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ON THE RUN
The remarkable running Dr. Ruff, father of the Mag 7 Series
ROAD MAP TO WELLNESS Health coach guides MCCSC
A PASSION FOR PICKLEBALL Paddle sport is taking off in Bloomington
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Road Map to Wellness
Fresh Picks
Health coach guides MCCSC
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I Can Do That
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No age limit for the benefits of taekwondo
ACHIEVE Community Spotlight
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The remarkable running Dr. Ruff, father of the Mag 7 Series
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COVER STORY
Spotted Photos of fitness in action
A Passion for Pickleball Paddle sport is taking off in Bloomington
n Connect with our 740-plus members who share similar interests. n Let our calendar cure your boredom with wellness and fitness listings
in the area. Add your own event. n Find delicious new dishes and share your favorites. n Track your fitness progress with a personal weight tracker. n Nominate your fitness inspiration and read how others stay motivated.
October 2015 • INstride 3
stride Editorial director: Bob Zaltsberg Production & copy editor: Brooke McCluskey Photo director: David Snodgress Senior writer: Carol Johnson Contributing staff: Seth Tackett, Lauren Slavin, Sam Robinson, Garet Cobb, Rich Janzaruk, Jeremy Hogan and Chris Howell Graphic designer: Stewart Moon Publisher: E. Mayer Maloney Jr. CONTENT: 812-331-4289 bmccluskey@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 November n With Thanksgiving fast approaching, we’ll offer
some tips on how to hold down the calories on the traditional feast. n We’ll introduce you to another Fitness Inspiration. n Our calendar will give you a list of events to help get
you through the holiday season.
ON THE COVER Robert Shull plays pickleball at the Twin Lakes Recreation Center. Photograph by David Snodgress for INstride
4 INstride • October 2015
EDITOR’S LETTER
An Inspiration-Filled Issue For many years, Jerry Ruff wrote a running column for The Herald-Times. It was part of his long-held mission to get people not just interested in but wildly enthusiastic about running. Anyone who knows Dr. Ruff can attest that “interested” would be too passive a word for what he wanted. As a physician, he knew about the benefits of running and it seemed to me that he wanted to start a running revolution in all of southern Indiana. It was about that time the Magnificent 7 road racing series began, with Jerry Ruff the driving force. While individual races have a starter, he was the starter for a racing series. Reporter Seth Tackett caught up with Dr. Ruff, now 84, for this month’s Fitness Inspiration. He’s one of several inspirational people featured in these pages. Freddie Holmgren is another. She was smoking and not eating well when she decided to stop all that and remake herself after she turned 50. Since then she’s gotten a master’s degree in kinesiology and is helping others take care of themselves. Intern reporter Sam Robinson wrote that story. He also did our cover feature about pickleball and the people who play it. And reporter Lauren Slavin talked with two people in their 60s, Dorothy Borders and Lindsey Smith, who are more than holding their own in taekwondo. All these people are beyond interesting. I hope you’ll agree. Bob Zaltsberg, Editor
October 2015 • INstride 5
ROAD MAP TO
WELL Health coach guides MCCSC By Sam Robinson
F
redna ‘Freddie’ Holmgren, the health coach for the Monroe County Community School Corp. Health and Wellness Center, spent decades of her life making the wrong health choices before she decided to make a change. Now she’s working to show her patients that it’s never too late make a change, too. “When you’re well, you’re happy,” Holmgren said. “You’re happy at home and work.” That’s the strategy Holmgren and the MCCSC are taking to increasing employee productivity. Holmgren’s job is to promote preventive healthcare for nearly 2,000 teachers, administrators and support staff. “It’s overwhelming when you feel you need to change yourself,” Holmgren said. “Before you know it, you have habits.” Holmgren was an accountant for 30 years, most of which were spent as a pack-a-day smoker with a
6 INstride • October 2015
Freddie Holmgren warms up at the YMCA southeast before leading a running club in a workout. JEREMY HOGAN | INSTRIDE
NESS less-than-ideal diet. At age 49, she decided to get healthy before she turned 50. She retired five years later and went back to school to earn her master’s degree in kinesiology from the Indiana University School of Public Health. She’s been working as a health coach for the past five years. “I loved what I did, but I wanted to do something more active in helping people,” Holmgren said. Holmgren’s job is to work with the patient to make a road map for improving nutrition and wellness. She doesn’t have a pre-made plan for people who walk into her office. “The interesting thing about a health coach is to not give much advice,” Holmgren said. “Their job is to listen.” So Holmgren listens for the patient’s concerns and aids them on the road to wellness. She helps patients find ways to add more fresh fruits and vegetables into their diets, avoid fast food and incorporate exercise in their daily routines. She also busts myths about fad diets and “magic foods” some patients think are the keys to success.
