Tag: fitness

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Muddy Fun Run

By Rebecca Johnson

The first annual Lewis & Clark Adventure Race was held west of Yankton this past Saturday. It’s an obstacle-style 5k held on the Lewis & Clark Scout Camp.

I love running 5k races but when I first heard about this one I was not interested. Potential obstacles like climbing over a wall, belly crawling through mud under electrified wire and jumping into ice water sounded horrible. I prefer to stay relatively clean and dry on my runs. I don’t even like outdoor swimming unless it’s over 90 degrees. Why would I intentionally jump into ice water? Well, a friend invited me to run and I realized I didn’t want to miss out on this extreme experience with her.

I got an e-newsletter a week before the race showing a weight-lifting plan to help you get ready for obstacle-course racing. It hadn’t occurred to me to do any training besides running and by then it was too late! What was I getting myself into? By the time Saturday morning rolled around I was anxious to see what torture awaited me.

The race was challenging, but really quite fun. The course was mostly hilly trail-running with a small camp of obstacles in the middle and a few more toward the end. The mud was cold, and even smelly, but I had a blast. And I felt a sense of accomplishment from completing obstacles like carrying a big piece of driftwood, climbing a rope ladder and sliding down a fireman’s pole. Oh, and the wire wasn’t really electrified. There was just a sign saying”Danger: High Voltage” to scare you. What a relief!

If you’re considering doing a mud run or adventure race, gather a group of friends and go for it! The race probably isn’t as hard as you think and you’ll have an amazing time with stories to tell.

Here are some upcoming obstacle-style races around the state —

Black Hills Mud Run — Sturgis, June 1 & September 14

Dakota Mud Run — Hot Springs, July 6

MudChug — Sioux Falls, August 3

South Dakota Mudathlon — Sioux Falls, August 24

Rumble on the Ranch — Watertown, September 7

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Faces to the Falls

By Rebecca Johnson

I suspect many of us have driven the length of the state by car. You’ll have your chance to do that by bicycle this summer. The first annual Faces to the Falls ride is set for June 9-14, kicking off with a party in Hill City the evening of the 8th.

The tour covers an average of 81 miles per day with planned refueling stops at convenience stores or fundraisers held by local community groups. Kasey Abbott, Faces to the Falls president, says you need to eat quite a bit when you bike that far, though it is possible to gain weight.”You end up eating every 10 to 15 miles because you don’t want to turn down a church lady’s homemade pie,” he laughs.

Cyclists will overnight in Hill City, Hot Springs, Martin, Winner, Pickstown, and Freeman.”Our plan is to camp on high school football fields or soccer fields and use the high school showers,” says Abbott. He hopes participants will explore the communities they overnight in and gives suggestions for sightseeing on the ride’s website.

The Sioux Falls resident is organizing the ride along with Marilyn Zimmermann, Jodi Erickson and several volunteers. The group often discussed a statewide bike tour during their years biking the Argus Leader Tour De Kota. Tour De Kota’s switch from a 6-day tour of southeastern South Dakota to a weekend tour of Sioux Falls provided the catalyst.

“Originally it was just going to be a few of us,” Abbot says,”but it just snowballed.” They set the participant limit for the inaugural ride at 100 riders. 80 have registered as of yet from as far as Wisconsin and Montana.

Registration is $150 if you register by April 15. The fee covers camping, luggage transport, pre-ride and post-ride party, and SAG support. I had to ask Abbott what SAG support was. It’s for those”sagging behind” because of mechanical or physical breakdown. Wind and heat can be a challenge, so there will be several cars following to make sure cyclists are doing OK.

The ride ends in Sioux Falls’ Falls Park with water, snacks and discussion on how to improve the ride for next year.”Mostly we’ll celebrate that we survived a 488 mile ride across the state of South Dakota!” Abbott says. For more details visit www.facestothefalls.com.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Get Your Yoga On!

By Rebecca Johnson

I don’t know about you, but I find January a little boring. The holiday sparkle has faded and I shiver at the thought of my usual outdoor activities. Oh sure, I’m glad to have the time to work on my Scrabble skills and my dog loves our extra couch time, but I’ve been dreaming about skipping town this weekend.

