A Day at the Park

Published July 2017 in Edible Memphis

I have purposely lived within a mile of Overton Park for most of my adult life. In college, I was a frequent visitor to the (then car-free) Greensward, where it was common for folks to let their pups run free, chase balls, and take dips in Rainbow Lake. After getting married to a wilderness man, I added regular hiking in the Old Forest trails. After kids, we added in an hour on the playground.

Back in the day, Overton Park was considered a little sketchy. These days, thanks in part to the efforts of Citizens to Preserve Overton Park (CPOP), the Overton Park Conservancy (OPC), and the Levitt Shell, Overton Park is beloved by many. In fact, there’s so much to do now, you’d be hard-pressed to do it all in a single day. Here I share some suggestions on how to enjoy the park from dusk til dawn without breaking the bank.

Get Moving

Go for a run or a walk. I love starting the day — like before the sun comes up — in the park. My running group, the Running Republic, meets at the Abe Goodman Golf House on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 am for an easy, four-mile run. There are plenty of other people running, walking, strolling with their pups, or otherwise getting in a workout. However, the park is still fairly empty and it’s lovely to experience it this way.

Refuel

Have breakfast or lunch at Café Brooks by Paradox inside the Brooks Museum. The Café is in the former gift shop spot, and you don’t have to pay admission to dine there. They have a brightly lit, colorful space that opens up to the lobby. I like dining in, but you could also grab something to go and picnic in the Shell. The menu changes often, but they have an extensive selection of coffee, pastries, soups, sandwiches, and salads. On my most recent visit, I tried the Melon Salad (mixed greens, compressed melon, baked brie, and a broken vinaigrette) as well as the Sushi Bowl (sushi rice, avocado, nori, raw tuna, cucumber, peanuts and pickled melon). But I was also very, very jealous of my companion’s Grown Up Grilled Cheese featuring Benton’s bacon, roasted tomatoes, aged cheddar, pimento cheese, and caramelized onions.

Get Cultured

The Brooks Museum is well worth the $7 admission fee, though you can it enjoy for free (or by donation) on Wednesdays. Or, do it right and just buy a membership. The Brooks Outside program is also something you can enjoy without spending a penny. Remember the giant red ball? The inflatable bunnies? How about that awesome tape art? Stop by to see if they’ve got anything cooking. While you’re at it, pop into the College of Art to see the student art on display.

Refresh

Enjoy a beer on the Golf House patio. Café Brooks has local beer on tap, but my favorite place to have a beer in the park is at the Golf House. They have a great selection of canned beers (local and regional included), and they are only $2.50 each — no matter the flavor. Plus, the Golf House has an amazing patio. It’s the perfect place to sit and people watch. It’s also another option for dining al fresco, as long as you bring your own food.

Pro tip: the Golf House has the cleanest, nicest public restrooms in the park.

Ride a Bike

I definitely recommend not driving to the park — the less cars there, the better. If you don’t have a bike, don’t worry, the Golf House has a fleet of grown up trikes that are only $5 an hour to rent and just happen to be perfect for exploring the Old Forest roads (which are closed to traffic). This is an especially shady spot to escape the summer heat. Hop on and go get your photo taken at each one of the gates that have been installed by local artists Tyler French, Yvonne Bobo, and Ben Butler.

Hike the Trails

If you really want relief from the summer sun, hit the trails. The best thing about the Old Forest is that it’s usually several degrees cooler than the outside world. Download (or use your phone to look at) the Old Forest map on OPC’s website http://trails.overtonpark.org). A map is also posted over by the red playground on the East Parkway side, if you just want to snap a picture of it. Don’t worry if you get turned around, it’s pretty hard to get lost forever on the trails, even if you really want to.

Pro tip: OPC’s website also has field guides to plants and birds if that’s your thing.

Enjoy the Greensward

Don’t let the overflow Zoo parking deter you from taking up your fair share of this lovely open green space. (Do let it piss you off though!) Take a blanket and just enjoy the day, kick a soccer ball, throw a Frisbee, eat a pop from the MemPops truck — you get the idea. Stay as long as you like, and maybe even watch the sun set.

Spend the Night & Step Up

Okay, not the whole night, but chances are there’s something special going on in the evening. Check the Levitt Shell’s page for information on their free summer and fall concert series. (Shows are typically Thursday through Sunday.) On Wednesdays, you can sometimes find live music at the Golf House. The Brooks Museum also has excellent evening programming, typically on Wednesdays. The Overton Park Farmer’s Market takes place Thursdays from 3–7 pm under the East Parkway pavilion. The College of Art sometimes hosts art openings on Fridays and there are special markets throughout the year.

Being active involves more than just enjoying. Invite a friend (especially one who has never seen what Overton Park has to offer). Make a donation to CPOP. Become an OPC member. Volunteer.

See what I mean about fitting it all in? Once you’ve experienced all (or some!) of what the park has to offer, make plans to go back.

Got An Athlete At Your House?

Five things your kid's coach wants you to know.
Published September 2013 in Memphis Parent

I started playing soccer when I was six years old, and played all the way to college. My kids finally agreed to start playing recreational soccer when they were 6 and 8. At their first game, I learned a few things about myself. I couldn’t keep my mouth shut and I couldn’t stay in my seat. It was pretty embarrassing.

I decided to channel my enthusiasm into coaching, and have been much calmer ever since. Having been on both sides of the field now, I am here to help those of you with future athletes in the house.

Know your coach.

Talk to the coach about his or her style, then talk to other parents who have had children play for the coach and ask them to describe the coaching style. Then determine whether that style will be a fit for your child.

Steve Jones, who has coached youth soccer for several years in ESCRA (East Shelby Church Recreation Association) notes some coaches have a goal of pure recreation and fun; some are hoping to establish a good skill base in the players; some are focused on the team’s win/loss record.

