INstride - Feb. 2014

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Powerful Recovery Lawrence County man credits powerlifting for recovery from Guillain-BarrĂŠ syndrome

22 years strong Couple celebrates anniversary with endurance challenge

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02 14 FEATURES

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L E A R N

H E A L

L I V E

stride

DEPARTMENTS

03 Editor’s Letter

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COVER STORY

Fresh Picks

Powerful Recovery

Jicama

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Lawrence County man credits powerlifting for recovery from GuillainBarré syndrome

ACHIEVE Community Spotlight Open Streets

17 Calendar

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Couple celebrates anniversary with endurance challenge

Q&A About Osteoporosis

Fresh Produce at Your Fingertips

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Family physician answers questions about the disease

Bloomington’s Winter Market

Photos of fitness in action

22 Years Strong

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18 Go Gadgets Matador Bar

Spotted

Questions about heart health?

Get them answered during our live chat with IU Health cardiologist Dr. Eric Williams on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 11 a.m. Submit your questions online now at myINstride.com/chat.

stride Editorial director: Bob Zaltsberg Production & copy editor: Kathryn S. Gardiner Photo director: David Snodgress Senior writers: Jim Gordillo, Carol Johnson Contributing staff: Seth Tackett, Kathryn S. Gardiner, Dann Denny, Michael Reschke, Mike Lewis, Brian Culp, Garet Cobb, Rich Janzaruk, Jeremy Hogan and Chris Howell Graphic designer: Stewart Moon Publisher: E. Mayer Maloney Jr. CONTENT: 812-331-4289 kgardiner@hoosiertimes.com Advertising sales manager: Laurie Ragle Marketing manager: Shaylan Owen ADVERTISING/DISTRIBUTION: 812-331-4310 INstride is a monthly fitness, wellness and nutrition magazine serving south-central Indiana with offices in Bedford, Mooresville, Martinsville and Bloomington. It is distributed to more than 90,000 readers and can be found at various locations throughout south-central Indiana. The free publication is also inserted in the Bedford Times-Mail, Martinsville Reporter-Times and Bloomington Herald-Times the second Monday of every month; and the Mooresville/Decatur Times, the second Thursday of every month. ©2014 Schurz Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Coming up in March n

The DeCycles bicycle group has gone all over the country. Meet two people who have been instrumental in that.

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Some people get quite a cycling workout without going anywhere. We’ll take you inside a spin class.

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Go Gadgets features the pull-up bar

ON THE COVER Joe Dibert lifts weights at the Iron Pit Gym in Bloomington.

Photograph by Jeremy Hogan for INstride

2 INstride • February 2014

Editor’s letter

Hip, Hip, Hooray Add me to the list of people you know who have had a joint replaced. I got my new left hip on Dec. 9.

Here are some answers to some of questions I’ve been asked since the surgery.

What made you think you needed the surgery? My knee hurt and kept getting

worse. The first doctor I saw about it did X-rays which turned up nothing suspicious.

The second believed it was arthritis and prescibed physical therapy which made the knee feel stronger and better—for a short time. By then my lower back hurt and I was having pain in my right thigh. A third trip resulted in a referral to an orthopedic surgeon who said X-rays showed my knees were fine. He suggested the problem might be originating in my hip and sent me off for a second set of X-rays. When he looked at those, he proclaimed that my problem. There was no cartilage in the left hip, so the rounded hip joint was knocking against the bone of the socket. Arthritis created bone spurs that enhanced the pain (I’ll spare you the photos).

What was surgery like? Great, I guess. I was in the operating room, then I was in the recovery room.

Nothing in between, and lots of pain medication upon waking up. I can tell you what they do is pretty rugged: cut off the top of your femur and the ball of the joint; drill down into the femur to place the long end of the new hip for stability; put the ball end into the socket, and sew (or in my case, glue) you up. It takes a toll on the body for quite a few days.

How’s the recuperation gone? The first 10 days or so were no fun. It hurt to move and physical therapy (five times a day) was exhausting. The pain meds played havoc with my digestive system. It wasn’t awful, but it wasn’t like a vacation. After that, I moved to the cane which improved my mobility. I was more used to the big three

restrictions—don’t bend more than a 90-degree angle, don’t cross your legs or ankles, sit with your knees below your hips. The pain wasn’t bad and I had switched from the prescribed pain pills to Extra Strength Tylenol.

