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closeNeed some help with your New Year’s resolutions? Could you use a little encouragement to get off the sofa and out of the house?
Maybe you should consider running a 5-K. Not tomorrow, obviously. You’re not in shape for that.
So pace yourself. Train. And Get Moving.
The Cantrell Center on Osigian Drive in Warner Robins is the driving force behind the Get Moving Middle Georgia Community Challenge, which culminates with a Feb. 28 5-K event that promises to be more competitive than the usual “fun run.” Cash prizes will be awarded to the top two male and female runners.
But the challenge is less about the folks who’ll hit the tape first and more about those who usually never even see it.
“We wanted to get people that don’t run,” said Jason Barker, director of the Wellness wing of the Cantrell Center. “We want them to get off the couch and up and moving.”
Problem is, those people are likely to take a pass on running. As a result, the Cantrell staff is making itself available as a training resource to help the uninitiated gear up. An eight-week program designed to build endurance began Jan. 7. Barker said people can register for the race and the training course anytime between now and the date of the event.
Barker joined the office of Mike and Tassie Cantrell about four years ago, shortly after the business expanded its role as physical therapy specialists to include a broader definition of wellness. Beyond serving the continuing exercise needs of former rehabiliation patients, the wellness center facilities are available to the public, provided individuals get physician approval ahead of time.
“It’s the true meaning of wellness,” Barker said.
The center offers surf and turf packages that make use of aerobic, pool and weight facilities. Barker said there are plans to expand the center with a gymnasium on the grounds at the Osigian Drive facility.
The run was an immediate must-do for Barker, 38. The former Warner Robins High track and cross country athlete thought hosting a 5-K was a logical extension of the business mission. His employers enthusiastically agreee.
“They don’t do anything half way,” Barker said of the husband-and-wife ownership.
Barker said the goal for this inaugural race is to have 2,009 participants. The staff fully expects this to be an annual event on the scale of the Peachtree Road Race in Atlanta.
Registration forms for the race and the pre-race training program are available online at cantrellcenter.com. The Web site includes a map of the 5-K route. The facility phone number is 953-3535.
Boo hoo hoo
Let’s not mourn the departure of John Smoltz too loudly, Braves fans. I doubt he is.
After all, if his arm holds out (a big, big, BIG “if”), Smoltzie will have a chance in Boston to contend for a playoff berth and a spot in the World Series, an opportunity not likely forthcoming with the 2009 Braves.
More to the point, though, all this talk about the club’s lack of loyalty to and respect for Smoltz is misguided. After all he’s done for Atlanta ... Yada. Yada. Yada.
The fact is, the Braves have carried Smoltz for 10 years without knowing from day to day whether his arm would hold out. He’s been on the disabled list 11 times, including several lengthy stays. While his returns from those setbacks have been little short of miraculous, it was the club that stuck with him and oversaw the rehabilitation.
Smoltz’s Boston contract will add to career earnings in excess of $130 million. In other words, he’s already on the short list of best-compensated players in the history of Major League Baseball. Every dime was paid by Atlanta.
Contact Chris Deighan at cdeighan@cox.net
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