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Times LeaderSeptember 30, 2017

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A few of years ago, I decided I was going to give the Wilkes-Barre Triathlon a shot.

Fortunately for me, the event featured a sprint distance, so I was spared the suffer-ing of a full Olym-pic distance tri.

Somehow after months of training, I was able to complete the race, much to my surprise.

In addition to the shiny finisher’s medal I received, I felt I also earned the right to call myself a triathlete.

My good friend Alicia pointed out to me that completing a single sprint distance triathlon hardly makes me a triath-lete. Finish an Olympic distance tri or two, then we will talk, she told me.

So the following year, I did just that — finished two Olympic distance triathlons.

Certainly, my status as a triathlete was assured. Well, may be. I guess it depends on how you look at it.

Most likely, I’m still just a middle-aged, fat guy with a few shiny

medals.Along the way

to earning those medals, however, I learned there is a whole community of runners, bikers, triathletes and other fitness ath-letes in Northeast-ern Pennsylvania.

A large com-munity of area residents that compete in 5Ks, half marathons, triath-lons and duathlons or stay fit by swimming, doing crossfit, jogging or a thousand other type exercises.

And we want to tell your stories.

Whether you are an out-of-shape, middle-aged cyclist such as myself or hardcore mara-thoner about to complete you 10th New York Mara-thon, NEPA Athlete is your publication.

After all, we all pull ourselves out of bed before dawn to get our workouts in, don’t we? (Seriously, don’t we? Because that’s what my running friends keep tell-ing me, and I’m going to be pretty upset if every-one else isn’t doing this too.)

Well, even if you are still in bed sound asleep while I’m getting my miles in, we still have plenty for you in the inaugural issue of NEPA Athlete.

We have a preview of the Scranton Marathon,

a story on how to let your Facebook friends guide you on a fitness regimen and a story about the newest place in the Wyoming Valley to buy running shoes.

And if you are looking for a run to do in the fol-

lowing weeks, we’ve got a list of just about every race you would consider entering.

So take some time out from your busy workout schedule and enjoy the fruits of our efforts. Then drop me a line at jso-

prano@timesleader.com and let me know what you would like to see in our spring edition.

Just please don’t call me a middle-aged fat guy.

Reach the Times Leader newsroom at 570-829-7242 or Twitter @TLnews.

Triathlete or just an old fat guy?

Bill Tarutis file photo | Times LeaderTimes Leader news editor Joe Soprano completed his first triathlon in September 2015.

Joe Soprano

NewsEditor

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THE AREA’S SUPERSTORE!

Authorized Dealer for Northface and PatagoniaSki Snowboard Specialty Shop 100 S. Main Street, Downtown Wilkes Barre (570)822-6627TOP OF THE SLOPE

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Snowboard Tune Up Open Daily 10-6

Oct. 55:30 p.m.: Sponsor VIP reception, Electric City Trolley Museum, Scranton.

Oct. 7 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Construction of Steamtown Marathon finish line.11 a.m. - Race Expo opens at Scranton High School. 2 p.m.: Presentation about Steamtown Marathon Course in expo auditorium. 5:30 p.m.: Race expo closes.

Oct. 8 5:30 a.m. to 6:45 a.m.: School buses transport runners to the starting line at Forest City High School. 6:15 a.m.: First runner bus arrives at starting line8 a.m.: Start of race.9 a.m.: Kids Race at finish line.9:40 a.m.: – First wheelchair athlete crosses finish line.10:20 a.m.: – First runner crosses finish line12:30 p.m.: – Awards ceremony at finish line2 p.m.: Final runners cross finish line.5:30 p.m.: Post race party for runners, families, and volunteers, Scranton Cultural Center.

ScheduLeSTeAMTOWN MARAThON

By Brigid edmundsbedmunds@timesleader.com

More than 1,500 run-ners will convene in Northeast Pennsylvania on Columbus Day week-end for the 22nd annual Steamtown Marathon.