October 2015 • INstride 7
JEREMY HOGAN | INSTRIDE
“I don’t discourage any type of food,” Holmgren said. She said restricting a type of food isn’t effective because it becomes a forbidden fruit. “One of the biggest things I run into is teachers or administrators want to be more physically active, but they feel they don’t have time,” Holmgren said. “But there are so many different ways to be active.” Holmgren suggests patients take frequent walks, perform light cardio and stretch frequently. Her patients don’t need a gym membership to stay active. Holmgren said it’s contagious. She has seen patients adopt healthy habits from watching coworkers make the same choices. Other patients are harder nuts to crack. “Even if they’re motivated by their doctor, they go back to their old routines,” Holmgren said. “That’s what my wellness visits do. They’ll see their blood pressure is high and make some changes.” Now preparing for a 50-mile run this October, Holmgren is living evidence that small changes can make a big difference. n
8 INstride • October 2015
Freddie Holmgren, right, leads a running club workout at the Monroe County YMCA.
“One of the biggest things I run into is teachers or administrators want to be more physically active, but they feel they don’t have time. But there are so many different ways to be active.” FREDNA ‘FREDDIE’ HOLMGREN
October 2015 • INstride 9
No age limit for the benefits of taekwondo By Lauren Slavin
I
t only took a few classes of watching her 20-yearold son practice taekwondo at the Bloomington ATA Family Martial Arts academy for a thought to cross Dorothy Borders’ mind: “I can do that.” So the 64-year-old mother approached Bloomington ATA co-owner Shane Bosstick about joining the academy, and soon learned that she wouldn’t even be the most senior person on the mat.
10 INstride • October 2015
JEREMY HOGAN | INSTRIDE
I Can Do That
“I said, ‘Do you have older people that do this?’” Borders said. Two and a half years later, Borders placed second in forms, sparring, traditional weapons and combat weapons at the 2015 American Taekwondo Association Mid-America District Championship. Another over-60 student who practices taekwondo at ATA, Lindsey Smith, was the district championship in sparring, traditional weapons and combat weapons. “They’re inspirations for other people,” said Melissa Bosstick, who co-owns ATA with her husband, Shane. “They inspire others just by being out on the mat.” Smith, 62, has practiced one form of martial arts or another since age 15. Joining the Army kept him in shape. After returning to Bloomington from a twoyear tour in Afghanistan, he wanted to continue intensive exercise. His first sparring opponent? Borders. “He gave me a swift kick and it was like—good grief, where did he get that power from?” Borders laughed.
State Champs Five members of the Bloomington ATA Family Martial Arts academy are State of Indiana ATA Taekwondo Champions for 2015: Dorothy Borders, Lindsey A. Smith, Michael Hendricks, Katie Hendricks and John Birkey.
The two soon formed a friendship, which they say is common within the academy. On the mat, controlled, precise movements fly at top speeds. Off the mat, a young student, “came up to me and looked me in the face and said, ‘You’re awesome,’” Smith said. “The friends you meet at the academy—almost everyone is a good quality person with good character.” A good portion of the students who don a taekwondo uniform and learn to spar are kids, young adults and sometimes their parents. Though some might see age as a limiting factor when it comes to working out, older students may benefit more from exercise like taekwondo than their younger sparring partners, Bosstick said. Taekwondo requires using parts of the body and both hemispheres of the brain, Bosstick said, and spiritual aspects of the activity like breathing techniques also provide health benefits. “This becomes part of who you are,” Bosstick said. “It’s about priorities. What is your priority in life? Is it your health?” It’s easy to see the progress in Borders’ physical fitness and stamina, she said. Before starting taekwondo, Borders said she couldn’t jump very high, nor stand on one foot. “I do things I didn’t think I would do,” Borders said. “For the most part I’m kicking the, pardon the expression, butts of the other kids.” n
JEREMY HOGAN | INSTRIDE
Lindsey Smith and Dorothy Borders demonstrate their taekwondo skills.
