NinerTimes, August 27, 2013

MEN’S SOCCER 2013 SEASON PREVIEW

p. 9

THE HITS AND MISSES OF SUMMER FEATURED FILMS A look at the high and low points of some of the major summer blockbusters. p. 10

GOLDRUSH A Student Niner Media publication about home football games.

Inside this issue

GET YOUR GRΣΣK ON

Inside this issue: The Interfraternity Council’s annual Rush Week 1

A PRODUCT OF STUDENT NINER MEDIA • THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE • VOL. N 26,I N ISSUE E R T I1 M E S

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2

AUG. 27 - SEPT. 2, 2013

Volume 26, Number 1 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

MANAGING EDITOR

EDEN CREAMER

PATRICK BOGANS

EDITOR@NINERONLINE.COM

MANAGING@NINERONLINE.COM

NEWS EDITOR

SPORTS EDITOR

CLAIRE DODD

LIBBY WEIHSMANN

NEWS@NINERONLINE.COM

SPORTS@NINERONLINE.COM

LIZ LANIER

LIFESTYLE@NINERONLINE.COM

A&E@NINERONLINE.COM

COPY EDITOR

PHOTO COORDINATOR

COPY@NINERONLINE.COM

PHOTO@NINERONLINE.COM

CHRIS CREWS

ASHLEY SPEECE

ASSISTANT EDITORS Matt Chapman, Lee Hutchison, Nicole Jones, Carrie Nowell

ADDITIONAL STAFF Sarah Cain, Ariel Clayborn, Aaron Cress, Lexi Neitzey

NEWSROOM: 704.687.7150

MEDIA MARKETING MARKETING DIRECTOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

MKTDIRECTOR@UNCC.EDU

PRODUCTION@UNCC.EDU

EMMANUEL LOREDO

NIKI PRESTEL

CIRCULATION MANAGER

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

PATRICK WISNIEWSKI

GISELLE HERNANDEZ

CIRCULATION STAFF Josh Laton, Sara Nauman & Timothy Starnes

CAMPUS IFC CHAPTERS OP:ED: SAFETY ALERTS GONE WRONG SYKES AND THE MYOPIC MANIACS 2013 MEN’S SOCCER PREVIEW SUMMER MOVIE ROUND UP CONCERT REVIEW 49ER FITNESS

COVER PHOTO BY CHRIS CREWS • INSIDE PHOTO BY CHRIS CREWS

A&E EDITOR

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

MICHELLE LIRINGIS

4 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

CAMPING GUIDE

MARKETING STAFF Sandy Granadino, Sara Karimipour, Lexy Price, Jermiah Powell, Gianfranco Rigail & Dylan Robison

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Follow us on Twitter @UNCCmedia LOCATED IN THE LOWER LEVEL OF THE STUDENT UNION NINER TIMES • RADIO FREE CHARLOTTE SANSKRIT • MEDIA MARKETING • NINERONLINE THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE NINER MEDIA ADVISER: WAYNE MAIKRANZ BUSINESS MANAGER: LAURIE CUDDY

MARKETING ADVISER: KELLY MERGES

GRAPHICS & PRODUCTION: PETE HURDLE

A STUDENT NINER MEDIA PUBLICATION ABOUT HOME FOOTBALL GAMES

OFFICE MANAGER: MARK HAIRE

3

NINERTIMES

RUSH

The Interfraternity Council’s (IFC) annual Rush Week is Aug. 24 through 30, and the 14 fraternities involved reach out to the student body during this time to recruit new members.

