March 2010 Austin Fittest Dog Edition

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contents

Features

03.2010

34

Other Good Reads

16

health

FACT or MYTH? Top Ten Dental Mysteries

by Karie Milewski, M.Ed.

This month, we demystify some of your most common dental questions. Test your knowledge and see if you can guess fact from fiction.

24 health

fitness

4-Legged Fitness: Austin’s Fittest Dogs

by Drex Earle, Ph.D. and our readers; photos by Brian Fitzsimmons

For our second annual Fittest Dogs issue, we’re proud to feature 18 amazing canines who exemplify health and fitness...on four legs, no less. Whether running, jumping, swimming or fetching a tennis ball, these dogs can do it all.

Austin Dentist Spotlight

Got a cavity? Suffering dental anxiety?

Overdue for a check-up? This month we’ve got 14 local dentists ready to take care of you. Some of the finest in Austin are featured here, so check them out and get one step closer to a healthy smile.

CONTENTS

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F E AT U R E S

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11

Departments

contents

nutrition

THE TEAM

32

Publisher/CEO Louis M. Earle

Poached Ahi Tuna Salad

by Alexa Sparkman, MA, RD, LD, & UT Nutrition students; photo by Nicole Story Try this simple and quick salad full of healthy protein and vegetables.

fit^3

Associate Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief Drex Earle, Ph.D. Art Director Weston Carls

58

Design Assistant Lillian O’Connor

Sick & Training

by Patrick Evoe, Professional Triathlete You’re sick, so what now? Find out what to do if illness derails your training.

kmb

Editorial Assistants Karie Milewski, M.Ed., Natalie Ziskind Advertising Director Alex Earle

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Advertising Consultants Lorin Grant, Jennifer McCall, Angela Strickland

Punch Austin photos by Brian Fitzsimmons See how badly Monica gets her butt kicked this month with a fierce kettlebell workout at Punch Austin.

Contributors Millie Cocek, Brian Fitzsimmons, Amber Ilseng, Joseph Scales, Alexa Sparkman, Nicole Story, Nicole Weber General Inquiries: info@austinfitmagazine.com Advertising Inquiries: ads@austinfitmagazine.com Story Ideas: ideas@austinfitmagazine.com Event Listings: events@austinfitmagazine.com 1905 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 105 Austin, TX 78705 p 512.407.8383 f 512.407.8393

Austin Fit Magazine assumes no responsibility for the content of articles or advertisements, in that the views expressed therein may not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher or any magazine employee or contributor.

This publication and all of its contents are copyrighted.

Austin Fit Magazine is the assumed name of its publisher, Louis M. Earle, who has no interest in the business of Denis Calabrese who operates an exercise program under the assumed name of Austin Fit, which trains individuals to improve their jogging or running skills to participate in marathons. The views, opinions and other representations published in Austin Fit Magazine are not those of Austin Fit or any of its directors, officers, employees or agents.

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MARCH 2010

se

74 The Funny Side of Fit

Pl e a

60 Events Calendar

Re

c yc

l e This

M

a

e

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64 Rides & Races

zin

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14 From The Publisher

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From The Publisher I absolutely love

this issue because of my fondness for, and utter fascination with, animals.

Especially dogs (okay, the photo might have given it away).

This is my Corazon (she goes by Cora), just one of four furry friends who lives with my wife Lynne and me. Cora loves to ride in the car, plus she’s a �itness fanatic — she’ll go for a run or a walk with us any time.

Her partners in crime are Taylor, an adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; Charlie, a miniature Australian Shepherd and Max, a mammoth Great Pyrenees who weighs about 150 pounds, and has a heart to match.

Lynne and I have always had a myriad of animals to keep us company. They’ve all had special and signi�icant places in our lives. Much like having children, these wonderful companions require an attentiveness and care that’s as challenging as it is rewarding.

From the puppy chewing and the vet bills, to the shedding and the barking, man’s best friend can certainly test your patience and your pocketbook. But at the end of the day, these tiny inconveniences pale in comparison to the joy that �lows between us and our beloved pets — as much as we adore them, they manage to return our love in spades. So we’ve decided to celebrate them yet again this year, with our March 2010 edition.

In preparing this month’s magazine — the second annual “Austin’s Fittest Dogs” issue — our staff was struck by the breathtaking images and refreshing stories submitted by our readers. As you’ll see in our cover feature on page 32, there’s a beautiful diversity and impressive array of �itness in the Austin canine community.

Each of the 18 portraits juxtoposes playfulness with personality, while the engaging descriptions — written by owners themselves — re�lect the love, pride and companionship only a dog can provide.

A year ago, we had a wonderful time capturing our furry subjects in their natural element, running, jumping and swimming outside. This year we wanted to contrast that by photographing Austin’s �ittest dogs in a more controlled, studio environment.

Not surprisingly, we had less control than we’d hoped for, since “dogs will be dogs,” but overall we’re pretty happy with how the feature turned out. We want to send a special thanks to the owners and their �it pals who graciously contributed their time and energy to make this month’s issue a reality.

Now, as the weather begins to get warmer and we head into the “dog days of summer,” we hope this issue inspires you and your four-legged friend to walk, run, swim, jump and laugh your way to a healthier, �itter and happier life.

Online @austinfit

Featured Question

Keep Austin Fit,

What are you looking forward to during SXSW? Your Responses “I just moved here so really looking forward to the whole experience. Rachael Ray's party @ Stubbs, enjoying bands on the rooftops.”

@SarahNelson “I’ll go to a few shows...but for the most part, I stay away from downtown.” Aubrey Byfield “Being exposed to some good, new music!”

Sierra Smotek “Looking forward to #sxswi Twitter coverage since I can’t attend.” @DrewCarls “Open bars, being in the front row and tossing the front man’s guitar, then playing it and breaking a few strings and then passing it back to him all messed up (true story...the Decemberists @ Pangea :)...CANT WAIT!”

Vivian Wu

Do you have a question for us?

We welcome your feedback.

E-mail letters to editor@austinfitmagazine.com or Tweet us @austinfit

3 Other Covers We Loved Editor’s Note: This one had great pick-up potential, but seemed to be lacking a fitness vibe.

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MARCH 2010

Editor’s Note: We started here, but eventually passed because we had a dog with a tennis ball on the cover last year.

Editor’s Note: This was one of our faves but we realized we were unfairly biased — it’s our office dog, Cooper!

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FACTP OR MYTH? TO

DENTAL MYSTERIES

Are electronic toothbrushes significantly better than manual ones?

Read more to find out!

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MARCH 2010

?

by Karie L. Milewski, M.Ed.

Y

ou eat well. You hit the gym five days a week.

But when it comes

to your choppers, they’re

probably last on your list of healthy habits. You’re not alone. Population studies estimate that almost half of the U.S. population has dental anxiety — if you avoid going to the dentist each year, you’re one of them — while nine to 15 percent suffer from dental phobia and completely avoid a dental visit altogether.

Although lying back in the dentist’s chair may make your

1

CONSISTENT BLEEDING GUMS ARE USUALLY DUE TO FLOSSING. MYTH

W

hile aggressively fishing a popcorn kernel out of your teeth might result in some blood-tinged saliva, flossing generally shouldn’t cause your gums to bleed. If it does, consider it an early warning sign of periodontal disease.

According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 80 million Americans have some form of the disease and most are treatable. Regular teeth cleaning hinders bacteria, in the form of sticky plaque, from accumulating.

“Flossing is important. A toothbrush can only clean the visible surfaces of the teeth, but harmful bacteria (left behind) stay hidden in between the teeth,” adds Dr. Neal Shah, DDS of Austin Dental Arts.

The longer plaque sits on the tooth, the more likely it will cause irritation and inflammation — known as gingivitis. Untreated gingivitis allows bacteria to seep deeper into your gums, promoting bleeding and an immune response.

This potent combination of aggressive bacteria and your body’s own defensive enzymes will actually start to break down the bone and surrounding tissue that hold teeth in place. Expect to don a toothless grin in your next family photo if you continue to cancel your dental appointments after this point.

2

heart race, it can’t compare to the risk of heart disease associated with poor oral health. And if that correlation doesn’t surprise you, we’ve found nine others that will.

Test your knowledge and see if you can guess fact from fiction.

Women smile about 62 times a day compared to men who smile about 8 times.

Children grin more than 400 times each day.

DYK? |

FLOSSING INCREASES LIFE EXPECTANCY. TRUE

I

n case you weren’t sure, the purpose of flossing is two-fold: to clean between teeth and to remove debris from under the gum line. It may seem obvious but if you’re like most people, you neglect this necessary tooth task and leave behind more than 300 types of destructive bacteria that make up plaque and tartar.

You probably realize by now that excessive plaque will cause gum disease known as gingivitis. And this inflammation isn’t limited to the mouth. High levels of bacteria seep into the irritated pockets between teeth and gums producing toxins that continue to promote the disease, externally and internally.

This chronic infection facilitates bacteria’s journey to your arteries, where it hangs out causing further inflammation and a different kind of plaque accumulation — a dangerous combination that often results in atherosclerosis. There is debate among dentists on how many years of life flossing can give you.

“The classic number that gets thrown around is 6.4 years,” explains Dr. Shah. “There isn’t one study out there that can truly measure this, but those that floss tend to do many other things which are beneficial to their health like exercise.”

As you’ll continue to read throughout this article, massive amounts of oral bacteria may lead to serious heart disease and an untimely death.

More Mysteries & Facts!