Where did you do rehab? At home. I had a set of seven exercises for physical therapy and did them religiously. Also, at the Monroe County YMCA. I scheduled three sessions with a therapist to check on my progress. One of them was snowed out, but the other two gave me confidence I was on schedule—and I left with more exercises to help my recovery.

Does it still hurt? As I write this nearly seven weeks after surgery, I’m still walking with a cane. I still have a little pain and a bit of a limp, but mostly I’m afraid of falling on the snow and ice that has coated the streets and sidewalks for much of my recuperation time.

Where did you have it done? To be fair, the area is blessed many fine orthopedic surgeons who perform the procedure so I’d rather not say in print. I talked to two surgeons (I wanted two opinions) and picked my doctor because he had successfully replaced three hips on two of my friends, both of whom recommended him highly.

Will you be good as new? I expect to be. There are some lifetime restrictions—no more running, no more basketball (I’m short and slow and haven’t played in years), no singles tennis, no repetitive lifting over 25 pounds, and some others. Mostly I’ll need to avoid sharp twists of the hip and repetitive pounding on it, like with running. Walking, golf, doubles tennis and a whole lot of other things are allowed.

How’s your other hip? Both surgeons told me I have one-third to one-half of the cartilage left. I’ll see how long it lasts and I’m not worrying about it. I’m just happy technology allows this kind of procedure. I’m feeling better every day. n

February 2014 • INstride 3

22 Years Tough Couple celebrates anniversary with endurance challenge

By Seth Tackett

S

cott and Becky Miller’s 22nd wedding anniversary would be like none other.

There was no candle-lit dinner, no romantic walk on the beach, no chocolates, and definitely no rest and relaxation. Nothing that would resemble the usual wedding anniversary celebration occurred that evening.

The couple, along with 14 others, would travel through, in and around Bloomington in the middle of the night on June 21, 2013, while being challenged, disciplined, encouraged and bossed around by an active-duty Marine.

Traditionally, the couple should have received something brass or nickel. Instead, the North Vernon natives chose to spend their anniversary participating in a GORUCK Challenge.

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PHOTO by darryl smith

During the all-night Guinness GORUCK event in June 2013, Becky and Scott belly crawled through what’s left of Griffy Lake.

The idea came after the couple had participated in a Tough Mudder, which is an obstacle-course race that tests not only overall physical fitness but mental stamina.

After completing the self-proclaimed, “toughest event on the planet,” the couple wanted more.

The Challenge isn’t a race but a team-based overnight event where a group of people participate in a military-style mission while carrying a rucksack, or backpack, filled with bricks and supplies.

“It is an amazing exercise if you have never done it,” Scott said.

“Overall, for your core, lower back and shoulders. I had never really hiked before, until I did these events.

“There is a big difference between walking and walking with weight.”

The Challenge began as a way to test the GORUCK brand of bags and backpacks in real-world conditions.

“I love doing these events,” Scott said. “I made some great friends that I otherwise wouldn’t have met. I met them in North Carolina at an event and we still keep in touch.

“It’s a neat group of people to meet that are crazy enough to try something like this.”

So, they planned and organized the event as a way to not only celebrate their anniversary, but raise money for the Green Beret Foundation and the Leary Firefighters Foundation.

“I had already done a challenge,” Scott said. “I kept telling her, ‘We need to do one of these things together. You’ll love it. You’ll love it.’

And she did.”

There were 10 stops on the 23-mile hiking trip, and each destination was filled with tasks and objectives that were to be completed before moving on.

It all started at 10 p.m. at the Sample Gates on Indiana University’s campus where the Bloomington couple met Cadre John. It would end 14 hours later back on campus.

GORUCK defines “cadre” as a key group of military personnel able to establish and train a new unit.

This unit would refer to theirs as “Big Daddy.”

Some of the stops included getting in the Jordan River, where the team performed every form of calisthenics imaginable. This was the team’s “welcome party,” which is designed to wear the team out before they even get started.