CLAIRE DODD NEWS EDITOR

ALPHA SIGMA PHI

Founded: Dec. 6, 1845 Values: Silence, Charity, Purity, Honor, Patriotism

DELTA CHI

Founded: Oct. 13, 1890 Values: Promote, Develop, Advance, Assist

KAPPA ALPHA ORDER

Founded: Dec. 21, 1865 Values: Reverence, Gentility, Service, Leadership, Knowledge, Perseverance, Excellence

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KAPPA SIGMA

CHI PHI

Founded: Dec. 24, 1824 Values: Truth, Honor, Personal Integrity

LAMBDA CHI ALPHA

Founded: Nov. 2, 1909 Values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Service and Stewardship, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage

Founded: Dec. 10, 1869 Values: Fellowship, Leadership, Scholarship, Service

PHI SIGMA KAPPA

Founded: March 15, 1873 Values: Trust, Honor, Respect, Knowledge, Wisdom, Responsibility, Integrity

4

PI KAPPA ALPHA

SIGMA ALPHA EPSILON

Founded: March 1, 1868 Values: Dedicated to developing men of integrity, intellect and high moral character and fostering a truly lifelong fraternal experience.

SIGMA PHI EPSILON

Founded: Nov. 1, 1901 Values: Virtue, Diligence, Brotherly Love

Founded: March 9, 1856 Values: Honor, Loyalty, Friendship, Fraternity

SIGMA TAU GAMMA

Founded: June 28, 1920 Values: Value, Learning, Leadership, Excellence, Benefit, Integrity

SIGMA CHI

Founded: June 28, 1855 Values: Friendship, Justice, Learning

TRIANGLE

Founded: April 15, 1907 Mission Statement: To develop balanced men in the fields of Engineering, Architecture, and Science by providing an environment which fosters personal growth and professional success.

ZETA BETA TAU

Founded: Dec. 29, 1898 Values: Intellectual Awareness, Social Responsibility, Integrity, Brotherly Love

To get involved with any of the UNC Charlotte IFC organizations, visit the chapter’s website to find rush and contact information for the chapter.

To learn more about IFC, visit the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life website, available through the Dean of Students Office online.

Photos used in IFC Rush spread courtesy of respective fraternity organizations’ national offices

5

NINERTIMES

NEWS BRIEFS Belk Foundation donates to teachers’ partnership

The Belk Foundation has awarded $50,000 to the Charlotte Teachers Institute (CTI) to improve and promote learning in the Charlotte community.

For the past three years, the Belk Foundation has been a supporter of the CTI, which is a partnership among UNC Charlotte, Davidson College and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.

Staff and faculty donate supplies for School Tools campaign

Two new members to UNC Charlotte board of trustees

From pens and pencils to book bags and binders, members of the UNC Charlotte community donated over 3,000 supplies in support of the annual School Tools Campaign.

The campaign collects and distributes school supplies to children in need through Communities in Schools and Classroom Central.

Catherine Bessant and Theresa Drew to the UNC Charlotte Board of Trustees by North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory and the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, respectively.

Bessant, an executive with Bank of America, and Drew, a managing partner with Deloitte, were appointed to the board late in the summer.

TUESDAY AUG. 27

@UNCCWeather FOLLOW FOR FORECASTS AND WARNINGS

87°F

POLICE BLOTTER

Mostly sunny with a low of 65°

WEDNESDAY AUG. 28

86°F

Partly Sunny with few clouds. 20 percent chance of an isolated afternoon storm. Low of 67°

THURSDAY AUG. 29

87°F

30 percent of thunderstorm with a low of 68°

FRIDAY

AUG. 30

88°F

Partly sunny with a 20 percent of isolated thunderstorm. Low of 68°

AUG. 17-21

CALL FOR SERVICE AUG. 17

• Cameron Blvd., officer responded to a call in reference to an individual screaming for help • Alumni Way, suspicious object located and found to be a construction pipe

AUG. 18 • Alumni Way, officer assisted the victim of a domestic assault

AUG. 19 • Ashley Lake Ct., officer assisted CharlotteMecklenburg Police Department in reference of personal property taken without permission

AUG. 20

• Alumni Way, subject reported communication harassment via text by an acquaintance

DRUG VIOLATION AUG. 20 • Alumni Way, officer responded to a call regarding intoxicated individuals. Subjects were found in possession of controlled substances

LARCENY AUG. 17 • Craver Road, an unknown subject removed property without permission

WARRANT AUG. 21 • Holshouser Hall, subject was arrested for an outstanding warrant For more information on Mecklenburg County arrests, visit arrestinquiryweb.co.mecklenburg.nc.us

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6

SUSPICIOUS OBJECT IGNITES EMAIL DEBATE Why does it take so long for the campus police department to notify the student body of some emergencies?

