Columns

By David Freeze

On Saturday, Dec. 9, five guests from Rowan Helping Ministries participated in their first ever 5K. The Santa Run at Sloan Park boasts a beautiful rural course that was hosted this year by the Country Life Museum. All proceeds, including donated canned goods and used running shoes, go to Rowan Helping Ministries.

The five guests are the graduates of an eight-week organized walking class, and none had ever completed the 3.1-mile distance before. Over the eight weeks, others came and went, but the graduates learned about the many benefits of walking and regular exercise, eating the right foods, stretching and what to expect on race day.

Ron Overton is a 61-year-old veteran of 23 years in the Air Force and a native of New Jersey. He has been at RHM for three months. He said, “I loved the whole experience, especially Bigfoot and even walking through the cow manure on the road as we passed the dairy farm.”

From northwest Pennsylvania, 75-year-old Cheryl Poli moved to this area in 2008. She’s been in Salisbury for five years and at RHM for seven months in hopes of getting back on her feet. She said, “I loved the country fresh air, the people and the camaraderie. I was sweating by the turnaround. The bagels and other snacks were wonderful as were Locke and West Rowan Fire Departments who kept us safe on the roads.”

The oldest of the group at 82 years, Mary Lucy Dowd said, “I always liked walking but had stopped for the last five years. I didn’t get tired, but I am glad to have finished because I didn’t want anyone to have to pick me up.”

Like the others, the class got 56-year-old Pam Bradshaw from Rowan County walking more. Pam said, “I liked seeing all my friends in the class. Good job on having us in the race, but next year I want to run/walk it. I missed Bigfoot, but I love all the photos from the event.”

Kelly Cooper is 54, originally from Charlotte, and has been at RHM since mid-June. She said, “I am so glad that the 5K proceeds come here because they are helping people like me. We all have our own individual circumstances. The scenery for the race was so beautiful, including just three houses and three hills. I was so grateful for being able to participate but was especially happy to see the finish line.”

Ron, Cheryl, Kelly, Pam and Miss Lucy are actively working with their case managers to find affordable income-based housing in our community.

Rowan Helping Ministries Executive Director Kyna Grubb said, “At Rowan Helping Ministries, we believe in fostering holistic well-being for our guests, and we recognize the profound connection between physical and mental health. Witnessing the transformative effects on our shelter guests as they took part in the Salisbury Rowan Runners walking class and 5K Santa Run inspires us to continue creating opportunities that not only address basic needs but also support the long-term physical and emotional well-being and resilience of those we serve.”

Cooper, Bradshaw, Poli and Dowd all earned age group awards. SRR members Matthew Weaver, Amanda Lewis, Connie Hoffner and Lynn Furr encouraged and walked with the RHM guests for training, and especially enjoyed their time talking while walking. Title sponsor for the event was Global Contact Services. Other major sponsors were Biscuitville, Shaver Wood Products, The Trophy House, Jeremy Carter Law, RLC Associates and Novant Health. The next eight-week session will begin the first week of February. Participants meet in the New Tomorrow’s training room and walking sessions are done on the area sidewalks.

Two recent running books worth considering as Christmas gifts for your runner family and friends are “The Longest Race” by Kara Goucher and Des Linden’s “Choosing to Run.”

Our next local race is the Bradshaw Rogers Financial Partners, Inc. 5K at The Forum on Jan. 1, 2024. It’s a great way to kick off your year.

Look for this and other events at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.

By David Freeze

Have you ever realized that we are in a battle during the holiday season? A battle for our own best self! Most Americans gain 2.5-3.5 pounds annually between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. And nearly all of them don’t lose it, even with the later rush toward the gyms powered by resolutions. Ten years from now, that equates to an added 30 pounds.

Days are shorter and it is cold outside, making many of us reluctant to exercise outside or make a trip to the gym. It takes effort to exercise too, seemingly far less effort than it takes to sit down with a large meal or power our day with junk food. It’s my idea that we could stand the calories in moderation coupled with exercise though the period. I think the culprit is the junk food that gets eaten for various reasons in between the actual holiday meals.

I had yet another birthday this past week and one of my daughters brought me a wheelbarrow-sized tray of homemade brownies. I felt bad not eating just a few of them but having such a large batch made for a real dilemma. Thinking about all the extra food that seems to just materialize constantly during the holidays, what could I do? How can I keep my calories in check? I did a presentation just this past week to another group about the perils of junk food and much of it applies here.

Junk food includes soda, chips, candy, cookies, doughnuts, cake, pastries, some breakfast bars, liquid calories (sports drinks and specialty coffees) and more, things we grab quick. The combination of sugar and fats has been proven to be addictive. Junk food addiction is a thing, with its own withdrawal similar to drugs, caffeine, etc. Junk food addiction is considered an eating disorder, causing anxiety and depression.

Junk food is typically poor in nutrition and high in calories. It is full of high sugar, salt, saturated and trans-fat, as well as preservatives and processed ingredients. Body reactions include a spike in blood sugar, then a resulting crash (tiredness and hunger). High salt causes blood pressure issues. Junk food pushes body inflammation and decreased nutrient intake, and it also reduces a desire for whole, fresh foods. Junk food is also low in fiber which causes digestive conditions and even constipation. Other results are lower control of infection and a lower capacity for memory and learning. It raises bad cholesterol (LDL) and leads to obesity and allergies. Junk food makes up 30-35 percent of the average diet, but worse during the holiday season, traditional meals aside.

What to do? Don’t eliminate the occasional treat but pursue a flexible approach using 80-90 percent of whole or minimally processed foods. The remaining 10-20 percent can include ice cream, pie or a brownie or two. With this approach, we can enjoy the holidays or special occasions without obsessing over what we eat and potential weight gain. Grab a snack or meal filler of fresh fruit, nuts, low sugar yogurts and plenty of water.

Our heavy race schedule has slowed down after the Dec. 9 Global Contact Services Santa Run 5K at Sloan Park. There are no more races locally until the Bradshaw Rogers Financial Partners Resolution 5K on Jan. 1 at The Forum. Much different than the other races, this one is a low-key opportunity to make a commitment to oneself about a thoughtful, healthful and Happy New Year!

For a fee of just $10, participants get to run a safe course with individual timing, a left over, never been worn, race shirt from a 2023 event and plenty of refreshments. The top 10 males and females get a medal, and we’ll likely have some great door prizes.

Looking farther ahead, Salisbury’s well-known 41st New Sarum Brewing Winter Flight races will be held on Sunday, Feb. 4. More to come on all the big news surrounding this event! Find more on these and other events at salisburyrowanrunners.org.