After the introduction, the group

PHOTOS by darryl smith

Cadre John Croft, leader of GORUCK team #633, celebrated Becky and Scott’s anniversary by bringing a cake and asking for four volunteers to eat it as fast as possible for the team.

headed to Dunn Meadow where some “volunteers” had to eat handfuls of the anniversary cake that had been provided by the cadre.

Later stops would gain the team logs they would have to carry for the next several hours.

Stops like this were typical for Bloomington team #663. A stop at the Van Buren Fire Department even included being drenched with a firehose, while doing—you guessed it—more pushups and calisthenics.

No, this doesn’t sound like a typical anniversary. But for the Millers, it was definitely one of the most memorable.

Other than the cake, the only thing that marked the occasion was a kiss after midnight.

Around noon the next day, the team ended up back at Dunn Meadow where, after one last pushup while shouting, “GORUCK Tough,” the Millers were finished celebrating an anniversary like none other.

The couple did receive a gift of sorts—a GORUCK Tough patch, which is only given to people who complete the GORUCK Challenge.

“I have to say that I never felt like I was going to quit,” Becky said. “Never once. That never entered my mind.”

Scott’s favorite moment was seeing his wife’s face change from insecure to confident.

And putting the packs down. n

After 14 hours and 24 miles, Scott and Becky shake hands with Cadre John, the architect of team #663’s GORUCK Challenge.

February 2014 • INstride 5

Q&A About Osteoporosis

By Dann Denny

I

Nstride reporter Dann Denny asked J. Wes Archer, MD, a series of questions about osteoporosis. Archer is a board certified family medicine physician at IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians.

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis occurs when the body loses too much bone, does not produce enough bone, or a combination of the two. When a person is diagnosed with osteoporosis, it means their bones have become weak and even minor injuries or falls can lead to broken bones.

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How many Americans have it?

The National Osteoporosis Foundation estimates that approximately 52 million Americans have osteoporosis or have low bone mass, putting them at higher risk for developing osteoporosis. Research also shows that half of all women older than 50 and about one in four men over 50 will suffer a broken bone due to osteoporosis.

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What are the most common factors that put you at risk for osteoporosis?

Like many diseases and conditions, osteoporosis has risk factors that can be controlled by the individual and others that are uncontrollable due to each individual’s genetic make-up. Those risk factors that we cannot control include: n Being over 50 years old n Being female n Menopause n Being small and thin n Previous broken bones or height loss n Having a family history of osteoporosis n Long-term steroid use However, there are several modifiable lifestyle risk factors that increase the risk of osteoporosis.

These include: n Not getting enough vitamin D or calcium n Not eating enough fruits and vegetables

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Consuming too much alcohol, caffeine and sodium Being physically inactive Smoking Losing too much weight

What causes it?

The primary cause of osteoporosis is a loss of bone density. Our bones are alive, and grow and change as we age. When we see someone with thinning bones or osteoporosis, it means that new bone growth is not occurring fast enough to keep up with the bone loss

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the person is experiencing. Low estrogen in women and low testosterone in men, in addition to the risk factors above, can all lead to a heightened risk for developing osteoporosis.

What can people do to prevent it?

Knowing your risk factors for osteoporosis and changing lifestyle factors can make a big difference in reducing your risk. Some things you can do include: n Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including at least 30 minutes of physical activity and strength training on most days of the week n Make sure to get enough calcium and vitamin D n Avoid smoking n Do not consume too much alcohol n Assess any fall risks at home and take measures to prevent falls to reduce the risk of a fracture from osteoporosis n Talk with your health care provider if you take certain medications such as chronic glucocorticoids or certain anti-seizure medications that can increase bone loss. There are also some medications available to help prevent bone loss. Your health care provider can tell you if these are right for you.

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What are the most common symptoms?

Symptoms of osteoporosis are often silent, meaning a person may not know they have the condition or are even at risk for it until they suffer a broken bone. In some cases, gradual symptoms occur and can include back pain, a gradual loss of height and stooped posture, and fractures in the hip, wrist or spine.

The most serious complications are fractures in the hip and spine. These often happen after a fall and can cause significant disability, especially in the elderly when they suffer an injury and fracture.

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What are the most common ways to treat it?

Osteoporosis is typically treated with medication, such as bisphosphonates, which help to slow or stop the process of bone loss. This helps maintain and increase bone strength. In addition, hormone therapy may be prescribed for women after menopause to help maintain bone density.