The race, which is a USA Track and Field-certified race and serves as a Boston Marathon qualifier, kicks off at 8 a.m. on Oct. 8 at Forest City High School and takes runners throughout 14 communities in Lacka-wanna County, ending at Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton.

Last year, Suleman Abrar Shifa, 24, an Ethi-opian-born runner who now lives in New York City, took first place with a time of 2 hours, 17 min-utes and four seconds.

Shifa also won first place at the Scranton Half Marathon in April 2016.

“Now I won the half and the full,” Shifa said after crossing the finish line.

Caitlin Phillips, 35, of New York, was the first-place female runner in last year’s marathon, with a time of 2:41:37.

The 26.2-mile course

features a 955-foot drop in elevation and 13 aid sta-tions.

A race expo will open 11 a.m. Oct. 7 at Scranton High School, where run-

ners pick up race packets and other materials need-ed for themarathon. Ven-dors will also be on hand. Race Director Bill King, along with American dis-

tance runners Jon Sinclair and Kim Jones, will give acourse presentation at 2 p.m. during the expo.

Starting at 5:30 a.m. the morning of the mara-

thon, school buses will begin transporting run-ners to the starting line at Forest City High School.

Reach Brigid Edmunds at 570-991-6113 or on Twitter @brigidedmunds

Aimee Dilger | Times LeaderA runner reaches the top of the hill just before the finish line of the 2015 edition of the Steamtown Marathon.

Runners set to go the distanceSaturday, Septem

ber 30, 20173

NEPA Athlete

By Brigid edmundsbedmunds@timesleader.com

FORTY FORT — Runners in the Wyoming Valley have a new place to call home.

The Valley Running Company, an extension of the Scranton Run-ning Company, opened in the 900 Rutter Ave. complex in August. The store offers a wide variety of shoes, athletic gear and other necessities for runners and ath-letes.

Justin Sandy, of Hazleton, who

works as a manger at both the Scranton and Forty Fort location, said opening a Wyoming Valley store was something the team, including owner Matt Byrne, have talked about since opening the Scranton location in 2010.

“We’ve wanted to be down here from early on,” Sandy said.

As a Luzerne County resident, Sandy said that’s how he first got involved with the business, and said they always kept their eye on the Wyoming Valley for the right space to put the store in.

“The time came where we found the right fit for us,” he said.

The store is one of the new-est additions to the Rutter Ave. complex, and is stationed next to Leverage Fitness.

“We liked the vibe and the atmosphere down here,” he said.

The store doesn’t just cater to runners, either.

Sandy said one of the reasons the company has been so success-ful is the multiple demographics they are able to cater to in the area, such as the elderly popula-

tion.“A lot of people have feet prob-

lem,” he explained.“Once your feet hurt, you don’t

want to do anything.”He said the staff’s knowledge of

footwear, along with the time and effort put into each fitting, sets the store apart.

A number of doctors in the area refer patients to the store, he added.

“We take the time the time to

Aimee Dilger | Times LeaderJustin Sandy, manager of the Valley Running company, behind the counter at the new Rutter Avenue storefront.

Store opens new location in Forty Fort

Scranton Running Company comes to the Valley

See VALLEY | 5

“We want to ingrain ourselves with that healthy, positive attitude that’s down here.”

Justin SandyStore manager

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know shoes,” he said.Sandy said the area’s ath-

letic community is another key component in the store’s success.

In addition to providing people with the equipment needed for running, Valley Running Company also wants to match the commu-nity outreach the Scranton Running Company does in Lackawanna County.

“We want to replicate everything we do in Scran-ton,” he said.

The store has a “Barrier Breakers” running program, which helps people train for 5Ks and more intermedi-ate running. They also host both half marathon and mar-athon training throughout the year out of the Scran-ton store, as well as “Run

Around Scranton,” where they host a run around downtown.

In Forty Fort, Valley Run-ning hosts a free group runs on Thursday nights at 6 p.m.

“We go out four to six miles, come back, have some drinks and just hang out and have fun,” Sandy said.

Sandy said in the future, the team at Valley Running

hopes to be more involved in the racing scene in the Wyoming Valley.