“In a past season,” says Coach Jones, “our church league included a team that I understand practiced three times a week in addition to their game. When they played our team, they scored at least 10 (probably more, I stopped counting) unanswered goals against us. I imagine some parents on that team were incredibly proud of the team for scoring so many goals. But I also bet some were embarrassed by a coach who allowed the decimation of a team clearly on a different skill level.”

Be on time for games and practice.

Check the team practice and game schedule to make sure you can fully participate with the team before signing up. Practice is usually progressive, starting with warm-ups, so if a player shows up late and misses one or more steps they disrupt the effectiveness of the practice. Coaches may also put a good deal of time into making line-ups and ensuring equal play in games, so knowing whether a player will be in attendance is important.

“Respect that the coaches are volunteering their own time,” says Kirsty Maclean, who’s been coaching off and on for 20 years. “We understand that circumstances may dictate that a child cannot be present for all practices and games, but please communicate any absences appropriately.”

Don’t yell during a game. Instead, find reasons to cheer.

Coach Jones advises against being consumed with wins or losses. “It should be all about how your child (and the team) progresses throughout the season,” he says.

Josh Spickler, who has coached recreational basketball for the past couple years in the 5- to 8-age group, believes there’s nothing better than seeing a kid finally “get it” after the eighteenth try. “That’s what sports at this level is all about: 18 chances to get something right. Where else in life are you going to get that?”

Jones notes that especially with young kids, it’s difficult enough to process the game situation mentally and apply appropriate motor skills without also having to process commands being yelled from the sideline.

Bailey Leopard, who has coached soccer since 2005, says, “As coaches, parents, and mentors we can help players learn how to celebrate their hard work. For the kid who can barely dribble a soccer ball with their feet, a great pass to their teammate is cause for celebration. For the goal-scoring machine, switching back to defense to cover for their teammate may be the best time to celebrate. Making the great save, scoring the game-winning goal or winning the championship, while all fantastic, are not the only moments worth celebrating.”

Coach Jones adds, “Feel free to compliment other people’s children in addition to your own child. Kids are very proud when somebody ‘catches’ them doing something well, and it sometimes means more when a compliment is not from your own parent.”

Be nice to the refs.

The referees in recreational leagues are typically kids, too. Kyle Dempsey, who has coached for six years, says, “The ref is going to be someone who is still learning the rules and how to manage the game. Keep that in mind next time you want to yell at them. They have one set of eyes but the parents have 30. They may miss things that you see. It’s all part of them learning how to referee a game, so be patient and remember that your kids are watching and learning how to treat the referees as well.”

Practice at home.

Carlos Provencio, who has coached basketball and soccer for several years, says, “Sports are more fun when you are good at them — not when you win, but when you are good. So get the kids away from TVs and computers and get them out practicing with you, with friends and neighbors, or by themselves. They will thank you. The coach will thank you, too.”

Coach McAfee agrees, “I don’t have time for individual lesson plans. I have a kid three to four hours a week at best. The rest is up to you. Throw, catch, swing, dribble, or shoot at home with your player as your time allows and he will get the most out of his time with me.”

Mud Pits, Music, Horses, and Hoops

Give your kids a summer to remember with these local day camp options
Published March 2013 in Memphis Parent

Midtowner Jennifer Campbell has been sending her boys to Episcopal Day Camp, better known as “Mud Camp,” for the last four years. “They come home dirty and exhausted, but completely satisfied and eager to go back.”

Ten-year-old Ari says he likes Mud Camp because everything is a blast. “We play fun games and the counselors are young and always have smiles on their faces. The water slide is the best thing and the mud pit is awesome, too!” Ari is also a fan of the food at Mud Camp, namely the taco salad.


If mud isn’t your thing, maybe rock-and-roll is. John Bass, director of the Mike Curb Institute for Music at Rhodes College, sent his daughter, Ella, to Rock-n-Romp Camp last year for the first time. “Not only is rock camp just plain cool, but it also teaches kids valuable lessons by having them work together to accomplish things through music. Ella had a blast.”

For nature lovers, or those interested in stoking an appreciation of the outdoors, Junior Ranger Camp at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is probably the best-kept summer secret. At $20 for four days of instruction, it’s hard to beat. Samantha Cox, a park interpretive specialist and the camp’s director, says this state-certified program offers fun, informative lessons on everything from wildlife and plants to history and astronomy. The camp also has a strong emphasis on healthy living. “The program is partly funded by a grant through the Department of Health promoting the prevention of diabetes in children and is incorporated throughout our Tennessee state parks,” say Cox.

That’s not all. We’ve found camps for computer gamers, hula hoopers, and aspiring horseback riders. Here’s to making your child’s summer one to remember.

SHELBY FARMS PARK CONSERVANCY EQUESTRIAN CAMP

Shelby Farms delivers summer programming that introduces kids to the park, watershed, urban forest, and each other. In addition to the popular Adventure and Nature Camps, SFPC is now offering a weeklong equestrian camp. Campers will learn how to lead, mount, and dismount a horse, trail etiquette and safety, and will take trail rides and participate in equine art. Instructors with 40+ years experience lead the camp. A registered nurse will be on-site at all times.

Ages: Beginner riders 8-13.
Dates: May 27-31, June 3-7, 10-14, and 17-21. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Cost: $350.
Register: Contact Natalie Wilson (nwilson@shelbyfarmspark.org) or shelbyfarmspark.org/

MINECRAFT CAMP

Summer Fest at Grace St.-Luke’s offers a variety of action-packed camp opportunities. Their full- and half-day camps are open to all. Minecraft Camp allows campers to create their own Minecraft world using a private server in a supervised, classroom setting. Campers enjoy arts and crafts along with a daily discussion of online gaming safety. Other Summer Fest offerings include CSI camp, Red Cross babysitting camp, LEGO, and Harry Potter camps. Bring lunch, snacks provided.

