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Climate Controlled
Team Sycamore back from success at Climate Ride Midwest
Shredding Inhibitions Monrovia class focuses on enjoying exercise and getting results
Baby and the Beat
Bloomington class offers dancing and doulas
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01 15 FEATURES
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Health Chat Financial health
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ACHIEVE Community Spotlight COVER STORY
Active Living Coalition Symposium
Climate Controlled
Team Sycamore back from success at Climate Ride Midwest
13 Fresh Picks Citrus
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Shredding Inhibitions
Monrovia class focuses on enjoying exercise and getting results
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The Spirit of Adventure Lonnie Bedwell nominated for National Geographic award
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Baby and the Beat
Bloomington class offers dancing and doulas
17 Calendar
22 Spotted Photos of fitness in action
stride Editorial director: Bob Zaltsberg Production & copy editor: Kathryn S. Gardiner Photo director: David Snodgress Senior writers: Seth Tackett, Carol Johnson Contributing staff: Seth Tackett, Kathryn S. Gardiner, Gizzelle Sandoval, Emily Tate, 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. ©2015 Schurz Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Coming up in February n What drives physical education teachers who are
sharing their experience and expectations with the next generation? Reporter Gizzelle Sandoval will talk to some in the local schools. n For another take on the month of Valentine’s Day
and love, we’re going to ask some fitness experts what foods they love about their diet or their exercise routine. n We expect our calendar to grow as—believe it or
not—planning begins for some spring events.
ON THE COVER Members of Team Sycamore on Day 4, just a few hours outside of Chicago, from left to right, Brian Keese, Marcia Veldman, Jeff White, Legene White, Sheryl Woodhouse Keese, Bill Brown, and Robert Meitus. Courtesy Photo
4 INstride • January 2015
EDITOR’S LETTER
Get the New Year Going This is the time of year for New Year’s Resolutions. We’re almost two weeks into the year, and I certainly hope all of you are still on track. If you’re not, you could start over. That’s the thing about resolutions: you really can start them any day of the year. As experts have told us over and over again in recent years, start somewhere and build on that. Don’t get discouraged. Just do something. I need to take my own advice. Last year wasn’t a good one for me in terms of exercise and dieting. I’ve started up again and hope it becomes a regular part of my routine, as it had been for many, many years before some injuries and surgeries set me back. No time like the present to move past all that. As for today’s magazine, reporter Seth Tackett is updating a couple of inspiring stories from last year. One is about Lonnie Bedwell, a kayaker who happens to be blind. The other is about a group of people who rode a a 300-mile “climate ride” on their bicycles. In addition, we look at a different kind of health this month in our Q & A. We tapped David Hays, the founder and president of Comprehensive Financial Consultants, to talk about financial health. Here’s to a great new year! Bob Zaltsberg, editor
January 2015 • INstride 5
I Shredding Courtesy photo
Resistance training in Amber Kivett’s BodyShred classes utilizes 3- to 8-pound weights as part of a half-hour cycle of fast-paced exercises.
Monrovia class focuses on enjoying exercise and getting results
6 INstride • January 2015
By Emily Tate
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nside a pole barn on a family farm near Monrovia, colorful medicine balls, battling ropes and mats line the walls. Other than the absence of common equipment such as treadmills, it looks similar to most gyms. The programming inside, though, is much less common. The barn houses Amber Kivett’s fitness and training programs, branded as Kivett Kinetic Solutions. Kivett offers personal training as well as cardio- and strengthfocused classes, but what sets her facility apart is that she is certified to teach the nationally recognized Jillian Michaels BodyShred program. “I’m one of two people in all of Indiana who can teach this class,” she said. “It burns fat for 72 hours after you actually do the workout.” Kivett hadn’t tried the BodyShred course until last summer, when she traveled across the country to attend the Idea World Fitness Convention in California because she wanted to work with New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees’ training coach. She met Brees
while studying exercise science and athletic training at Purdue University, where Brees played football at the time. Kivett worked with many of the university’s athletes, including Brees, before she graduated in 2002. After college, she started a fitness business in Plainfield, then began teaching Zumba in Monrovia. “If you’ve ever heard of people teaching Zumba out in their pole barn in Monrovia, I started that,” she said. “I started buying equipment, and right now I train about 60 clients a week. I buy only the best in the industry for each kind of equipment we have.” That desire to offer high-quality training led Kivett to California last summer. While there, she felt compelled to earn the certification to teach BodyShred. “It was definitely one of the best experiences of my life,” Kivett said. “While I was there, I got to work out with Jillian Michaels. She’s one of the most personable people I’ve ever met in my life.” Kivett has checked off certifications for numerous fitness programs, such as kickboxing and martial arts conditioning, but she said earning the BodyShred certification was among the most grueling processes she has endeavored.
