Hickorylivingsept17web

Complimentary September 2017

Living the Good Life

Expert Healthcare for Our Community

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LIVI NG

from the publisher

Welcome to the September issue.

The summer season is winding down as September ushers in fall on September 22, making this a transitional month. I really enjoy summer and the hot weather, so for me fall is a bit of a letdown. However, the beauty of the fall season is so awe inspiring when the leaves change color that I don't know anyone who doesn't like that.

I am a huge college football fan, and September traditionally means the kickoff to college football season.

Some would say the most exciting part of the Saturday game experience is the tailgating in the parking lot before the game starts, with lots of good food and drink to satisfy any appetite and quench any thirst. Others point to the excitement of the game itself, and cheering for their favorite team. As for myself, I enjoy the whole experience, from the tailgating to the competition on the field to sitting outside on a beautiful, sunny Saturday afternoon...There is nothing that can quite compare!

Until next month, thank you for reading the September issue of Hickory Living Magazine!

Hickory

LIVING Living the Good Life

September 2017

Mailing Address - P.O. Box 57

Harmony, NC 28634

(704) 546-5511 E-mail - HickoryLiving@gmail.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kristie Darling • Jennifer Krawiec Kathy Wheeler • Megan Wood Karen Pressley • Heather Orrill

COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Shane Greene Photography COVER STORY Frye Regional Medical Center Editorial Stock photography, unless otherwise noted, is from iStock.

Find Hickory Living Magazine on Facebook. http://twitter.com/HickoryLiving

Myron T. Gough Publisher, Hickory Living

WWW.HICKORYLIVINGMAGAZINE.COM • WWW.HICKORYLIVINGTODAY.COM Myron T. Gough Publisher/Founder

Kathy Wheeler Marketing & Design

Don Forrest Business Development

myronlivingmagazine@gmail.com (704) 546-5511

kathylivingmagazine@gmail.com (828) 238-3224

donlivingmagazine@gmail.com (828) 244-6538

Linda B. Wilson Advertising Sales

Bob Church Advertising Sales

Ashley Stevenson Digital Editor

lindalivingmagazine@gmail.com (704) 657-0237

conradchurch@gmail.com (336) 686-7271

ashley@highprofilemarketing.today (704) 902-5418

Hickory Living reserves the right to deny any advertisement or listing. Submissions are welcome, but unsolicited materials are not guaranteed to be returned. Hickory Living assumes no responsibility or liability for the information, services, products, claims, statements, accuracy, or intended or unintended results of any advertiser, editorial contributors, company, professional corporation, business or service provider herein this publication. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited.

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content

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September 2017

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• What’s Cooking?!

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• Piedmont Plastic Surgery &

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• Komen Race For The Cure

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• Running

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Frye Regional Medical Center

• V-Infusion Hydration Center

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• Expert Healthcare For Our Community

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• Last Call For Summer Fun

Where Health And Beauty Meet

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

Dermatology Expanding To Better Serve The Hickory Community

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food | health | local business

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LAST CALL FOR

Summer Fun

By Kathy Wheeler

©iStockphoto.com | ViewApart

If there are still items on your summer bucket list, September is your month!

It brings us the last day of summer this year and the first day of fall. We even get to take the first Monday of September off to celebrate Labor Day and our contribution to the strength and prosperity of our country—perfect timing for a long weekend. Will you spend it having fun or doing more labor? I vote for fun!

I’ve always admired people who found the balance between working hard and playing hard. We are each given 24 hours per day, and we get to choose how we spend it. For many of us, we get so caught up in our chore/work to-dolist that we forget to enjoy life. We’ve mastered a good work ethic, but at what price? I’m not saying that we should neglect work but rather try and reach a balance. There are always important things that need to be done, and in most cases that list creates itself, but the playing part takes both spontaneity and sometimes a little planning.

Don’t miss an opportunity to be spontaneous. My mom is 84-years-old, and 8

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she gets up every morning and puts her makeup on and gets ready as if she is going somewhere important. I asked her why she just didn’t keep her pajamas on and relax the whole day. She replied, “What if someone comes by and wants to go somewhere? They don’t want to wait on me to get ready.” That woman is always ready to do something fun as soon as she can find something fun to do! The chores will still be there when she gets back.

work. Are there sites in your local area you’ve never visited? Try looking at your community, county, or state as if you were a tourist wanting to see everything that the area has to offer.