Ages: Rising third- to eighth-graders; Summer Fest, ages 4-13 (rising JK-grade 8).
Dates: June 3-August 2: Summer Fest (except July 4th week). June 17-21: Minecraft. 8 a.m. to noon. Summer Fest Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; free morning care at 7:30 a.m.; after-care until 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $220/full day, $110/half-day.
Register: Online starting March 18 • gslschool.org/auxiliary_programs/summer_camp or Emily Merrell, emerrell@gslschool.org • 278-2770 for more information.

SUMMER HOOP CAMP

This new camp is for tweens and teens to get grooving and hooping at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Campers go beyond waist-hooping by learning the weave, pizza toss, and other flowing moves. The hula hoop will be integrated into nature, science, gardening, and nutrition. Make beautiful take-home projects. Campers show off their moves at the end of the week in a grand finale.

Ages: 11-15.
Dates: June 3-7. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cost: $185/non-members. $160/members.
Register: Online at memphisbotanic.sitewrench.com/summerhoopcamp or call 636-4119.

ROCK-n-ROMP CAMP

Now in its third year, Rock-n-Romp camp provides a full day of music experience with an emphasis on instruments played in rock bands. Campers receive hands-on instruction and exploratory instrument play in the morning; afternoons are spent practicing with their band. On Friday, camper bands perform for family and friends. The camp is staffed by local musicians who are prepared to work with all ages and abilities. Instruments and materials are provided by the camp, which is held at Rozelle Elementary in Midtown. Bring a lunch, snacks provided.

Ages: Rising first-graders through rising sixth-graders; seventh & eighth graders can apply to volunteer.
Dates: June 4-7. Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Final showcase on Sunday, June 9, from 4-6 p.m.
Cost: $200.
Register: Email memphisrocknromp@gmail.com or visit memphisrocknromp.com for more information.

JUNIOR RANGER CAMPS

Junior Ranger Camps help children develop and explore their love for nature and the outdoors, which can lead to healthy lifestyle and a lifetime of fun. Held in Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, camp includes hiking, plant study, live birds and reptiles, safety tips, canoeing, swimming, and more. Bring a lunch; water is provided.

Ages: 6-13. Ages 14+ may apply to be a counselor.
Dates: June 10-13; June 24-27. Monday-Wednesday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Cost: $20/child (includes T-shirt & badge)
Register: Starts April 1. Call 876-5215 for information.

MUD CAMP

Episcopal Day Camp, better known as “Mud Camp,” is an extremely popular day camp, with activities more like those of an overnight camp. These include arts and crafts, the mud hole, a waterslide through the woods, lake swimming, boating, and more. St. Columba (30 minutes from Memphis) features acres of woodlands, meadows, and a lake. Campers can sign-up for one to four sessions. Lunch and snacks are provided.

Ages: Rising first-graders through rising sixth-graders. Seventh & eighth graders can apply to be counselors-in-training.
Dates: July 1-5; July 8-12; July 15-19; July 22-26. Monday-Friday, 8:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m. (extended day available at extra cost).
Cost: $175/week, $150/siblings; $50/week, counselors-in-training.
Register: Saintcolumbamemphis.org/camp/episcopal-day-camp or email episcopaldaycamp@gmail.com for more information.

Memphis runner demonstrates strong mind and body to finish 100 miles

Published December 10, 2012 in the Commercial Appeal

The Leadville Trail 100 Run — an out-and-back course in the Colorado Rockies — is where legends are made. The race has been around for almost 30 years but was a fringe event for a long time.

Only a small group of hard-core people did it, but after it was featured in the book "Born to Run," which is the ultra-runners' bible of sorts, it became more popular, and it is now a well-known event.

This race is known for testing one's limits. The 100 miles of extreme Colorado Rockies terrain features elevations from 9,200 to 12,600 feet. With a 30-hour time limit, that's a maximum of 18 minutes per mile. The saying for finishers is, "You will give the mountain respect, and earn it from all."

Local running coach and ultra-athlete Kevin Leathers found this out firsthand in August. Leadville was Leathers' first 100-mile race. "I always knew in the back of my mind I'd do a 100-miler," he says. "It's the ultimate test in 33 years of running."

Leadville, Colo., is the highest incorporated town in the United States. Its 10,000-foot elevation is one of the race's appeals. Hope Pass, which runners must cover twice, is more than 12,000 feet in elevation. There are hillier, tougher races with more incline, according to Leathers, but the Leadville Trail 100 Run is prestigious because it is so old and because of Hope Pass.

There used to be only a half-dozen 100-mile races; now there are between 50 and 100 all over the country. Leadville is one of the original 100-mile races and is on most ultra runners' bucket lists. There are experienced people who can do the race alone, but with such a long event, having a crew is vital.

"When I signed up in November, I sent an e-mail to my closest friends and invited them to be on my team," he says. "Without missing a beat, everyone stepped up on Day 1." After 50 miles, he had a different crew member pace him for 10 to 12 miles between aid stations.

Leathers saysrunners really want people who know them, what makes them tick. "You need them to be honest and pull everything out when it gets hard." It's not really advisable to actually run 100 miles before the race, he says. "It takes too much time, and the risk for injury is too high."

When he signed up, he'd done several 50K races (which cover 31 miles). Then, as part of his training, he did a few more 50K's, two 50-mile races, and Run Under the Stars, which is an overnight race. "To find out how my body would do tired, without sleep," he says. "We ran all night and saw the sun come up. I got to see where my head was going to go."