October 2015 • INstride 11
Stella Hooker-Haase plays pickleball at the Twin Lakes Recreation Center.
A Passion for Pickleball Paddle sport is taking off in Bloomington
12 INstride • October 2015
Pickleball Tourney The Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington will host an inter-generational pickleball tournament at its Lincoln Street location Oct. 27 and 29. Practices will take place every Tuesday and Thursday until the tournament. For more information call 812-332-5311.
DAVID SNODGRESS | INSTRIDE
By Sam Robinson
P
ickleball tradition in Bloomington dictates that players smack paddles at the center of the court, called the “kitchen,” to congratulate one another on a game well played. Pickleball players are, by and large, good sports, but like other sport fanatics they’re fiercely passionate about what they play. “It’s the best game ever invented,” said Matt DeMars, who plays weekly at courts around Bloomington. “And I’m a tennis player.”
Pickleball players in Bloomington have been meeting for the past six years to play impromptu matches. Their numbers have swelled to 70 regular players, and they’re trying to promote their sport with an inter-generational tournament with the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington. The tournament, scheduled for late October, will pair senior citizens with youth in an elimination tournament. Robert Shull, the organizer of the tournament and a regular pickleball player, said that it’s a chance to show the community that senior citizens can be active. “It lets people know seniors can still have fun, it helps the Boys and Girls Club and it promotes pickleball,” Shull said. Pickleball is similar to tennis, ping pong and badminton. Like tennis, the goal is to hit a ball over a net to score against the opposing team. Like ping pong, players hit the ball with a paddle instead of a racket. And like badminton, the dimensions of a pickleball court are smaller than a tennis court. Where pickleball is unique is its accessibility to people of any skill level. “People with two left feet can play, even with a similar skill level,” said Shull. “It’s not a hard game to pick up.” “It’s accessible and costs less than tennis,” Shull added. A high quality pickleball paddle tends to cost less than a comparable tennis racket. And two pickleball courts can fit in the place of one tennis court.
October 2015 • INstride 13
“It’s a game for all ages. We accept everyone. If you’ve never played, we’ll teach you. If you’re a middle of the road player, you’ll get better. If you’re a good player, you’ll have great competition.” ROBERT SHULL
DAVID SNODGRESS | INSTRIDE
Pickleball players (from left) Marsha Hankins, Margaret Lemon, Mary Shassberger and Bernie Ringwald meet at the net at the end of their match at the Twin Lakes Recreation Center.
There are only a five public pickleball courts in Bloomington, located at RCA Park and Karst Farm Park. There are three additional courts at Twin Lakes Recreation Center, but players need to pay for a membership or a day pass. “There aren’t enough,” said Shull. “But we’re getting there.” “The biggest misconception about pickleball is that it’s for seniors, and it isn’t,” said Judy Henry, a senior citizen who has been playing the sport for six years. “I can play average four times a week, and it has improved my health tremendously.” Matt DeMars said that he regularly hears that pickleball isn’t a real sport. He said that naysayers should come to RCA Park and see how hard they play. “Look at me,” DeMars said, coated in sweat cooling off from a match. “People say it’s not a real sport.” Shull said that he’d like to see pickleball in Bloomington expand its demographic, but the sport has had a positive influence on the seniors and other people who play. 14 INstride • October 2015
DAVID SNODGRESS | INSTRIDE
David Lemon plays pickleball at the Twin Lakes Recreation Center.