EDEN CREAMER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The university uses email alerts through Niner Mail to inform the UNC Charlotte community of inclement weather, criminal advisories and other occurrences that could be a danger to students and faculty.

The idea behind this alert system is ingenious. Most of us have email alerts sent straight to our mobile devices. The idea that messages sent to email are only accessible from a computer is a thing of the past.

We have become a mobile society, all the information we could ever want rests in an electronic device that weighs just a few ounces.

The university’s email alert system should, in theory, be the perfect method to keep Niners safe both on campus and in the surrounding area.

In a perfect world, alerts that require immediate vigilance from students, staff, faculty and emergency personnel would be sent as soon as the initial problem arises. With some types of emergency alerts, the university sends out the email notification almost instantly.

Severe weather alerts are sent as soon as the inclement weather becomes a danger on campus. Over the 2013 summer sessions, campus police sent out numerous inclement weather emails, due in part to the heavy rains that plagued the Charlotte area.

These rains ultimately flooded part of campus, causing Phillips Road to shut down.

In June when the National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for our area, UNC Charlotte campus police issued an advisory to alert the university community of the potential danger.

For this, we can do nothing but praise the university. When it comes to protecting students from vehicular accidents caused by flooded roads or from getting swept away in a

tornado, the university cares more than they are frequently given credit for.

The system only falls short when it comes to criminal activity alerts, which arguably is the more important type of alert. Just in the past year multiple examples of the flaw in the advisory system have come to light, the most recent of which being Saturday, Aug. 17.

Around 11 a.m. that morning, the CharlotteMecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) and campus police responded to a reported suspicious package found near Scott Hall.

Residents and staff of Scott Hall, and nearby Holshouser and Hunt Halls, were evacuated as the object was at the time considered a potential explosive.

Over two hours later, after the object had been deemed non-explosive, an advisory alert was finally sent out. Thankfully the object was found to be safe, but what if it hadn’t been? What if the suspicious package was an explosive? Would an email alert have been sent out earlier?

There is no way to know whether we would have been informed sooner if the object had been dangerous, but it seems logical to assume actual danger would not have caused an earlier email to be sent.

While students and staff were evacuated from the buildings, while CMPD’s Bomb Unit responded to the scene, while the object was investigated and while the area was searched for other potentially suspicious objects, students were not informed.

Social media exploded as students living in the halls or attempting to move into their rooms commented on the situation. The official UNC Charlotte Twitter page did not comment on the suspicious object until 12:51 p.m. that afternoon, well after the situation had begun. The Twitter account is not run

EDITORIAL POLICY Niner Times is written and produced by students at UNC Charlotte. All unsigned editorials are the expressed opinion of the editorial board and do not represent the views of the university. Views expressed in signed editorials are solely those of the author. Niner Times is published on Tuesdays during the regular academic year except during holidays and exam periods.

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by the same individuals who are behind the police advisories, but both indicate a lapse in informed safety of students.

Are we as a student body asking too much when requesting a timely alert of potential danger on campus? With the amount each of us pay to this university through tuition and fees, we deserve to be informed immediately of potential danger, not two hours later after the danger has been cleared.

There is a simple solution to this problem.

The campus police department should continue to send email alerts to students and faculty throughout the course of an incident. Multiple updates on the situation as it progresses, ensuring the safety of the Niner Nation family during a crisis.

We do not need one alert after an incident letting us know what happened. We need multiple alerts as authorities work to keep us safe, telling us how to help them help us.

Having an individual on call whose job it is to continuously send us these alerts would make it possible to update the university community on on-going situations while not slowing down the work being done by authorities.

As for official university social media accounts, while it makes sense not to want the negative publicity these types of alerts would cause, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are sure-fire ways to keep the student body informed.

Isn’t the safety of students more important than the possibility of negative publicity a bomb threat could bring?

Proactively keeping students informed and safe does not go unnoticed, and a positive university reputation of caring about the student body seems more important than the temporary negative publicity that might follow.