“They only offer the certification in metro areas,” she said. “They have to approve of your facility. They’re very, very picky who they choose to (teach the program). “This certification was one of the hardest certifications that I’ve ever tested out of. I had to put her personal trainers through a workout first, and they had to approve of my quality of instruction before they would sign off.” Kivett also had to pass a written exam on the intricacies of the program. “It wasn’t so much the physiology and the mechanics of the class,” she said. “They have terms of their own for everything that we do, and you have to be able to transition back and forth from what is taught at the collegiate level and what is taught (by Michaels).” Since she began offering the class at her gym this fall, she has seen continued interest from a solid group of participants. About 60 people have tried the program in Hall, about 30 of whom attend regularly — which is more than many BodyShred programs in larger cities, she said. “I cater to a large age of people,” Kivett said, noting that the minimum age to participate is 13.
BodyShred classes focus on physicality of the entire body, from the fingertips to the toes. Courtesy photo
Inhibitions hredding
January 2015 • INstride 7
“My oldest participant is 68, and then I’ve got everyone in between. “We can provide modifications for anything that we teach.” Many of her participants live locally, but she has also seen people from BodyShred programs in larger cities who are traveling and stop by to take a class. The half-hour BodyShred workout itself consists of three minutes to warm up, followed by four sets of the main exercises: three minutes of resistance training using 3- to 8-pound dumbbells, then two minutes of cardio, followed by one minute of core stabilization recovery. At the end of the workout is a three-minute cool-down period. In all, there are 28 different exercises in 30 minutes. “There’s no downtime,” Kivett said. “Just stop when you need to stop. I’ve got 50- and 60-year-old women and men who are coming in, and they’re able to keep up.” She said the brisk pace helps to keep participants from feeling self-conscious while working out. “You’re the only one who knows how hard you’re actively working,” she said. “Nobody has time to pay any attention to what others are doing in the class because they’re busy trying to keep up themselves.” She said some participants in her BodyShred class have lost significant amounts of weight in as little as a month. The exercises change regularly to keep the workout interesting. “I intentionally change the layout every four weeks,” Kivett said. “(Michaels’) exercises are just really different, and they’re all quite challenging.” Kivett’s ultimate goal is to inspire people to be active, she said. Participants can pay by class, usually about $5 to $10 per session. “There’s no pressure; there’s no obligation here,” Kivett said of her facility. “I don’t do any contracts at all with any of my clients. I think that’s part of what’s helped my business. They’re getting what they’re paying for and nothing less.” That satisfaction helps further Kivett’s efforts. “If I can find a way to make fitness fun, people will
8 INstride • January 2015
Courtesy photo
Amber Kivett demonstrates a move for the BodyShred classes she teaches near Monrovia.
continue to do it,” she said. “The idea of my business is to get people moving. If I can continue to improve one life at a time, one day at a time, I’ve served my purpose.” n
Q&A: Financial Health For our December chat, in the heat of holiday spending, we turned to David Hays, founder and president of Comprehensive Financial Consultants. He answered your financial health questions.
Q:
I have a 401(k) through my workplace. They now offer a chance to change the 401(k) into an IRA. Can you tell me the benefits of each and why I might want to switch?—Carol, Bloomington HAYS: The main difference [is] contribution limits. Within a 401(k), you can contribute, in 2014, up to $17,500, and if you are over 50, $23,000. IRA contribution limits are $5500 and $6500, respectively. Employers do not contribute or “match” IRA contributions like they can in 401(k)s.
Q:
I’ve heard that hidden fees—or at least, fees that are unknown by the common customer— can really eat up a lot of the money in investments. Please comment on how to find out about that.—Lynne, Bloomington HAYS: All fees are disclosed in the prospectus. Most mutual funds have a few different types of expenses; all but one is disclosed. Management fees are the big one, [and] 12-B1 fees are the other (called a marketing fee)—both will be disclosed in the prospectus. The last is trading cost, which isn’t disclosed and doesn’t have to be and may or may not be significant; the more turnover in the portfolio (buying and selling) the higher trading cost will be and the more it is likely to impact bottom line performance.
Q:
I’ve heard a lot of news about investing in index funds lately, saying they are the smartest option, [because] in the long run the returns are comparable, but you’ll save money on transaction fees. What are your thoughts on investing on index funds compared to funds that are more directly managed?—Boone, Bloomington
HAYS: Index funds typically have lower fees and expenses. In some areas, like large cap stocks (S&P 500), I personally believe in buying the index vs. actively managed funds. However in other areas of the market, like international, high yield bonds, small cap stocks, I like the active management personally. So like most things, a little bit of both is probably the best way to go.