“We want to ingrain our-selves with that healthy, positive attitude that’s down here,” he said.

Aimee Dilger | Times LeaderThe Shoe Wall at Valley Running company at 900 Rutter Ave. in Forty Fort.

In addition to shoes, Valley Running company also sells a variety of sports gear, including clothing.

Staff Report

HARVEYS LAKE — The North Branch Land Trust will sponsor the Harveys Lake Bicycle Time Trial at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, starting from Grotto Pizza parking lot. Pre TT check-in and bike check will be held from 8 to 8:45 a.m.

The clockwise one loop ride (8.2 miles) around the lake is open to bike riders ages 16 and older.

Bikes will leave every minute from Grotto Pizza one bike at a time start-ing at 9 a.m. sharp.

There will be a limit of 50 riders with prizes going to the top three female riders, top three male riders, top three master 50+ female riders, top three master 50+ male riders as well as surprise awards. Fastest time around the lake wins and is crowned the champion.

Post-race festivities include awards ceremony and free pizza, beer and soda until supplies are gone

Rules: Pedal power only. No electric bikes, Bike helmet required. All bikes and helmets will be inspected for road worthiness (race committee has the right to disqualify any rider if the bike or helmet is deemed not road wor-thy). Riders must follow all state and local laws of the road, stay within four feet of the shoulder, not cross the cen-ter line (disqualification). The race committee has the right to disqualify any rider for any act deemed danger-ous or unsafe.

To register, click on this link: http://www.racemenu.com/events/149834-Harvey-s-Lake-Bicycle-Time-Trial

All proceeds go to North Branch Land Trust, a regional nonprofit land conservation

For more information, call 570-310-1781 or fax 570-310-1791.

Harveys Lake Time Trial set for Oct. 7

From page 4

Valley

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TodaySteph’s Fall 5k:

Luzerne County Sports Complex. 5K run, 3K walk, 3K kids fun run. Benefits Stephanine Godri-Johnson Memorial Scholarship and colon cancer awareness. Race day registration 8:30 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. at the main pavilion. Race time: 10:30 a.m. Website: stephsfall5k.com.

Tiger Run 5K: Lazy-brook Park, 2 Overlook Dr., Tunkhannock. Ben-efits Tunkhannock Arean Middle School. Registra-tion 8 a.m. Race time: 9 a.m. Race-day registration $25. Website: tinyurl.com/ya6vjw85.

Pat Purcell Memo-rial Scholarship 5K: Lackawanna River Heri-tage Trail at Olive Street. 5K run, 1.5 mile walk. Benefits scholarships for student/athletes at Holy Cross. Registration $25. Registration: 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Race time: 9 a.m.

White Haven Ambu-lance 5K Trail Run: D&L Trail White Haven North Trailhead, 201 Main St., White Haven. Benefits White Haven Ambulance. Race time: 10 a.m. Race-day registration: $30.

Oct. 1Prosper 5k: Lackawa-

nna River Heritage Trail, Olive St. Trailhead, Scran-ton. Benefits PROSPER Drug and Alcohol Preven-tion Programs. Race time: 9 a.m. Website: tinyurl.com/yb37qeyh.

The Wright Center’s Fall Into Health Fair 5K Run/Walk: The Wright Center for Primary Care-Mid Valley clinic, 5 South Washington Avenue Jermyn. 5K run/walk.

Website: thewrightcenter.org/healthfair. Race time: 10 a.m.

Kelci Ever After Memorial 6K Run/2K Walk: Frances Slocum State Park. Benefits the Kelci Ever After Fund for Scholarships and local environmental charities. Race time: 11 a.m. Race-day registration: 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Entry fee: $20. Website: tinyurl.com/yaplkprf

Oct. 75K and All Abilities

Walk: Valor Field at Scranton Veterans Memo-rial Stadium, 63 Mike Munchak Way, Scranton. Registration: 8 a.m. Race-day registration fee: $20. Race time: 9 a.m. Website: tinyurl.com/y9l9vp5b

Color Me Pink 5K and Gentlemen’s Dash: Greater Pittston YMCA 10 N. Main Street, Pittston. 5K run, fun walk. Benefits breast cancer research. Website: tinyurl.com/yau8alt3.