GIVE US SOME FEEDBACK Niner Times welcomes letters. Feedback should be under 200 words, legibly written or typed and should include the author’s signature, year in school, major and telephone number. Faculty and staff should include title and department. Unsigned, anonymous letters will not be printed. All letters are subject to editing for space and style.

SUBMIT LETTERS TO:

NINER TIMES Student Union, Charlotte, N.C. 28223 OR E-MAIL:

editor@nineronline.com

7

“WE’RE DIFFERENT” Outside linebackers Coach Napoleon Sykes claims his eight “Myopic Maniacs” are unlike any other

LIBBY WEIHSMANN SPORTS EDITOR

SPORTS SCHEDULE

For many college football coaches, the thought of packing up and moving to coach a first-year program is intimidating.

For Napoleon Sykes, outside linebacker coach of the Charlotte 49ers football team, the decision wasn’t exactly an easy one.

“There was a lot of thought that went into it,” said Sykes.

“What really sealed the deal was an opportunity to put a mark on a program at the ground level. The things that we do, the traditions that we start, will all outlive us here. It was a very unique situation that kind of sold itself.”

Seeing how his team of eight outside linebackers has come together to form a more than special bond, the decision has been worth it.

“Honestly, these guys impress me every day with how hard they work,” said Sykes.

“I could talk for hours about these cats. They are a good bunch of guys. Love these guys to death.”

For Sykes, making sure his team is focused both on and off the field has been of utmost importance. Only two of the eight outside linebackers – Mark Hogan (6’0”, 210) and Tyler DeStefani (6’3”, 215) – have college football experience, so being focused has remained a top priority.

Hogan, a transfer from Georgia State, is a graduate student at UNC Charlotte. Hogan holds the record in tackles for the Panthers.

DeStefani, a redshirt junior, played football TUESDAY Aug. 27

Women’s Soccer Home vs.

Gardner-Webb 7 p.m.

NINERONLINE.COM

WEDNESDAY Aug. 28

No home or away games scheduled

at Newberry College in Newberry, S.C. He made the Charlotte team after a walk-on tryout in April of 2012.

For Nico Alcade (6’2”, 205), Jalen Holt (6’4”, 225), Zeb Little (6’1”, 195), DaQuavius Reid (6’2”, 195), Mark Pettit (6’4”, 235) and Jordan Starnes (6’2”, 230), the college football experience is completely new.

“They have been through a college football preseason, season and off-season, so their experience has been priceless for everyone in the

Coach Napoleon Sykes shows the outside linebackers a drill.

room,” said Sykes regarding the experience between Hogan and DeStefani.

Sykes attributes the success of his linebackers in part to their self-motivating personalities. The outside linebackers vary in not only age, but also playing experience, yet all come to practice ready to tackle their job.

The outside linebacker motto, “We’re Different,” possesses a multitude of meanings.

“As an outside linebacker, you might have to play like a cornerback sometimes, then like a safety, an inside linebacker or a defensive lineman,” said Sykes. “No other position on the field has to do all of those things in a single game, so we are literally very different than any other position.”

That motto doesn’t just stick for when the “Myopic Maniacs,” Sykes’ nickname for the outside linebackers, are on the field. The motto is meant to hold true off the field as well.

“We want to be different than the average guy. We want to excel in the classroom and be gentlemen. We want to be great men.”

Though the group may be self-motivating, there’s no denying that Sykes is an inspiring coach that wants nothing more than his team to be the best they can be - both on and off the field.

“We remind ourselves every day how important it is that each of us does our best, because there is a guy to your right or left that needs you to be at your best.”

Photo by Libby Weihsmann

THURSDAY Aug. 29

No home or away games scheduled

FRIDAY Aug. 30 Cross Country Away Gamecock Invitational Volleyball Away - Wildcat Classic Men’s Soccer Away - Denver 9.30 p.m.

SATURDAY Aug. 31 Football Home vs.

Campbell 12 p.m.

Volleyball Away - Wildcat Classic

SUNDAY Sept. 1

MONDAY Sept. 2

Women’s Soccer Away Elon 7 p.m.