Q:
I’m a 24-year-old recent college grad working my first full-time job. I’ve saved a nice little amount of money and want to invest it—but I have no idea in what! What advice do you have for someone with little to no investing experience?—Kat, Bloomington HAYS: Buy the book “Investing for Dummies.” It’s required reading for anyone we hire in an administrative role; it gives them a general knowledge of investment lingo. At 24, you have the most valuable asset of all—time. Take advantage of it. If you save $250 [per month] from age 24 to 64 and your return on investment is 8 percent, you will accumulate nearly $875,000. If you wait until you are 42, you would have to save $1485 [per month] to achieve the same result. Compound interest really is the “8th Wonder of the World!”
Q:
What is the best plan for an IRA that’s not doing much? Are there fees to move it to another class investment like a 401(k) or mutual fund, or cash it out?—Sarah HAYS: If you have a small IRA and you are also in a 401(k) through your employer, it might make sense to roll it into your plan. Most IRAs have annual reporting fees (like $10 - $50/yr); you could eliminate that cost and simplify your life too. To me it sounds like it’s the investment within the IRA, not the IRA itself. An IRA is simply a label that’s put on the account so the IRS knows its tax status. You can buy almost anything you want under an IRA, like stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, CDs and real estate.
Q:
How much of my income should I be tucking away into savings? HAYS: If you are not covered by a pension plan through work, then I would save 15 percent of your gross pay. This can include any “match” your employer provides as well as what you put in yourself. If you are covered by a pension, then 10 percent should get you where you want to go. Obviously, all of this depends on your age and how long before you need the money. The younger you are, the lower the
January 2015 • INstride 9
“I think the worst thing that ever happened to the investing public is online viewing and monthly statements because people tend to make emotional, short-term moves with long-term investments.” DAVID HAYS, Comprehensive Financial Consultants
[percentage]; they older you are the higher the [percentage] to meet your goals.
Q:
How often should I be checking my long-term mutual funds and stocks? I do so daily, but I sometimes feel like that’s too often. HAYS: That’s way too often. I think the worst thing that ever happened to the investing public is online viewing and monthly statements because people tend to make emotional, short-term moves with long-term investments. These are long-term investments and should be treated as such. I would check them quarterly and annually see how they are doing relative to their peer groups and only make a change if they have consistently under performed over a one- to three-year period of time.
Q:
Is it a big deal to always have a balance on your credit card? Should it be a priority to pay it off in full each month? HAYS: I’m not an expert in credit scoring, but I know someone who is; he told me that the best scores are generated [when] you have a good amount of available credit and you carry some balance. This is the example he gave me: You have two credit cards, one is maxed out and the other has a zero balance (both $5000); you are utilizing 50 percent of your available credit. If you close out the card with no balance, you now are utilizing 100 percent of your available credit and that could hurt your score. Now, from a practical standpoint, you may not be able to pay off your card every month, but it is a good practice to have no balance on your cards.
Q:
I know some people who refuse to carry cash. Is this a reasonable mindset for 2014, where credit cards and smartphone apps make it easy to get by without paper currency? HAYS: If you want to eat at Wee Willie’s or get ice cream at Dairy Queen in Bloomington, you better have cash! I don’t carry much cash and really don’t like dealing with coins, but I think it’s unreasonable and maybe a little foolish not to have a cash stash. I went through the drive through at McDonalds the other day [and] their computers were down and were accepting cash only. If I [didn’t] have cash, I would have gone hungry ...
10 INstride • January 2015
Q:
What can I do throughout the year to not feel such a money crunch during the holidays? Rent and bills always have to be paid ... HAYS: This is old school, but set up a “Christmas Club” account at a local bank. They help automate the savings—if you put $10 a week into the Christmas Club account starting in January, you would have around $500 in December of next year. My dad, who is a banker, would set one up for us as kids. It works well.
Q:
What’s the most common financial problem you see people facing today? HAYS: Expecting the “perfect outcome”— Expecting you will always make good money or have the job you have, your kids or parents won’t need your help financially, your investment returns will be adequate and your health will stay good. It’s hard to plan for everything life brings, but be aware that things may not turn out the way you think. The other problem I see is overspending—keeping up with your friends, eating out too much, vacationing when you can’t afford it. Before you know it, you will be old and you don’t want to still be paying for that steak you had 10 years ago!