Oct. 8Steamtown Marathon:

Starts in Forest City. Benefits the children and residents of St. Joseph’s Center, Scranton. Race start: 8 a.m. Website: steamtownmarathon.com.

David A. Salata Memorial 5K Run/Mile Walk: Kirby Park 280 Market St, Kingston. Ben-efits the David A. Salata Nursing ENdowment at Geisinger. Race-day reg-istration: 8:30 a.m. Race-day fee: $25. Race time: 10 a.m.

Hazleton Town and Trail Race Series: Greater Hazleton Rails to Trails, near the intersec-tion of state routes 93 and

424. 5K, 10K, half mara-thon, mile youth race, 100 yard fun run. For registra-tion information, go to tinyurl.com/y9u6qy43.

Crowns for Kids 5K: Nay Aug Park, Everhart Pavillon, Scranton. 5K run, walk. Benefits the Miss Greater Hazleton Scholarship organization. Race-day registration: 7:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.

Race time: 9 a.m. Race-day registration: $25. Website: tinyurl.com/y9kh543l

Run GSA: Luzerne County Sports Complex, Forty Fort. 5K, 1-mile walk/fun run. Race time: 10 a.m. Race-day registra-tion: 8:30 a.m. Race-day registration fee: $30 for the run, $15 for the walk.

Oct. 15A Moment of Magic

3-Mile, Princess and Superhero Run: River-side Cafe, 188 Old River Road Wilkes-Barre. Ben-efits a moment of magic. Registration: 7:3o a.m. Race time: 9 a.m. Website: tinyurl.com/y9qpstce

Think Big Go Tough: Kirby Park, Kingston. Obstacle course. Benefits

ThinkBig organization to help families with children fighting pediatric cancer. Race time: 9 a.m. Website: thinkbigpa.org.

Plains Lions 5K Fun Run and Walk: Plains Lions Pavilion, Plains Township. Registration 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Race/Walk time: 9:15 a.m. Race-day registration fee: $15 for adults, $10 for children

Running schedule

Times Leader file photoGrab your best holiday garb and head out to Tim’s Turkey Trot 5-Mile Run/Walk on Thanksgiving morning.

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13 and under. Webpage: tinyurl.com/y9uvfohh

Geisinger Marworth Clean and Sober Run: Nay Aug Park, Everhart Pavilion. 5K, 1-mile walk. Benefits the Geisinger Marworth Therapeutic Activity Fund. Race-day registraion: 9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. Race-day registration fee: $25. Race time: 10 a.m. Website: tinyurl.com/

ybnwb8h9

Oct. 21Wilkes Halloween 5K:

Kirby Park, Wilkes-Barre. 5K run/walk. Race-day registration: noon to 2 p.m. Race time: 5 p.m. Registration fee: $21 for competitive runners, $20 for non-competitive run-ners and walkers. Website: tinyurl.com/ydxwhvnr

Oct. 22Jack-O-Latern Jog:

Pittston YMCA, 10 N. Main St., Pittston. 3-mile run, 1-mile kids fun run. Benefits the Greater Pittston YMCA. Run will be along the Luzerne County Recreation Trail along the Susquehanna River. Registration fee: $20 for the run, $10 for the kids fun run. Website:

tinyurl.com/ybpuhdztAll Veterans Honor

Run: Scranton Veterans Memorial Park, Scranton High School. 5K race, 2-mile walk. Benefits Scranton Veterans Memo-rial Park and Monument. Race time: 10 a.m. Regis-tration fee: $25. Website: tinyurl.com/yc4om98x

GNA Marching Band Cosplay 5K: Greater Nan-

ticoke Area Football Field, Nanticoke. Benefits the Greater Nanticoke Area Marching Band. Registra-tion: 10:30 a.m. Race: Noon. Race-day registra-tion fee: $25.