No home or away games scheduled

8

A look ahead at the men’s soccer season MATT CHAPMAN

ASST. SPORTS EDITOR

The Charlotte 49ers men’s soccer team enters the 2013 campaign with high expectations after a 2012 season that culminated in a second round loss in the NCAA tournament.

The 49ers are returning seven of their 11 starters from a 2012 team that finished with an outstanding overall record of 15-4-3.

Charlotte will expect to make another run at the NCAA tournament this season as they enter the year ranked 21st in the preseason NSCAA poll.

49ers Head Coach Kevin Langan is entering his second season at the helm of the Charlotte program.

Langan spent four days at Stanford University during this past offseason watching the professional Italian soccer team Juventus train. Langan got the opportunity to pick the brain of Juventus

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Head Coach Antonio Conte, along with the rest of the coaching staff, about their different strategies and philosophies.

“It was truly an inspiring four days,” Langan said. “The coaching staff were very accessible and eager to explain their coaching methods and style of play.”

Langan will be aided this season by the return of several key players from last year’s squad.

Tyler Gibson, Klay Davis, Thomas Allen and Giuseppe Gentile were all selected to the All-Atlantic 10 team at the end of last season and all four players will be expected to produce yet again in 2013.

Langan wasn’t the only one gaining some valuable experience this offseason.

Gentile, a junior, and senior Tyler Gibson both got a chance to train with Major League Soccer

club Sporting KC in July. Gentile also got the chance to train with another Major League Soccer team, the Colorado Rapids.

Gentile and Gibson have both been named to the Missouri Athletic Club’s Hermann Trophy watch list.

The MAC Hermann Trophy is the highest individual award in

intercollegiate soccer. This marks the second consecutive year that Gibson has been placed on this list prior to the season beginning.

The 49ers also have a couple of talented incoming freshmen with the group being headed by midfielder Brandt Bronico.

Read more at NinerOnline.com

9

SUMMER MOVIE HITS

SARAH CAIN INTERN

AND MISSES This summer brought flicks that had plenty to love and plenty to try to forget

THE CONJURING

THE PURGE

Profiting $193 million worldwide, “The Conjuring” turned out to be one of the top horror movies of the summer. It gave the audience exactly what they were looking for, a bone chilling film in the midst of mainly overdone thriller movies. “The Conjuring” ensued nightmares for days with its skillfully executed, frightening real-life plot.

Even with a $3 million budget, “The Purge” film followed the road of other cliché horror plots. Closely resembling “The Strangers,” masked killers arrive at the doorstep of an unsuspecting family. However, the latest iteration is more about disturbing violence and less about a strong story line or exciting action.

HIT!

MISS...

AFTER EARTH IRON MAN 3 It couldn’t be more obvious by its $1.2 billion international box office gross that “Iron Man 3” was a huge hit this summer. While it was the funniest of the trilogy, Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) personality shines through every one of the films. Jam-packed with high-energy action and spectacular special effects, this movie put all of its enormous $200 million budget to use. HIT!

In spite of mixed reviews from a wide audience of critics, “Man of Steel” is as much a hit as Henry Cavill’s physique is impressive. After grossing more than $600 million, a sequel was confirmed. In spite of the controversies with casting choices for the sequel, it’s sure to be a hit in its own right.

HIT! NINERONLINE.COM

MISS...

THE HEAT

MAN OF STEEL

Photos courtesy of Walt Disney Studios

In spite of a massive budget and Will Smith’s star power, “After Earth” is the latest in a long line of flops from M. Night Shyamalan.

The obvious nepotism displayed in casting Jaden Smith didn’t help much either, as he made an already uninspiring script even more so with his wooden acting.

Finally producers changed up the status quo and cast two women to fill an action comedy and the result was a success. Both Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy play their usual character roles in “The Heat,” but do so in a witty, humorous way. With McCarthy adlibbing along the way, this movie has a natural comedic flow to it.

HIT!

THE LONE RANGER “The Lone Ranger” affirms that even if there is an incredible lead actor, it won’t be enough to save a film from a boring script. In this film, Johnny Depp fails at making a character as charming as Jack Sparrow, just as Disney failed at determining whether this is a movie for children or adults.