Q:
It’s time for me to start planning New Year’s resolutions. What are some great ideas I can try as 2015 resolutions regarding my money? HAYS: If you are in debt, lay out your debt elimination plan. If you are preparing for retirement, paying for college, buying a home—lay it all out. Just like any New Year’s resolution, you have to be devoted and you must have small early wins to keep yourself excited and focused, otherwise it will fail. Tell others what your goals are and ask them to help keep you accountable. I think our general nature is [to] not want to let others down—it’s easy to let yourself down. If you want to sit down with a financial advisor, don’t be intimidated or think “I don’t have enough money.” It’s not that way; just schedule an appointment and go on in! If you want to hear more on money issues, you can always catch my radio program “Your Money with David Hays”—Thursday nights at 6 or Saturday mornings at 9, on News Talk 96.1FM/AM1370 WGCL or streaming on wgclradio.com. n
ACHIEVE COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
By Samantha Schaefer, MS, RD, CD and Priscilla Barnes, MPH, Ph.D.
Active Living Coalition Symposium Monroe County has over 30 public health-related coalitions that work tirelessly to ensure that its residents live in healthy communities. But what if our county coalitions banded together? On Nov. 6, over 50 people took the first steps in creating stronger community networks at the Active Living Coalition’s symposium. This event brought together health coalitions to work to improve health and wellness at a county level, and to begin to partner and share. “We all do great work in our individual organizations; however, we know we can do so much more by working together,” said Samantha Schaefer, a registered dietitian at IU Health Bloomington, Community Health and the ALC facilitator. The ALC is a group of over 100 individuals and 25 local organizations whose mission is to promote a healthy lifestyle to people who live, work, and visit Monroe County. Using events, programs, and policies as a vehicle to promote wellness, the ALC’s vision is to inspire community members to achieve optimal health in every facet of their lives. Together, ACHIEVE and ALC support community efforts to make the healthy choice the easy choice. Themed “It’s An ENGAGEment Party,” the day began with a physical activity session and a slideshow commemorating 10 years of the ALC’s work in engaging organizations and community members in health and wellness. The party atmosphere continued by engaging participants in one of the highlights of the symposium, Speed Networking. During this time, participants could learn something about a person, organization, or a coalition. Each individual had a three-minute “date” within a 60-minute time period to talk with 10 people. The majority of attendees made at least six to eight new connections. Participants also discussed the value of engaging coalitions in service learning and continuing education through Public Health and YOU, a free online course offered to anyone working on projects or initiatives aimed to improve community health. Active breaks, including walking, practicing better posture, and learning some new Pilates and yoga moves, were incorporated in between sessions. An exhibit of coalitions included representatives from the Active Living Coalition, ACHIEVE, Active Aging Coalition, Bloomington Lifelong Learning Coalition, the Arts
COURTESY PHOTO
Julie Hill (left) from Bell Trace Senior Living Community and Bloomington Commission on Aging and Kathy Hewett from the Monroe County Health Department and the Active Living Coalition participate in a speed networking activity.
Alliance of Greater Bloomington, Health Ministry Network, and the Mental Health Task Force. The day concluded with important conversations about collaboration with other professionals and organizations in the community. Many participants believed that the symposium was a great opportunity for public health professionals from Monroe County to build new relationships. Emily Roth, health and human sciences extension educator for Purdue Extension-Monroe County, felt that the symposium fulfilled its purpose in connecting people who are passionate about health and wellness. “It was a wonderful and rewarding opportunity to network with community partners and engage in rich discussions on how we can work together within the ALC on important initiatives,” she said. The ALC realizes that the passion and concern for our community’s health and wellness are already present, and the desire to network and partner is high. Bloomington is ahead of the curve in many areas, but there is always room for improvement. “Partnerships add so much strength to our community,” said Schaefer. “We need to continue to work together to create healthier communities. And when it comes to creating a healthy environment, it takes all of us to build it.” The event was sponsored by the Monroe County Health Department, Delong Wellness, CPR Reflex, Indiana Running Company, Indiana Spine and Sports, and Indiana University’s Office of Global and Community Health Partnerships. n
January 2015 • INstride 11
12 INstride • January 2015
FRESH PICKS
By Bob Zaltsberg
Health Benefits of a Citrus Blast
Yucatan Lemon Soup 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth 1 medium onion, cut into quarters 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and quartered 8 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled 3 tablespoons finely grated Meyer lemon zest 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 4-inch cinnamon stick 4 whole cloves 1 pound raw shrimp, (26-30 per pound), peeled and deveined 3 tablespoons Meyer lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce, or to taste (optional) 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Citrus fruits come in many colors and sizes. Oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruits, tangerines—all are well-known for their vitamin C content. According to information gathered by the livestrong.com website, citrus fruits provide energy, fiber, folate and potassium. They are a good source of flavonoids, the disease-fighting antioxidant. The website states: “Eating citrus fruits may protect you against stroke,” and cites a Nurses’ Health Study that points to the flavonoids in the fruits as possibly reducing the risk of stroke in women. It also says: “According to the Dairy Council of California, the flavonoids in citrus may halt cancer cell growth and slow down tumor progression. They may also reduce plaque formation in your arteries and improve blood circulation.” You can eat citrus raw, of course, though lemons and limes may be too sour for a lot of people.