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CHRONIC BAD BREATH IS CURED

BY MOUTHWASH. MYTH

A

swish of Listerine might cover up odor in the short-term but that fresh mint smell will quickly fade. Although most of us have suffered from a transient bout of garlic breath, chronic halitosis affects about 25 percent of the population and is often indicative of a more serious condition.

There are more than 600 types of bacteria found in the mouth, so it makes sense that 85 to 90 percent of bad breath cases originate there.

Obviously brushing and flossing are vital to removing rotting and smelly food, but those methods are also known to mask odors temporarily. Decaying debris on the tongue is an often overlooked culprit so brushing or scraping the far back of the tongue can drastically reduce putrid breath, permanently. continued >

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DENTAL MYSTERIES

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Another smelly offender is persistent dry mouth, also called xerostomia, which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases; usually due to medications, breathing through the mouth or salivary gland problems. The enzymes in saliva help to clean the mouth and break down food particles that are known to cause odor. To get saliva flowing again, try sucking on sugarless candy or increasing your fluid intake.

The other 10 percent of halitosis incidents can be due to internal problems such as local respiratory or sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes or gastrointestinal upset. Tobacco and other smoking products are known to cause rancid breath — giving you another reason to kick the habit.

DYK?

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ELECTRONIC TOOTHBRUSHES ARE SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER THAN MANUAL ONES. MYTH

A

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ccording to the Academy of General Dentistry, the best toothbrush that you can buy is the one you will actually use. If electronic toothbrushes help you reach the recommended two to three minutes of brushing twice a day, than any dentist would suggest you spend the extra money.

But when you directly compare the cleaning power of both toothbrushes, there isn’t much difference.

In 2003, Cochrane Oral Health Group conducted a study that found powered toothbrushes — specifically those with rotational-oscillation action — reduced plaque and gingivitis by only 7 and 17 percent respectively when compared to manual toothbrushes. But both are equally effective when following the two minute brushing rule.

If you’re not sure which toothbrush to pick up, consider your manual dexterity (spend the cash on an electric toothbrush if you have arthritis) and financial status (powered toothbrushes can cost up to $120).

Whichever you prefer, dentists recommend using a soft bristle as many of us are overly aggressive brushers, meaning we put our teeth at risk for premature enamel erosion.

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DENTAL MYSTERIES

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his is a bit of a trick question that depends on a number of factors such as age and even fluoride exposure.

Unbeknownst to many of us, some toothpaste brands have more fluoride then others, indicating that we may not be getting maximum enamel protection.

There is disparity even among brands: Crest Pro-Health has almost double the amount of fluoride at .454 percent compared to Crest Nature’s Expression with .243 percent of the mineral. This disparity doesn’t necessarily affect all of our choppers equally. According to Dr. Patel, children and young adults — except those under six years of age — may need additional sources of fluoride compared to most full-grown adults.

For those who do need extra protection (including adults born with thin enamel), it’s a good idea to get extra amounts of this mineral topically. Clinical studies have demonstrated that using a fluoride mouth rinse with toothpaste can provide extra protection against tooth decay over that provided by fluoride toothpaste alone.

Fluoride prevents cavities by both strengthening the protective layer of enamel on your teeth and reversing low levels of tooth decay by remineralizing soft spots on your teeth. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the best way to reduce tooth decay is to get fluoride both topically and systemically.

So don’t be afraid to sip on tap water, systemic fluoride can reduce tooth decay by 20 to 40 percent.

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MOST TOOTHPASTE CAN BE DAMAGING TO YOUR TEETH. MYTH

S

erious enamel abrasion is not usually your toothpaste’s fault. Along with fluoride, most toothpaste contains sweeteners, detergents and abrasives. And although they each have their own oral health issues, none are the primary culprits of tooth tarnish.

Sweeteners: You might not be able to stand the taste of keeping your teeth clean if it weren’t for this addition. Saccharin is the most common sweetener and helps to make mint actually taste like mint.

Fortunately, it does little to contribute to cavity formation.

Detergents: These create the foaming action, which prevents the toothpaste from dribbling out as we brush. Sodium lauryl sulfate, the same ingredient found in your shampoo, is most commonly used but has been known to promote canker sores in susceptible individuals — about 20 percent of the U.S. population.

Abrasives: In conjunction with fluoride, abrasives give toothpaste their cleaning power. All ADA-accepted toothpastes contain them, often in the form of silica, calcium phosphate or alumina. All these minerals remove stains and plaque, while polishing teeth.

Unfortunately, some types of toothpaste can be more abrasive then others: Relative Dentin Abrasivity (RDA) was tested in a number of popular toothpaste brands.

Close-up toothpaste scored the highest at 218 and the winner for least abrasive paste was Enamel Saver at 44. The brands you most likely use, Colgate and Crest, scored at mid-range with 106. And if you’re worried about abrasion, you might want to skip whitening toothpastes altogether.

*Be careful with the whitening toothpastes, they may contain some abrasive particles in them that, when used aggressively, can scratch teeth and make them sensitive,” explains Dr. Shah.

Since most of us will spend a total of 38.5 days brushing our teeth over the course of our lifetime, most dentists would say the biggest perpetrator behind enamel erosion would be overly vigorous brushing with a hard bristled-brush coupled with over-consumption of sugar.

7

GUM DISEASE CAN CAUSE HEART DISEASE. TRUE

Y

ou probably guessed right, but the statistics on this correlation will still shock you. If you’re one of the 75 percent of the U.S. population that has had some form of periodontal disease, than you are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with coronary artery disease.

A study conducted at the University of Buffalo found that of all the hundreds of bacteria found in your mouth, two specific strains were significantly associated with increasing heart attack risk. Tannerella forsynthesis and Preventella intermedia, the two culprits, enter the bloodstream through irritated and vulnerable gums.

Although research is still preliminary, experts have found oral bacteria clumped in artery plaques — contributing to blocked arteries and further promoting atherosclerosis. Unfortunately, that’s not the only hazard to your heart associated with gum disease.

Alternatively, inflammatory oral bacteria such as Streptococcus viridans also find their way into the circulatory system. And while they might not contribute to narrowing of the arteries, these bacteria can settle and grow on the valves of your heart causing endocarditis, an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart.

A serious bacterial infection isn’t rare. In fact, in 1997 the American Heart Association started recommending pre-treatment antibiotics for people who already have heart conditions such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or mitral valve prolapse.

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DENTAL MYSTERIES

8

TEETH WHITENING IS SAFE FOR YOUR ENAMEL. TRUE

T

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he short answer is yes, but as you know by now, the answer is never short. Every time you eat or drink, the leftover residue accumulates to form a pellicle film. This scummy film sits on your tooth and despite your best brushing attempts, over time it can seep into the porous enamel and reach spots you simply can’t scrape away with a toothbrush.

This is when an estimated 10 million Americans depend on whiteners to rescue them from yellow-stained choppers. Whiteners work by using bleaching agents such as carbamide peroxide or hydrogen peroxide, which are able to get deep into the enamel and oxidize (or break apart) the staining compounds. The result: A bright, white smile.

All over-the-counter whitening gels containing 10 percent peroxide bear the ADA

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seal and clinical studies have continued to indict that this active ingredient ratio does not cause any damage to the enamel. In fact, the only major side effects of home whitening are tooth sensitivity and the occasional gum irritation.

But, on the other hand, professionally applied bleach whiteners can be harsh against tooth enamel. These products contain higher concentrations of peroxide — sometimes up to 35 percent — and are often used in conjunction with ultraviolet lights to enhance the whitening process. This aggressive combination may weaken enamel and is therefore not eligible for the ADA seal. But, even so, dentists add high levels of fluoride to this process to prevent any potential negative effects on enamel.

SUGAR IS THE ONLY CULPRIT BEHIND CAVITIES. MYTH

A

ccording to the CDC (2002), 78 percent of Americans have had at least one cavity by the age of 17. But this decay isn’t solely the fault of our unrelentless sweet tooth that we all have at a young age. As adults, we can easily recognize the obvious cavity culprits such as candy and soda, but might not realize that post-workout Gatorade gulps could damage enamel.

9

TOOTH LOSS IS MAINLY A COSMETIC PROBLEM. MYTH

Y

The Toothbrush Timeline: The first people to use a toothbrush were the people of India who used the end of a fresh neem twig after meals.

1600: China – this brush used horsetail hairs attached on a cattle bone stick.

1780: Williams Addis of England – credited with creating the first massproduced toothbrush.

1857: H.N. Wadsworth – put a patent on the toothbrush we know today.

1938: Natural bristles from animal hair were replaced by more sanitary synthetic fibers such as nylon.

1945: The first time public health organizations promote dental health.

“Many sports drinks contain highly acidic compounds that can chemically erode teeth,” says Dr. Shah. “We have many athletes as patients who train year round with high incidences of tooth decay.”

If you watch what you eat and drink but continue to get cavities, highly-corrosive stomach acid could be silently making its way to your mouth each night. More than 60 million people experience some form of gastric acid reflux. When left untreated, it not only eats away at tooth enamel but can promote esophageal cancer.

Another overlooked cause of erosion is frictional wear. Bruxism, also known as teeth

ou’re probably a teeth expert by now and have correctly recognized this statement as false. Besides a rough hockey game, tooth loss is caused by either gum disease or extensive tooth decay (cavities).

There’s more bad news if you’re a smoker: You’re three times more likely to lose all of your teeth than those who stay cigarette free.

A study published in the July 2003 online issue of Stroke demonstrated a significant relationship between number of teeth lost and an increased risk for clogged carotid arteries — the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the brain.

