http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/ en-us Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:12:23 -0500 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:12:23 -0500 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss dukecms 5 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/07/lance-armstrongs-richmond-racing/ All is right in the world of cycling now that Lance Armstrong is back in contention at the Tour de France.  Definitely check out the exciting details on TimesDispatch.com... Far from being old and wobbly, Lance has shown himself to be smarter and stronger than ever.  Not only that, but it's a great indication of what a fantastic lifetime sport cycling can be. What's interesting for our perspective is the role that Richmond played in his early development. Suffice it to say that Richmond-based Medalist Sports, which promoted the Tour DuPont from '91 to '96 gave Lance the chance to be with the right people at the right ... Wed, 8 Jul 2009 10:48:44 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/07/lance-armstrongs-richmond-racing/#1222 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/inspiration-on-the-web/ At our neighborhood picnic last month, some friends were discussing their rugged workouts with Oxygen and Iron personal training studio in Midlothian. The gist of the conversation was how these two young and athletic women were happily discovering previously unused muscle groups through a variety of unusual exercises.  So I followed up and gave the O&I website a gander.  Glad I did because they do a great job of providing video tips, upbeat event reports and nutrition guidance. Another website with an effective approach to inspiring folks to get physically active is hosted by SEAL Team Physical Training, Inc.  They do a great job showing the power of ... Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:18:02 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/inspiration-on-the-web/#1202 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/canoes-kayaks-and-rafts-oh-my/ You will feel the James River and your upper body in a whole new way on a kayaking, canoeing or rafting trip.  But first, check in with Riverside Outfitters. "From a safety standpoint, from a general information standpoint, call your local outfitter," recommends, Riverside Outfitters' co-owner Matt Perry, who emphasizes his commitment to providing a safe and fun experience for his customers.  "The question you want to start with is, do you want to have a guide with you or do you want to rent." If you're into a do-it-yourself trip with sit-on-top kayaks or open canoes, Perry says the stretch of the James River from Bosher ... Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:27:18 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/canoes-kayaks-and-rafts-oh-my/#1186 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/trail-use-for-hikers-bikers-and-everyone-else/ Last night at a meeting of Richmond's mountain bike club, RMORE, the discussion turned urgently to the matter of sharing the trails. Given that the speakers were longtime area residents, dedicated mountain bikers and the hard working guys and gals who have hand hewn much of those trails, I took note when they insisted that Richmonders need to be reminded that our trails are for everyone. All users -- no matter what their activity -- have as much right to the Buttermilk, North, Forest Hill Park and other trails as they have to use the sidewalk in Carytown.  Unfortunately since the trails are often narrower, hillier and more serpentine than a sidewalk, tensions arise when folks pass each other without being ... Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:28:18 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/trail-use-for-hikers-bikers-and-everyone-else/#1169 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/the-sound-of-running/ One of the things I've always enjoyed about running is the pleasure I derive from the sound of my breathing.  I realized this after a discussion with my younger brother about how he can no longer run unless he's listening to something to make the time pass -- iPod, books on tape, something in the head phones. Not me.  I'm just the opposite -- what I like most is that I am doing it, hearing it with my own ears and feeling it all in the same moment.  There's a sense of being immersed in it that makes it very satisfying -- more than an activity, it's a ... Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:59:15 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/the-sound-of-running/#1158 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/xterra-world-champion-conrad-stoltz-in-carytown/ XTERRA World Champion (times three) Conrad Stoltz, of South Africa, will be discussing his training and racing at the Road Runner Running Store in Carytown Friday, June 12 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.    Dan Hugo, an athlete to watch, will also there to talk off-road running, biking and swimming in advance of this weekend's XTERRA events which start at Brown's Island on Saturday.   "We're excited to be involved in a race like XTERRA that brings off-road athletes of all levels to Richmond," says Road Runner Running Store manager Alison Burnette.  "These guys travel the world to compete and having them ... Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:46:09 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/xterra-world-champion-conrad-stoltz-in-carytown/#1128 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/to-sport-or-not-to-sport/ Sunday's workout (post-yard work) was front yard baseball with my eight-year-old son, Jack.  I'm still recovering. I was tossing underhanded, he was swinging away and sometimes cracking them far enough to get me sprinting.  It was a hoot, good old fashioned baseball fun -- and yesterday I woke up sore as all get out from strains and pulls of muscles I hadn't used since my little league days decades ago. Oh, and did I mention about the trash talking? All in all it wasn't really a workout, but it had workout elements -- lots of short sprints, a few decent chases, some hearty bat ... Tue, 9 Jun 2009 17:10:22 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/to-sport-or-not-to-sport/#1118 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/womens-mountain-biking/ They ride tough on the trails and do right by women's charities -- Team LUNA Chix is a great group.  I had the privilege of attending their LUNAfest and thoroughly enjoyed myself. What is Team LUNA Chix?Team LUNA Chix is about bringing women together to learn a sport, stay active, and inspire others to do the same.  