These medications can help lower a person’s risk for fractures, but do not eliminate it completely.

Medications combined with lifestyle risk factor reductions are the best ways we currently have to reduce a person’s risk. A bone density test after taking medication for osteoporosis can be checked to see if the treatment for osteoporosis is effective. n

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February 2014 • INstride 7

COURTESY PHOTO

Delicious root crops are in abundance at the Winter Market held at the Harmony School Gym in Bloomington through March 20.

Fresh produce at your fingertips

By Rosie Sill for ACHIEVE

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he air is crisp, the leaves have fallen, and the ground has been covered by snow. Heading outside these days seems like work, as we must make sure to get just the right amount of layers on to feel comfortable As the temperature drops, so does our desire to be out and about. This is the time of year to stay inside around the fire, to reflect on what this past year has brought into our lives, and to begin planning for what lies ahead.

As the seasons change so do the things we eat.

Tomatoes, corn, melons, and peppers make way for 8 INstride • February 2014

winter squash, kale, spinach and all of those delicious root crops—for this is what our body needs this time of year, those hardy vegetables loaded with vitamins and minerals.

Of course, we can go to the grocery store and get tomatoes and melons any time of year, but where does it come from? How long ago was it harvested? Do these foods provide the nourishment our bodies need during these cold months? Do they even have any vital nutrients left in them once they get to our plates? These are important questions to ask as we plan our winter menus. What am I supposed to eat, you may ask, and how is one supposed to get fresh nourishing produce when a blanket of snow covers the ground?

Fresh, local produce is available through March at the Bloomington Winter Farmers’ Market. The Winter Market offers fresh produce, local meat and poultry, dairy products, eggs, maple syrup, honey products, breads and cereals, jams and sauces, baked goods, prepared foods, locally roasted coffee, cut flowers, seeds and plants and many other items. You can find everything you need for nourishing winter meals along with locally crafted items. In addition, the market features live music from a variety of talented local musicians along with adult programs, children’s programs, and yoga.

Visiting the market is a great winter activity for families and a good way to keep community connections during those cold months.

This year marks the 10th year of the Winter Market, which gives Monroe County area residents a farmers’ market year round. The market is located in the Harmony School Gym at 909 E. Second St. Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. until noon through March 20.

The school parking lot is available (please use only designated spaces). Street parking and the Atwater Parking Garage a block away from the school also are available for free on Saturdays.

Customers can use their food stamp cards to purchase as many tokens as they’d like. Tokens are available in $1 increments and can be used like cash to buy farm products from market vendors. As long as funding is available, you can double the value of your SNAP (food stamp) purchase, up to $18/week. For every $1 in SNAP benefits you exchange, you will receive $2 in tokens! Draw up to $18 in SNAP benefits, and receive up to $36 in tokens to buy fresh from the farm, healthy, locally grown food at the Farmers’ Market. Keep your unused tokens to spend the next time you shop at the market. Market tokens expire at the end of the market season.

When you go to the market you have the opportunity to look into the eyes of the farmer who grew or made the food you will consume, an opportunity to build a lasting, unique relationship. You have the opportunity to keep your money local, strengthening southern Indiana’s local food economy, supporting small family farms and businesses, and putting your dollars behind wise agricultural practices. At this time when our food system is dominated by big agribusiness, you have the opportunity to vote with your fork.

For a list of vendors and a program calendar visit www.bloomingtonwinterfarmersmarket.org or contact Leslie Burns, the market master, at 812-3206652 or bloomingtonwinterfarmersmarket@gmail. com. n

COURTESY PHOTOS

The Bloomington Winter Market is in its 10th year and offers fresh local produce and many other items.

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10 INstride • February 2014

FRESH PICKS

By Bob Zaltsberg

Cutting Board Salsa

Rooting for Jicama

Jicama: The pronunciation of this bulbous root vegetable is “HEE-cah-mah.” It’s similar in texture to the turnip, but tastes a little like an apple. Cooking Light says it’s native to Mexico and is sometimes referred to as yam bean, Mexican turnip or Mexican potato. It’s a member of the bean family.