Even as a non-smoker, if you don’t take care of your teeth, you’ll likely be dealing with serious health consequences. In 2005, the American Journal of Preventative Medicine published a similar study that links heart disease to tooth loss in nonsmoking adults, thus signifying poor oral health as its own cardiac disease risk factor. According to the research, the percentages of participants likely to have heart disease associated with tooth loss are as follows: 1 to 5 missing teeth: 6.8 percent; 6 to 31 missing teeth: 10.2 percent; complete tooth loss: 11.5 percent.

grinding, can destroy enamel very quickly.

Surprisingly, most of the population suffers from some form of this abrasion.

“There are studies out there that show somewhere around 80 percent of people grind their teeth at night,” explains Dr. Shah.

According to him, the main causes are stress or neurological disturbances requiring a simple and non-invasive remedy — a dental night guard. Still, it’s important to be mindful of your sweet cravings. Many studies have found that people who drink three or more sugary sodas each day have 62 percent more dental decay, fillings and even tooth loss.

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COME JOIN US!

dentist spotlight Now that we’ve got your attention when it comes to taking care of your teeth, it’s time to schedule your next check-up with any of these fine Austin dentists.

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MARCH 2010

Dr. Michael Lessner Central Austin Dental | 512.472.5633 | centralaustindental.com

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ver since his passion to become a dentist became a reality, Dr. Michael Lessner has brought a personal touch to the Austin community through dentistry. The one thing he enjoys most about dentistry is the oneon-one interactions with patients and being someone they can trust. Over the years, he has found there is no one way to treat any dental situation or patient. He feels it is important to look at the patient as a whole, each with individual needs and concerns. Dr. Lessner and his team practice a conservative approach to dentistry and pride themselves in involving and educating patients on the best way to address their dental needs.

A lifetime Longhorn, Dr. Lessner completed his undergraduate degree from UT Austin and went on to attend dental school at the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio. After graduating, he took over a practice that has been in Austin

for more than 70 years. He now continues the legacy with 20+ years of dentistry practice under his belt. He even has a few patients that have been with the practice since the 1940s!

While his office creates a personal and laidback atmosphere, he also keeps Austin green by switching to all digital charts and x-rays. To date, he has been chosen “Best Dentist” for seven years straight by the readers of the former Texas Triangle magazine.

When he’s not busy improving peoples’ smiles, Dr. Lessner is spending time with his wife, Linda, and their four children. While he enjoys snowboarding and mountain biking, his real passion is rock climbing. He climbs all over the United States and even converted his garage into a rock gym! One of the many reasons he lives and works in Austin is to enjoy what the city has to offer. “Austin is such a great place to live, with so much to do—enjoy it!” he says.

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Dr. David Brinkley Tarrytown Dental | 512.477.5100 | tarrytowndental.com

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avid R. Brinkley, DDS, MS, holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in neurophysiology. He was a microbiology instructor before receiving a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Brinkley then completed a residency at Louisiana State University Medical Center at New Orleans where he received advanced training in comprehensive dentistry including prosthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, oral surgery, endodontics, priodontics and pediatric dentistry.

He has taught numerous dentists and dental students the latest techniques and procedures while at LSU, and he attends many national postgraduate courses. Dr. Brinkley is a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association.

St. David’s Foundation has awarded Dr. Brinkley the Theo’s Hero Award for his charitable work on improving dental health for underprivileged children. He also is the consulting dentist for the University of Texas Athletic Department and is a staff dentist with St. David’s Medical Center.

Dr. Brinkley focuses on providing family and cosmetic dentistry in a warm and caring environment. He offers advanced modern dentistry using the highest quality materials and techniques. Dr. Brinkley is the man behind the smiles of many professional and collegiate athletes, Olympic gold medalists, media personalities, models, business executives and homemakers; all of whom recognize the value of a healthy, beautiful and confident smile. Get to know more about Dr. Brinkley, by visiting tarrytowndental.com.

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dentist spotlight

Dr. Archie Imperial

Great Grins | 512.346.1900 | greatgrins.com

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r. Imperial received his bachelor's degree from Trinity University in San Antonio. In 1989, he started at the University of Texas Health Science Center at the San Antonio Dental School. He graduated in 1993 and has lived in Austin since then. Dr. Imperial has been practicing mercury-free family dentistry for more than 13 years. At Great Grins, his mission is to emphasize preventative care and the benefits of maintaining good oral health. Dr. Imperial offers a variety of services including Invisalign, Zoom Teeth Whitening, veneers and much more. He is a husband and proud father of three boys. Dr. Imperial enjoys playing tennis, cycling, running, photography and hanging out with his family. He also participates in a few triathlons each year.

Dr. Mike Bell 512.327.7750 | mbelldds.com

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community service activist, award-winning, nationally recognized practitioner of general and cosmetic surgery, Dr. Michael Bell is not your average dentist. Named one of Texas Monthly’s ‘Super Dentists’ for four years in a row and voted one of the ‘Top Dentists’ in Austin Monthly magazine, Dr. Bell has been in private practice in Austin since 1981.

After graduating from Texas A&M in 1975, he received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at Baylor College of Dentistry. He then went on to serve as a Dental Officer in the United States Air Force for three years, where he was awarded a special commendation medal for his service. He was also invited to the White House and personally thanked by President George Bush for his extensive community involvement and contribution to the Smiles for Life program. For five years, Dr. Bell and his team participated in the program that provides services to seriously ill children, as well as contributing his services locally, by providing free oral cancer screenings to Austin firefighters.

As well as currently serving on the Board of Directors for the Texas Academy of Dental Practice Administration, Dr. Bell is an active member in several local, state and national level associations, and is past president of Central Texas Academy of General Dentistry.

When he isn’t helping the underprivileged smile, serving on boards and furthering his dentistry skills, Dr. Bell spends his personal time taking walks around Town Lake with his wife, Maura, checking out the birds and wildlife of the Barton Creek Greenbelt and traveling.

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MARCH 2010

Dr. Randy Kunik

512.327.8818 | drkunik.com

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ince 1991, popular orthodontist Dr. Randy Kunik has been straightening teeth on Bee Caves Road in Westlake. Dr. Kunik attended the University of Texas at Austin as an undergraduate and graduated from the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.

As the number two Invisalign provider in Texas, Dr. Kunik lectures about the benefits of orthodontics throughout the state.

2010 marks his 19th year of visiting elementary schools around Austin giving presentations about dental hygiene, nutrition and overall health. He also throws a highlyanticipated annual appreciation dinner for 200 hygienists at the Austin Country Club every year.

Dr. Kunik has six children and recently welcomed twins this past October.

Dr. Neal Shah Austin Dental Arts | 512.454.2583 | austindentalarts.com

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f you’re looking for a modern and comfortable atmosphere, Austin Dental Arts is a perfect fit! You’ll notice a palpable difference from the moment you step into the office. The sound of flowing water, the fresh scent of lavender and the quiet, softly lit reception area creates a soothing environment for all of your senses. By design, Dr. Neal Shah has built his office and reputation by first getting to know his patients. He carefully listens to their concerns and explains in detail the treatment options that best fit their needs.

Practicing in Austin since 1999, Dr. Shah has completed more than 800 hours of advanced, post-graduate training and continues to stay abreast of the latest technology and cutting-edge treatment to ensure that his patients receive the care they deserve. In 2002, he was recognized as “Young Dentist of the Year” by the American Dental Association’s Austin chapter.

Born and raised in Texas, Dr. Shah strongly believes in giving back to the community. He’s involved with St. David’s Health Leadership, which provides dental care to disadvantaged children at no cost. Also, he’s been an active member of several civic organizations such as Young Men’s Business League, whose philanthropic efforts benefit the Sunshine Camps of Austin. He currently mentors as a “Big Brother” with Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Texas.

In his spare time, you can find Dr. Shah riding the greenbelt, running Lady Bird Lake with his fiancé or at Mohawk checking out local bands with friends.

Dr. Griffin Cole 512.472.3565 | griffincole.com

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r. Cole has been practicing mercury-safe and biocompatible-based dentistry for 18 years. He is a fellow in the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology, a leading professional multidisciplinary group promoting dental wellness and providing scientific research on mercury, fluoride and other controversial topics in dentistry.

In June 2010, Dr. Cole will receive his Board Certified Naturopathic Physician (ND) degree as well as his Board Certified Integrative Biologic Dental Medicine (IBDM). He will be the first and only dentist in Texas to earn both of these degrees.

Dr. Cole uses special filtering devices and suctions to properly and safely remove metals from the teeth — a protocol process that sets him apart from other dentists. Dr. Cole has been called on as a dental expert on several local radio programs, as well as some nationally-syndicated programs. His office uses digital x-rays with the new NOMAD hand-held system, which keeps the radiation exposure down to the lowest possible level (90 percent less than most offices). His office offers a 30-minute consultation, free of charge, where patients can get acquainted with Dr. Cole and his team.

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dentist spotlight

Dr. Stanton Henry & Dr. Dustin Roden-Johnson Ortho 360 | 512.716.0307 | ortho360.com

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r. Stanton Henry and Dr. Dustin Roden-Johnson bring professionalism, experience and a great sense of humor to their practice at Ortho 360.

Together with their team, they serve both adults and children at three different locations in the Travis County area.

Dr. Henry first graduated from Texas A&M before attending the Baylor College of Dentistry, where he received high marks and earned the Dean Cumulative honor roll and became a member of the Baylor College of Dentistry Odontological Honor Society. He then received his Masters of Dental Science and Orthodontic Specialty Certificate from the University of Connecticut Health Center in 2001. Since then, he has been in private practice in the Austin area where he loves to listen to his favorite Austin bands and spend time with his family. He spends his spare time cycling, running, eating and traveling around for the best spots to enjoy one of his favorite hobbies — saltwater fishing.

