 13.1 mile run. Most first-timers take months to slowly build up the speed and endurance required to complete the three subsequent events in times that range from four to eight plus hours. According to Ron Hicks from Dallas, GA “…the journey to get here has been long and extrememly demanding. I am very humbled and grateful to have such a supportive and understanding cast of family and friends.”

Hicks and 1300 other Georgians along with hundreds of others from around the country will travel to augusta this weekend for Sunday’s inaugural Augusta Ironman 70.3. This event is put on by a partnership between the World Triathlon Corporation and Premier Event Management and is part of a series of 31 events held around the world each year. The Augusta event will feature a point-to-point swim in the Savannah river, then a beautiful bike ride throughout the countryside of South Carolina prior to returning to Georgia in the city of Augusta. Finally, the athletes will run a two lap course through downtown Augusta for the half marathon.

For all the 70.3 races, the top contenders have the opportunity to earn slots to the Foster Grant 70.3 World Championships this November in Clearwater. Pro athletes at the Augusta race are competing for $25,000 in prize money.

Athletes may have to content with less than ideal weather as record rains flood through the Atlanta and North Georgia areas. Between 15- 20 inches of rain have fallen and rain and thunderstorms are expected throughout the week. According to Columbia County officials, there have been no serious problems thus far.

For area athletes, the training is already finished and all that remains is to execute, sunny day or not. Hicks adds ” I’m ready to sacrifice both bod and mind to achieve the goal of being Half-Iron… I know it’s going to hurt like hell. Heck it’s supposed to hurt, or everybody would do it. I’m ready to rock!“

For more information about the race and all the other,  70.3 events visit www.IronmanAugusta.com. Live athlete tracking on Sunday is also available.

I always love to hear what you’ve got to say. Leave a comment or email me if you have an endurance event you would like profiled: Bethany@AtlantaWellnessSolutions.com

Running With Your Dog: Upcoming Events in Atlanta

September 8, 12:57 PM

Athens Run For The Dogs

Second Annual 5k: Athletes Helping Athletes Run

The 23^rd Annual Dog Jog

Ultraman Canada: a true challenge

August 6, 4:06 PM

Atlanta Endurance Sports Examiner

So you say you do triathlons and endurance sports? Maybe your friends even think your recent multi-hour run, ride, or race was impressive?

 

Not even an iron distance triathlon compares to the famed Ultraman. Ultraman Canada was held in British Columbia July 31 to August 2 and featured a 10k swim, and 90 mile bike on day 1, a 171 mile bike on day 2, then a 52.4 mile run on the last day.

 

The winners posted the following times: 

 

Men- Benat Zubillaga S 3:28:35 B 4:50:02 B 9:16:45 R 6:44:06 TOT 24:19:28

 

Women- Amber Monforte S 2:52:39 B 4:58:35 B 9:14:22 R 8:31:13 TOT 25:36:49

 

Just to put things in perspective, Zubillaga ran two marathons in a row, after 260 miles of cycling, in a time that would qualify most people for the Boston marathon! Not to mention that the entire race was held on the course of hilly Ironman Canada. If all this excites you, instead of frightens you, check out more race information and results at http://ultramancanada.com/.

New women’s running team coming to Atlanta 

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A national women’s fitness team program is coming to Georgia. Moms in Motion, is a national women’s community where mothers are encouraged to give themselves more personal time through fitness.Women who join one of their fitness teams have the opportunity to train for a running race, triathlon, or other fitness event and can raise money for a good cause at the same time.

 

“Busy women really need time to themselves in order to recharge,” says MIM founder Jamie Allison. “The result is not only improved health and fitness and new friends, but overall happier families.” Other benefits gained from participation in the program include a structured training plan for both beginners and seasoned runners, as well as group workouts and seminars to keep motivation high.

 

Moms in Motion was started in 1999 by Allison, and has since grown membership to nearly 7000 women in 5 different countries. Teams are popping up around the US including Atlanta, which has a brand-new running team, Northwest Atlanta Moms in Motion/Heroes Half Marathon Team.Team members in Atlanta will train to run or walk the Zooma half-marathon/5k which takes place in Atlanta on November 8th. Team members will also have the option of becoming a “St. Judes Hero” by raising money for St Jude’s Childrens Hospital.

 

Team orientation and training for the Atlanta team begins on August 6th. For more information, visit www.momsinmotion.com.

 No boys allowed: women’s only races in Atlanta

AP Photo/ Kerstin Joenssen

In the past few years, the popularity of women only events in Atlanta has exploded. From the recent Tri-the-Parks women’s only event in Flovilla to the Atlanta Track Clubs women’s 5k, these events follow the trend of big national races such as the Nike Women’s Marathon, which awards a Tiffany necklace to finishers!