“It gives the so-called seniors opportunities to do things,” Shull said. “Now that there are outdoor and indoor facilities, it’s a year-long sport.” “It’s a game for all ages,” Shull added. “We accept everyone. If you’ve never played, we’ll teach you. If you’re a middle of the road player, you’ll get better. If you’re a good player, you’ll have great competition.” To get involved with pickleball in Bloomington, contact Robert Shull at 812-336-8986 or by email at cuberootofthree@gmail.com. n
FRESH PICKS
Apple-Berry Brown Betty
AN APPLE A DAY? A few more weeks remain in apple season, and this year’s crop in southern Indiana has been a good one despite the heavy rains and flooding of June and July. While an apple a day may or may not keep the doctor away, apples have many health benefits. Here are 10 benefits gleaned from a list of 15 in besthealthmag.ca: Get whiter, healthier teeth. Biting and chewing an apple stimulates salivation, reducing tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria.
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Avoid Alzheimer’s. A study per-
formed on mice shows that drinking apple juice could keep Alzheimer’s away and fight the effects of aging on the brain. Mice in the study that were fed an appleenhanced diet showed higher levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and did better in maze tests than those on a regular diet.
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Protect against Parkinson’s.
Research has shown that people who eat fruits and other high-fiber foods gain a certain amount of protection against Parkinson’s. Scientists have linked this to the antioxidants in high-fiber foods like apples. Curb all sorts of cancers. Scientists from the American Association for Cancer Research, among others, agree that the consumption of flavonol-rich apples could help reduce your risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Researchers at Cornell University have identified several
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compounds in apple peel that have potent anti-growth activities against some cancer cells. The National Cancer Institute has recommended a high fiber intake to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
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Decrease your risk of diabetes.
Women who eat at least one apple a day are 28 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who don’t eat apples. Apples are loaded with soluble fiber, the key to blunting blood sugar swings. Reduce cholesterol. The soluble fiber found in apples binds with fats in the intestine, which translates into lower cholesterol levels.
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Get a healthier heart. An extensive
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Beat diarrhea and constipation.
body of research has linked high soluble fiber intake with a slower buildup of cholesterol-rich plaque in your arteries.
1 stick unsalted butter, melted, plus more for the dish 4 Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored and cut into 3/4-inch pieces 2 cups blackberries 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg Finely grated zest and juice of 1/2 lemon 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup crushed sugar cones (about 6 cones) 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar 1/2 cup chopped almonds 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for topping (optional) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 1 1/2-quart baking dish. Toss the apples, blackberries, granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, the lemon zest and juice, flour and 4 tablespoons melted butter in a large bowl. In another bowl, combine the cones, brown sugar, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, the almonds, salt and the remaining 4 tablespoons melted butter. Pour half of the apple-berry mixture into the prepared baking dish. Scatter half of the cone mixture on top. Spread the remaining apple-berry mixture on top, then sprinkle with the remaining cone mixture. Bake until the apples are soft and the topping is golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes. Transfer the dish to a rack and let sit 10 minutes before serving. Top with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired. SOURCE: FOODNETWORK.COM
Fiber can either pull water out of your colon to keep things moving along when you’re backed up, or absorb excess water from your stool to slow your bowels down. Control your weight. To manage your weight and improve your overall health, doctors recommend a diet rich in fiber because foods high in fiber will fill you up without costing you too many calories.
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your immune system. Red 10 Boost apples contain an antioxidant called
quercetin. Recent studies have found that quercetin can help boost and fortify your immune system, especially when you’re stressed out. n
October 2015 • INstride 15
DAVID SNODGRESS | INSTRIDE
Dr. Jerry Ruff is the founder of the Magnificent 7 Road Race Series.
On the RUN
The remarkable running Dr. Ruff, father of the Mag 7 Series
16 INstride • October 2015
By Seth Tackett
D
r. Jerry Ruff has been on the run his whole life. No, not from law enforcement—he has just been running. Whether it was as a child during the depression, at Indiana University, in the military, or back and forth to his job as a pediatrician, he was running. And the 84-year-old retired doctor has always wanted everyone else to run, too. That was the impetus of the Magnificent 7 Road Race Series, a nearly 20-year old series that is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization which promotes local races. “I had this concept for a long, long time. It slowly developed,” Ruff said of the local racing series. “There
COURTESY PHOTO
Jerry Ruff, left, with Howdy Wilcox at the 50th anniversary of the Little 500. Wilcox was the founder of the bike race in 1951. Ruff rode in the first Little 5, and won it the following two years with the North Hall Friars.