Along with my duties at the magazine, I teach yoga part-time. Winter weekends are a great opportunity for me to be a student again and explore local classes. Luckily it’s the third annual Sioux Falls Yoga Day this Saturday.

Yoga Day USA used to be an annual event sponsored by Yoga Alliance. Registered yoga teachers hosted free or low cost workshops the third Saturday in January to share the benefits of yoga with their communities. The last official Yoga Day USA was held in 2011, but a group of instructors have continued holding free classes at the Siouxland Libraries Main Library each winter.

Deb Yoder and Jill Johnson organize the event. Yoder teaches yoga at the Avera McKennan Fitness Center and the Prairie Center and Johnson is co-owner of The Dharma Room. Their goal is to introduce yoga to the community in a fun, neutral way that encourages people to find yoga in their neighborhood.”We offer a wide range of mind/body classes throughout the day so people can explore different modalities to find what works for them,” Johnson says

Along with teaching yoga, Yoder works for Siouxland Libraries as a Collection Development Librarian. The organization is helping to sponsor the event this year to demonstrate the Siouxland Libraries’ resources for planning healthy lifestyles. The event is free, but donations of non-perishable food items will be accepted for the Sioux Falls food pantry. Beginners and experienced practitioners are invited to drop in for a class or spend the whole day.”Some of the instructors will bake breads. We have tea and usually some fresh fruit so there’s something you can snack on,” Yoder says. Yoga mats are available to borrow, but those who have one are encouraged to bring their own.

The day’s schedule is as follows:

Beginning Yoga 9:15 – 10 a.m.
Learn basic moves that help you connect the mind, body, and breath. Taught by Alison Larson and Amanda Hahn, who recently completed their yoga teacher training with the Organic Yoga Company.

Family Yoga 10:15 – 11 a.m.
Kids and parents practice fun yoga moves and activities. Taught by Maria Travers from East Bank Yoga.

Qi Gong 11:15 a.m. – 12 Noon
Experience gentle movement that helps heal your body in this ancient Chinese health care practice referred to as “Chinese Yoga.” Taught by Kim Kersbergen from The Dharma Room.

Crystal Singing Bowls 12:15 – 1 p.m.
Relax and enjoy the singing bowls’ sound vibrations that have a positive effect on your body’s well-being. Presented by Veronika Ludewig from The Dharma Room.

Yin Yoga 1:15 – 2 p.m.
Relax into seated or reclining yoga poses held for two to three minutes, allowing a gentle stretch for the joints and tissues of your body. Taught by Deb Yoder from Avera McKennan Fitness Center and the Prairie Center.

Intermediate Yoga 2:15 – 3 p.m.
Use the yoga basics to build strength and find balance in more challenging poses. Taught by Jean Slattery from Om Yoga Fitness.

Laughter Yoga 3:15 – 4 p.m.
Laughter exercises and gentle yoga breathing beat stress and invigorate the body. Taught by Jill and Dan Johnson from The Dharma Room.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

First Day Hikes

By Rebecca Johnson

First Day hikes began over 20 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation, a Milton, Mass. state park. This year is the second time all 50 state park systems have sponsored First Day Hikes on New Year’s Day. South Dakota parks are offering 12 free hikes as part of America’s State Parks First Day Hikes initiative.

Blood Run, our newest state park, is hosting its First Day Nature Hike on January 1 at 10:00 a.m.”It will be a guided hunt about nature in winter,” says Jennifer Nuncio, Seasonal Naturalist for South Dakota State Parks.”We hope to experience animals, tracks, and birds plus a few fun activities along the way.” Nuncio will lead the 1/2-mile hike and plans to share history about this Native American historical site near Sioux Falls. For information, contact 987-2263.