Routines are great when you are trying to establish good habits and complete maintenance chores but can also help you in adding fun–just make it part of your routine! Start by scheduling something with friends and family once a week, and then add to it until you have something to look forward to each day.

There are so many fun things to do and some cost nothing more than the gas to get there. Here are a few ideas…go to an outdoor concert, visit a museum, attend a festival, go to the theatre, visit a winery, go camping. Take advantage of local harvests by visiting a farmer’s market. Try to work in as much daily fun as possible. Do you have an appointment?

Take a book or your iPad and read while you wait. Don’t miss an opportunity to include fun in your life. September is the perfect time to start before much cooler weather sets in.

Have you noticed how beautiful North Carolina is? We get so busy that we stop noticing. We miss the scenic views that surround us every day. Spend your lunch break in a park eating and taking a stroll. You will be amazed at how much you get done when you return to

Unplug when you go on vacation, or at least limit your contact. Break the connection for most of the day and maybe only check your messages every other day. The company won’t go under without you, even if you own it.

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cover story

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Expert Healthcare for Our Community

By Kristie Darling

Not every hospital patient has an outcome as dramatic or miraculous as Hildebran resident Linda Shook.

“My husband, David, calls me his ‘miracle baby,’” Linda said, “and everyone I’ve told my story to says I was in the right place at the right time. The doctors and nurses who saved my life worked well beyond the norm when my heart stopped beating.” Linda came to Frye Regional’s Heart Center for a routine heart catheterization in April. “The cardio team was prepared for 12

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anything, I know, but I’m sure they didn’t expect to spend an extraordinary amount of time taking turns performing CPR to keep me alive. After I went home and recovered, I went back to thank them—and hug them—and found out how many people around Frye know my story. I tell everyone that the people in the room with me were lifesavers. I missed my trip to the beach scheduled for later that week, but I’m doing so well now I plan to go down to North Myrtle and go shagging soon.”

Photos:

On the cover–Frye’s leadership team includes Chief Nursing Officer Michelle Dickerson, Chief Executive Officer Gar Atchison, and Medical Director of Quality and Patient Safety Dr. Dan Hatcher.

(Photo by Shane Greene Photography) Opposite page–Linda Shook (front) is called a “miracle lady” by anyone who knows her remarkable story. She’s pictured here holding hands with her husband, David, and with some of the members of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab and Emergency Department that worked to save Linda’s life in April.

Linda returned to Frye in July to personally thank the team.

(Photo provided by Frye)

When we hear miraculous stories like Linda’s, we are grateful for the positive outcome and for the clinical staff that sprang into action (in Linda’s case, the Heart and Emergency Team) at Frye Regional Medical Center, who believed they could save Linda’s life, even when the odds were stacked against her.

Frye Heart Center: Advanced Heart Services Our region’s only comprehensive heart center, Frye Regional Medical Center, offers 24/7 cardiology and open heart surgery and valve repair, which means the residents in our region can get the heart care they need without leaving their community. Frye Heart Center’s surgeons and cardiologists perform more than 6,750 heart procedures each year with the highest level of expertise and the latest technology and advancements. Linda’s incredible experience,

Above–Infusion Center Nurse Leah Albright is part of the team that administers intravenous antibiotics, chemotherapy medications, and fluids to patients on an outpatient basis. Infusion Center patient Glade Stafford travels to Frye from Alexander County for care. (Photo by Shane Greene Photography)

even against unbelievable odds, is a testament to Frye’s extraordinary level of experience and dedication to its patients’ health.

Frye Regional is a Duke LifePoint Hospital In 2016, Duke LifePoint Healthcare acquired Frye Regional and added the Hickory healthcare system to a growing network of nine hospitals in North Carolina and 14 nationwide. In 2017, the Frye Heart Center joined the Duke Health Heart Network, becoming the only affiliate in western North Carolina, and one of just six hospitals on the East coast. “We have always had a strong heart health program, and this affiliation with the Duke Heart Network adds expertise and clinical support in expanding the work we do in all areas of heart care,” Gar Atchison, CEO of Frye Regional Medical Center, said. “The Duke LifePoint partnership impacts our positive ratings in patient safety, patient satisfaction, and quality care. We are learning more through Duke’s clinical programs and advanced, on-going training every day and working with LifePoint to streamline our operations.”