seemed to be a lot of enthusiasm, initially, for the series.” The series would become Ruff’s legacy and gift to the local running scene. “The first five or six years of the series was popular,” Ruff said. “Because people were trying to get into it from all sorts of areas around here. Now, there is almost no limit on what counties are COURTESY PHOTO involved. The name is almost Jerry Ruff puts in his fourth fastest time at the 1981 Bank antiquated. I think the participaOne Marathon in Columbus, Ohio. tion part of it has worked out quite COURTESY PHOTO nicely.” Jerry Ruff served in the Korean Ruff started the series in 1997 as War from 1953-55. A friend in the “That was the first experience I had a way to encourage local runners to Army taught him how to be a more with running,” Ruff remembered with participate in area races in Monroe serious runner. a smile. and the surrounding six counties. His dedication to fitness also took off on two The races run year-round with runners not only wheels, as he went from being a paperboy in Evansville competing in the individual races, but against one to the inaugural Little 500 race. another for a year-end points title. “That was an experience, I tell you,” Ruff said of his “He is the first one that created a list of races in the ride in 1951 with the North Hall Friars, which he seven counties,” series director Jo Throckmorton said. would help lead to wins in ’52 and ’53. “He went to the races and essentially said, ‘I am Ruff dabbled in starting two racing series in the 80s starting this series. You are in it. I am going to track the before the Mag 7 came to fruition, but they never had participation and give out awards,’ and they said, ‘Sure’. More and more people started to show up at the the staying power as the Mag 7. “So there was a hiatus where we didn’t have a series,” races.” Ruff recalled of the late 80s and early 90s. “That sort of Ruff’s passion for racing started in the early 1940s reflected what happened to road racing in general. It after the 440 yard dash was introduced.
October 2015 • INstride 17
Health Chat Crystal Hillenburg, a certified massage therapist with the IU Health Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center, is chatting live at 11 a.m. Oct. 13 at HeraldTimesOnline. com/live_discussion. Send in your questions now and join us for the chat live Tuesday. COURTESY PHOTO
Jerry Ruff competes in a marathon in Detroit in Aug. 1981. The course had a six-mile stretch through Canada.
had fallen off. The thought I had—we need to get something started to get people interested in racing again.” That’s just what Mag 7 has done in south-central Indiana. “Ever since he started the series, I joined and started doing it,” Jayme McAlister, a volunteer with the series said. “I’ve been a runner for over forty years. He wanted to have something where families could get out and exercise for their health. It was never about winning. It was about getting out and participation. He wanted people to have fun.” And fun is exactly what the participants in the series have had. They come away with much more than just a workout or a win. “I will say that having a local racing scene where the emphasis is on fun and fitness as much as competition is a great motivator,” local runner Chris Jackson said. “Attempting to do well at my next race gets me out training a lot more often than if I weren’t racing. I’ll forever be grateful to Dr. Ruff for getting the series started. “He also remains incredibly generous by continuing to donate IU football and basketball tickets as raffle prizes for race participants, as well as his infamous “Ruff Stuff” boxes of miscellaneous trinkets. I’ve won boxes that contained such delightful surprises as cans of tuna fish, hotel soap, toothpaste, and various diatribes mocking Purdue and the University of Kentucky. He clearly takes his sports rivalries seriously.” n 18 INstride • October 2015
CALENDAR
Oct.
Nov.
Morgan County Habitat for Humanity 5K WHEN: 9 a.m. WHERE: Liberty Christian Church, 1600 Liberty Church Road, Martinsville, Ind. MORE INFO: mag7raceseries.com
Cabin Fever 5K WHEN: Noon WHERE: Brown County High School, 235 School House Lane, Nashville, Ind. MORE INFO: mag7raceseries.com
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Northwest YMCA Fall Track 5K WHEN: 9 a.m. WHERE: Northwest Monroe County YMCA, 1375 N. Wellness Way, Bloomington, Ind. MORE INFO: mag7raceseries.com
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Crane Commodore 24 NSA Run Half Marathon & 5K DESCRIPTION: Naval Support Activity Crane intends to re-start the Commodore Run Half-Marathon and 5K Run/Walk this fall. The race will take place on NSA Crane. This event began in 1986 and was held annually until the events of 9/11 led to its suspension. Both the half marathon and 5K courses will be new this year. Participation in this year’s event will be capped at 500 runners. MORE INFO: Please follow the Naval Support Activity Crane Facebook page at www.facebook. com/pages/Naval-SupportActivity-Crane-IN/182791225543 to receive race updates and base information.