There is also a three-day Leadville Run Camp in June each year that covers most of the course. "I went to find out how my body would react and see what steep really means," Leathers says.
The camp gave him a huge boost of confidence that his training was on track and showed him what it was going to take to finish. "I also learned how hard Hope Pass really is."

Eight hundred runners started the race on Saturday, Aug. 18, and 363 finished on Sunday. That's a pretty normal drop-out rate, according to Leathers.

"Without fail, every experienced runner says after 50 miles it is all mental," he says. "I'd done enough ultras and Ironmans to be familiar with that dark place. I know what it is and how to react. I'm not scared of it."
The "dark place" can come from dehydration or a "bonk" (running out of fuel). The body revolts in some manner, like cramping, and then the mind follows. It's a low point both physically and emotionally. "Every inner voice screams for you to stop," Leathers explains. "You make or break yourself at that point."

In long events, there is always a dark place. There are degrees of darkness and how long you stay. Says Leathers: "Expect it to come, and expect it to pass. Leadville is so long there is time to recover and to come out."

Over the course of 100 miles, Leathers met many challenges. His first time over and back Hope Pass, he lost about two hours. "I was short on calories and running low on fuel. It was a 3-mile climb at 12,000 feet by myself, and I kept looking at my clock. I knew I was losing time, and that added more mental anguish," he recalls.

Once he got refueled, it passed, and he'd forgotten all about it an hour later. But when he had to go back over Hope Pass, he hadn't factored in the time loss and the fact that it would be dark. His pacer for this portion of the run gave him her head lamp and worked him down the mountain in the dark.

"I'm not sure how she did it. It's still physically the hardest thing I've ever done." Close to midnight, he'd logged 60 miles since the 4 a.m. start as he sat down for the first time at an aid station to change his shoes and socks. He was feeling good and making good time as he climbed out of Twin Lakes.

There are rolling cutoff times at each aid station. If a runner misses the cutoff, he or she gets disqualified. Leathers was hours ahead at the beginning of the race and never thought he'd be racing cutoff times, but as he leapfrogged other runners along the course, he heard talk.

He asked his pacer if they were worried about cutoff times, and he learned for the first time that he was only 45 minutes ahead of the cutoff. "So we've got some work to do," he said.

Leathers proceeded to make up 30 minutes before the next cutoff and wasn't panicked, but there were still challenges ahead.

At 2 a.m., the temperature dropped to 37 degrees (from an earlier high of 70). Leathers wore his usual cold-weather gear — a cap, gloves, two layers of clothes, and winter jacket — but he didn't factor in the condition of his body after 16 hours of running. About a quarter of a mile from the next aid station, he started shivering from head to toe. His hip flexors locked up, and he could barely move. He was hypothermic.

"This is how it ends?" he said to himself. "This is not the story I want to tell." Worried that the medical team would pull him from the race, his crew members were able to get him warmer clothes and into the aid station next to a heater.

He ate some hot soup, and his mentor, Marshall Ulrich, was there to give him a pep talk. "Marshall picked me up and marched me out of the tent before medical could look me in the eye," Leathers says. "And remarkably, I recovered."

Ulrich walked with Leathers for a while and told him to just keep moving, to move with a purpose, and there was no way to quit. He also gave the current pacer instructions on how to get Leathers in a rhythm for the power line climb.

He recalls, "Brandon got me over in great time. I still don't know how I got up." At mile 83, he saw his second sunrise of the race and said to himself, "I've been out here a really long time," which he found funny. "I was very coherent and alert but not saying much," he remembers. "I wasn't like a zombie, though. I was surprisingly present."

At the May Queen aid station, which is the last one on the course, he arrived only five minutes before the cutoff. "I didn't even stop," he says. "My pacer had to catch up with me." He was fully aware at that point that he'd either be the last person to get a finisher's belt buckle or the first person to miss it.

"I didn't think. I just listened to my pacer," Leathers says. "When he said run, I ran. When he said walk, I walked. There was no thinking on my part, but it took every bit of energy just to do it.": The power of the mind over the body was never more clear to Leathers. "It's amazing how much farther you can go than you think you can go."

The last few miles aren't marked, but Leathers knew from his training when he had reached the last mile. He had eight minutes left. "I knew I wasn't getting the buckle, but I was going to finish," he says.

When he crossed the finish line at 30:05, there was still a huge crowd, and the announcer called him in and put a finisher's medal around his neck. He was No. 361 of 363 to finish.

"It felt so good to stop and then to sit down," Leathers says. When he got back to the house he was renting for the week, he took off his shoes and socks and lay down. "I fell asleep cramping and woke up five hours later still cramping," he says.

Leathers was very stiff the next day, but able to walk fine the next. Less than a week later, he went for a run. "The fatigue stuck with me. For two weeks I couldn't get enough sleep," he says. Leathers was the only first-time racer from Memphis to finish the Leadville 100. James Holland, another Memphian, finished in just over 27 hours.

Despite not finishing in less than 30 hours, Leathers is happy with his performance and determined to try again. "The 30:05 will mean more than any buckle because of what I went through, but I still have some unfinished business," he says.

He says he feels invigorated and motivated. He plans to hit the trails again this winter with an eye on next August's Leadville 100.

Running for Those Who Can't

Consider training now for the St. Jude's Family Fun Run this December. Here's one family's inspiring story.
Published September 2012 in Memphis Parent

Teaching children the importance of health, fitness, and doing for others is a gift that can last a lifetime. One Memphis family not only found a way to get fit, they found a way to give to the children of St. Jude at the same time.