Duke LifePoint’s investment in Frye includes a $13 million renovation and expansion to the Emergency Department, which started this year and is expected to be completed next summer. The new Emergency Services department will double the number of patient rooms available to take care of individuals who need emergency care.

Duke’s world-renowned reputation and leadership in quality clinical systems and patient safety are shared within the Duke LifePoint network through ongoing training, staff development and education, and evidence-based best practices in heart health care and in all areas of the hospital’s offerings.

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Photos, above, left to right:

Patient Safety Officer Julie Byrne, RN, (center) is part of the quality and safety team that monitors ways to improve processes. She’s rounding with Phlebotomist Amela Hodzic, who is pictured with cardiovascular patient Bob Paszek. (Photo

by Shane Greene Photography) Interventional Pulmonologist Dr. Franklin McGuire talks with a patient about lung disorders and a personalized treatment plan. Dr. McGuire is an accomplished surgeon who performs Y stenting, a procedure that opens multiple airways with a single stent that is only available at Frye in this region. (Photo by Craig Hopkins Photography) Frye’s Surgical Weight Loss Coordinator Becky Steele (left) looks at “before” photos with Waitstill Avery (center) and his wife, Linda. Waitstill is one of Frye’s bariatric surgery success stories. He had surgery done 10 years ago and credits the procedure with returning him to health, and giving him the opportunity to work on his Christmas tree farm in Avery County. (Photo by Orange Cat Photo) 14

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Patient Safety and Quality Care “Frye Regional has one of the lowest rates of infection in North Carolina,” said Dr. Daniel Hatcher. “We are part of the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network, and with their support, we have worked hard to attain and maintain that status. This is a critical measurement of overall patient safety at Frye.” Dr. Hatcher is medical director of patient safety and quality.

His oversight extends throughout the hospital in partnership with all clinical and administrative departments and the community, as well, with a mission to provide extraordinary clinical care.

“One important way we discover new opportunities to improve safety, quality, and increase patient satisfaction is through our Patient Safety Clinical Quality Committee. This group includes representatives from our frontline staff, physicians, our board of directors and administrators, Duke LifePoint, as well as patient representatives,” Dr. Hatcher continued.

“Having input from these stakehold-

ers gives us total transparency across all disciplines. Continuous improvement in quality and safety isn’t a destination, it’s a journey.” Changes in bedside reporting, new bathing techniques, and an increased focus on purposeful hourly rounding, where nurses and CNAs are able to address their patients’ pain management and positioning are a few of the advances seen in patient care.

Chief Nursing Officer Michelle Dickerson explained the Speak Up program: “All our employees, no matter their position from the top on down, are empowered and encouraged to say something if they see anything that is not safe or that needs to be changed. We work diligently to maintain this culture of responsibility and accountability among all our staff.”

As CNO, Michelle understands how small improvements in procedures or policies can mean big gains in overall patient outcomes.

Frye Regional Lung Center Dr. Franklin McGuire is the medical

director of Frye’s Lung Center, which is a comprehensive program that includes imaging, diagnosis, and treatment for patients who may have difficulty breathing, possibly from asthma or allergies; lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis; pulmonary hypertension; or sleep disorders.

Dr. McGuire specializes in bronchial stents that improve airflow in the lungs, including Y stenting, an advanced procedure that opens multiple airways with a single stent. Y stenting is just one example of cutting edge technology employed at the Frye Lung Center, and only available at Frye. In addition, smoking cessation classes, genetic testing, and specialized support resources for cancer patients during and after treatment are available.

Frye Regional’s Surgical Weight Loss Program Frye’s Surgical Weight Loss program, which is accredited by the American College of Surgeons and the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, offers a personalized approach

to weight loss surgery and has helped thousands of local residents regain their health and their lives through surgery.

“We get to know each participant in the program and their families, and our patients benefit from the one-on-one personalized care and attention,” said Becky Steele, the Surgical Weight Loss Program’s coordinator and registered dietician.

At Frye Regional, the Surgical Weight Loss Program is customized for each individual patient; it’s not a cookie-cutter, out-of-the-box plan for weight loss. Dr. Jonathan Hata, the program’s medical director, explains that working closely with patients is critical to their success since only two percent of people who qualify for weight loss surgery are able to successfully lose the weight through diet and exercise alone. For the majority, 98 percent, surgery is needed to allow the individual to achieve a healthy weight. Weight loss can be life changing in so many ways—everyday activities that might not have been possible, can now become routine.

