KHF

Sticks & Stones Can Break My Bones…But Words Can Never Hurt MeI am appalled at how Sarah Palin has been treated by some in the media and how her children are intentionally being dragged through the mud. As a mother, a woman and an American, I am outraged by this treatment of Sarah Palin.  The concept is Dirt Sells!  US Weekly Magazine had a picture of Governor Palin on the front cover with her baby who has Down’s syndrome.  The front cover cutlines were Lies, Babies and Scandals directly under her picture.  I am sure all these below the belt strategies are aimed at making Governor Palin bow out of the race.  The fact that some in the media are trying to make her feel guilty because she is a working mother should outrage every working woman (mother) in the country. Can we not just stick to the real issues - please?  But I will say, what I learned about the residents of Alaska learned from when we lived there is that they are tough!  I hope in her case that toughness applies to her family as well.  Let me be clear, this is not a political statement for me or for Kentuckiana Healthy Woman Magazine and Kentuckiana HealthFitness Magazine, it’s more about Americans being decent to other Americans.  Unfortunately, because of the media’s attacks on Governor Palin and other candidates, as well, who would ever want to run for public office?  A candidate and their family must have a thick skin to run for political office these days. We, the people, may be missing out on some really great leaders with extraordinary vision who could help run our government. Everyone has something in their past they may regret, but in most cases, as one matures their ideas and attitudes change.  In fact, the saying goes as a child transitions from teenager to adulthood, they often wonder how their parents got so smart!           

KHF Celebrates 11 Year Anniversary!It’s hard to believe, but KHF published its very first issue eleven years ago. What I am most proud of is that over the years, KHF has affected many people in our community in a positive way. KHF has published some really great feature stories over the years. KHF has published role modeling stories, heart warming stories, educational stories about a multitude of health topics written by outstanding health care professionals, plus we have presented our readers with lots of really great recipes. I have personally met many inspiring people along the way. Also, I have found that our readers really love KHF, and many can’t wait until the next issue comes out. KHF wants to take this opportunity to thank all the advertisers over the years who have helped to support our cause – which is to provide FREE reliable health information to our community.    Many businesses are offering corporate wellness programs at their worksite in an effort to help decrease their health insurance premiums. Currently, KHF has 25+ companies who have contacted KHF and requested that we bring KHF (and KHW, too) to their worksite for their employees. If your company is interested in having FREE copies of KHF (and KHW) delivered to your worksite, please contact me at bday@KentuckianaHealthFitness.com. It’s very gratifying to learn that KHF and KHW are both instrumental in helping to make our community healthier. Thank you for your support over the years. KHF Duathlon Series Has Been DissolvedIt is with great regret that I have to announce the Kentuckiana HealthFitness Magazine’s Duathlon Series has been dissolved this year. While there is great interest in the series from the participant standpoint and an increase in participants in the duathlon series, getting sponsorship has been extremely difficult.   Three years ago when I started my other magazine, Kentuckiana Healthy Woman Magazine, I handed over the series operations to race directors, Todd and Cynthia Heady. I promised to continue to promote the series in KHF as part of KHF’s sponsorship. However, I just did not have the time to also seek sponsorships and help out with all the details. I have to sell all the advertising for KHF and KHW, and I am also responsible for all the operations for both publications, which takes up all of my waking hours.   Many thanks to Greg Scheller and Scheller’s Fitness and Cycling for their long time support of the KHF duathlon series. Scheller’s was a sponsor for the Inaugural KHF Duathlon Series and has been a consistent sponsor and partner over the years. Unfortunately, all the other sponsors have dropped out over the past years.    Road Races Expenses Have Escalated With the metro government’s new policies regarding events and road closures, if an event does not have a sponsor who actually donates money, it very hard to break even. The first and shortest duathlon would have cost the series $3500+. As the distance and time increased, so would the cost of the assessment by the Metro Police Department. The entry fee has to pay for all the permits, the police department’s new assessments, for shirts (the KHF duathlon series always used moisture wicking shirts which costs at least $12 each), food, advertising brochures and other necessities required to put on a dual sport event.     Todd and Cynthia Heady have done a tremendous job over the years managing the KHF duathlon series, as well as managing many other local duathlons and triathlons. I know I have personally appreciated all their hard work in the name of Kentuckiana HealthFitness Magazine, and our active community has appreciated their service, as well. Since race management is their primary business, they need to make a profit on their events. 

Last week I ran when it was 19 degrees.  The shine was shining and it didn’t seem to be that cold until I turned a corner and I got a blast of the wind.  Back in the early 80’s, we lived in interior Alaska for 2 years.  My rule was - if it was below 30 below, I would run outdoors.  That was way before all the really great technical clothes had been invented.  I used layers - so many that I could barely walk.  I had to use a face mask, hat, I stuffed cotton handkerchiefs over my ears, mittens and gloves, long underwear with wool, and a Bill Rogers nylon shell layer.  My eyelashs would get iced over and ther would be ice on my facemask.  I ran on tank trails.  In the winter you could see all kinds of tracks - bear tracks, moose tracks, buffalo tracks.  I could see the granite mountains in the distance and the Alaska range on a very clear day.  No pollution just natural beauty.  I will say now that I am 57+ running in the cold is not the same.  Even though I have all the technical clothes, I also have a treadmill and I opt to run indoors just because I don’t think I am as tough as I used to be!  Barbara  

The new year is upon us.  Everyone makes New Year’s Resolutions and then they somehow break them.  Think about committing to something that is manageable rather then a goal that is impossible.