Oct. 28Great Pumpkin 5K

Halloween Run/Fun Walk: Talen Energy Riv-erlands Recreation Area. Benefits the Berwick YMCA. Race-day registra-tion: 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.. Race time: 10:30 a.m. Race-day registration fee: $18. Website: tinyurl.com/yb3wkfcz

5Kate: Nay Aug Park, Scranton. Benefits the National Alliance on Men-tal Illness, in memory of Katie Shoener. Race-day registration: 8:30 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Race time: 10 a.m. Website: 5kate.org.

Wyoming Valley Strid-ers 30th annual Fall Age-Group Trail Run: Frances Slocum State Park. Registration: 11 a.m., runners start at noon at the pavilion near the boat launch. Registration fee: $5. Website: tinyurl.com/y84wgx4f

Nov. 4Counquer the Moun-

tain: Wright Township Park, Mountain Top. 5K run/walk. Benefits Liz Supkowski. Race-day reg-istration: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Race time: 9 a.m. Race-day registration fee: $30. Website: tinyurl.com/y9qlk7ws

Nov. 5Turkey Trot 5K/10K:

The Geisinger Com-minwealth School of Medicine, 525 Pine St, Scranton. 10K run, 5K run/walk/fun run. Benefits

Friends of Poor Scranton. Race-day registration fee: $30 for 5K, $40 for 10K. Race-day registration: 8 a.m. Race time: 9 a.m. Website: tinyurl.com/yaj2ukzc

Blue Star Mothers of NEPA Hero 5K Run/Walk: Tunkhannock Little League fields, Sunnyside Road, Tunkhannock. Ben-efits Blue Star Mothers of NEPA is a chapter of The Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. Race-day registration: 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Race time: 10 a.m. Website: tinyurl.com/yczz2kva

Nov. 12Wyoming Valley Strid-

ers 20K Run: Lehigh Gorge State Park, White Haven. Race-day registra-tion 7:15 a.m. to 8:50 a.m. Race-day registration fee: $30. Race time: 9 a.m. Website: tinyurl.com/y7fmlcjf

Nov. 23Tim’s Turkey Trot

5-Mile Run/Walk: 900 Rutter Avenue, Forty Fort. Website: lvgfit.com/events

Run for the Diamonds: Elks Lodge, 3rd and Mar-ket St., B erwick. 9-mile run. Website: runfordia-monds.com

dec. 2Christmas in Conyn-

gham Classic: John and Ruth Gould Recreational Center, 311 Main St. Conyngham. 5k run, 1-mile fun run/walk. Race-day registration: 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Race time: 9:30 a.m. Race-day registration fee: $25. Website: tinyurl.com/y7edsnh9

Running schedule

Times Leader file photoGrab your best holiday garb and head out to Tim’s Turkey Trot 5-Mile Run/Walk on Thanksgiving morning.

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Gabriella BostonThe Washington Post

You’d probably love to be one of those people who consistently exer-cise after work. But life gets in the way, and your daily fitness routine goes out the window.

A morning workout routine seem like an obvious answer, but how do you actually, you know, do it?

Yes, you can turn your-self into an early riser. But not overnight.

“It’s possible, but you have to adjust gradually,” says Dianne Augelli, a fellow of the American Academy of Sleep Medi-cine and a professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York.

“The body can take an hour or less of [sleep schedule] change,” Augelli says. If you normally go to sleep at midnight and get up at 8 a.m., you will not feel rested if you suddenly switch your bedtime to 9 p.m. and get up at 5 a.m.

You probably won’t be able to make yourself go to sleep that early any-way, Augelli says.

Instead, change your sleep schedule by 30 min-utes at a time, Augelli says. Start going to sleep at 11:30 p.m. and getting up at 7:30 a.m. Do that for about a week and then roll back another 30 minutes. Do that for about a week and then roll back yet another 30 minutes. Repeat until you land at your desired wake-up time without needing an afternoon nap that day.