Exceptional Healthcare Here At Home Frye Regional Medical Center’s outstanding reputation goes back more than 100 years and has a renewed emphasis on “making communities healthier.” As we approach 2018, Frye continues to grow and expand on the resources available through its partnership with Duke LifePoint. “Our culture has truly changed for the better since we joined Duke LifePoint,” Dr. Hatcher said. “The communities and families we serve are the beneficiaries, and we are grateful to be able to bring advanced healthcare services to our region.”

420 N Center Street Hickory, NC 828.315.5000 www.fryemedctr.com

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Photos:

Left–Grace McLaurin, PA-C, checking a patient’s vitals.

Below–V-Infusion Hydration Center offers a relaxing setting during your hydration therapy.

Opposite page–Sherry Raschella, nurse assistant, checking blood pressure and monitoring a patient during an IV infusion therapy treatment.

By Jennifer Krawiec

If you are recovering from jet lag, a stomach bug, or heavy exercise, your first instinct may be to grab some extra water or even a sports drink. Now you have a better option: V-Infusion Hydration Center at Vitality Antiaging Center in Hickory offers intravenous infusions for those times you feel depleted and need a boost from vitamins and fluids.

Grace McLaurin, PA-C, and partner at Vitality Antiaging Center, explains that the infusions are customized for each patient. “V-Infusion mixes vitamins and supplements—sometimes medications— and is administered to people recovering from illness, hangovers, or jet lag.” There are also mixtures to infuse patients with antiaging fluids and some that help with weight loss. “We can add anti-inflammatories for intense workouts. If someone is 18

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running a marathon, they need hydration pre- and post-race,” says Grace. “These are methods that are tried and true, and people have been using them for a long time.”

First-time clients of V-Infusion Hydration Center are required to complete a medical questionnaire prior to treatment.

Before the V-Infusion treatment, you will receive a brief medical exam from a nurse practitioner or physician assistant to evaluate your condition and determine which vitamins and other elements you need V-Infusion to replenish. Once the treatment plan is established, the medical professional will insert your IV. Your total visit will last approximately 30 minutes.

The mixture you receive, as well as the frequency with which you get treatment,

depends on what is being treated.

A basic mixture includes B vitamins and vitamin C. Often, anti-nausea medications are added if the patient is recovering from illness or migraine.

“Post-surgery patients in our surgical center can receive fluids, and follow up for more, in about a week for quicker recovery,” says Grace. “Acute illness or dehydration may need follow-up more frequently. If you are here for hangover or jet lag relief, you typically need one treatment per occurrence.” If you go to Vitality Antiaging Center for a massage,

facial, Botox, or other offering, you can receive a V-Infusion during the same visit to complement your treatment and aid in recovery time.

According to Grace, the typical Vitality Antiaging Center client is an adult, but V-Infusion is available for older teenagers, especially if they are dehydrated after an illness. The components of V-Infusion are usually not a problem for allergy sufferers, but anyone with allergies should note them in their initial

evaluation and discuss with the medical professional. V-Infusion may not be the best course for people with heart conditions or fluid-retention issues, but people who are in relatively good health are great candidates to derive benefit from the treatment.

demand here, and it is certainly a niche that hasn’t been met in this market.”

Grace and her staff are knowledgeable about the benefits and are experienced with administering IV hydration, so you can feel confident in their capable hands.

IV hydration is well-tested and certainly not a new product. “We have been doing IV and vitamin infusions for the 11 years we’ve been in business,” Grace says. “We just realized there is enough

V - INFUSION Located at Vitality 74 8th Street SE, Suite 101, Hickory 828-322-1498 www.vitalitymedicalspa.com

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What's Cooking?!

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna

When busy mornings give way to a hectic workday followed by homework and after-school activities, a fresh, simple meal is often the only option. Before you hit the drive-thru or settle for an equally unhealthy alternative, check out these delicious dishes you can prepare and serve without the hassle.

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna 2 eggplants, quartered lengthwise 6 medium zucchini

Canola oil cooking spray 1 pound whole-wheat lasagna noodles 15 ounces low-fat ricotta or

low-fat cottage cheese 2 eggs ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg ½ teaspoon garlic powder 3 cups low-fat mozzarella cheese 4 cups low-sodium tomato

sauce, divided

Directions

Heat oven to 450˚ F. Grease 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan; set aside.