Dr. Roden-Johnson enjoys the best of Austin as well, citing meals at Polvos and South by Southwest at the top of his list. But when he’s not spending time with his family, listening to music or enjoying a plethora of outdoor activities, he can be found giving a lecture at one of several dental associations or examining patients at Ortho 360. He is a Longhorn through and through, with both his undergraduate and graduate degrees coming from the University of Texas. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Science and his Masters of Science in Oral Biology and Orthodontic Certificate from the UT Health Science Center at Houston, where he graduated Cum Laude.

Both Dr. Henry and Dr. Roden-Johnson have been named Invisalign Premier Providers and awarded other honors, sharing a commitment to high standards of excellence in the field of orthodontics.

Dr. Robert D’Alfonso

Dr. Kelly Keith

512.795.4993 | dentalartist.com

512.452.6405 | kellykeithdds.com

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r. Robert D’Alfonso and his team welcome you to the newest state-of-the-art dental office in Lakeway: The Lakeway Center for Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry (LCCID).

After ten years of successfully restoring the health, beauty and confidence of people’s smiles in The Woodlands, Dr. D’Alfonso chose to come home to the Austin area and established a dental practice serving clients in Lakeway, Austin and the surrounding communities.

LCCID is a family-friendly practice that takes care of all of your dental needs, from general to the most advanced cosmetic dentistry procedures. Some of the services include invisible braces, implants, crowns, veneers, teeth whitening, tooth restoration, dental bridges and more.

Dr. D’Alfonso is currently offering a free consultation to any new client and the practice accepts most insurance.

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native to the city, Dr. Kelly Keith attended both high school and college in Austin.

He received his Bachelors of Science at St. Edwards University and then went on to graduate from the UT Dental School in San Antonio. To Dr. Keith, one of the most interesting aspects of being a dentist is the daily opportunity to meet and know many fascinating patients.

His practice recognizes that many patients will postpone routine dental visits because of high anxiety levels, but if you suffer from high anxiety just thinking about dental care, you are not alone. Gentle care combined with nitrous oxide, mild oral sedatives and music can greatly reduce anxiety in patients.

In addition to making sure each patient is relaxed and comfortable, Dr. Keith’s team makes a strong effort to inform and educate patients about their dental condition and the variety of treatment options available.

Dr. Tejas Patel Lakeway Smiles | 512.263.8337 | lakewaysmiles.com

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r. Tejas Patel pursued dentistry to not only enhance a person’s dental health, but to positively impact their life.

“I love to see people smile, that’s one of the main reasons I enjoy my work so much!” he exclaims. “I have a great team and everyday we love having the opportunity to help people get healthy and help them smile more!”

Dr. Patel is a graduate from the University of Texas Dental School in Houston. He found that cosmetic and general dentistry has allowed him to blend his love of science and the arts. Dr. Patel helps to improve people’s self-confidence by creating and maintaining their beautiful smiles. To keep abreast of the newest developments in the field, he enrolls in more than 50 hours of continuing education each year. Dr. Patel has completed advanced education at the prestigious Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies in many aspects of dentistry including cosmetic and restorative dentistry as well as sleep apnea. He has also published several articles on oral health and cosmetic dentistry.

Dr. Patel shares his expertise with the community, speaking to local health care specialists, professional groups and students.

Dr. Patel believes in giving back and works with many local and international organizations. He is an active member of the Bee Caves Rotary Club, which helps support many community and charitable organizations in Austin. He’s also working with Kindness In Action, a Canadian-based organization that coordinates dental mission trips in South America and the Philippines. This month, Dr. Patel will be joining their team for a week in Peru. He will be one of three dentists (along with a support team) providing dental care to communities that do not have any access.

He spends his leisure time playing tennis and enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife Ami and daughters, Asha and Kayla. He’s also looking to try out stand-up paddle surfing this spring!

Dr. Benjamin Nemec The Hills Dental Spa | 512.347.0044 | thehillsdentalspa.com

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pon entering The Hills Dental Spa, you may think you’re in for a massage, rather than a dental visit. The ambience is reminiscent of a spa that you’d find at a five-star resort. A graduate of UT, with a dental doctorate degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Dr. Nemec has been practicing in Austin for more than 12 years. In that time, he has come to fully understand the importance of an easy, comfortable and pain-free dental visit. Dr. Nemec takes extra time to build relationships with his patients and help them achieve a healthier, happier smile.

Just a few amenities of The Hills Dental Spa include private treatment rooms equipped with herbal neck wraps, blankets and TVs for every patient. On-staff certified massage therapists are also ready to put you at ease with foot, hand and full body massages.

According to Dr. Nemec, all procedures at The Hills Dental Spa are equipped with the most advanced and non-invasive tools to avoid any pain or discomfort. Computerized anesthetic is available so that patients don’t feel the “needle” anymore. Hard and soft tissue lasers are used for treatment of teeth and gums, many times without anesthetic and air abrasion is used to remove small cavities without any numbness. Perhaps most exciting is a technology which performs computer generated fillings, onlays and crowns, as well as veneers all in just one appointment.

Finally, The Hills Dental Spa takes philanthropy very seriously, sponsoring local walks for juvenile diabetes and cancer. “We believe in giving back to our community and run monthly donation drives through our practice newsletter to help local charities, Dr. Nemec says.

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dentist spotlight

Dr. Steven Booth Silver Screen Dental | 512.345.8800 | silverscreendental.com

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fter a lifelong dream of becoming a dentist and owning his own business, Dr. Booth has now been practicing dentistry here in Austin for almost 15 years. He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Nebraska and then went to the University of Nebraska Medical Center where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1995. After practicing for five years, he opened Silver Screen Dental in northwest Austin. It is clear that comfort and quality are a priority for Dr. Booth and his team. Everything from the flat panel television sets, XM radios with headphones in every room and the latest in technological advancement, you are sure to be impressed with all that Silver Screen Dental has to offer. They even have movie theater seating and a flat screen TV to enjoy while you wait for your visit. Dr. Booth is dedicated to staying ahead of the curve with new advancements in dentistry. He is a member of the Capital Area Dental Society, the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. In addition, he is a fellow in the International Congress of Oral Implantology. He is also a member of the American Orthodontic Society and has been recognized nationally as a leading Invisalign provider. Dr. Booth and his wife Michelle are proud parents of two children. When not spending time with his family, he enjoys golf, wake boarding, hydrofoiling, tennis, snowboarding, mountain biking and volleyball.

Dr. Brian Tucker Austin Family Dentist | 512.346.5738 | austinfamilydentist.com

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r. Brian D. Tucker started his dental career in New Jersey where he graduated in the top 10 at the University of Medicine and Dentistry at New Jersey and was selected to be part of Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), a dental honor society. This organization is a prestigious privilege allotted to only six graduating students each year. He then completed a one year residency in Las Vegas and also worked part-time at a local clinic serving underprivileged youth before moving to Austin to be closer to his family.

In November of 2008, Dr. Tucker achieved his professional dream when he purchased and reestablished Austin Family Dentist with his state-of-theart skill, compassion, accessibility and humor.

Dr. Tucker is a firm believer of continuing education as a means to maintain and advance his expertise in cutting edge technologies and techniques. He has demonstrated his commitment to dentistry by having completed the rigorous criteria to be awarded the Fellowship of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) in July 2009 and by being one of the youngest recipients of this distinction. Although Dr. Tucker is immensely proud to have attained such a distinguished award, he does not consider this achievement as the culmination of his educational efforts but rather as a marker of his enduring commitment to maintaining his expertise in general dentistry.

Dr. Tucker enjoys spending his free time outside and can be found running at Lady Bird Lake with his dog Riley. He also enjoys many of the outdoor and entertainment venues that Austin has to offer.

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Recipe

nutrition

How to Make It {1} Place tuna, lemon, peppercorns, allspice and

i h A d e h c Poa d a l a S a n u T

bay leaves in a saucepan. Add enough water to barely cover the fish. {2} Bring water to a simmer over medium

heat (do not boil: this will cause fish to break apart). Adjust heat, if necessary, to keep liquid at a simmer. {3} Simmer 10 to 12 minutes. {4} Remove tuna with slotted spatula. {5} Flake tuna with fork. {6} In a medium-sized bowl, add tuna, olive oil,

red bell pepper, green apple, carrot, grapes and tomatoes. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste.

MAKES ABOUT 3 SERVINGS (~6.0 ounces each)

What You Need 10 ounces of fresh Ahi Tuna $10.62 ½ lemon sliced $0.15 ½ teaspoon whole black peppercorns $0.05 ½ teaspoon whole allspice $0.05 1.5 to 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil $0.15 ¼ large red bell pepper, chopped $0.52 ½ small green apple, chopped $0.26 ½ large carrot, shredded $0.30 5 to 6 grapes, halved $0.20 5 to 6 grape tomatoes, halved $0.26 salt and pepper to taste Optional: Add any kind of whole or chopped nut (almonds, pecans, cashews, etc.)

Total Cost $12.61 At-Home Cost per Serving $4.20 Restaurant Cost per Serving $8.95

by Alexa Sparkman, MA, RD, LD with Millie Cocek, Amber Ilseng, Joseph Scales and Nicole Weber, UT Nutrition students; photo by Nicole Story

Breakdown

[serving size: 3 pieces]

Calories: 197 cal / Protein: 23 g

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resh tuna, paired with vegetables and crisp apples, provides the basis for this simple and quick salad – perfect for weeknights.

In Case You Didn’t, Now You Know Ahi, meaning fire, is the Hawaiian name for yellow fin tuna.