Weekend cycles should stay fairly close to the weekday cycle: “Our bodies don’t know what a weekend is. It’s social construct, not a biologi-cal one,” Augelli says.

She has some advice for getting to bed earlier - and sleeping better:

• Keep the bedroom cool and dark.

• No coffee within eight hours of bedtime.

• No alcohol within a couple of hours of bed-time.

• No large meals with-in two or three hours of bedtime.

• Shower before bed to cool the body.

• No screen time of any kind within one or two hours of bedtime.

• No working, reading or emailing within an hour of bedtime.

• Turn on bright lights in the morning right as you wake up.

Even if you wake up rested, how do you get motivated to go to a class or out for a run?

• Do something you enjoy: Melissa Westman-Cherry, a Washington resident and daily gym-goer, says that when she started working out a little over a decade ago, she chose evening Zumba classes; she needed a

class that felt playful in addition to being physi-cally strenuous.

• Work up to it: It wasn’t until Westman-Cherry, 46, had estab-lished a consistent workout habit that she switched her workouts from evenings to morn-ings (when her daughter was born). “I think it would be hard to go from not working out at all to working out at 5 in the morning every day,” she says. Now she gets up at 4:40 a.m. every day and is at the gym by 5 a.m. Her routine is so set that her dogs don’t even get out of bed when she

leaves before sunrise. They know to wait until 7 a.m. for their walk.

• Remove the obsta-cles: Westman-Cherry doesn’t necessarily con-sider herself a morning person, but getting her workout done early is the only way to fit it in. She makes sure she sets out her clothes, water and car keys the night before.

• Look for outside motivation: Account-ability and peer support can also help, says Leslie Swift, 48, a daily exer-ciser in the Washington area. “If other people can get themselves out of bed, then so can I,” says

Swift, who counts among her exercise preferences spinning and boot camp. Her other motivators: That first delicious, ener-gizing cup of coffee with just enough milk to give her fuel for the workout, and the high she feels during and after a hard workout.

Becky Schechter, a 38-year-old D.C. resident and working mom with two young children, says she does best when someone else designs her strength-training routine, which is why she does a morning boot camp twice a week when she’s not running. That said, she always makes sure she has a backup plan if it rains: Old boot camp routines she can do in the comfort of her home.

• Make consistency a priority: “Exercise has to become a part of your lifestyle the same way that brushing your teeth is a daily routine,” says Art Weltman, pro-fessor and chair of the department of kinesiol-ogy at the University of Virginia. Preventing dia-betes and osteoporosis, maintaining strength and a healthy weight, improv-ing mood and mental wellness - these benefits occur when we exercise regularly, Weltman says.

Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of exer-cise per day five times a week. This is better than 150 minutes on the weekends to prevent inju-ries and feed the brain natural antidepressants as regularly as possible. Can’t string together 30 minutes at a time? Split it up.

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By Brigid edmundsbedmunds@timesleader.com

Sara Peperno said she was never one to work-out regularly, let alone run long distances.

However, with the support of her friends on social media, The NEPA Fit Chicks, she said she went from not running at all to running a half marathon.

“I credit the group with that,” she said.

Peperno, who is the president and CEO of the Association for the Blind, originally joined the group with co-work-er Amy Feldman, when it formed as a 30-day body building challenge.

After the challenge ended, Feldman said the women in the group were happy with their results and thought it would be a good idea to continue it in some form.

“We wanted to keep it going,” Feldman said.

Since then, the Fit Chicks page has evolved into a forum where the women can post meals, daily exercises and water intake for the day. Feldman said the pur-pose is to be able to hold each other accountable as well as encourage the women on their fitness journeys.

“It’s just great to have that support system,” she said.

Feldman said she was always into fitness, and the group pushed her to get more into running. She joked that she would never do a half mara-

thon.“I’ve done three,” she

said.Feldman said the

social media presence allows them to connect with women outside of the area as well, and still keep everyone moti-vated.

“We have faith each other,” Feldman said.

It’s not just an online presence, either. Some of the women in the group meet up regularly to workout together.