Slice eggplant and zucchini in 1/2-inch slices. Layer on two baking sheets and coat both sides of vegetables with cooking spray.

Roast 20 minutes. Toss vegetables and continue roasting until well browned and soft, about 20 minutes more. Transfer vegetables to large bowl.

Reduce oven temperature to 375˚ F. Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. Separate noodles and let cool slightly. In medium bowl, mix together cheese, eggs, Parmesan, nutmeg and garlic powder.

To assemble: Spread thin layer of sauce over bottom of prepared pan. Cover with layer of pasta (noodle strips slightly overlapping). Spread with one-third of ricotta mixture.

Sprinkle 1/4 of the mozzarella over ricotta. Spoon 1/3 of roasted vegetables on top.

Top with 1/2 cup tomato sauce and continue assembly as directed until there are four layers of pasta and three layers of filling. Spread remaining sauce on top and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella.

Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until golden and bubbly, about 15 minutes more. Let stand 15 minutes before serving.

Recipe courtesy of Culinary.net.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

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PIEDMONT PLASTIC SURGERY & DERMATOLOGY Expanding to Better Serve the Hickory Community

By Karen Pressley | Photos by Shane Greene Photography

Photos:

Left–Dr. Steven Siciliano and PPSD's newest surgeon, Dr. Rosiane Roeder PPSD's new facility will form the Hickory/Tate Blvd complex, combining the two separate Hickory locations into a new, more comfortable and spacious facility.

Piedmont Plastic Surgery & Dermatology (PPSD) wants you to be healthy and comfortable in your own skin. They offer a unique approach to complete dermatologic, cosmetic, and plastic surgical care. PPSD is the only practice in the region that offers a unique and cooperative atmosphere with dermatologists, plastic surgeons, and a Mohs surgeon working together to give patients the best possible care.

To better serve their patients, they have combined their two Hickory offices into a new, more comfortable and spacious facility. The new building sits across the parking lot from the current office located at 315 19th St. SE, forming the new PPSD Hickory/Tate Blvd. complex.

performing a wide range of cosmetic and reconstructive procedures. She has special interest in facial aesthetic surgery including rhinoplasty, breast aesthetic and reconstructive surgery, body contouring, skin cancer treatment, and Mohs reconstruction.

“There aren’t many places that do what we do,” says Dr. Swank. “Both specialties, focusing on skin and aging, complement each other—we offer an excellent blend of medical and cosmetic surgical expertise.”

This new facility houses board-certified dermatologists Drs. Dori Hunt, Jerry Pruitt, Bethany Bergamo, and George Magel in Building 200, and plastic surgeons Drs. Gregory Swank, Steven Siciliano, and Rosiane Roeder, along with Mohs surgeon Dr. Charles Johnson in Building 100. Three PA-Cs, Casey Johnson, Jessica Curtis-Yount, and Michael Sabol also see patients there.

One of the most frequently performed cosmetic surgery procedures done at PPSD is breast augmentation. It offers women the possibility of enlarging as well as improving the appearance of the breasts. A free consultation can help patients understand all of the available options and guide them in their decision-making. With the Vectra 3D imaging system, patients can see a simulated image of themselves prior to surgery to see what they may look like after surgery.

PPSD welcomed a new surgeon, Dr. Rosiane Roeder, in August. Dr. Roeder is bilingual and treats patients of all ages,

With all procedures at PPSD, patient safety is a primary concern. PPSD offices have AAAASF certified operating

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rooms, so procedures can be performed in-office without hospital visits.

They also offer many popular procedures such as lasers, chemical peels, Botox, and dermal fillers, including the full lines of Restylane and Juvéderm.

PPSD also carries a wide range of skincare products that can be customized for your skin type.

PPSD board-certified dermatologists are dedicated to diagnosing and treating conditions of the skin, hair, and nails.

Highly trained in skin cancer detection and treatment, they offer skin cancer screenings, and a variety of state-ofthe-art medical and surgical treatments such as Mohs micrographic surgery and photodynamic therapy. They also treat common conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and warts, in addition to providing mole removal and general skin care.