Jicama can be chopped, cubed or sliced and can be cooked or eaten raw. It can be used in slaws, soups and stir-fries or simply eaten on its own.

But don’t eat the peel—it’s too tough to chew.

According to foodfacts.mercola.com, a natural foods website, jicama is low in calories but high in fiber and plays a prebiotic role in the intestines. It’s a good source of potassium and vitamin C, and serves as a strong antioxidant. n

Serves 3.5 cups (one-fourth cup per serving) Ingredients 2 cups diced tomato 1/2 cup diced peeled jicama 1/2 cup diced onion 1/2 cup diced radishes 1/3 cup chopped seeded peeled cucumber 1/4 cup fresh orange juice 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 2 teaspoons chopped seeded jalapeño pepper (1 small pepper) 1/2 teaspoon salt

Preparation: Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, and toss gently. Cover the salsa, and chill.

Napa Cabbage and Jicama Salad Dressing: 2 tablespoons sugar 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon fish sauce 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil 1/2 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger Dash of ground red pepper Slaw: 4 cups (1/4-inch) slices napa (Chinese) cabbage 1/2 cup snow peas, trimmed and cut lengthwise into (1/8-inch) thin strips 1/2 cup fresh bean sprouts 1/2 cup (1/8-inch) julienne-cut peeled jicama 1/4 cup (1/8-inch) julienne-cut red bell pepper 2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation: To prepare dressing, combine first 6 ingredients, stirring with a whisk. To prepare slaw, combine cabbage and remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Add dressing, and toss well to coat. Chill 30 minutes.

SOURCE: Cooking Light

February 2014 • INstride 11

Powerfu recov Lawrence County man credits powerlifting for recovery from GuillainBarré syndrome

12 INstride • February 2014

ul very

Jeremy Hogan | INstride

Joe Dibert lifts weights at the Iron Pit Gym in Bloomington.

By Michael Reschke

I

t was the spring of 2010 when Joe Dibert realized something wasn’t right. An accomplished powerflifter, he thought he might be overtraining. With a vacation to Florida coming up, he decided to take a week off from lifting to give his body time to rest. He took the week off but when he came back, he felt even worse.

Dibert had squatted nearly 600 pounds in competition but suddenly he could only get 315 for a single repetition. A friend suggested he see a chiropractor. He did and that’s when he heard the words that would change his life forever. The chiropractor suggested Dibert get screened for Guillain-Barré syndrome.

“I was looking at that guy like ‘you don’t know what you’re talking about,’” Dibert said. Looking back, he has a different perspective. “I think that guy saved my bacon.”

Despite his misgivings, Dibert looked up the condition and its symptoms. Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare disorder in which a person’s own immune system damages their nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

February 2014 • INstride 13

Jeremy Hogan | INstride

Once on the path to recovery from Guillain-Barré syndrome, Joe Dibert decided the best course of action was to get back into the gym. Starting in January 2011 he set his sights on the USA Powerlifting Bench Press Championships in September and surprised himself by winning his division.

The first symptoms include varying degrees of weakness or tingling sensations in the legs, according to the website for the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke. In many instances the symmetrical weakness and abnormal sensations spread to the arms and upper body. These symptoms can increase in intensity until certain muscles cannot be used at all and, when severe, the person is almost totally paralyzed. In these cases the disorder is life threatening—potentially interfering with breathing and, at times, with blood pressure or heart rate—and is considered a medical emergency.

The day after visiting the chiropractor, Dibert took a nap on his couch after mowing the lawn. When he woke up he said it felt like someone had rubbed Novocain all over his body.

“I could feel it creeping up into my throat,” he said.

The Lawrence County resident checked into the emergency room at Bloomington Hospital. Dibert spent the night there, but it would not be his last trip to the hospital.

There are therapies that lessen the severity of the illness, but there is no known cure for the syndrome.

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“It has to run its course,” Dibert said.

One of the treatments is plasma exchange (also called plasmapheresis). Plasma exchange is a method by which whole blood is removed from the body and processed so the red and white blood cells are separated from the plasma, or liquid portion of the blood. The blood cells are then returned to the patient without the plasma, which the body quickly replaces.

“That was one long summer,” Dibert said. “I was in the hospital on two separate occasions.”