Deana Hall, 43, is a stay-at-home mom of two. She started running 15 years ago and has participated in the St. Jude marathon and half marathon several times. Deana’s husband, Jimmy, a FedEx pilot, is also a runner. “We met while working out at the same gym,” she says. “He ran five miles on the treadmill next to me and when I asked if he was a runner, he said, ‘No, I just wanted to talk to you.’”

When they started dating, Deana was training for her second marathon. Jimmy would meet her halfway through her long runs to help her push through. “That’s how he got the running bug,” she explains. For her third marathon, he competed along side her.

Seeing kids helping kids

After becoming a mom, Deana started running in front of her house out of necessity. “The kids would come out and run laps in the cove while I went up and down the street,” she says. That got her thinking about a way to involve them in not only running, but also doing something philanthropic. In 2006, she came to St. Jude with the idea of creating a family fun run as part of the marathon. With the help of ALSAC, she registered her daughter’s junior kindergarten class at Evangelical Christian School (ECS) as a St. Jude Hero. Heroes set personal fundraising goals and use a special St. Jude fundraising website to track progress, send emails, and accept online donations.

Deana talked to her daughter’s teacher and together they came up with a program. They set up a mile track at the school and the children gave up their time at recess to run, working until they reached 12 miles each. For the last mile, they invited friends and family members to watch. At the finish line, an ALSAC representative handed out half-marathon medals to each child. Together, the children raised $1,300.

“Seeing kids helping other kids really makes my heart melt,” says Deana. As a group, the children found reward in running for the children who couldn’t run themselves. “God picked them to be healthy and they can’t take it for granted.”

When Deanna’s son started school last year, she decided to get both of her children’s classes involved. This time, teachers and parents ran along with the children and together they raised $3,500. Then they were able to complete their last mile on race day in the St. Jude Family Fun Run, which started in 2009.

Kevin Leathers, the St. Jude Heroes National Coach, says the Family Fun Run is a great addition to the St Jude Memphis Marathon Weekend. Entire families can run one mile together and finish inside AutoZone Park with the marathoners. “It’s a great way to expose your children to the positive energy of an endurance event and support St. Jude,” he says.

Leathers believes parents should lead by example to instill good exercise and eating habits. “Actions speak much louder than words and active, health-conscious parents are teaching valuable life lessons,” he says. “Finding an activity, like the St Jude Family Fun Run, involves the entire family and improves everyone’s health.”

To keep it fun, Leathers suggest picking different locales for training runs/walks. “Instead of the same loop around the block, try the Greenline, Shelby Farms, or downtown by the river,” he says.

Develop a plan for your family

The St. Jude Kids Marathon is another option for families with children under 12. In the weeks and months leading up to race day, kids will run all but one mile of a full marathon (26.2 miles) or half marathon (13.1 miles) at their own pace, keeping track using St. Jude’s Official Mileage Tracker. Then, on race day, they can run or walk the final mile with family and friends in the Family Fun Run, crossing the same finish line as the marathon and 5K.

With proper training over several months, an entire family can run/walk the one-mile Family Run, notes Leathers. The 5k is also in reach for most adults and children with a conservative, consistent plan of walking/running several times per week. Only those who are in good health and can run/walk consistently following a three-month training plan should attempt the half-marathon. Last year, 415 children under 15 competed in the Memphis Grizzlies House 5K and 114 participated in the half marathon.

For those shooting for the full marathon, you must be age 16 or older. “The marathon is a daunting proposition even for the well-trained. I would recommend running for at least a year and progressing through the 5K, 10K, half-marathon distances to avoid injury,” advises Leathers.

The Memphis Runners Track Club has a special running program for kids this fall, and each mile run can count towards the St. Jude Kids Marathon. Jeanine Watts, who has been running for 26 years, started the program seven years ago as a way to give back to MRTC and the running community (see sidebar).

Watts says there are exceptional children who can run distances further than what the program focuses on, but she wants running to be a habit and part of the child’s lifestyle for years to come. “The biggest fear with doing too much too soon is burnout,” she says.

For the children under 5, Watts focuses on fun through games and relays with cones, hula hoops, and bean bags. “It’s more like an obstacle course and at the end they don’t realize how far they’ve run,” says Watts.

The 6- and 7-year-olds also play games, but Watts works with them on form. The 8- to 10-year-olds get an introduction to speed work and a little competitive push. For the 11-13 year olds, sprint drills are key. “It’s all about competition with the older kids,” says Watts.

Last year, 175 kids showed up for the first training session and race day brought out nearly 300 participants. Everyone’s bib number is number one, and everyone gets a medal. “I’m a big proponent of getting kids moving and getting outside on Saturdays rather than playing video games,” says Watts, who also holds training sessions in the spring.

As for Deana, her goal is to get her children’s entire school involved this year. “It’s a neat experience for the kids and it’s just a win-win,” for everyone.

Training group gets beginners ready to compete in Memphis in May triathlon

Published May 14, 2012 in the Commercial Appeal

This weekend, about 2,000 people will head to Tunica, but gambling won't be on their minds nearly as much as swimming, biking and running.

It's the 30th installment of Memphis in May's triathlon weekend. On Saturday, 500 people will compete in the Memphis in May Sprint Triathlon, which is a quarter-mile swim, 12-mile road bike ride, and 3-mile run. Sunday is the Olympic Triathlon event, and 1,500 people will compete in a 1.5K swim, 40K bike ride and 10K run (or a 1-mile swim, 24-mile bike ride and 6.2- mile run).

Kevin Leathers, 47, a Road Runners Club of America-certified running coach who started Can't Stop Endurance Training in 2007, has done the Memphis in May Olympic Triathlon 20 times. He says triathlons gained popularity in the early '80s after the Ironman competition was televised in 1982.