Schedule your appointment with Piedmont Plastic Surgery & Dermatology to learn how you can improve your skin’s health and overall look. www.ppsd.com 315 19th Street, SE, Hickory Building 100: 828-325-9849 Building 200: 828-328-3500

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©iStockphoto.com | LenaSkor

Komen Race for the Cure September 30th

Photos by Kendyl Trevena

By Megan Wood

Hope. Magic. Celebration.

Saved Lives. The Susan G. Komen NWNC Foothills Race for the Cure is all of these things and so much more. It’s a sea of pink; it’s a family-friendly event with an energy of excitement and endurance towards one common goal: a world without breast cancer. This event is more than your typical 5K. The funds raised from this event directly allow Komen Northwest NC to make a local impact and save local lives.

The Komen NWNC Foothills Race for the Cure is our largest annual local fundraiser. It’s less of a competition and more of a celebration of breast cancer

survivors, co-survivors, pre-vivors, and the lives of those who have passed on.

It’s a chance for the community, young and old, who know just how terrible breast cancer is on the person fighting and for their family and friends, to come together. It’s an opportunity to raise the funds needed to save local lives.

What do we mean when we say, “save local lives?” When you register for the Race and fundraise for Komen Northwest NC, you’re helping end breast cancer right here in Northwest North Carolina.

You’re also helping those battling the disease today win their fight. Seventyfive percent of all funds raised stay local

and go to efforts to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection. Grants are also given to local healthcare organizations so they can provide free mammograms to those who may otherwise be unable to afford a mammogram. The other twenty-five percent of all funds raised go to national research to find the cures for breast cancer.

The Komen NWNC Foothills Race for the Cure is on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. at L.P. Frans Stadium.

Register today at KomenNorthwestNC. org or call (336) 721-0037! We look forward to seeing you on Race Day!

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Running

By Heather Orrill

©iStockphoto.com | jacoblund

Have you ever thought you couldn’t do something? Did you think you didn’t have the motivation, strength, or willpower?

As long as I can remember, I always wanted to be able to run. I have never been athletic in my life but wanted to be healthy and active. When asked to run a half marathon two years ago, there was no hesitation. I said “Yes” without even thinking about it. Then fear set in…what had I done? I couldn’t even run a mile on a treadmill without being totally exhausted and feeling defeated. Deciding to run that half marathon changed my life forever. Running does so many things.

Running has health benefits, eliminates stress, builds confidence, and instills healthy self-esteem in individuals. It also helps with mental wellness. It clears your mind and can even give you a whole 32

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new perspective on your situation or life in general.

What I have noticed about running is that there is a community, a camaraderie where runners cheer and encourage one another. They share tips, pain points, and habits amongst the community.

Runners also share upcoming race information with each other and often train together. In the past two years, I have run four half marathons, including three Diva races. This series of races brings women together, uniting them and empowering them. Once again, I have witnessed a true community while at these races. It is a sight to be seen when seven thousand women wearing pink gather at the starting line.

Running can be relaxing and an outlet for some, however, summer can be hard

for runners. Beating the heat is a challenge. Some tactics to survive high temps are to run earlier in the morning while temperatures are still cool or to cut your workout in half. Runners can prep for after work races by packing hydrating fruits and veggies such as carrots, cucumbers, strawberries, and cantaloupe, along with plenty of water. Sometimes, the heat can take the life right out of your workout. When this happens, you can change up your routine by heading to the gym, or participate in a spin or yoga class. You could go for a swim indoors or work out on your core by doing weights and machines at your local gym. After enduring the brutal heat of summer months, runners are rewarded with ideal weather during the fall months. Early morning runs or evening runs are nice and cool with beautiful scenery. The air is brisk and the colors are bright. Fall would be a perfect time to go on a trail run through the woods.

I encourage you, if you have never tried running before, maybe today is the day you start. I urge you to start by walking around your neighborhood or block.

Gradually add distance and set personal goals. Get involved and run 5K races.

Choose races that have significance to you. There are many 5K races hosted each year by organizations that support great causes: suicide prevention, child abuse awareness, and eliminating hunger are just a few. If you start with a 5K, you might just fall in love with running and want to run further. Push your mind and body to excel. Go the distance, and run a 10K, a half marathon, and a full, 26-mile marathon. There is nothing you cannot achieve when you put your mind to it.

Just remember with running, it is mind over matter. If I can do it so can you.

What are you waiting for? Get out there and run!

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