Dibert said at one point he tried to go back to work.

“That was big mistake,” he said. “I had no balance. I had to have help-up steps.”

That was August. He wouldn’t go back to work again until October and when he did, he needed a motorized scooter. In the meantime he couldn’t drive and home health care workers had to come to his house. His wife, Beth, was pulling double, sometimes triple duty taking care of her husband and their daughter, Lauren.

“We just had to take it one day at a time,” Beth Dibert said. “The most important thing was to make sure Lauren felt we had everything under control.”

She could see how frustrating it was for her husband.

Guillain-Barré Syndrome What is Guillain-Barré syndrome?

Guillain-Barré syndrome is a rare disorder in which a person’s own immune system damages their nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis. GBS can cause symptoms that last for a few weeks. Most people recover fully from GBS, but some people have permanent nerve damage. In very rare cases, people have died of GBS, usually from difficulty breathing.

What causes GBS? Many things can cause GBS; about two-thirds of people who develop GBS symptoms do so several days or weeks after they have been sick with diarrhea or a respiratory illness. Infection with the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni is one of the most common risk factors for GBS. People also can develop GBS after having the flu or other infections.

Who is at risk?

Anyone can develop GBS; however, it is more common among older adults. The incidence of GBS increases with age, and people older than 50 years are at greatest risk for developing GBS. SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

“For the first time he had to rely on others,” she said.

“It makes you realize how much your friend group contributes to your success. It makes you realize the treasures you have.”

Kevin Hutchinson is one of those friends. He met Dibert about 13 years ago at a powerlifting competition and has trained with him on and off since then.

“It was pretty weird to see a guy of his size and stature go through something like that,” Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson said he would call Dibert to check on him but at times he could tell the uncertainty was getting to his normally upbeat and outgoing friend.

“For a while he wasn’t sure where it all would lead,” Hutchinson said. “There (were) times you could tell he was really down.”

Dibert said going from such a highly active lifestyle to such a sedentary one began to wear on his mind.

“It’s one thing to choose not to do something, it’s another when you want to and are unable,” he said.

Sick and tired of being told what he couldn’t do, once Dibert felt he was on the path to recovery, he made a decision. He told his doctor he was getting back in the

gym after the first of the year. His doctor explained even though he was feeling better, his central nervous system had been ravaged and it needed time to heal. Dibert had heard enough.

“I felt it was time. I needed to get out and do something different,” he said. “It was the best thing I ever did for my sanity.”

In January 2011 he began to wean himself off the leg braces he had been using to help him stand up. He said it was extremely difficult and he was always tripping.

With the nerves in his lower body not functioning properly, he knew he couldn’t compete in the squat or deadlift, so he decided to focus on the upper body lift where he had always had the most success.

“I knew bench press had always been my bread and butter,” he said.

Even though he had previously bench pressed more than 500 pounds, he had to start over from scratch. He could barely push 135 pounds off his chest.

“I didn’t know how my body would respond,” he said. “But as I saw my bench go up, my outlook on life improved.”

And so did his confidence. He made a commitment to himself to go to the 2011 USA Powerlifting Bench Press National Championships in Orlando, Fla. “I wanted to prove something to myself,” he said.

Little by little Dibert regained his strength and when he went to Florida, he surprised himself.

“It caught me off guard when they announced I had won,” he said.

Dibert bench pressed 215 kilos or about 473 pounds to win the masters raw division. He hasn’t looked back since.

Earlier this year, Dibert and Hutchinson competed in the USA Powerlifting Bench Press National Championships in Atlanta, Ga. At age 44, Dibert placed second with a geared bench press of 285 kilos, or about 628 pounds. He has since been selected for the USAPL International Team and plans to compete in the International Powerlifting Federation World Masters Bench Press Championships in April 2014 in Great Britain.

“A lot of people don’t understand,” Hutchinson said.

“For what he went through, to get back to and beyond where he was without any kind of banned substances or drugs, it’s pretty incredible.”

While Dibert’s bench press made a full recovery, he still has some reminders of his illness. He still doesn’t have much feeling in the front of his feet and he doesn’t think that will ever return. He still can’t do certain exercises, and when he gets up from others, he stumbles a bit, but that’s OK. It’s a constant reminder of the lessons he’s learned from his illness.