"Back then, the Memphis in May triathlon was the race in the Mid-South," Leathers explained. "Everybody did it. Once it became a qualifier for the Ironman competition in Hawaii, it became a must-do race around the country."

He says triathlons have absolutely become more popular over the years. "It's a natural extension of the running boom and general emphasis on health, fitness and diet."

Despite Memphis being at the top of the list

of fattest cities, Leathers says Memphis is home to a very large and passionate endurance fitness community.

"Most cities our size have one or two triathlon teams. We have four -- Los Locos, Memphis Thunder, Terrapin Racing and Journeyman Racing. Also, look at how many bike shops we have and the fact that we support two really large running stores -- Breakaway and Fleet Feet."

Leathers believes there are a lot of things fueling the growth of endurance sports in the area, like the Shelby Farms Greenline, but he gives special props to area coaches like Star Ritchey of Star Runners. "What she does is a perfect example of growing the community. Her beginner classes show that it's not impossible for anyone to run who is willing to get off of the couch and put on some running shoes."

Ritchey, 38, has trained runners and individual triathletes for several years, but this is her first year to have a triathlon training group. The idea came about last fall when her husband, Keith, was training for his first Ironman. "He was such an inspiration to the group. One day on a run, someone in the group said, 'Hey, you should train us for a triathlon.' Other runners in the group overheard, and the next thing I knew, I had a triathlon training group," she says, adding that it just felt natural, like it was what they were supposed to do next.

There are 30 people in her triathlon training group, most of whom are first-timers planning to enter the Memphis in May Sprint Race. Now in its third year, the sprint distance race is a great way for beginners to experience an open-water swim and a flat and fast course, all with a big-event atmosphere.

Ritchey says her experience with her first training group has been incredible. "I am amazed at the progress I've seen from everyone in such a short amount of time; whether it be the swim, bike or run, everyone has improved," she says. "Everyone is so incredibly supportive of one another that it just has the friendliest vibe even when being competitive."

Ritchey believes that anyone can learn to run, and she believes anyone can train for a triathlon. "It's crucial that you have a good training plan that fits with your current ability," she says. "You can't go swim 1,500 meters if you can't swim 25, so know that even if you have to start slow, you'll get there. Just be patient, stay strong, and don't give up."

To enhance the training for her beginners, Ritchey reached out to Charlie Boehme, the Rhodes College swim coach, to help with the swimming, which can be the most daunting part of a triathlon. Boehme provided swim clinics in addition to the workouts Ritchey gave the group. "It's been a great way for everyone to get more personalized instruction, while also having the benefit of swimming as a team," Ritchey says.

The group also paired up with Victory Bicycle Studio as their "go-to" bike shop. "Clark, Robert and Nathan have been incredible to work with," Ritchey says. "We've had maintenance classes, trainer classes, and even a tri-clothes try-on day. I can't think of a better collaboration."

Brad Heinz, 52, planned to do a triathlon when he was 24, but doing it took a few years longer than expected. He completed his first triathlon last year in Oxford after training on his own, but this year he signed up with Star Runners. "It's been a lot different training with Star and being part of a team," he says. "She and Keith are really inspiring to the troops."

Heinz is a lifelong runner with 30 years' experience. A few years ago, he started cross-training with cycling. "Then it was just a logical progression to swimming and doing triathlons," he says. Swimming has been the hardest part for him, but he likes that the triathlon training isn't too taxing on any one part of his body. "I've lost a few pounds and inches," he says. "It's going to be hard giving up the workouts after the race."

He says it's been nice to see that he could still pick up something new and improve his overall fitness. "It's been worth it alone just for that," he says. "I'm investing in myself."

Grace Korzekwa, 32, also in the group, signed up on a whim. A friend trained for the St. Jude Half-Marathon with Star Runners and then also signed up to train for the Memphis in May Sprint Triathlon. "My friend always tried to get me to join the running groups, but I used to work at night," she says. "Now I have a normal schedule, so that helped me say yes."

Korzekwa, who had never run more than a 5K, says training for the triathlon has been a total roller coaster. "It was really, really hard at first, but I was really excited, too, so that got me over the hump."

For the first six weeks of training, Korzekwa says, she was either tired or in pain or both. "You name it, it hurt. Mostly my legs, but all of a sudden, after swimming my abs would be on fire."

Despite the exhaustion and discomfort, she says the training has made her feel really good about herself. "Exercise is an excellent stress reliever and anxiety reducer. These benefits were immediate and obvious." She has really enjoyed training with a group and says it helps to have other people in the same boat as well as a trainer she can talk to anytime. "I pretty much e-mail Star every day."

The hardest part has been time management. "The eight or more workouts per week take at least an hour each, and I have to spend a lot of time preparing for them, eating right, drinking enough water, getting plenty of sleep, etc.," she says. "It's an intense balancing act. I miss having downtime and reading for hours on end."

Taking on three new sports also proved to be expensive. Korzekwa already had a bike since she used to ride to work, but all of her workout clothes were 100 percent cotton. "I had to buy clothes that breathe," she says. Additionally she purchased a special quick-drying "tri outfit" for the race, biking shorts for practice, a bathing suit, running shoes, goggles and a swim cap.

To train with Star Runners, she paid $180. A six-month pool membership at UT was $70. A monthlong bike class at Victory Bicycle Studio was $50, and the six-week swim clinic at Rhodes College was an additional $100. The entry fee for the race, along with a racing license, was another $90. "I really didn't blink at the training costs," Korzekwa says. "I feel like I got that all for a steal."

After eight weeks of training, Korzekwa says she hasn't lost a pound, but her body looks completely different. "I feel better, my skin looks better, and I'm lighter on my feet," she says. "It may be the best thing I've ever done for myself."

Race info

Memphis in May Sprint Race, 8 a.m. Saturdayat Harrah's Tunica.

