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• Monday, October 18, 2010
Health & Fitness
The Daily Campus
Conquering the Gladiator obstacle course By JOVIN LIM
sylim@smu.edu Health & Fitness Editor
I did it. I proved myself worthy of a gladiator at the annual Camp Gladiator Obstacle Course, held on Oct. 9 at Anderson Bonner Park. It was an early Saturday morning, and instead of sleeping in like a normal person, I decided to lug myself out of bed at 7 a.m. With a second of indecision on whether to sport Mustang colors or more unidentifiable ones, I decided on a white top and black bottoms in the event that I failed miserably. After picking up Jacky, a senior at SMU and my partner in crime for the course, we proceeded to the location with breakfast sandwiches and coffees in hand. We came upon quite a sight, with over 200 people already gathered for a five-kilometer run (that I fortunately did not sign up for), and with a quick whistle they were off into the encroaching forest. The winner eventually finished the five kilometers in 17 minutes, which runners will acknowledge is an incredible feat. Our wave time was at 10:30 a.m., which gave us a chance to explore the grounds. There were various challenge stations, with a 100 lb tire-flipping, a
JOVIN LIM/The Daily Campus
The Daily Campus’ Health and Fitness Editor Jovin Lim completed the Gladiator obstacle course on Oct. 9. at Anderson Bonner Park.
pull-ups and push-ups contest, and sled pulling of 100 lb water bottles. In order to reserve our strength, we wisely decided to stay away from them until our turn in the obstacle course. Passing by the entrance, the monitor spotted us and asked, “Hey, you guys, you want to do it early?” Of course I didn’t! I had not suitably prepared myself, and there
were still so many stretches, mental devices and calisthenics that I could be doing to psyche myself up! But alas, Jacky replied, “Yeah, sure, let’s get this over with.” Of course, in order to preserve my male pride, I conceded and before I knew it, I was next to her at the starting line. The first obstacle was clearly intimidating, with low-slung chains
across fences, under which we were supposed to crawl. As I pictured myself doing the perfect crawl, the whistle blew. But I had not even had a chance to envision myself running through the other eight obstacles! The remaining two minutes were a blur. After clearing the low crawl, there were hurdles over hay bales. The wave before us had capably knocked
as many as they could over, creating not just a long jump, but a pool of wet dewy hay that we literally dragged ourselves through. The monkey crawl was next, which I performed quite well, and then a body-contorting climb through a cobweb of climbing ropes. With a quick crawl across a ladder, we were jumping over shoulder-height walls, and finally cleared an eight-foot
wall. After another pyramid of hay, I had reached the final obstacle. To say that last obstacle was a behemoth is a gross understatement. It was a colossus! An eighth wonder of the world that spanned thirty feet into the air, and was crisscrossed with cables that I was supposed to climb! With my arms aching and my legs burning, I started the seemingly eternal climb. Push, Jovin, push, I told myself. I forced my legs through every rope, and maintained an arduous pace until I reached the top. I did it! Yes! “Hey buddy, why don’t you go slide on down now and stop holding up the queue,” a voice behind me prodded. Quickly emerging from my moment of self-praise, I quickly slid down the slide and crossed the finish line. My final timing was two minutes and seventeen seconds, and I placed ninth overall for the male division. Jacky had finished seventh for the women’s division. We both had set out with low expectations, to simply finish the course. What we got out of it was more than we could ask for, and we can only hope the next one in town would be just as challenging. But for the next event, please fix those hay stacks.
Mustang Fitness Club to cycle for cure By JOVIN LIM
sylim@smu.edu Health & Fitness Editor
Juvenile diabetes is a real crisis for the youth of America, affecting about one in every 400 to 600 children. About two million adolescents, aged 12-19, are at the risk of being diagnosed with it. It is also the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of new cases of blindness among adults. It’s no joke: diabetes is a serious health epidemic. It is one that has personally affected me, with both my father and my grandfather having been diagnosed as Type II diabetics. There are two types of diabetes: Type I and II. Type I diabetes is usually diagnosed in adolescents and young adults. Only five to 10 percent of diabetics has this form, and with the help of modern treatment, they can expect to live a long and healthy life. Type II diabetes affects millions of Americans, and it’s usually developed through poor lifestyle decisions. For a normally functioning person, the pancreas produces insulin, which
helps to control the glucose in our bodies. Diabetes is the absence of this ability, and the build-up of glucose in the body can lead to hyperglycemia. Untreated for long periods, it can lead to ketoacidosis, and eventually to coma and death. Fortunately, insulin can be produced synthetically through recombinant DNA technology, a true boon to diabetics that has only emerged in the last two decades. There are many misconceptions about diabetes. Eating too much sugar does not cause it. Type I diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that are still being researched today. Type II diabetes is caused by family history and an unhealthy lifestyle. Being overweight does increase your chances of developing Type II diabetes, and a diet high in calories, whether from sugar or fat, can contribute to this weight gain. And no, diabetes cannot be contracted from another person. Though it is still uncertain as to why certain people develop it, it is not contagious like the flu. Now it’s time to make a difference. The Mustang Fitness Club is hosting the first-ever Cycle for the Cure Event in partnership with the Juvenile Diabetes
Research Foundation on Nov. 13 at the Dedman Center for Lifetime Sports. The concept is revolutionary: 30 stationary bicycles will be “sold” off to 30 teams, at a price of $100 apiece, and each team must raise $600. Each team can consist of up to 12 members, who will take turns riding the bike for 12 hours. Throughout those 12 hours, there will be entertainment, food and beverages provided, and raffle prizes drawn every hour. For the highest fundraising team, there will be a grand price and, more importantly, bragging rights for the year. So take the challenge, and truly make a difference in somebody’s life! Whether you’re a frat boy or a sorority girl, a liberal or conservative, transcend your cliques and ride for something greater. They don’t expect you to be in peak physical condition but just have the heart to truly achieve your best. To register, please log online at jdrf.com or contact Kelly Richards at krichards@smu.edu. Join the discussion on Juvenile diabetes on Facebook at “Mustang Fitness Club” and show your support.