“It’s so easy to take things for granted. I think we all fall into that,” he said. “It really makes you think we’re really not in control of the big picture. Life is fragile.” n

February 2014 • INstride 15

achieve community spotlight

Takin’ to the Streets

By Alexandra Aznar

Bloomington Open Streets event spurs recreation, community Munching on breakfast bagels and lugging traffic cones, volunteers greeted a beautiful Sunday morning as they closed West Kirkwood to traffic for Bloomington’s inaugural Open Streets event.

For five hours on an autumn day Bloomington residents and their guests had the opportunity to bike, walk, do yoga, dance, jump rope, and even rock climb in the middle of a safe, vehicle-free, city street.

Open Streets, also called Ciclovias or Sunday Streets, began in Seattle in 1965 with “Seattle Bicycle Sundays.” The most famous Open Streets event began in Bogota, Colombia, in 1976 which continues to close 120 kilometers of city streets to vehicular traffic every Sunday. Bloomington joined a growing list of North American cities that routinely re-open streets as public spaces while encouraging physical activity, promoting economic and social development, and broadening transportation choices.

Bloomington’s Open Streets was organized by the city of Bloomington, Monroe County, and the Center for Sustainable Living.

Local groups and businesses sponsored the event. Over 20

16 INstride • February 2014

COURTESY PHOTO

Dancing at Bloomington’s Open Streets event held in September.

and adding to a community art project. Throughout the day, a unicyclist, Frisbee players, and rollerbladers were also spotted, taking advantage of the chance to play in a wide-open street.

Many participants expressed how much fun it would be for Open Streets Bloomington to happen regularly. The inaugural COURTESY PHOTO event proved successful by many Over 20 groups hosted a wide variety of free activities including yoga at measures which provides support Bloomington Open Streets. for another Open Streets Bloomington in 2014. Organizers of this groups hosted a wide variety of free year’s Open Streets envision an activities including obstacle courses, event that rotates locations around dancing, CrossFit training, and Bloomington neighborhoods and hula hooping for people of all ages Monroe County communities, to enjoy inspiring people to see and use Many people arrived to Open their streets as a place for more Streets by bike, cruising into than just cars.

Kirkwood right off the B-line trail.

Advocates want Open Streets to Visitors also welcomed perforbe bigger and better next year and mances by the Bam Bam’s Brass they would welcome community Band and the Bloomington Symsupport for this to happen. If you phony. Artists found a home at have an idea or want to host an Open Streets, covering the streets activity, email: info@openstreetswith sidewalk chalk creations bloomington.com. n

CALENDAR

March Mag 7K Run & Expo 22 (Fundraiser for Mag 7) WHERE: Smith’s Shoe Center, 1917 S. Walnut Street, Bloomington, Ind. WHEN: 9 a.m.

DESCRIPTION: All funds go towards the all-volunteer work of the Mag 7 Race Series. The 7-kilometer course incorporates much of the YMCA 5K course without the Winslow Street Hill.

MORE INFO: mag7raceseries.com

April

Hoosier Half Marathon and 5K WHERE: DeVault Alumni Center, 1000 E. 17th St., Bloomington, Ind. WHEN: 8 a.m.

DESCRIPTION: The 2014 Hoosier Half Marathon and 5K presented

by Indiana Running Company is now in its ninth year. The course is a very challenging, beautiful, and hilly 13.1 miles through Bloomington and the Indiana University campus. The 5K route was changed in 2013 to accommodate a chip start and finish and is also very challenging.

MORE INFO: hoosierhalf.com

5

Friends of McCormick’s 19 Creek 5K Run/Walk WHERE: McCormick’s Creek Park,

250 McCormick’s Creek Park Road, Spencer, Ind. WHEN: 8:30 a.m.

DESCRIPTION: Enjoy the spring wild flowers and beautiful scenery of McCormick’s Creek State Park. Packet pick up and on-site registration begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Nature Center. Prizes will be awarded to the top male and female overall runners and walkers. Awards granted to the top two age group winners, male and female, in the run and first place age group winners, male and female, in the walk.This event raises funds for Owen County Family YMCA. MORE INFO: (812) 828-9622 or programs@owencounty ymca.org

35,000 participants for the past 12 years. The course for the Mini-Marathon begins near the intersection of Washington and West streets, heads west toward the Indianapolis Motor Speedway along Michigan Street and does a complete lap around the 2.5 mile track before heading back down New York Street to the finish line.