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Tuna is low in saturated fat and sodium and is a very good source of protein, thiamin, selenium and vitamin B6. (USDA)

MARCH 2010

Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program ranks troll or pole-caught yellow fin tuna as “Best Choice.”

Carbohydrates: 9 g / Fat: 8 g / Fiber: 2 g Sodium: 94 mgs

This recipe is brought to you by

Alexa Sparkman is a registered dietitian who has had a nutrition counseling business in Austin for the past 20 years and specializes in all aspects of nutrition care. She is also on the nutrition faculty at the University of Texas.

For more information contact Alexa at 257.0898 or SparkmanNutrition.com.

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Cover Story

This month we showcase 18 amazing canines who exemplify health and fitness...on four legs, no less.

Whether running, jumping, swimming or fetching a tennis ball, these dogs can do it all. photos by Brian Fitzsimmons

Q+A What breed is your dog?

That's the first question everyone asks me! What kind of dog is that? My vet did a blood test to confirm Billy's breed...and he is a blend of Chow, Dalmatian and Mastiff.

What kind of food/treats does your dog eat? Healthy, he loves a food brand called "Taste of the Wild," and he takes some of the same daily supplements I take. He loves his daily multi-vitamin, and his omega-3s!

How important is fitness in your and your dog’s life? Very Important! Fitness is our life.

Billy grew up in the gym. Billy spends more than forty hours a week in the gym with me and when we're not in the gym we're outdoors running and playing. Billy goes with me to work every day, whether I am at IronSmith in Austin or The Wimberley Athletic Club in Wimberley, Texas. Often times we are at both gyms in the same day. He spends more time in a gym than any dog I know! Billy's presence in either gym provides a calming, relaxing and therapeutic effect for our clients and members. After Billy goes to work with me, he loves to run around Lady Bird Lake or run laps with me around the track near my home.

Muscular, handsome, intelligent, happy and kind.

How old is your dog? Billy is 11 months old. He picked me when I went to the Town Lake Animal Shelter one Sunday after a hot July run around the lake.

What are three of your dog's favorite activities? Running (long distance and sprinting), chasing and retrieving tennis balls, and going through his menu of tricks!

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Active, sweet, obedient, loyal and smart.

5 years old / Australian Shepard Shelby loves to run a 5K around Lake Pflugerville, then go for a swim and roll in the sand. She also motivates kids to get in the lake and swim and play fetch. Shelby is an extremely loving dog and promotes health and wellness to people of all ages and fitness levels.

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Independent, loyal, playful, submissive and protective.

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3 years old / Blue Heeler Mix

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5 years old / Boxer

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ajor was found on the streets of San Antonio and saved by the good people of Austin Boxer Rescue. I adopted Major because I always wanted a "big breed" dog that could keep up with my active lifestyle — he’s certainly lived up to that expectation. His favorite thing to do is hike the Barton Creek Greenbelt, where he gallops like a horse back and forth on the trails. I also call Major the "Unofficial Ambassador of Zilker Park," as he has to greet every man, woman, child and dog before trotting on to the next unsuspecting patron. Major helped me get back in shape as a runner. I’d competed in half marathons before suffering a foot injury that left me feeling defeated and out of shape. With Major's constant whining to hit the trails, he became my motivation to take the loops at Lady Bird Lake almost daily.

Wiggly, resilient, carefree, motivated and devastatingly handsome.

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Vocal, intelligent, curious, energetic and affectionate.

2 years old / German Shorthaired Pointer

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amed after the State Fair of Texas’ “Big Tex,” he lives up to this larger than life reputation. He's a little on the small end for a pointer, but he's got a huge personality to make up for his lack in size. He's a vocal guy and will "talk" to just about anyone, especially if you're the one throwing his ball.

With a marathon training mom and a University of Texas track alum dad, Tex

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rarely sees a day without a run at Lady Bird Lake, or a stroll through his neighborhood. He absolutely must get in one good session of ball daily — twice if he has his way.

He's tried his "paw" at bird hunting through the rural terrain of West Texas, and has taken to it quite well thus far. He also loves to sit on the front end of a kayak out at Lake LBJ, looking for fish at the end of the line.

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MARCH 2010

4.5 years old / Pitbull

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Intense, happy, stubborn, a blur (you need a fast shutter-speed to get a good picture of this ball of energy) and understanding.

carface and I love to find the most remote, beautiful and adventurous places to exercise. Also, we both enjoy a good long, weighted run. Aside from running and the long car rides to get there, Scarface enjoys swimming. He's an avid swimmer and diver.

He actually keeps up with me while i've got my flippers on!

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FREE

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Join the YMCA of Austin today and you can have it all...FREE! Up to a $100 value.

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18 months old / Doberman

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Owner: Zac Evans

Playful, excited, friendly, loving and alert.

adia loves playing at Auditorium Shores, and swimming in and running around Town Lake with my wife and me. Still practically a puppy, she has tons of energy and a love for fitness.

Inquisitive, energetic, funny, patient and loving.

3 years old / Pure-bred Boxer

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yson is a huge hiker. We go for a hike every morning before I leave for work. On the weekends, when we have more time, we run up hills, over streams and along the Greenbelt trails

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MARCH 2010

throughout Austin. He just got his yearly check up and the vet said he was one of the healthiest and solid boxers she has ever seen. He is a solid brick — 88 pounds of muscle — and an extremely active dog.

He is definitely a lap dog when he is in the house and he’s also one of the sweetest dogs you will ever meet (although I'm sure everyone says that about their dogs).

5 years old / Dachshund

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believe I truly have one of the fittest dogs in Austin. Aristotle is a Dachshund, weighs about 15 pounds and is incredibly active. His personality is deceiving — he loves to curl up and nap most of the time, but when I take him hiking, swimming or to the dog park he loves it. His favorite area would have to be the Hill of Life part of the Greenbelt off of Scottish Woods, but he also enjoys the Turkey Trail and Town Lake. During the summer, people are always amazed to see him swimming at Barton Springs or Twin Falls. I guess they think little guys don't like that kind of stuff, but he proves them wrong every time.

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M-F 10–6:30 • Sat. 10-5

3 - 6 years old / Whippet Lab mix

C

Tenacious, full of heart, adventurous, sweet and a survivor.

ricket is not only fit but has the best attitude of any running partner I’ve ever had. The ironic part of it is when I first took her on as a foster from Blue Dog Rescue, I never thought she would make a running dog. She was overweight and had a crooked leg that had been broken earlier in her life. She was blind in one eye and was covered in rough patches of skin because she had spent the first three years of her life lying on hard earth without much room to move around. We took her to the Petfest 5K, planning on walking her, but Cricket wanted to run.

Amazingly, she finished fourth. Now she runs with me almost every time I go out.

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MARCH 2010

The 3rd Biennial

New American Talent/Dance

Want to get back into your skinny jeans?

A Choreographic Competition

Mar 25, Apr 1 // 7pm Mar 26, 27, Apr 2, 3 // 8pm Mar 28, Apr 3, 4 // 3pm AustinVentures StudioTheater

FREE!

Saturday cl as s es !

Ballet Austin’s nationally renowned biennial choreographic project returns, but to its new home at the AustinVentures StudioTheater.

Ballet Austin presents three dance-makers from across the country competing for cash prizes where the audience decides the winner!

For Tickets:

Visit www.balletaustin.org or call 512.476.2163

BOOT CAMP LS AND FITNESS LEVE ALL AGES, SIZES,

WELCOME!

4 years old / Labrador Retriever

N

ot only can Jackson leap tall buildings in a single bound, he can fly, too. And he’s as strong as super glue! Believe it or not, he has more energy than a nuclear power plant.

If you place a “Chuck-It” in my hand, there’s no telling how long he can go. Sometimes I have to stop because all he wants to do is motor. He loves to hike, swim, run and devours his healthy food. He truly is a happy, super fit dog.

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MARCH 2010

Affectionate, animated, determined, ecstatic and inquisitive.

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FITNESS

Encouraging, well-trained, non-shedding, outstanding temperament and immaculately groomed.

2 years old / Bichon Frise

Q

-Tip has a sweet, caring and energetic personality. He went through about eight months of training to become a therapy dog and now volunteers at both Austin State and Brackenridge Hospitals. He’s registered with The Delta Society and Devine Canines of Austin. Q-Tip has a purpose now and loves every minute of it. He can be mellow when he needs to be and active on his down-time. He loves to play with the nurses and give attention to patients when needed. Therapy dogs have to be healthy and fit, very well-groomed and have their shots up-to-date.

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Strong, playful, energetic, loyal and loving.

3.5 years old / American Bulldog

M

y wife, daughter and I own Dixie, an 80-pound American Bulldog, who is mostly solid muscle. When we brought Dixie home at 10 weeks of age and 18 pounds, it was quickly apparent that it would take a lot to wear out this energetic puppy. Walking alone didn’t seem to do the trick, so we took a trip down to REI and purchased a dog vest. We added weights to it to increase the intensity of her workours.

More than three years later, Dixie is now a big puppy, and one of the fittest dogs in Austin.

FITNESS

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8 years old / Pit Bull Mix

I

found my Henrietta in a trash can seven years ago. She was skin and bone and had cigarette burns on her. She also just had puppies. We now call her our triathlete dog. She runs up to 15 miles with me and LOVES to swim. I think she could win the dog duathlon but unfortunately she is not very fond of other four-leggers besides her sister. We moved from Dallas two years ago and she is a true Austin lover. Nothing makes her day more than a day filled of swimming and hiking.

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MARCH 2010

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Challenge Yourself Bring Out Your Inner Athlete

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Licky, cuddly, drooly, bearded and very kind.