MISS...

10

Magnets and Ghosts wake up the Evening Muse

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS 1 “Pay attention!”

6 Taj Mahal city 10 __ of Arc 14 Tokyo automaker with a liar named Joe in its old ads 15 Forehead 16 Neutral shade 17 Home country 19 Amble 20 Add blonde highlights to, say 21 Whole bunch 22 Free-for-all 23 Out of touch with reality 26 Musical with nightclub scenes 31 Men of the future?

32 Take to the soapbox 33 Disco brothers’ name

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34 Church seat 37 Get one’s head out of the clouds 41 Tooth tender’s org.

42 Trim, as a photo 43 Any one of New England’s six 44 Fly alone 45 So far 47 Strike it rich 51 Stave off 52 March Madness org.

54 Performing pair 57 Missing 58 Position of moral superiority 61 Bear in the sky 62 Clarinet cousin 63 “Rubber Duckie” Muppet 64 Checked out 65 911 responders: Abbr.

66 Helps, as a perp

DOWN 1 Discover 2 Anthem start 3 Just darling 4 Israeli weapon 5 Honda Pilot and Ford Explorer, briefly 6 Not there 7 Watchdog’s warning 8 “Vive le __!”

9 Piercing tool 10 Tiara sparklers 11 Central Florida city 12 Specter formerly of the Senate 13 Microwaved 18 “Night” author Wiesel 22 “It’s possible” 24 Slightly 25 Gray wolf 26 __-Cola 27 Longtime infield partner of Jeter, familiarly 28 Ole Miss rival 29 Downed 30 Minuteman enemy 33 Econ. yardstick 34 Seek guidance in a 34-Across 35 Suffix with sermon 36 Sharpen 38 Air France destination 39 Lumber 40 DOJ division 44 Butter or mayo 45 McDonald’s golden symbol 46 Without a date 47 World Court site, with “The” 48 Old white-key material 49 Anxious 50 Gold bar 53 Geometry calculation 54 Sandy slope 55 Military squad 56 Keats works 58 Whack weeds the old-fashioned way 59 “Big Blue” 60 Sphere

Ryan Potesta of Magnets and Ghosts. Photo by Aaron Cress

ARIEL CLAYBORN INTERN

Following the release of their first album “Mass” in 2011, Magnets and Ghosts have made great strides in gaining popularity in the indie, alternative rock scene. From the bluesy-rock tones of the Black Keys in their song “I Want You” to the smooth, upbeat melody of U2 in their song “Like A Sunday,” Magnets and Ghosts definitely has an array of sounds that make their music stand out.

Atlanta duo Dean Roland and Ryan Potesta are wrapping up the final shows of their “Light My Flame” tour.

Magnets and Ghosts performed in Charlotte on Thursday, Aug. 22, at the Evening Muse, located in NoDa, Charlotte’s popular arts district.

I expected the crowd to be mostly college students, but it actually had a turn-out of a diverse range of ages.

Prior to the show, Roland and Potesta mingled with the crowd, exchanging a few jokes and engaging in light-hearted conversation, which no doubt added to the enthusiasm and support they received from the crowd during their performance.

The show was opened by their song “Mass,” for which the album

is titled. The ambient lighting and the hypnotizing melody of the keyboard, followed by smooth vocals that resembled an Eastern European chant, gave you just enough time to ease yourself into the performance and prepare for the transition to the very explosive, uplifting beats of “I Want You.” By the time “Hold On,” a particular favorite track that Roland and Potesta describe as their “leap in creativity,” was performed, the crowd was singing along, and even a few individuals were slow dancing on the floor.

For a band that formed just two years ago, Magnets and Ghosts have made great strides in getting heard.

The turnout far exceeded expectations and the performance definitely gave a strong, lasting impression. The band will be welcomed with open arms if they return to Charlotte.

On Facebook, Potesta announced that “Teen Mom 3” will be featuring five songs from “Mass” during its upcoming season, premiering Aug. 26. Potesta and Roland also hinted that they will soon be returning to the studio to release new material.