Chicken with Honey-Orange Sauce 2 navel oranges 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and tenders removed 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 cup white wine 1/2 cup golden raisins 2 tablespoons honey 1 3-inch cinnamon stick 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted Zest and juice one orange. Remove the skin and white pith from the other orange, then halve and slice. Reserve zest and juice separately from the orange slices. Combine flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Dredge chicken in the flour. Transfer the remaining flour to a small bowl, add broth and whisk to combine. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Add wine to the pan and cook for 1 minute. Add the flour-broth mixture, the reserved orange zest and juice, raisins, honey, cinnamon stick and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan and cook, turning the chicken once or twice, until the internal temperature of the meat registers 165°F and the sauce has thickened, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter. Discard the cinnamon stick. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and garnish with orange slices and almonds. Makes: 4 servings
Bring broth, onion, jalapeños, garlic, zest, cumin seeds, cinnamon stick and cloves to a simmer in a large saucepan or Dutch oven. Cover, reduce heat, and continue to simmer for 20 minutes. Strain the broth (discard solids). Return the broth to the pan and bring to a low simmer. Add shrimp, lemon juice, salt and hot sauce (if using). Cook until the shrimp are pink and firm, about 3 minutes. Stir in cilantro and serve. Makes: 4 servings, 1 cup each
January 2015 • INstride 13
Members of Team Sycamore include Robert Meitus, Sheryl Woodhouse Keese, Brian Keese, Jeff White, Bill Brown, Legene White, and Marcia Veldman
14 INstride • January 2015
Climate Controlle
Team back at Cl Midw
m Sycamore k from success limate Ride west
ed
COURTESY PHOTO
By Seth Tackett
S
heryl Woodhouse Keese’s 300-mile climate conference on wheels was everything the development director for the Sycamore Land Trust expected and much, much more. “It was a very good experience,” Woodhouse Keese said. She and six other cyclists participated in the first-ever Climate Ride Midwest in
September, where they navigated their bicycles on a four-day trek through Michigan, Indiana and Illinois to raise money and awareness for climate change. The team raised over $25,000. After overhead, Sycamore Land Trust received just over $13,000, while Climate Ride benefited with close to $3,500. Sycamore Land Trust riders Robert Meitus and Jeff White raised $5,003 and $4,200 respectively to earn green Climate Ride jerseys for being among the
top ten fundraisers of the entire Climate Ride Midwest. Other members of the team include Brian Keese, Bill Brown, Legene White and Marcia Veldman. The cyclists rode for over 100 beneficiary organizations. Woodhouse Keese met riders who were raising funds for Alliance for the Great Lakes, Miles of Trees, Citizens Climate Lobby and the Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition, just to name a few. “While I was inspired by all of the organizations on Climate Ride,” Woodhouse Keese said, “I was reminded through the Alliance for the Great Lakes how fortunate we are to live in this region, which holds 20 percent of world’s fresh water, and how critical it is for us to protect these lakes.” As far as how the actual ride went, the training in and around Bloomington paid off for Woodhouse Keese and her team. “It was great,” Woodhouse Keese said. “It was such a wonderful experience. After training in southern Indiana, southwest Michigan felt flat. Not completely flat, but the hills there don’t compare to what we trained on here. The scenery was idyllic, by Lake Michigan, through the woods, past farms where pumpkins were growing. It was just a really pretty ride. “Even though there were long mileages some days, it was easy riding compared to training around here.” Another part of the experience that Woodhouse Keese enjoyed was the presentations that each organization gave after the first day of the ride. “It was like a rapid fire introduction to all of the different
January 2015 • INstride 15
COURTESY PHOTO
Marcia Veldman and Legene White decide whether to go the short route or the long route. They choose 72 miles.