The 30th Annual Memphis in May Olympic Triathlon, 7 a.m. Sunday at Harrah's Tunica.

Other info

Star Runners: starrunnersmemphis.com

Can't Stop Endurance Training, cantstopendurance.com

Grade your groceries: Mobile app furnishes product nutrition info for conscientious shoppers

Published August 8, 2011 in the Commercial Appeal

When Hemi Weingarten's twin daughters were 1 1/2, his wife brought home some glow-in-the-dark yogurt.

"The color was so bright that it led me to read an ingredients label for the first time in my life," he said.

The ingredient responsible for the yogurt's radiance was Red No. 40. He Googled it and discovered that it is a potential carcinogen that is being phased out in Europe.

"I realized that I was unequipped to decide what to put on the table for my family. I wanted to help myself and others," he said.

So, working with dietitians and other professionals, Weingarten created the Fooducate App. Now available for free at Fooducate.com for iPhone and Android phones, it allows the user to scan barcodes on products with the phone's camera...(Read more).

Being good parent isn't a race -- it's a marathon

Being good parent isn't a race -- it's a marathon
Published December 2, 2010 in the Commercial Appeal

I've been running two to three times a week for a little over a year, and have participated in a number of 5Ks. Sometime over the summer, I decided to sign up for the St. Jude Memphis half-marathon that takes place on Saturday.

Upon hearing the news, my 6- and 8-year-old sons immediately started divvying up my first-place winnings. While I appreciate their vote of confidence, I have found that, much like parenting, the half-marathon isn't something I am/was completely prepared for, but I'm going for it anyway.

Becoming a mother has made me bolder than I ever thought I'd be. At the very least, it has made me fairly immune to vomit and other unpleasant bodily functions that may come into play on Saturday. (Or so I'm told!)...(Read more)

Dream of building a better block is at hand

Dream of building a better block is at hand
Published November 18, 2010 in the Commercial Appeal

My family likes to go on walks, hikes and bike rides. Places like the Greater Memphis Greenline and the riverfront make this pretty easy to do. However, going from place to place can be a challenge.

For instance, we can walk to Overton Park from our house in about 10 minutes. Five of those minutes are spent trying to cross six lanes of very heavy traffic on East Parkway near Sam Cooper. There are no crosswalks, and it can be pretty sketchy. It wasn't until my boys got older (they're 6 and 8) that I even considered crossing the street with them.

Commuting is also dangerous. My kids' school is less than a mile away, but to walk or ride bikes there, we have to cross both East Parkway and Summer. The sidewalks are broken and bumpy, and the heavy traffic makes riding bikes in the street too dangerous, especially during morning rush hour. It's scary enough when I'm with them -- I can't imagine ever allowing them to traverse those streets without me...(Read more)

No more easy rewards: I'm choosing with eye on health

No more easy rewards: I'm choosing with eye on health
Published October 21, 2010 in the Commercial Appeal

A year ago I signed up for an early morning boot camp to get myself out of a rut of not exercising. It provided the much-needed boost I had hoped for and set me on a path of working out at 5:30 a.m. three to five times a week.

The fact that a friend joined me every one of those mornings kept me motivated. And getting stronger was also motivating.

We went from not running at all, to running four miles twice a week, sometimes three. We took just about every class the Fogelman YMCA offered, took swimming lessons and started lifting weights. Impressive, huh?

We both got some much-needed alone time, and found we had more energy for our families. But neither of us has really lost any weight. Not so impressive, huh? (Read more)

Families already enjoying Greenline

Families already enjoying Greenline
Published October 7, 2010 in the Commercial Appeal

The new Shelby Farms Greenline is one of the best things to happen in Memphis in a long time, and it's a great place to take the family. We live in Lea's Woods near the Tillman entrance and have taken our two young sons for several bike rides already. Our favorite rides start with breakfast at nearby Republic Coffee.

My friend and Hein Park neighbor, Wendy Trenthem, recently biked the entire Greenline with her family, which includes three children. She says for them, it was an ambitious 18-mile round-trip ride from their home. "Planning ahead really helps," she says. "My husband rode the route ahead of time, we mapped our street route from home to the Greenline, we took a patch kit and hand pump, and we had a friend on hand to rescue us from a flat."

Wendy suggests that if you want to enjoy just part of the line and don't live along it, park at Farm Road and Mullins Station in Shelby Farms and head west. "You'll see the Wolf River and go under I-240. It's a whole new view of Memphis!"...(Read more)

'Coach' has mentored generations of figure roller skaters -- many champions

'Coach' has mentored generations of figure roller skaters -- many champions
Published August 22, 2010 in the Commercial Appeal

Ask Coach Caroline Mirelli how long she has been roller skating, and she'll reply, "Forever." She turned 80 in February and learned to skate when she was 9, so "forever" translates into 71 years.

In her skating skirt, hat and leopard-print skates, Mirelli looks like she could easily skate another 71 years or more.

Mirelli, who lives in Whitehaven, enjoyed a bit of fame in the late '40s and early '50s as a part of the professional Skating Vanities show. "It was a 'Holiday on Ice' type of show with skaters and other acts like vaudeville, ballet and a person who walked on a giant wooden ball," she says. The Vanities performed all over Europe for audiences that included the queen of England, and even had an audience with the pope...(Read more)

Fire Tribe adds element of danger to exotic combination of movement and rhythm

Fire Tribe adds element of danger to exotic combination of movement and rhythm
Published July 17, 2010 in the Commercial Appeal

Play with fire and you'll get burned, the old saying goes. Well, it's going to take a lot more than a burn for Memphis' Fire Tribe to stop playing with fire. The members eat fire, breathe fire, set hula hoops on fire, and belly dance with fire fans, fire swords, fire staffs and more.