11

49ER FITNESS: KICKIN’ ASPHALT The Lifestyle editor of the Niner Times is embarking on a painful, but worthwhile, journey for fitness culminating in a 5K in November. Follow her journey online every Thursday.

MICHELLE LIRINGIS LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Over the next 12 weeks, I will be writing a weekly column as I train for the Thunder Road 5K on Nov. 16, 2013.

To be honest, I am not a runner.

I am actually in terrible shape and hoping that the obligation of this column will help me get in shape as well as inspire others.

I’m starting from the bottom.

My body is full of fast food and too much coffee. My joints and muscles are weak. My breath is short and shallow.

I have done research and put together a training plan that suits my body and the level of physical activity I believe I can achieve. I am by no means an expert in fitness or dieting and should not be taken as such. I am simply a student trying to find fitness.

My training plan consists of a variety of workouts explained below.

Runs

I am working up to running five days a week. Some runs say to run for a certain amount of time while others give distances.

The ones associated with time are to get used to running for an extended period of time. On these runs, distance doesn’t matter as long as I work out for the specified amount of time. My fiancé wants to work out and help me with things like hills and sprints; those workouts will happen on these days.

Distance runs are to make sure that when race day comes, I will know what running three miles feels like. Also, seeing my times will help me know if I am improving, which is a huge motivator for me.

Both runs increase a small amount every two weeks so I push

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myself but don’t burn out too quickly.

Strength

Strength training will consist mostly of core and upper body work with a little bit of leg work mixed in. Not only am I training for a race, but I am also trying to get in shape and improve my health.

I have a set of five pound dumbbells for a variety of strength training exercises. I will also be doing ab work, as that is crucial to running.

Yoga

I have certain days blocked out to just do a certain amount of yoga.

This is not to say these are the only days I will be doing yoga.

I will also do at least 10 minutes after my runs to cool down and stretch out my muscles.

The specified yoga days are simply to make sure that I get enough stretching in, as my need for it will increase as my level of activity increases.

The days I am only doing yoga will be more intense sessions, such as flow or toning sessions, than those after my runs. I will use them as a way to keep myself moving while giving my body time to recover from the runs.

I will be using the YOGAmazing video podcast, available for free download on iTunes or on YouTube, some routines I have crafted myself and maybe even the classes offered by the university.

The column will be updated every Thursday on nineronline.com.

Have running tips?

Tweet us @niner_times or email me at lifestyle@nineronline.com

MY TRAINING SCHEDULE

DAY W E E K

M

T

W

Th

F

S

30 min. yoga

30 min. run

30 min. run & strength

30 min. yoga

Rest day

30 min. run

1.5 mile timed run

30 min. run & strength

35 min.

1.75 mile run & timed run strength

30 min. yoga

Rest day

30 min. yoga

1.75 mile timed run

35 min. run

45 min. yoga

40 min. yoga

2 mile timed run

45 min. yoga

40 min. run

40 min. run & strength

2.25 mile timed run

45 min. yoga

1

Rest day

30 min.

1.5 mile run timed run

2

Rest day

30 min. yoga

30 min. run & strength

3

Rest day

35 min. run

35 min. run & strength

4

Rest day

35 min. run

35 min. run & strength

5

Rest day

2 mile timed run

40 min. run & strength

6

Rest day

2 mile timed run

45 min. yoga

7

Rest day

2.25 mile timed run

45 min. run & strength

8

Rest day

45 min. 2.5 mile run timed run

9

Rest day

50 min. 2.5 mile 1 hr. yoga 1 hr. yoga 2.5 mile run timed run timed run

10

Rest day

11

1 hr. yoga

Rest day

3 mile timed run

12

Rest day

3 mile timed run

55 min. run

35 min. run

2 mile Rest day timed run

45 min. run 45 min. run & strength

50 min.

50 min. 2.5 mile run & run timed run strength 55 min. run & strength

45 min. run Rest day

S

45 min.

2.25 mile run & timed run strength 50 min. yoga

50 min.