organizations that received funds,” Woodhouse Keese said. “It was really fun. Everybody who was listening had ridden their bikes 55 or 60 miles that day. It was meant to be informative, but also fun and lighthearted. “When I made that statement, that for each dollar donated Sycamore is able to save 10 dollars worth of land and what that converted to for land saved for what the Climate Ride team was bringing home, people cheered. It was very exciting.” After the first day was in the books and before the presentations began, the riders let their hair down and turned into kids at a summer camp. “It was warm enough that you could enjoy the water, and people were just out in the lake, almost giddy,” Woodhouse Keese said of the riders’ impromptu swim in Lake Michigan. “People were happy they made it on the first day, and people were just riding and jumping in the waves. “It was a really good time and it was fun to see all of these grownups frolicking in Lake Michigan. That was a nice scene.” After the wonderful experience had by all the riders and the money raised for the land trust, the race could become an annual event for Sycamore. “Everybody on our team was excited to be there,” Woodhouse Keese said. “I think people found it to be a really enriching and delightful experience. It was a nice vacation, too. “Most of the team did the Hilly Hundred together afterwards and continue to ride together. It was very satisfying from a personal level.” Those looking to join Team Sycamore in 2015 can attend a meeting on Jan. 29 at the Monroe County Public Library. The meeting is in room 1B and starts at 7 p.m. Woodhouse Keese will give a presentation on what the land trust does and will provide information on how people can get involved. n
16 INstride • January 2015
CALENDAR
Jan. 20 Miles of Nowhere 16 Challenge Benefiting Childhood Cancer Research DESCRIPTION: The 20 Miles of Nowhere Challenge is simple— Run, walk, bike or spin 20 miles either all at once, or within the time frame, and you get a shirt. If running, walking, or biking is not your thing, any sport is welcome— we aren’t picky. It has to be done on a treadmill, trainer or on some insane outdoor course of similar fashion where you don’t actually get anywhere. If that doesn’t work for you, any way you want to accomplish 20 miles is fine with us—remember, we aren’t picky. 100 percent of proceeds collected from the $20 entry fee will go directly to childhood cancer research. The official kickoff date for the challenge is Saturday, Jan. 16 and the challenge runs until Feb. 15. Registration is $20. Forms can be printed from www.20milesofnowhere challenge.blogspot.com and mailed to: BNL Starstrong c/o 595 N. Stars Blvd. Bedford, IN 47421 MORE INFO: Contact Leisa Deckard at deckardl@nlcs.k12.in.us or (812) 279-9756 Frosty Trails 5 Mile 17 WHEN: 10:30 a.m. WHERE: Brown County State Park, 1810 Ind. 46 E, Nashville, Ind. DESCRIPTION: The run is a challenging 5.2-mile trail run (or walk, if you like) on scenic trails. After the run, meet in the shelter house for a warm fire, warm food, warm drinks, and best of all, warm friends sharing tales of the trails.
Looking for more activities and events? Check out myINstride.com/calendar or add your own
David Snodgress | INSTRIDE
The DNR is conducting a series of hikes to explore the Southfork Marshes at Monroe Lake.
Feb. Dash for a Heart: Brown County YMCA WHEN: 1 p.m. WHERE: Brown County YMCA, 105 Willow St., Nashville, Ind. DESCRIPTION: Start and finish is at the Brown County YMCA. This event is raising funds for Brown County YMCA financial assistance program. MORE INFO: mag7raceseries.com
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March Winter Exploration Hike Series: Southfork Marshes #1 WHEN: 2:30 p.m. WHERE: Southfork Wildlife Area, Monroe Lake DESCRIPTION: The first in a fourpart series of off-trail, 2-hour hikes that explore the Southfork Marshes at Monroe Lake. The hikes are exploratory in nature, so there is no set path; we’ll have a general route in mind, but plenty of freedom to veer off as things of interest catch our eyes. Limited to 10 people. Free but preregistration is required by March 2. MORE INFO: Details and registration at http://bit.ly/ 2015winterhikemar4
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Exploration 18 Winter Hike Series: Southfork Marshes #2 WHEN: 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Southfork Wildlife Area,
Monroe Lake DESCRIPTION: The second in a four-part series of off-trail, 2-hour hikes that explore the Southfork Marshes at Monroe Lake. Limited to 10 people. Free but preregistration is required by March 16. MORE INFO: Details and registration at http://bit.ly/ 2015winterhikemar18
April Winter Exploration Hike Series: Southfork Marshes #3 WHEN: 2:30 p.m. WHERE: Southfork Wildlife Area, Monroe Lake DESCRIPTION: The third in a fourpart series of off-trail, 2-hour hikes that explore the Southfork Marshes at Monroe Lake. Limited to 10 people. Free but preregistration is required by March 29. MORE INFO: Details and registration at http://bit.ly/ 2015winterhikeapr1.