Behrman Color the 24 Jill Campus Run/Walk WHEN: 11 a.m. WHERE: Indiana University Stu-
dent Recreational Sports Center, 1601 Law Lane, Bloomington, Ind. DESCRIPTION: Now in its 16th year, the JB5K was created to keep the memory of Jill alive and to bring awareness to issues of violence in our community. In addition to the Color The Campus Run, workshops related to assault awareness, assault prevention and self-defense will be offered throughout the year. MORE INFO:
www.iurecsports.org/jbrez Annual Run/Walk to 24 11th the Creek WHEN: Run/walk starts at 9:30 a.m. WHERE: McCormick’s Creek State Park.
JEREMY HOGAN | INSTRIDE
Alice Jose competes in the Romp Mud Run in 2013. DESCRIPTION: Portions of the proceeds will be donated to McCormick’s Creek State Park. MORE INFO:
www.racetrackers.com/page/ show/214710-run-to-the-creek Contact is Del Backs at dbacks@racetrackers.com Bloomington’s Breast 24 Cancer Awareness Walk WHEN: Registration at 8:30 a.m., survivor recognition ceremony at 9 a.m., and the approximately 1-mile walk immediately following. WHERE: Showers Plaza, 401 E. Morton, Bloomington, Ind. DESCRIPTION: This annual local Bloomington event is free and promotes awareness of the importance of prevention and early detection of breast cancer. Donations are gladly accepted and all proceeds go to local breast cancer causes. Bring your family, friends and well-behaved pets. Free T-shirts as supplies last.
Run for God 5K Challenge 24 WHEN: Saturdays from 7-9 a.m. WHERE: Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1503 W. That Road, Bloomington, Ind. DESCRIPTION: This is a 12-week 5K challenge that combines
a Bible study and a training program. In the 13th week you’ll run a 5K on the certified Emmanuel Baptist Church course in Bloomington. This challenge is for everyone age 10+ with a parent and 14+ on their own. MORE INFO: Register at www.runforgod.com/class/ runforgod-bloomington
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Romp Mud Run & 5K WHEN: 9 a.m.
WHERE: Riddle Point Park, 7535
N. Tunnel Road, Unionville, Ind. DESCRIPTION: Family friendly race along Lake Lemon and nearby Unionville roads with beautiful scenery along route. Leisure walkers and competitive 5K racers encouraged to attend. MORE INFO: www.3day weekend.com/The-RompMud-Run-C213.aspx Salt Creek Brewery 5K WHEN: 2:30 p.m. WHERE: Salt Creek Brewery, 466 Old Ind. 37 N, Needmore, Ind. DESCRIPTION: Souvenir pint glass guaranteed for pre-registrants only. One post-race “fillup” of craft beer (must be age 21+, ID required) or craft soda. MORE INFO: mag7raceseries.com
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WildCare Inc. 5K Run/ Walk and 10K Run WHERE: Butler Winery, 6200 East Robinson Road, Bloomington, Ind. DESCRIPTION: This event benefits WildCare Inc., a 501c3 providing professional care to sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. MORE INFO: Register at Funraces. com. Enter coupon code WILDCARE to save on registration fee.
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Thanks 4 Miler 26 Give WHEN: 10 a.m. WHERE: Mitchell Church of Christ, 1004 W. Main Street, Mitchell, Ind. MORE INFO: mag7raceseries.com
Dec. 5
Reindeer Romp 8K WHEN: 1 p.m.
