Fitness?

What defines fitness? and Who is fit? Ask several different people and you will certainly get several different answers. Everyone has their own "fitness ideal" A person or perhaps an accomplishment that embodies for them the prime model of fitness. What is it for you?
I have a pretty specific definition of fitness that I adhere to.

We have 10 basic physical skills:

1. Cardivascular Endurance
2. Strength
3. Stamina
4. Power
5. Speed
6. Flexibility
7. Accuracy
8. Balance
9. Agility
10. Coordination

I feel that if you are lacking in any one of these areas, then you cannot call yourself truly "FIT". Just being advanced in one area does not necessarily grant you access to other domains. There are plenty of examples of "specialists", who train for their specific goals, a certain sport let's say, to the exclusion of all else. They may excel then, at that particular event, but in my opinion they are not "FIT". To be fit means to be able to handle many challenges of various modality. Why? Beacuse that's the way life happens. You don't get to follow a program for what happens next. Who do I want around if I'm unconscious and the house is on fire? An olympic distance athlete...(ie: Simon)

...or someone a little more well rounded like Olympic wrestling legend Alexander Karelin.

Who would you choose? Both olympic champions. However, one in a sport dominated by the need for cardiovascular endurance, along with some stamina certainly, perhaps speed. But I'd have to hear arguments for much else. Wrestling on the other hand requires cardiovascular endurance, great amounts of strength and stamina, enormous power, agility, coordination, balance, speed, flexiblity, etc...

Get the idea?

You may be swayed by the activities you only like to do, but be assured, Karelin would fare pretty decently in a triathlon. Not that he would win, but he could compete and beat  A LOT of dedicated triathletes.  But I hate to imagine what would happen if Simon stepped into the ring.

So my question is this. Are you "FIT" ? Why wouldn't you want to get better at everything?

Sean White

Awards Banquet

What a great weekend!  My wrap up for the cycling group was Friday night.  There was 36 of us for supper and awards.  I got an award for Most Improved Rider.  The award was unexpected but I worked hard this year.  I usually started first for the time trials and came in last!  Next year I want to come second to last.  Should be a goal I can obtain.  The award itself was nice, it was a bike with a rider standing in front with one arm in the air.  I got the opportunity to work in the store Saturday on the floor with customers.  It was a change that I enjoyed from working in the back.  I didn't realize how much I miss helping customers and talking to people about what their are doing for the winter and their goals.  What a nice day Sunday for a walk with the Ridge Runners.  There won't be too many more days like that one to enjoy outside.  The Ridge Runners are having a Santa Run and breakfast in a couple of weeks.  We usually have a raffle for some great prizes and raise money for the food bank.  Last year we raised $200.00.
Have a great week everyone.  Chat soon.
Kathy

My first Blog!!

I have never written on a blog before.  I think this could be interesting.  I am on the road back from two major surgeries on my knees so I am starting all over again with my fitness level.  I am getting back into swimming, cycling and walking..  I joined a cycling group this past summer and had a blast.  We met on Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings.  We did time trials on Thursday nights and long group rides on Sundays.  I learned a lot joining this group and can't wait until next year to start riding again.  This Friday night is our awards and banquets.  There are roughly forty of us getting together for this evening.  I'll let you know how the evening went!    I walk with the Ridge Runners on Tues, Thurs and Sunday mornings.  I know the best part of the walking is going for coffee after.
Hope everyone is enjoying the great weather and is getting in some last runs or rides on the dry roads and trails.  See you around town or at the coffee shop.

Kathy

Upcoming Blog

Runners Sole

Upcoming blog - info and opinion on a variety of topics, written by the Runners Sole employees!