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YMCA Spring Family Run/Walk WHEN: 8 a.m. WHERE: Monroe County YMCA, 2125 South Highland Ave., Bloomington, Ind. DESCRIPTION: Enjoy this mildly hilly course as you run or walk through the woods and neighborhoods surrounding the Southeast YMCA. Race proceeds
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support the Y For All Annual Campaign, which helps us provide scholarships to people facing financial hardship. Event includes a 5K run, 5K racewalk, 10K run and kids’ fun run. MORE INFO: www.monroe countyymca.org Winter Exploration Hike Series: Southfork Marshes #4 WHEN: 2:30 p.m. WHERE: Southfork Wildlife Area, Monroe Lake DESCRIPTION: The fourth in a four-part series of off-trail, 2-hour hikes that explore the Southfork Marshes at Monroe Lake. Limited to 10 people. Free but preregistration is required by April 12. MORE INFO: Details and registration at http://bit.ly/ 2015winterhikeapr15.
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Hoosier Half 18 2015 Marathon and Hoosier 5K WHEN: 8 a.m. WHERE: Virgil T. DeVault Alumni Center, 1000 E. 17th Street, Bloomington, Ind. DESCRIPTION: Challenging race where participants will find 13.1 miles of relentless rolling hills, but be rewarded with amazing views of campus, downtown, and countless spring blooms. Subway’s Jared Fogle will be the celebrity starter for the race. MORE INFO: www.hoosier half.com
January 2015 • INstride 17
Kayakers Erik Weihenmayer and Lonnie Bedwell descend the Grand Canyon and break barriers.
COURTESY PHOTO
The Spirit of Adventure
Bedwell nominated for National Geographic award
By Seth Tackett
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n September 2013, Lonnie Bedwell made history. The Dugger native completed the first kayak run through the Grand Canyon by a blind person. It was so much fun that Bedwell did it again, this time alongside fellow blind kayaker Erik Weihenmayer. “Knowing what it takes to kayak through the Grand Canyon and to see him fulfill a six-year dream was awesome,” Bedwell said. “Now, there are two of us that have accomplished it. I would like to see several more do it.” Weihenmayer and Bedwell’s trek took place this past September and lasted 21 days. They covered 277 miles of the Colorado River together. And in doing so, they have been nominated as National Geographic Adventurers of the Year for 2014-15.
18 INstride • January 2015
“I didn’t know anything about it until I was nominated,” Bedwell recalled. “It’s pretty cool, to be nominated from a magazine that I used to look at and read all the time when I was a child. My dad would get it for years. “I’ve just been living my life, and someone just happened to pick up my story.” And that story led Bedwell and Weihenmayer, dubbed the “Blind Adventurers,” to be nominated. But they face some stiff competition. Other nominees include activist Wasfia Nazreen, alpinist Ueli Steck, climber Tommy Caldwell, a filmmaker trio, another kayaker named Aleksander Doba, a pair of paragliders, ski mountaineer Kit DesLauriers, surfer Liz Clark and swimmer Lewis Pugh. Bedwell is a little leery about actually winning, given the other nominees.
COURTESY PHOTO
“There is some big-time competition,” Bedwell said. “No doubt about it. I don’t know. I figured the odds of us winning it, considering what those other folks have done, who knows? It is the people’s choice award.” This year’s competition marks the 10th anniversary of the award. Each year, people have been honored for achievements in “exploration, adventure sports, conservation and humanitarianism.” To vote for the adventurers of the year, go to adventure.nationalgeographic.com. One vote is allowed per person per day until Jan. 31, 2015. The winner will be announced in February. Bedwell is no stranger to awards. After his first trip through the Grand Canyon, Bedwell was honored with the Check-6 Heroism Award and earned the National Geographic nomination and the Louis Braille Award after his second run through the Grand Canyon in September. He and his family will go to Philadelphia in late January to attend the Louis Braille Award ceremony. The Louis Braille Award has been given annually since 1959 “to honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.” The Check-6 Heroism Award recognizes those that demonstrate selfless acts under challenging circumstances. Bedwell had a busy autumn, which was highlighted by the Grand Canyon trip, but also included climbing the Colorado Rockies, where he and two other blind climbers were led by three Marines with disabilities. Bedwell tackled the Rockies in late September and early October, where he faced 60 mph winds at 13,000 feet. Whether it is one of the deepest canyons in the world or one of the highest peaks, Bedwell tackles each adventure with a smile. “I went from wearing shorts in the Grand Canyon, like 100 degree weather, (and) days later, I was in the Colorado Rockies in 15 degree weather in blizzard conditions,” Bedwell said with a laugh. n
January 2015 • INstride 19
Matthew Hatcher | INSTRIDE
Instructor Brooke Wyatt shares a laugh as she demonstrates how to use veils during a dance class for pregnant women at Bloomington Area Birth Services.
the
Baby& Beat Bloomington class offers dancing and doulas By Gizzelle Sandoval
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regnancy is the time for many experiences. It’s the time for bonding with your baby, educating yourself about your body’s changes—and dancing. Bloomington Area Birth Services is an organization with a mission to support and educate expectant and postpartum mothers. BABS offers several exercise courses, one of them being Dancing for Birth, where participants work with dance instructors and a “circle” of other pregnant/postpartum women to learn belly dance, African dance and Latin dance. The overall atmosphere of the class is warm,
20 INstride • January 2015
Matthew Hatcher | INSTRIDE
Amber Niebrugge uses a veil during the BABS dance class.