12 years old / Wirehair Pointer Mutt

Loud, energetic, slobbery, gentle and funny.

2.5 years old / Bloodhound

F

red is one of Austin’s fittest dogs because he wants nothing more than to put his nose forward and walk!

This breed was bred to walk mile after mile with little signs of fatigue. He spends his days at home where he starts the day off by running the perimeter of the yard to get a scent of everything that went on the night before. When I get home he looks forward to heading out for an hour-long walk.

After dinner he can be found back outside baying at all the people out exercising or walking their dogs. I like to think he is cheering them on instead of baying! He may not be a big runner or the fastest dog but his stamina can outlast some of the fittest dogs around.

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AUSTIN’S FITTEST DOGS

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Athletic, handsome, playful, outdoorsy, fearless.

2 years old / Golden Retriever

T

ucker is impossible to keep indoors. He loves to run and swim and is just naturally an athletic, strong dog.

Doggy Day Out is a dog daycare, boarding kennel and training facility serving the greater Austin area where your dog gets hours of outdoor playtime.

512.251.3009 doggydayout.com

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MARCH 2010

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leu lives for activity. His favorite form of cardio is running, though he is always up for a long hike or a run while I ride. He has trained for two marathons with me. His longest run is 10 miles in 1:13. Bleu is a regular at area dog parks, too â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Zilker, Red Bud and Auditorium Shores. Emma Long Trail is a personal favorite of his, reserved for pleasant Saturday mornings. While Bleu's appetite for activity keeps us out on the town, his loyalty and genuine love for "his chair" keeps us in for drinks and a movie after an exhausting day out.

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Located at RunTex on Riverside

fit^3

Run + Bike + Swim Run + read more of Patrick’s expert advice on our website at austinfitmagazine.com/fitness

Sick & Training

by Patrick Evoe, Professional Triathlete

Y

ou’re sick, so what now? This situation ranks up with the larger dilemmas that athletes face in their training: How much should I do, how much should I rest, can I stay active to avoid a loss of fitness, or how do I stay on track for my big event? These are all questions athletes wrestle with when their health goes south. Since we’re in the depths of winter and flu season, this is a timely and important topic.

When we dig deeper on the issue of sickness and training, it shares similarities with the subject of injury and training. You, the athlete, are faced with the same mental hurtles as when you’re injured. Herein lies the key: MENTAL hurtles. Fortunately, if we allow ourselves rest, our bodies know how to take care of themselves and get rid of most of the bugs. It’s our stubborn heads that butt their way in and introduce risks that prolong sickness, setting us further back. Sickness and training then becomes a mental challenge rather than a physical one. Here are a few pointers and tips about how to approach your fitness and training when you get sick. Caveat: I am not a physician, so please do not take these tips as gospel and above all else, be smart about your training!

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{1}

You’re Not Losing Your Fitness This is first and foremost, so just get it out of your head. The thought that you may be losing fitness is your biggest challenge.

As soon as you embrace this fact, you will be able to let yourself rest properly. As long as you think you’re behind on your training, you will not allow yourself to rest and be tempted to exercise when you should be in bed. It takes a long time to build fitness and though it takes less time to lose it, laying in bed for a few days with the flu is not going to take away your last three years of training.

There’s no concrete rule, it’s just something I’ve learned from experience. – Pat Evoe

{2} Stop, Don’t Run Yourself Down! You can only fight sickness if your body isn’t rundown. So stop working out! This sounds so simple, but it’s the hardest thing for people to do.

I can’t tell you how many sick people still try to squeeze in workouts to keep themselves from losing fitness. But what they’re really doing is trying to trick their minds into THINKING they’re not losing fitness, while hindering their body’s abilities to heal. Stop working out and take a few days off. Though it sounds easy, it’s the hardest thing to do. Completely resting a few days will get you back out training sooner than if you keep pushing yourself until you completely break down. Resist the temptation to keep doing workouts while sick. {3} More Harm Than Good By keeping up any kind of training regime, you’ll often do more harm than good. Going out for that 30-minute jog may make you think you’re doing well, but really you’re prolonging your sickness and risking more severe complications such as respiratory infections or pneumonia. If you prolong your

sickness, you’ll be in a much worse mental state than if you’d rested for a few days at the onset of symptoms. In fact, I knew a runner who refused to take time off when he had a chest cough because of his marathon training.

After a week, he came down with pneumonia and had to take much more time off than if he had rested in the beginning! {4} Head vs. Body The only pointer on the subject of training and sickness I’ve found from my experience to be effective is the head vs. body rule. If your symptoms only exist in your head, you may be okay to continue to train. Once the symptoms are not limited to your head, it’s time to stop. This means that if you have sinus issues or a runny nose, you can probably keep up your training.

I’ve trained through several minor head colds and many allergy days.

As soon as those symptoms move to your chest (or other parts of your body like fever or achy joints), you have to stop completely and rest until they’re gone. If you just have a stuffy nose than you can probably go for your run, but continuously monitor your body’s symptoms.

{5} Antibiotics If you take antibiotics, be very careful when you return to training.

Although they quickly clear up your symptoms in a couple days, they remain in your system for some time. I’ve always believed that they will adversely affect your performance for about 10 days. You will feel ready to go far earlier than your body can actually perform. If you take them and return to training, make sure that you go very easy and keep your heart rate low. The biggest mistake people make comes with antibiotics and racing. It’s very common for people to get sick before races and scramble to the doctor to take antibiotics so they can be ready for their big day. If you do take them within a week of your race, be prepared for the worst run of your life. I’ve had many friends take antibiotics several days before a race and think they feel ready to go on race morning, only to have a horrible race. If you get sick the week of an event, you have little chance of racing if you take antibiotics. Be aware of what they do to your body if you decide to take them and return to training.

{6} Give Yourself One “Insurance Day” Depending on the severity and duration of my illness, I like to give myself an “insurance day” before I jump back in. There’s no concrete rule, it’s just something I’ve learned from experience. You’re usually mentally itching to get out of your house and since you’re feeling much better, it’s easy to think you’re ready to hit the trail. Resist the temptation. I’ve made this mistake.

Take an extra day to ensure you really are 100 percent. You’re still in a weakened state and can risk a relapse, so just give yourself an extra day to be safe. {7} Ease Back into Training You’ve had a few down days and you feel much better. The worst possible thing you can do is jump right into your 20 mile group run the next day. You may feel ready to go but find that 10 miles into your run your body wasn’t quite as ready as you thought. A few days of easy activity will help you feel like you’re not losing fitness, while building your confidence that you are indeed back in the game.

I’ve learned most of these tips from experience. Some may sound painfully obvious, but the personality traits of competitive people and avid racers can cause us to throw objectivity and logic out the window when it comes to taking time off (myself included). No matter how much advice we receive, we seem to think the rules don’t apply to us. We each need to learn the lesson for ourselves. So if you read this article and I find out that you made yourself more sick by training, I will not be surprised — but expect one big fat “I told you so!,” from me.

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Austin Area

events

Featured Salsa Lessons at Ruta Maya Coffee House

NOW OPEN AT 3918 GATTIS SCHOOL ROAD ROUND ROCK, TX 78664 Adult & Youth Leagues Inline Hockey Box Lacrosse Dodgeball Volleyball Floorball Futsal

fREE TRIAL CLASS! 18 Months to 6 Years

(512) 251-7500 Play@AustinSportsArena.com

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03.2010

health Health MAR 31 | Overcoming Food Cravings Learn effective techniques to control cravings that lead you to the refrigerator or snack machine when you aren’t hungry. Identify personal eating triggers and apply the C.A.L.M. plan to change eating behavior.

Pre-registration required. Saturday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. | 4131 Spicewood Springs Rd. Suite M-1 mindhunger.com MAR 23 THRU 30 | Finding the Peace Within Using an integrated mind, body and spirit approach, this program offers a “tool-box” of practices to help you become present in your own life and move towards compassion for all beings.

This six-week series of two-hour classes is based on current research in the field of stress reduction.

You will experience centering meditation, reflection, Qigong, relaxation exercises and a study of psychological methods for managing emotions.

Tuesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. | Texas Union Building, 24th St and Guadalupe | informalclasses.org MAR 4 THRU 25 | Informal Lectures on Natural Health Remedies Join Licensed acupuncturist and herbalist George LeCrenn for this one hour weekly series. Discussions include natural and herbal solutions for insomnia and sleep disturbances, digestive problems, weight loss, and natural remedies for depression and anxiety. Thursdays, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. | Ruta Maya Coffee House, 3601 S. Congress Ave.| rutamaya.net

for mental and spiritual well-being. Wednesdays 12 to 1 p.m. | Republic Square Park, 422 Guadalupe Street | austinparks.org MAR 3 THRU 31 | Salsa Lessons Every Wednesday enjoy salsa lessons for the cost of just a cup of coffee.

Lessons will be provided by Street Salsa with proof of a food or beverage purchase from Ruta Maya.

Your receipt is your dance ticket. Wednesdays 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. | Ruta Maya Coffee House, 3601 S. Congress Ave. | rutamaya.net

The Crossings Resor t an d Spa

For a Day at the Spa or a Stay You’ll Not Soon Forget.

512.225.1075 www.thecrossingsaustin.com

MAR 7 | JCC Dodgeball Tournament You’re either IN or your OUT! Coed teams of 8 compete using official “no sting” balls. A minimun of 4 women per team, and each member must be 18 years or older to play. Registration online is required.