The Fire Tribe includes 10 local fire performers who met either over the Internet or through mutual friends. The group's mission, according to Nadia Sophia, 22, one of the Fire Tribe's founders, is to encourage others to tap outside the box in terms of creative form. "We want to bring the community together to see different things, and to have fun," she says. Sophia has been practicing capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art that incorporates music and dance, for a number of years...(Read more)

This sport's kickin': Elementary gym class sport now a source of exercise, fun for Memphis league participants

This sport's kickin': Elementary gym class sport now a source of exercise, fun for Memphis league participants
Published July 12, 2010 in the Commercial Appeal

In movies, gym class is usually portrayed as the most humiliating part of school. However, in Memphis, many men and women are reclaiming at least one thing they learned in gym class -- kickball.

The Memphis Kickball League, now in its fourth year, has 28 teams. Judging from some of the team names -- Playground Bullies, Tom Selleck's Stache and Foot Club -- the game is a lot more fun now than it was in school.

Daniel Russo, 27, who is the booking manager at Ardent Studios, started playing for the Hi Tone Hellions this year. He says he likes kickball because it's something different and it gets him out of his routine of going to work, going home and going to bars...(Read more)

No pain: ChiRunning takes load off legs, makes running feel good

No pain: ChiRunning takes load off legs, makes running feel good
Published May 3, 2010 in the Commercial Appeal

"I rely on running to feel good," says Natalie Isaac, who has been running for 30 years. "It's one of the few exercise routines that you can do anywhere."

However, during the 2008 St. Jude Memphis Marathon, Isaac's legs hurt so much that, for the first time, she felt like running wasn't fun. "I don't want to do this anymore," she told herself.

Isaac, who is part owner of Midtown's Inside Out Gym, was leading a group of 20 runners who were looking to her for inspiration, so she knew she couldn't just quit...(Read more).

Here's to riding for a bike-friendly Memphis

Here's to riding for a bike-friendly Memphis
Published May 20, 2010 in the Commercial Appeal

When I was 6 I had a boy's-model black Huffy bike with a banana seat. I rode it all over the neighborhood, popping wheelies and repeatedly skinning my knees. I rode to school, to friends' houses and to the corner store to buy candy.

When I recently mentioned letting my 8-year-old, Satchel, ride his bike to a friend's house down the street, my mom e-mailed me and begged me not to let him do it. I'm sure she pictured a white van pulling up alongside Satchel's bike, a scary man offering him candy and then kidnapping him. Or maybe she thinks he'll get shot because I live in a Midtown neighborhood she views as scary...(Read more).

First step to fitness a doozy, but worth it for busy mom

First step to fitness a doozy, but worth it for busy mom
Published March 25, 2010 in the Commercial Appeal

What are the lies you tell yourself? My big one was, "I don't have time to work out."

Between working full time, freelancing, serving on community boards and raising two high-energy boys (Satchel, 7, and Jiro, 5), my days are jam packed.

However, last fall when I tried to put on a pair of pants that fit just fine the previous spring, I had a rude awakening. The divide between the button and the hole seemed insurmountable. I decided to do something drastic. I signed up for a women-only "boot camp" that started at 5:30 a.m. five days a week. This was quite a leap of faith, considering another lie I had come to believe was that I am not a morning person...(Read more).

Workout Warriors

Workout Warriors
Published January 1, 2010 in Memphis Parent

Back in September, I discovered my fall/winter wardrobe had gotten, well, slightly more than a little snug. It seemed strange, since I had been making regular appearances in my bathing suit all summer. Still, there was no denying the truth: an immense divide yawned between the button and button hole of my waistband.
In search of a remedy, I saw a link on Facebook to Memphis Adventure Boot Camp for Women (ABC). One look at the 5:30 a.m. start time, and I knew there was no way I could do it. After all, I work full-time, do freelance writing on the side, and try to keep up with the day-to-day care and feeding (not to mention entertainment) of my two wild boys, Satchel (7) and Jiro (5). I was already operating on less than seven hours of sleep each night; how could I give up two more?
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that 5:30 in the morning was about the only time I wasn’t scheduled to be somewhere — except in bed. If I was going to incorporate regular exercise into my routine, it would have to be then. So I signed up to attend a four-week boot camp that met Monday through Friday from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. I dug out my tennis shoes, bought a set of 3-lb. weights and a yoga mat, and set my alarm clock for 5 a.m...(Read more)

Bargaining with son is worth it in long run

Bargaining with son is worth it in long run
Published December 3, 2009 in the Commercial Appeal

I recently started running. Considering I'm 37 and have five metal screws in my right knee (from soccer) and a 12-inch metal rod in my left shin (from roller derby), this is no small feat.

I've often had dreams where I was running, but I was never able to motivate myself to get started. Then my friend (and fellow mother), Ashley, said she wanted to start running, too. So we started together.

I downloaded a "Couch to 5K" program on my iPhone, we went shopping at the Nike Outlet on Elvis Presley Boulevard for cute (and practical) outfits, and we were on our way...(Read more)

Call of the Wild

Call of the Wild
Published April 2009 in Memphis Parent

It’s Saturday morning, and the Great Outdoors University (GOU) is in session. This week, the ScoutReach arm of the Boy Scouts of America are exploring the Hatchie Wildlife Refuge with their scout leaders, GOU staff, and volunteers from UT Martin’s Wildlife Studies Program.

The GOU is a youth conservation education program of the Tennessee Wildlife Federation (TWF), whose mission is to connect kids with the environment in meaningful, life-changing ways. Locally, kids ages 7 to 17 participate, many from urban neighborhoods far removed from open fields and forests...(Read more)