MORE INFO: www.500festival. com/mini-marathon Dances With Dirt 10 Gnaw Bone WHERE: Mike’s Music and Dance

Barn, 2277 Ind. 46 W, Nashville, Ind. WHEN: 5:30 a.m.

DESCRIPTION: For those of you unfamiliar with Brown County, Indiana, the terrain will bring you shock and awe. Vicious 600-foot ridges, breathtaking natural

NOTE: In the January issue of INstride, the date of Dances With Dirt Gnaw Bone was incorrectly listed. The date of the event is May 10.

beauty and wicked trails abound.

Gnaw Bone is about one mile out of Nashville, Ind. Back for 2014— the world’s most difficult 10K. Expect double your road time and triple the effort! The other race distances, 13.1, 26.2, 50K, 50 miles and 100K relay courses are also challenging. Come join us at the Bone and see what you’re made of. The reward is a post race barnyard barbecue with a jammin’ country band!

MORE INFO: http://dwd.running fitsites.com/gnawbone-home n

Spring Running 12 YMCA Festival 5K & 10K WHERE: Monroe County YMCA, 2125 South Highland Avenue, Bloomington WHEN: 8 a.m.

DESCRIPTION: The 2014 spring run will have all race activities begin and end at the southeast branch of the Monroe County YMCA. Children 3 years and up are invited to participate in the annual Spring Kids Fun Run. Look for the race flier in early March.

MORE INFO: Contact Matt Osgood, 812-961-2157 or mosgood@ monroecountyymca.org

Starting line at the 2013 OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon.

May OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon WHERE: Downtown Indianapolis WHEN: 7:30 a.m.

DESCRIPTION: The OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon is the nation’s largest halfmarathon, having sold out with

3

February 2014 • INstride 17

go gadgets: Equipment to get you moving

The Dip

By Kathryn S. Gardiner

In this monthly feature, INstride and local fitness experts introduce you to different accessories for an active lifestyle. This month, Brooke Langley of Next Generation Personal Training in Bloomington highlights the matador bar. Yolanda Valdivia demonstrates.

Dips are a great way to improve your upper body strength. If you want to really strengthen your triceps, this is the exercise for you. As an added bonus you will also be able to target your smaller stabilizer muscles and gain body control and balance.

B Matador bar dips n Stand at a place where the two bars are about shoulder-width apart. n Take a small jump and extend your arms until they are locked out. This is your starting position. [A] n Keep your abdominals tight and inhale as you bend at the elbow. Keeping your elbows in, slowly drop your hips straight down. n Continue to lower your body until your arms break 90 degrees. Be sure to maintain good posture and avoid swinging throughout the movement. [B] n Maintain a tight core, exhale, and use your triceps to extend your arms back to your upright starting position.

3 sets of 15 repetitions

A 18 INstride • February 2014

Off-the-gadget option: Chair dips This is a great alternative that you can take anywhere. Feel free to try this on a coffee table, steps or any other sturdy surface. It is also a great, less intimidating exercise for beginners that puts you in charge of the level of difficulty.

Sit on the edge of a chair with your feet together. n Place your hands on each side of your hips with fingers wrapped around the front of the chair. n Brace your abdominals and extend your arms as you lift off your seat and slightly in front of the chair. [A] n With feet flat on the floor, inhale as you bend at the elbows, lowering your hips straight down. Lower until your arms break 90 degrees. [B] n Maintain a tight core as you exhale and extend your arms back to your starting position.

3 sets of 15 repetitions n n

A

B

February 2014 • INstride 19

spotted Create your own photo galleries at myINstride.com

Chris Howell | INSTRIDE

Bicyclist ride down Fourth Street during the third annual Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Bike Ride which started at the Showers Plaza in Bloomington.

Chris Howell | INSTRIDE

Bicyclists of all ages gathered for the third annual Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Bike Ride.

Chris Howell | INSTRIDE

Bike riders ride down Seventh Street during the third annual Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Bike Ride.

20 INstride • February 2014

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