CHARLOTTE – Run For Your Life is bringing some rockin’ fun to Charlotte with the Rocktoberfest Half Marathon and 5K, presented by the Dowd YMCA, and “Best Dressed Rocker” contest Saturday, Oct. 22.

Formerly the Dowd YMCA Half Marathon and 5K, the Rocktoberfest Half Marathon kicks off at 7:40 a.m. and the 5K at 8 a.m. at the Dowd YMCA, 400 E. Morehead Street in Charlotte. All are welcome to compete for prizes in the “Best Dressed Rocker Contest,” and come dressed as their favorite rocker to the 10:15 a.m. half-marathon awards ceremony. One award will be given to the best-dressed runner/rocker and one award will be given to the best dressed family/friend/runner groupie. Each winner will win a pair of tickets to N.C. Music Factory’s Music Monsters & Mayhem – Charlotte’s Largest Halloween Bash – plus tickets to upcoming concerts from 106.5 The End and 99.7 The Fox. Continue Reading

Frank Giancarli opened his Training Ground of Davidson this summer. He worked on a runner on the Village Green after September's after the Run for Green (David Boraks/DavidsonNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
DavidsonNews.net

Frank Giancarli knew Davidson would be the perfect place for his new business, Training Ground of Davidson, because of what he saw around him. “People here are so fitness focused,” he said. “The difference between Davidson and other places is you’re always seeing people walking or biking on the street.” Continue Reading

Registration is still open for the fifth annual LungStrong 15K/5K Saturday, that will bring together at Jetton Village lung cancer survivors, patients, families and friends to help raise awareness of the disease and raise hope for a cure. Nearly 2,000 people are expected to run or walk in support.

Founded by Eddie David, of Charlotte, who lost his father five years ago to lung cancer, the event aims to raise $100,000 this year to support lung cancer research. Last year, the 15K/5K attracted more 1,200 participants and raised $85,000.

Proceeds will benefit the LUNGevity Foundation, which is the country’s leading private supporter of lung cancer research. The Foundation was started in 2001 by seven lung cancer survivors and has raised more then $3.7 million for lung cancer research.

The event begins Saturday, Oct. 8 at 7:45 a.m. at Jetton Village, rain or shine. Continue Reading

By KELLEY GARDNER

Perspective is everything, wouldn’t you agree?

I don’t like diets, never have. I do like feeling vibrant and energetic all day long. Years ago, when eating 5-6 small healthy meals a day became the mantra for stabilizing blood sugar and maintaining energy throughout the day, I was delighted. I’ve never been fond of actually feeling hungry. It was too often quickly followed by grumpiness. Truthfully, the only time I wasn’t prone to grazing was while asleep. Continue Reading

A trio of local health experts will be at Davidson College Oct. 13 for a symposium on  “Integrative Medicine and Healthy Living.” Dr. Christopher Magryta will be speaking on “Your Genes, Nature, and Nutrition,” Dr. Russell Greenfield speaks  on “Feeding Your Baby: From Information Overload to Commonsense Clarity,” and Dr. Bridget Bongaard speaks on “Taking Care of Yourself the Integrative Way!”

The free event begins at 7:30 p.m. in Lilly Family Gallery of the college’s Chambers Building. For more information call 704-894-2307.  Read on for details about the presentations: Continue Reading

Hundreds of local school children and parents have particpated in Walking Wednesdays at local schools in previous years.

The Community School of Davidson and Davidson Elementary will be joining schools from around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day on October 5, 2011. In the U.S., International Walk to School Day will be celebrated at more than 3,500 events at participating schools. Walkers from the U.S. will join children and adults in 40 countries around the world. Continue Reading

The Town of Davidson Parks and Recreation department has announced a variety of fitness and health programs for October 2011, ranging from Zumba and Pilates to martial arts and a healthy eating class. Read on for the list. Pre-registration is required by going to www.d-Recs.org or calling the Parks & Rec office at 704-892-3349.

Unless noted, all programs are at the Parks and Recreation office, 416 Armour St., Davidson.
Continue Reading

Looking for some fall fitness opportunities? The Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture department, together with a local trainer and fitness expert, offers the next Boot Camp and a Couch-to-5K training program starting this month.

Jeff Heal, owner of Fitness Together in Cornelius and Davidson, leads the classes. Mr. Heal has been in the fitness industry for more than 15 years. He coached high school track for eight years and has been a personal trainer for more than seven years, working with more than 200 clients, including some professional athletes.

Here are the details: Continue Reading

To help, Davidson Parks & Rec starts a Walking Club

By LESLIE WILLIS

Many articles in health magazines feature celebrities and models who participate in yoga, jogging, or kickboxing. They make it appear as if people are doing nothing but exercising all day long.

Many newspaper articles have appeared, reporting on research about chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cancer along with one of the major underlying chronic conditions, physical inactivity. But the reality of today’s society and our health is often very different. Continue Reading

Lake Norman Regional Medical Center
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Since 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older and breast cancer deaths have declined.

This is great progress, however there are still women who do not take advantage of early detection and others who do not get regular screening mammograms and clinical breast exams. According to the American Cancer Society, there is expected to be an estimated 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women this year, along with 2,140 new cases in men. Continue Reading