Other hikes include:

Riddle Hike, Newton Hills State Park near Canton, sunrise to sunset. Info: 605-987-2263

New Year’s Bird Count Walk, Lewis and Clark Recreation Area near Yankton, 10 a.m. CST. Info: 605-668-2985

Creekside Stroll, Custer State Park, 10 a.m. MST. Info: 605-255-4515

New Year’s Get Out and Go Scavenger Hunt, Adams Homestead Nature Area near North Sioux City, 1 p.m. CST. Info: 605-232-0873

Lewis and Clark History Hike, Spirit Mound Historic Prairie near Vermillion, 1 p.m. CST, pre-registration required. Info/register: 605-987-2263

First Day in the Forest, Richmond Lake Recreation Area near Aberdeen, 1 p.m. CST. Info: 605-626-3488

Snowshoe If Snow, Hike If No, West Whitlock Recreation Area near Gettysburg, 1 p.m. CST. Info: 605-765-9410

Birdwatcher’s Hike, Angostura Recreation Area near Hot Springs, 1 p.m. MST. Info: 605-745-6996

First Day Snowshoe Hike, George S. Mickelson Trail, 1 p.m. MST, pre-registration required. Info/register: 605-584-3896

First Day Find It, Lake Herman State Park near Madison, 1 p.m. CST. Info: 605-256-5003

After the 2011 Flood, LaFramboise Island Nature Area in Pierre, 2 p.m. CST. Info: 605-773-2885

First Day Hike, Oakwood Lakes State Park near Bruce, 2 p.m. CST. Info: 605-627-5441

Snowshoe Along the Big Sioux, Big Sioux Recreation Area in Brandon, 2 p.m. CST. Info: 605-582-7243

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Beresford’s Chilly Race

By Rebecca Johnson

Winter road races are few and far between in South Dakota, but runners have been able to count on the Beresford Frostbite Four since 1999. The fundraiser for the Beresford Booster Club, featuring a four-mile run and a two-mile run/walk, starts tomorrow at 11 a.m. Unofficial race director, Kevin Nelson, says this is a record year for participants.”As of today we have 370 pre-registered in the two races,” says Nelson.”That is a far cry from our first year with about 70 total.”

Three potential courses are marked in advance. Weather and wind direction on race day determines which one is used. Runners are bussed to whichever start gives the best chance of wind at your back. When I ran the four-mile race in 2009 I bundled up expecting the weather to live up to the race’s name, but it was practically balmy with temps in the high forties. Last year’s participants were treated to rain and ice, but the unpredictable conditions are part of the fun.

After the race is over, red-faced runners and walkers gather for a free chili and soup feed at the Bridges at Beresford golf course. The ceramic figurines of snowmen, penguins, polar bears and moose presented to the winners are highly coveted. But many participants are just as delighted to hear their name called for a door prize like a free t-shirt or box of golf balls. There’s still time to register at allsportcentral.com if you want to get in on the fun.

Posted on by — Leave a comment

Yoga’s Hot in South Dakota

By Rebecca Johnson

South Dakota may not be the yoga mecca of the U.S., but there are classes galore at fitness centers and studios throughout the state. Yankton alone has at least seven yoga teachers, and two of them work right here at South Dakota Magazine. I personally teach a basic, flowing style of yoga — linking poses with the breath then ending class with a guided relaxation. And it’s not just an exercise class — yoga is a 4,000-year-old tradition originating in India that helps to strengthen the body, improve flexibility, and calm the mind. An added benefit for us in the Western world is that it helps to manage stress.

One thing South Dakota has lacked is a hot yoga studio. Hot yoga classes typically take place in a room heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit with 30% humidity. I tried a workshop once at the Dharma Room in Sioux Falls. I expected it to be a vigorous, powerful class, but was surprised by the slowness and gentleness of the practice. The class consisted of 26 poses and two breathing exercises. The heat allowed me to feel more flexible in poses that normally would have been out of my reach. But, since it was a one-time workshop, I hadn’t been able to have a go at it again.

Now I am in luck. Two hot yoga studios have popped up in South Dakota in the last few months and both have events this weekend. Deena Rushton opened Yogaversity in November. It’s located in the new Old Market Galleria in downtown Brookings. The studio is hosting their first workshop tomorrow from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the cost is only $20.

Also new to South Dakota is Santosha Hot Yoga at 5003 S. Bur Oak Place in Sioux Falls. Their grand opening is tomorrow with the first class starting at 10:00 am. According to instructor Jennifer Long’s blog, Saturday’s class has a waiting list, but you may still be able to get in on Sunday’s class at 4:30 p.m. I recommend calling 275-YOGA to sign up. All December classes are only $5.

Yoga in a 105 degree setting is not for you? Then try a different type of class in your community. It’s a fantastic way to improve your overall health and you will be glad that you did.