“[The class] gives you that support you need...whatever your needs are.” Brooke Wyatt, Bloomington Area Birth Services instructor
welcoming and baby-friendly. The class is set up to look like a home, fully equipped with a kitchen, play area and plenty of birthing balls and rocking chairs to go around. The class starts off with instructors taking requests from everyone in the circle, such as any specific stretches, dances or music anyone would like to hear. The class leaves room for plenty of bathroom and diaper-changing breaks. After over an hour of dancing, stretching and sharing stories, they conclude with each participant stating what she gained from that day’s class.
The classes are part movement, part childbirth education. The physical benefits of this class include relieving common complaints of pregnancy, reducing weight gain and decreasing the risk of gestational diabetes. The classes also benefit the baby. Exercising, along with a good diet, can improve the mother’s health and therefore affect the baby’s health by improving its chances of being born at a healthy weight and decreasing the probability of preterm delivery. “It’s good to exercise throughout the entire pregnancy,” said Heather Blantan, a physical therapist for Indiana University Health, who is specialty trained to work with pregnant and postpartum women. Attending exercise classes during the postpartum period is just as important. Maggie Sullivan, participant of Dancing for Birth, took the class after her first pregnancy and is currently taking it for her second pregnancy. “It was nice that we could compare stories and just sort of have that connection and bond with other moms who respected what I had been through,” said Sullivan. “Physically, it’s...really good for recovery from childbirth because you’ve been pregnant for nine months and then your belly is empty, but there’s still a lot that needs to go back into position.” Dancing for Birth, like many other child education and exercise classes, is an opportunity for women to practice healthy habits while bonding with their babies. What sets it apart from some of the other classes is that each participant receives additional support from their dance circle, as well as from their doulas and instructors. “I’m there, I’m having fun, I can really enjoy the music, learn a little something and connect with these great women,” said Sullivan, who considers the class a “safe space” for her and her unborn baby. Brooke Wyatt is a dance instructor for Dancing for Birth and was also a participant of the class during her first pregnancy. “[The class] gives you that support you need...whatever your needs are,” said Wyatt. “The emotional support I got was what was the key for me.” Wyatt had a background in dance prior to joining the class. Being able to dance and exercise while pregnant was what initially drew her into the class. What she found most appealing, however, was the interaction that took place within her circle that allowed her to bond with the other mothers while learning a few techniques she now uses on her own child. “When I was pregnant, I saw mothers nursing their babies, so I had a positive example for what breastfeeding could look like for me and my child,” said Wyatt. Doulas, nonmedical persons who assist a woman before, during, or after childbirth through emotional support and physical assistance, also take part in the Dancing for Birth experience. Georg’ann Cattelona, one of the founders and executive director of BABS,
was a doula for Dancing for Birth and witnessed first-hand the benefits of taking a prenatal and postpartum dancing class. “It’s not just a standard chopper education class,” said Cattelona, explaining that the educational and social components make the class stand out from the rest. Cattelona finds the class’ mixture of pregnant and postpartum mothers to be unique, as it provides mothers with support throughout the entire pregnancy, before and after birth. “Women who’ve gone through the experience talking to women who are about to go through the experience is really important,” said Cattelona. For women who are pregnant or postpartum, the emotional support that comes with joining the class is invaluable and necessary to ensure the baby is as healthy as can be. “To give people a place to pause, and attend to their bodies, and not be looking at a screen…[is] very important,” said Cattelona. “And modeling for children, too; I think it does affect the children in a positive way.” If you’re interested in taking Dancing for Birth classes or any other prenatal/postpartum classes, contact BABS at (812) 337-8121 on 2458 S. Walnut St. n
January 2015 • INstride 21
SPOTTED Lisa Keplinger works out at The Iron Pit.
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Jeremy Hogan | INSTRIDE
Jeremy Hogan | INSTRIDE
Mark Campbell works out at The Iron Pit. Jeremy Hogan | INSTRIDE
Mike Plymm works out at The Iron Pit.
22 INstride • January 2015