Feldman meets at 5:15 a.m. three times a week for “fit chick runs” around the Wyoming Valley.

“You get out and do it,” Feldman said.

The group also serves as a place to discuss local races and events the women can do together, such as the Scranton Half Marathon. Feldman and Peperno said as the race gets closer, the women will create a workout plan for training for the half, and even register as a team for the race.

“You can count on each other,” Peperno said.

Above all, both women said that while the group has inspired them and kept them on track in their fitness journeys, they said they’ve made some great friends along the way.

“We’re all grateful we found each other,” Pep-erno said.

Reach Brigid Edmunds at 570-991-6113 or on Twitter @brigidedmundsSubmitted photo

Social media can help you stay motivated

Above, the NePA Fit chicks Facebook page. At left, some members of the NePA Fit chicks together for brunch recently. Pictured from left are Bobbi Stogoski, ellen Meehan, Sara Gorgone Peperno, Sarah Smith, Gretchen and Kallen Swartwood, Amy Feldman, Kelly Alfano and Rebecca Sutton.

80857536

VITALITYHealth & Fitness

For Women1230 Memorial Highway, Suite 2 C. (Pendragon building, left of Sheetz)

570-901-1528

- CARDIO EQUIPMENT

- 60+ CLASSES OFFERED MONTHLY

- FREE WEIGHTS/RESISTANCE TRAINING

BE ACTIVE ~ STAY FIT ~ LIVE HEALTHYTRY US OUT! FIND US ON FACEBOOK!

Accepts most insurances

Getting by with a little help from my friends …

Times Leader reporter and page desinger Brigid edmunds gets in a workout with her trainer on a recent morning.

edITOR’S NOTeBrigid Edmunds is a Times Leader reporter and page designer with a rapidly approaching wedding. She will chronicle her fitness efforts in NEPA Athlete and on timesleader.com.

I’ve never been extremely physi-cally active.

I’ve always tried to mindful of my general health, eating a bal-anced diet and doing the bare minimum amount of exercising to stay somewhat healthy.

However, with an upcoming wedding, I decided I needed to kick it into high gear to get in shape before the big day.

This task is much easier said than done. After a few months of working out with lackluster results, I knew I needed to change my routine, and what better way to do so than with a professional trainer?

I went into my first session without any expectations.

I have lifted in the past, and I’m a master of the elliptical and weight machines at the gym, but nothing too crazy.

If you told me a month ago I’d be flipping tires and doing squats while balanced on a Bosu ball, I’d call you insane.

But in the short amount of time

I’ve been working with Brad Reiss, of Brashley Fit, I’ve grown to start to enjoy challenging myself physically and mentally to see how far I can push myself each session.

There’s something to be said about seeking a trainer to

take your workouts to the next level.

Obviously, it helps to have some-one hold you accountable.

If I have an 8 a.m. session, I can’t just hit snooze on the alarm because there is another person waiting for me, which has increased my morning workouts exponentially.

Personally, it’s helpful to have someone who knows what they’re doing guide me through my work-outs.

It eases my mind knowing that if something is off with my form, there is a professional there to

make sure I don’t injure myself. This also helps me push myself even further, because I’m not afraid of injury the same way as if I were alone at the gym.

It also motivates me in the time I’m not with Reiss. Not only am I giving it my all in those sessions, I’m doing more at the gym even when I’m on my own, and I con-tinually look for other challenges to take on, such as the Scranton Half Marathon.

Normally, I wouldn’t touch this. I’m not a runner. I’m barely a jog-ger, but some friends have tried to convince me it would be a fun time, so I’m going to see if it’s even possible for me to accomplish such an insane goal.

Stay tuned.

Reach Brigid Edmunds at 570-991-6113 or on Twitter @brigidedmunds

...and a personal trainer, of course

BrigidedmundsContributing columnist

If you told me a month ago I’d be flipping tires and doing squats while balanced on a Bosu ball, I’d call you insane.

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for the cure in Scranton earlier this month.

Saturday, September 30, 2017

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