WHERE: Brown County State
Park, 1810 Ind. 46 E, Nashville, Ind. MORE INFO: mag7raceseries.com Bell 5K 12 Jingle WHEN: 10 a.m. WHERE: B-Line Trailhead at Winslow/Country Club Road, 2444 S. Walnut St., Bloomington, Ind. MORE INFO: mag7raceseries.com
October 2015 • INstride 19
ACHIEVE COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
By Kristy LeVert
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A group of Ivy Tech staff prepares for a race.
WALKing Our Way to Wellness What started as a simple walking program has—in two years—grown into a wellness initiative that was recently awarded the Gold Level Fit Friendly Workplace from the American Heart Association. In those two years the WALK Ivy Tech Wellness Committee at Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington campus has worked hard to develop a culture of wellness at Ivy Tech for students, staff and faculty. As 20 INstride • October 2015
WALK Ivy Tech continues to expand, this committee continues to strive to meet the needs of our community. WALK Ivy Tech began in 2013 as a purely walking program, complete with pedometers and tracking steps. Following an initial launch, a committee was formed to address ways to expand this walking program. To learn best practices and take advantage of the wealth of knowledge in the Bloomington community, the committee decided to send a representative to take part in meetings with the Active Living Coalition (ALC) and the Workplace Wellness Alliance. These resources provided a great network of health professionals and activities in the community, as well as strategies and tools to guide our process in the committee. One of the first steps was to help the Ivy Tech Bloomington community understand that WALK Ivy Tech is NOT just a walking program. It’s also an acronym that describes a campus-wide wellness initiative to enable Ivy Tech Bloomington faculty, staff, and students to meet their health and wellness goals. This is accomplished through the distribution of
wellness information, activities to get them moving, ideas on lifestyle changes, and gathering knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their health and well-being—wellness, activities, ideas and knowledge create WALK. An early project in the program was the creation of walking maps with mileage for each of our locations here in Bloomington. Each map featured mileage, our logo and an explanation about what each letter in the acronym meant. The maps were followed by healthy recipes gathered and distributed at wellness events like the Health and Wellness Fair. Next came the first Vegan Potluck, which is now an annual event. During the next year, the committee issued employee surveys to assess the needs and wants of our employees with regards to health and wellness. The committee worked to add more activities, educational events and a year-round plan. Activities included a gardening demonstration, healthy dessert samples provided by our talented culinary students, wellness art kits and a monthly update of wellness offerings. One of the largest accomplishments was the creation of a policy authorizing wellness breaks during the workday. Ivy Tech employees are encouraged to take two 15 minute wellness breaks during an eight hour shift. These breaks can be used to increase overall health and wellness through a variety of activities approved by the human resources department. Currently, WALK Ivy Tech is going strong with no signs of slowing down. The committee is creating a strategic plan to guide their work over the coming years. The plan will in continue many of our current programs—fitness classes, walking/running groups, pitch-ins and education sessions—and add new and exciting ways for Ivy Tech Community College students and staff to make healthy choices in the workplace and in life. n Kristy LeVert works for Ivy Tech Community College. ACHIEVE is a local organization that strives to make the healthy choice the easy choice.
COURTESY PHOTO
Ivy Tech staff and students practice Zumba at the 2015 Health and Wellness Fair.
October 2015 • INstride 21
SPOTTED
CHRIS HOWELL | INSTRIDE
CHRIS HOWELL | INSTRIDE
ABOVE: Harold and Lillian Jackson fix themselves a lunch plate at the pitch in luncheon during Endwright Center’s Senior Games at Karst Farm Park in Bloomington, Ind., Sept. 10. Harold, 89, and Lillian, 87, have been married for 69 years and both participated in activities in the games.
ABOVE: Harold Jackson, 89, center, and his wife, Lillian Jackson, 87, left, chat with Endwright Center director Rebecca Ball during the Senior Games at Karst Farm Park in Bloomington. The Senior Games are an annual event in which adults 50 years old or older can compete in games like golf, track and field, volleyball, bally ball, bowling, softball and more. CHRIS HOWELL | INSTRIDE
Harold Jackson, 89, prepares his next shot in croquet as volunteer Gary Fisher, right, helps keep count of his strokes during Endwright Center’s Senior Games at Karst Farm Park in Bloomington.
22 INstride • October 2015