Sunday 11a.m. to 3 p.m. | JCC Gymnasium, 7300 Hart Lane | shalomaustin.org/dodgeball MAR. 7 | RunSmart Level One Clinic This four hour camp is based on the book “RunSmart: A Comprehensive Approach To Injury-Free Running” written by Allan Besselink, Physical Therapist.

The cost of the camp is $95.00 and includes a copy of the book. Advance registration and payment required. Please register online or by phone and you will be contacted regarding payment options.

Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. | South Congress Athletic Club, 1109-B South Congress | smartsport.info/index

nutrition

MAR. 7 THRU 28 | Meditation Classes Learn how to effectively meditate and relax your body and mind. Discussion and questions are encouraged at this series of introductory classes. Sundays, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. | Chittamani Buddhist Center, 1918 Bissel St. | meditationinaustin.org

NUTRITION MAR. 3 THRU 31 | Mid-Week Austin Farmer’s Market Come to The Triangle and enjoy activities alongside fresh, year-round products. Wednesdays, 3 to 7 p.m. | Triangle Park, 4600 Guadalupe St. austinfarmersmarket.org

fitness FITNESS MAR 3 THRU 31 | Free Yoga at Republic Square Park Avoid the hectic lunch hour and grab a mat and some comfortable clothes instead. All skill levels are welcome to join Yoga Yoga and the Austin Parks foundation during your lunch break for a stress relieving hour of free yoga. Learn to breathe, balance, stretch and strengthen your body

MAR. 6 THRU 27 | Farmer’s Market The Austin Farmer’s Market is a growers-only local market. Find year-round fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, honey, eggs and plants. Also enjoy the community-making aspect of chef’s demos, children’s activities, and local musicians.

Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Republic Square Park, intersection of 4th St. and Guadalupe St. austinfarmersmarket.org

soccer soccer South Austin

Austin’s only premier indoor soccer fAcility 6v6 and 3v3 leagues for all ages Adult open play daily

Soccer Cubs program for 18 months and up Soccer Academy program for ages 5 - 8 Great for birthday parties

More Events

(512) 280-2244

on page 62

info@soccerZonesouthAustin.com W W W. A U S T I N F I T M AG A Z I N E . C O M / E V E N T S

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photo by Scott Beale

CARVING VEHICLES

SXSWinteractive

MAR. 7 | Get Healthy: Whole Grains & Vegetables Recent studies have shown that Americans should eat more vegetables and whole grains and less meat.

So, whether you are a vegetarian or just want to learn the joys of delicious, flavorful healthy foods you won’t want to miss this class with experienced chef, Robin Asbell. Sunday, 6:30 to 9 p.m. | Central Market, 4001 N. Lamar Blvd. | centralmarket.com

IN MOTION TRIKKE & SPORTS INC.

Westlake, Austin 512.373.8842 512.917.6192 www.cooltrikke.com

MAR. 23 | Let Food Be Your Medicine Deirdre Earls struggled with severe Psoriasis for thirty years until she began to research and reverse her condition with nutrition. In this class, you will gain a practical understanding of how to experience the healing power of food within the context of a busy lifestyle. Learn how food can create and reverse disease, while exploring which foods promote natural healing. You will leave this class better prepared to take greater control of your health through good nutrition.

Tuesday, 7 to 8:30 p.m. | Graduate School of Business, 24th St. and Speedway informalclasses.org

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lifestyle

LIFESTYLE MAR 6 | It’s My Park! Day Volunteer during this annual day of community service that focuses on improving public parks throughout Austin. Join more than 2,000 volunteers plant trees, install playgrounds, build trails and help out in various park projects. Saturday | Various locations austinparks.org MAR 7 | Zilker Kite Festival Creative, classic, crazy or simple, thousands of kites decorate the skyline throughout Zilker Park at this annual Austin tradition. Bring your own kite, enjoy the spectacular view or participate in the plethora

of festivities. From face painting to kite-making clinics, to rock walls and games, the 81st Kite Festival has something for everyone. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Zilker Park, 2100 Barton Springs Road | zilkerkitefestival.com MAR 12 THRU 21 | South by Southwest Watch as Austin proves its title as “The Live Music Capital of the World.” Buy a badge and find access to one of the premiere music and film festivals in the country! Now in its 23rd year, the festival boasts thousands of musical acts, film panels and parties hosted at venues throughout the city of Austin (not to mention a whole host of free parties, shows, food and beer). Featuring artists from around the world, the 9-day interactive festival is where talent and technology come to mingle. Friday thru Sunday | Various Locations | sxsw.com MAR 12 THRU 27 | Rodeo Austin What more could a Texan ask for? That’s right, two whole weeks of bull riding, rodeo clowns and “mutton bustin” comes to Austin all to provide scholarships to deserving Texas youth. Learn how to milk a cow at the Southwest Dairy Milking Show, catch a performance at one of the many concerts held throughout the week or take a pony ride on the fairgrounds. Friday thru Saturday | Travis Country Expo Center, 7311 Decker Lane | rodeoaustin.com MAR 17 | St. Patrick’s Day The largest St. Patrick’s Day event in Central Texas is brought to you by the Celtic Cultural Center. A celebration of authentic Irish and folk culture, the all-day festival is family-friendly and includes international and local Celtic music and dancing. Wednesday, 2 to 10 p.m. | Cover 3, 2700 W. Anderson Lane stpatricksdayaustin.com

Have an Event? visit austinfitmagazine.com/events and submit your own event!

for more info call

To be published, please send us the details before the 10th of the month prior to publication.

512.472.0726 62

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Rides + Races

events

Featured ZOOMA Austin Half Marathon

Rides & Races

Joao Crus Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu The besT brazilian jiu-jiTsu program for children in cenTral Texas helps Kids Raise self-esteem Build confidence Develop self- defense skills Practice leadership and more!

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MAR 6 | Urban Dare Austin Teams of two must use speed and smarts to solve a set of 12 clues that lead to checkpoints throughout the city. Expect both physical and mental challenges ranging from a photo-hunt and trivia questions to ridiculous dares. The run is designed to imitate the Amazing Race, and all proceeds benefit the fight against breast cancer. Saturday, 12 p.m. | Mother Egan’s Pub, 715 W. 6th St. urbandare.com MAR 6 | CROP Hunger Walk of Austin CROP Hunger Walks help children and families worldwide and right here in the U.S. to have food for today while building a better tomorrow. Each year some two million walkers, volunteers and sponsors put their hearts and soles in motion by raising over $16 million per year to help end hunger and poverty around the world. This 1 mile walk will benefit the Capital Area Food Bank and St. Andrews Presbyterian Food Pantry among other local charities. Saturday, 10 a.m. or Sunday, 2:30 p.m. | Walter E. Long Park, 6614 Blue Bluff Rd. | main.org/cropwalk/ MAR 6 | Texas Independence Day 5K Run Celebrate the day Texas became Texas and compete in this run for participants of all levels. Walkers, runners and even dogs are welcome to join in on this race that will take you throughout downtown Austin. All participants get a Historical Texas Flag T-shirt. Saturday, 8 a.m. | Congress Avenue Bridge, Downtown Austin | runtex.com MAR 21 | Austin Runners Club Daisy 5K The

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whole family can partake in this annual 5K challenge, now in its 33rd year. Once a women’s only race held on Mother’s Day, the date has been changed and now includes races for men and children. Don’t fret moms, free childcare services are still provided as well as a stroller run and a separate women's only start. Sunday, 8 a.m.

Bushy Creek Lake Park, New Braunfels, Texas austinrunners.org MAR 10 | Ranger Stampede 5K Run/Walk Release some stress at this middle-of-the-week, "climb over the camel's back" 5K run/walk on the school's track and campus road. This is a seven event monthly series that began in November and ends in May. The race is free for students under 21 and two dollars for everyone else. Any additional contributions will go to a charity of your choice.

Wednesday, 5 p.m. | Texas School for the Deaf, 1102 S. Congress Avenue | runtex.com Mar 10 | Rise Across Texas Challenge Celebrity Bike Ride The Rise Schools provide high quality education for children with special needs and abilities, and they are challenging riders across the entire state to benefit their early childhood services. Take their non-competitive ride through 16 miles of Austin’s scenic Hill Country alongside famous faces like Gov. Rick Perry, U.S. National Champion Kevin Livingston and others.

The event kicks off at noon for lunch with Mack Brown and ends at Salt Lick for an after party with barbeque and live music. Wednesday, 2 p.m.

The Rise School of Austin, 4220 Monterey Oaks Blvd. | riseacrosstexas.org

03.2010

Rides & Races

(continued)

MAR 13 | South Austin Steel USATF Developmental Track Meet This family-oriented track club provides training and competing options for the children of South Austin. With a focus on physical and mental training, the club works to develop champions and condition non-track athletes for participation in USATF as well as AAU and TAAF meets. Saturday, 11 a.m. | Clint Small Middle School, 4801 Monterey Oaks Blvd. | runtex.com MAR 27 | Gnarly Naduah Adventure Race Come find your wild spirit in this six hour adventure race. Teams of two will paddle, bike and run all while seeking out checkpoints. Choose the more advanced 12-hour option and expect approximately 8 to 10 miles of paddling, 25 to 35 miles of biking, 10 to 15 miles of trekking — and a winning time of eight hours. Be prepared for special tests, strategy and a ‘Too Cool Time’ time.

Saturday, 8 a.m. | Fort Parker State Park, Mexia Texas | toocoolracing.com MAR 28 | Rogue Trail Series: The MAZE It ain't flat, dry, or strait, but it is FUN. The first event of the 2010 Rogue Trail Series offers you the opportunity to beat ‘The Maze’ at Walnut Creek.