2.5 mile 1 hr. yoga run & timed run strength

1 hr. yoga

1 hr. yoga 1 hr. yoga

55 min. run

3 mile timed run

3 mile timed run

55 min. run & strength

12

LABOR DAY WEEKEND CAMPING & HIKING GUIDE

LABOR DAY WEEKEND IS A POPULAR TIME TO EXPERIENCE THE OUTDOORS AND NORTH CAROLINA OFFERS PLENTY OF GREAT PLACES TO GO. MICHELLE LIRINGIS

2

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

1 LAKE NORMAN STATE PARK Lake Norman State Park is 32 miles north of Charlotte and has activities ranging from swimming and boating to hiking and camping.

It is a great place to plan a day trip or to spend the long weekend.

Pedal boats are available to rent daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. but are subject to availability. Fishing is available to those with proper licenses.

The park has a 125 mile long sand beach located near the fishing and picnic areas.

Mountain biking and hiking trails are available. Two trails are hiking exclusive: the Alder Trail, a 0.8 mile loop, and the Lakeshore Trail, a moderate but lengthy 5 mile trail.

The Itsul Trail is open to both hikers and bikers. Hikers must yield to bikers on this trail.

Riders can enjoy 30.5 miles worth of trails through mature hardwood forests.

Camping is available at 33 sites, with one family, or six people, at each site. Tent pads, picnic tables and grills are available at each site.

3 WILSON’S CREEK WILDERNESS AREA

Wilson’s Creek is located in Caldwell County and features 15.8 miles of open water for swimming, fishing and playing in the waterfalls.

Some areas are shallow, while there are some that offer deeper swimming holes.

People who are tentative to outdoorsy activities will enjoy spending the day picnicking along the rocks that surround the river.

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy camping alongside the creek for the weekend.

Photo courtesy of Autumn Earle

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MOUNT MITCHELL STATE PARK At 6,684 feet, Mount Mitchell is the highest point east of the Mississippi River. Mount Mitchell State Park provides breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, hiking trails and campgrounds.

Camping is available yearround. However, the campground is designed for more experienced campers as there is no running water or showers available.

There are a variety of different hiking trails available in the park, ranging from easy strolls to more intense climbs.

Photo courtesy of MCT Campus

CROWDERS MOUNTAIN STATE PARK

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Crowders Mountain State Park is located off of southbound I-85 and offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities.

The park features 11 hiking trails fit for all skill levels.

Some trails provide steep hills alongside a creek while others are easy walks around the lake. The Ridgeline Trail runs across the South Carolina state line and then goes into Kings Mountain State Park.

Crowders Mountain also has secluded areas available for pack-in camping.

There are canoes available for rent and use on the lake.

Fishing is available from the shoreline or from canoes.

The park also has designated rock climbing and bouldering areas that experienced climbers may enjoy. A permit is required but can be obtained at the park office free of charge.

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HOOKER FALLS

5&6 TRIPLE FALLS Photos courtesy of Lexi Neitzey

Hooker Falls and Triple Falls are part of the DuPont State Forest located near Brevard, N.C. Trails to both falls can be accessed from the same parking lot.

The trail leading to Hooker Falls is short and mostly flat.

Sometimes kayakers will paddle down the falls. It is a scary sight, but one that is not soon forgotten.

There are various places to rent tubes and kayaks near the access to the falls.

At the falls, there are benches and raised seating areas for hikers to sit and view the falls.

Triple Falls is a tougher hike, but the views are well worth it. The trail is full of steep hills and tough climbs, but it goes right along the river and has plenty of places to step off and enjoy the views.

Once hikers reach the top, there are stairs to climb down so visitors can climb on the waterfalls. Triple Falls was also featured in the 2012 blockbuster hit “The Hunger Games� as part of the arena.

The falls are a great place to spend a day outside relaxing, exploring, sunbathing and getting some exercise.

7 HANGING ROCK STATE PARK Hanging Rock is located north of Winston-Salem and has 73 campsites available for tent and trailer camping. This is a good place to go for people who are more tentative about camping, as drinking water, laundry sinks and hot showers are near the campground area.

There are 18 miles of wooded trails for hiking that feature views of cascades, waterfalls, cliffs and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

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