The course winds through a challenging mess of trees, crosses a few creeks, climbs a few hills, but mostly follows a well worn and very confusing labyrinth of trails. The biggest danger is the other runners: beware the veteran trail runners. They will run full tilt thru the streams, splash thru the mud, and score any & all face plants. Sunday, 7 to 11 a.m. | Walnut Creek Park, 12138 North Lamar Boulevard | redlicoriceevents.com MAR 28 | ZOOMA Austin Half Marathon Gather your girlfriends... ZOOMA Austin is back!

Challenge yourself on a scenic course through Texas pine country, then celebrate in style at a fabulous after-party at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort and Spa! Run a half marathon on Saturday and check out the 5K or 20K Relay on Sunday. Half marathon finishers receive a commemorative necklace at the finish line. Saturday and Sunay, 7:30 a.m. | Hyatt Lost Pines Resort and Spa, 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Rd., Lost Pines, Texas | www.zoomarun.com/austin MAR 6 | Heart of Texas Regatta Held annually since 1983, the Heart of Texas is the largest sprint rowing regatta in Austin & attracts over 1,000 competitors. Join us at Festival Beach on Lady Bird Lake to watch 2 days of high-school, collegiate and masters racing. Food, drink, health & fitness vendors on site. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Festival Beach Park, 2101 Bergman St., | http://austinrowing. org/heart_of_texas.php

Marketplace

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Weight Loss • Fitness • Strength & Conditioning 512.219.0251 /// www.PunchGym.com/Austin

Saturday Mornings | 8:30 am Auditorium Shores Call or go online to register!

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Strength.

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Try a sample CLIF BAR or BUILDER’S BAR in March at these local GYMS!

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Kick Mo’s Butt

monicabrant.com

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How It Works

In an endless search to find the best workouts in town, Monica Brant-Peckham has agreed to be our “guinea pig” and take them on full force. Every month we’ll feature a new trainer and a different set of workouts for our readers, in the process trying to Kick Mo’s Butt!

Check out Monica Online @ monicabrant.com & femcamp.net

The Workout

Q+A with Monica The most challenging part? Those ropes!

Killin’ It with Kettlebells

Would you do the workout again? Yes, and have been back a few times already to work with Christine and Henry.

with PUNCH AUSTIN Christine Huppee and Henry Marshall

Had you every done anything like it before?

Yes, I went through the IKFF Certification course with Steve Cotter and Ken Blackburn last January. It was fun to be refreshed on what I learned and to see that I hadn’t forgotten it all.

Warm Up: Indian Clubs and stretches 1. Pull-ups

7. Swings

2. Squats

8. Russian twist

3. Ropes

9. See saw press

4. Get-ups

10. Box jump

5. Hand-to-hand cleans

11. Windmill

6. Skater’s lung In Between: 2 minutes of figure 8s to a hold Warm Down: 5 minutes of Turkish get-ups with practice snatches and a stretch

Mo’s Ratings

Did you get your butt kicked? Yes, as usual, the trainers really pushed me! But that’s what I am there for, so definitely expected.

What movements did you learn for the first time? Indian Clubs and some new kettlebell movements.

Was it fun? Yes. Of course I enjoy most any workout. I must be a nut!

Could you have done it alone? Some of the movements I’ve already incorporated into my own workouts.

What was the hardest part of the workout?

Those ropes!

Was the workout mentally or physically tough? Both actually, because you have to pay attention to the hand rotations and movements.

What part of your body did it work the most?

Kettlebells work all of you, especially if you do the exercises correctly.

What was your favorite part of the workout?

Teasing Henry, ha ha. Seriously though, it might be mastering the plyo box at 36 inches tall.

(1: the least, 5: the most) Hard for beginners: 3 Easy to try on your own: 1 Intensity Level: 5

Your least favorite part? Those ropes!

Overall body workout: 5 Fun Factor: 5

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How effective was the trainer? They both were excellent and provided lots of productive feedback on form and were really motivating.

You can tell they both love what they do, believe in it and enjoy sharing the workouts with their clients.

What from the workout would you recommend? I have already told my friends to head over for some workouts. This is fun stuff and really different than the average gym workout. Everyone can benefit from this and gain lots of strength for the entire body.

Any parting thoughts? Stay Fit, Love Life and God Bless U!! And shout out to Sparrow. Pain is just weakness exiting the body! xo MO

photos by Brian Fitzsimmons

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Made in Austin, Texas

GOT SORE FEET? Lone Star Podiatry Andrew Cassidy DPM, MS

custom foot orthotics foot and ankle fractures achilles tendonitis plantar fasciatis mortons neuroma bunions heel pain ingrown nails plantar warts

For Scheduling Call

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At NeuroTexas Institute at St. David’s HealthCare, our highly trained neurosurgeons specialize in life-changing brain and spine treatments that can be done via incisions as small as ½-inch. Benefiting from state-of-the-art image-guided surgery technologies that reveal the best incision placement and instrument trajectory, our patients experience reduced post-op pain, minimized scarring, and they get to go home faster.

Learn more about our full range of diagnostic and surgical neurological care at neurotexasinstitute.com

A Place Kids Want To Be

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Personal Fitness Trainer Capitol City Trade & Technical School,

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WHAT IS THE ENERGY… and how can we use it for success?

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The Funny Side of Fit What is “The Funny Side of Fit”?

Every month JB Hager takes a humorous slant on a different topic, sharing his experiences and funny fitness follies

Body By Roxy

BY JB HAGER

W

ant to lose 10 pounds in 30 days for just $35? Trust me, this is not a gimmick; it’s the honest to goodness truth. I did it. Over the holidays, I stumbled into a completely unexpected weightloss program.

We were cruising through the Town Lake Animal Shelter with no intentions of getting a dog (yeah, right) and my daughter fell in love with a 45-pound blonde Sheppard/Beagle mix. When you’re 8 years old, you often get what you want. When your dad’s a complete pushover, you almost always get what you want.

Combine the sad eyes of your daughter wanting to bring a dog home, along with the sad eyes of a pooch that’s been in the shelter for two months, and all sensibility goes out the window.

Lucky for me, it turned out that this dog was a stray and pregnant to boot. So, when we picked her up, we got the “big boobied” dog.

The description on the little door to her cage was: “playful, loving, a great companion for a runner.” Hmmm, translation: “spastic, needy and you will never be able to wear this dog out!”

We left that day with the Perro con Titas Grande!

We were going to name her Anna Nicole or Pamela, but instead we decided on Roxy.

Needless to say, my wife was NOT happy about this spontaneous addition to the family.

Let’s just say this dog was a real backyard, untrained spaz. Our first week was a living nightmare, yet I was on a mission to save this poor dog. I don’t think she’d ever been indoors and had certainly never seen a leash or collar.

We hit a breaking point one day and approached our daughter about returning the dog. Not surprisingly, my daughter started to cry and shake like a pageant contestant. That was the end of that conversation.

I had to do something. Roxy and I started with long walks, which grew to a slow jog, then a 3-mile run, then 5 or 6 miles at a time. I am not a runner, nor did I plan to become one in 2010. I realized that after about 6 miles, she would quit trying to chase every squirrel in sight and fight with every dog on the block. Best of all, this was the point where she quit dragging me across the pavement. It actually became civilized and enjoyable. So we ran. And we kept running.

Then we ran some more. In general, after about mile 5, Roxy settles down and I really enjoy the running. We bond, we get to see A LOT of Austin and we just…run.

Now, no lie, we’re knocking out 10- to

12-mile runs a few times a week. She gets worn out and has grown to be a wonderful addition to our family. My excessive waist is gone and her chest is…well…no longer attracting unwanted attention. At home, mama’s happy, my daughter’s happy and the dog’s happy. If they’re all happy, I guess I’m less grumpy than normal.

Oh, and the $35 was the adoption fee at Town Lake Animal Shelter. Please consider adopting a dog. The adopt-a-dog exercise program works. I’m looking into running a marathon in December.

For more information about how to adopt your very own Roxy, visit ci.austin.tx.us/health/animal_services.htm.

JB Hager can be heard on the JB and Sandy Morning Show from 6 to 10 a.m. on Mix 94.7 and seen on KEYE 42 from 5 to 7 a.m. weekday mornings.

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the indoor gym for outdoor people

“I choose Seton Southwest Hospital when I need to provide surgical care…

Because their team offers the full continuum of care my patients with sports injuries need and want.”

- Scott Welsh, M.D., Orthopedic Surgeon From your first trip to our Emergency Department to your post-surgical rehabilitation needs, Seton Southwest Hospital has got you covered. Conveniently located near the Y in Oak Hill, Seton Southwest Hospital offers a quiet, peaceful spot for the care for, treatment of, and rehabilitation of your sports injuries. For more information on why not only Dr. Welsh, but your friends and our former patients as well, are recommending Seton Southwest Hospital, visit www.seton.net/southwest.

7900 FM 1829 • Austin, TX 78737

A fund-raising event no athlete will want to miss! Join celebrity athletes, including Gilbert Tuhabonye of Gilbert’s Gazelle’s, Olympic Gold Medalist Garrett Weber - Gale, Olympic swimmer

HOLD THE DATE! May 2, 2010 - 6:00 p.m.

The Salt Lick

Eric Shanteau, Texas Iron coaches and Pro Triathletes Andrea Fisher and Jaime Cleveland, and more for live music, casino games, a Texas Hold ‘em tournament, silent auction and great food!

More celebrity athletes to come, with all athlete appearances dependent upon scheduling.

Celebrating Seton Southwest Hospital’s 10 years of service in our community ssw_austinfit.indd 1

2/16/10 11:51 AM