LUNA, the company that produces healthy nutrition geared for women, sponsors local teams across the country and we were fortunate to be chosen as one of the 27 teams.  An important mission of being a part of team LUNA Chix is fundraising for ... Tue, 9 Jun 2009 09:27:11 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/womens-mountain-biking/#1109 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/up-and-out-in-the-rain/ This morning the cat went out first and it was pouring so hard she didn't get past the front porch.  My choice then was -- get out and do my morning activity (3-mile run-walk) or go back to bed and let the rain win.  I got up and out and am glad I did.  I have no quarrel with a warm rain.  The walk down the hill was pleasant.  The run up the hill was reassuring.  As long  as your test is self-imposed, you'll always pass ...       Mike McCormick, a former national champion kayak racer, stays active with running, biking and kayaking in ... Mon, 8 Jun 2009 14:38:03 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/up-and-out-in-the-rain/#1100 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/a-buff-snagger-is-a-happy-snagger/ If sports teach us one thing it's that the intangibles of teamwork are rooted in the physical coordination of all team members -- movements and activities performed in unison toward a unified goal generate a spirit of cooperation that becomes unstoppable.   It took him a few years, but Michael Jordan learned that, LeBron has yet to.   I love it when companies follow that philosphy and our friends at Snagajob.com do so with gusto.  Here's a great note penned by Snagger Melissa Barber about their corporate fitness program...   Drive past the SnagAJob.com headquarters at noon and you’ll see a dozen or more people ... Mon, 8 Jun 2009 14:38:26 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/a-buff-snagger-is-a-happy-snagger/#1089 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/what-was-it-like/   We have it easy with our 21st century lifestyles.  That much is clear after Saturday's Anthem Stride Through Time where we were introduced face to face with such Richmond historical figures Thomas Jefferson, Civil War soldiers, Box Brown, Patrick Henry and Maggie Walker thanks to some very dedicated reenactors. On that warm day, as we walked and talked our way through Richmond's fascinating pockets of history on our 10k walk in our comfortable shorts and cotton shirt and sturdy athletic shoes, we thought again and again -- What was it Like?  What was it like? And that question was prompted because over and over we saw living, breathing history -- The Civil War reenactors ... Tue, 2 Jun 2009 08:28:14 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/06/what-was-it-like/#1082 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/walking-into-history-with-the-times-dispatch/ Early in the planning of the Anthem Stride Through Time, I had the chance to wander the Valentine Richmond History Center where I saw Native American artifacts, Colonial displays and page after page of all sorts of personal historical anacdotes thanks to diligence and industry of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Tomorrow the Times-Dispatch, which is the media sponsor of the Anthem Stride Through Time, will be welcoming the walkers (over 2,000 have registered) to their display on Franklin Street.  They'll have goodie bags featuring copies of their book Famous Front Pages, from the 1800s to present.  They'll have coupons to area museums and a Historical Day in Richmond prize package that includes dinner for two at ... Fri, 29 May 2009 16:35:33 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/walking-into-history-with-the-times-dispatch/#1074 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/coaching-a-marathon-runner/ Marathon Training Team Coach Sean Cusack (joined here by Richmond Road Runners Club's Ed Carmines) demonstrates that marathon running makes you -- A -- Friendly B -- Healthy C -- Horny What's your vote? Cusack will be coaching the intermediate group runners who have their first meeting at Sports Backers Stadium this weekend -- www.sportsbackers.org     Fri, 29 May 2009 16:37:00 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/coaching-a-marathon-runner/#1069 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/sports-backers-marathon-training-team-kicks-off-s/ Veteran coach Don Garber does an amazing job of encouraging runners of all abilities to finish the SunTrust Richmond Marathon during the Sports Backers Marathon Training Team.  He and his cadre of experienced coaches are both encouraging and inspiring as they keep people focused on their goal of crossing the finish line.  Thousands of Richmonders have completed the 26-week program and felt the thrill of crossing the finish line of a 26.2 mile race.  Early every Saturday and Sunday morning large groups of runners will be preparing for this years SunTrust Richmond Marathon that will take place on Saturday, November ... Thu, 28 May 2009 09:27:54 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/sports-backers-marathon-training-team-kicks-off-s/#1064 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/richmonds-history-superstars/ The guy whose face adorns every dollar bill I’ve ever seen in my entire lifetime owned a cane – which is kept in a special place in the Valentine Richmond History Center.  Last week as part of a special tour with executive director Bill Martin, I was allowed to see and touch George Washington’s cane.  Outside of being with my family, it was the most satisfying feeling I have had in a long time.  History grounds us.  It offers us the feeling that so much is possible because it helps us see how far we have come.  I got to ... Tue, 26 May 2009 08:09:52 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/richmonds-history-superstars/#1046 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/my-friends-at-rva-news/ When my R.com friends graciously agreed with me that talking about my RVA News friends in my blog was fine by them (thanks Brigitte and Nicole,) I was in with a grin (old Aussie surfer phrase) ....so in terms of the Anthem Stride Through Time, RVA News has a COOL promotion to give a away a free Wii and WII Fit on their site, go on over there and check it out -- and if you end up signing on for the Anthem Stride Through Time, save room for the goodies that the RTD is dishing up.  They are sponsoring a really cool presentation along Franklin Street.  So if ... Sat, 23 May 2009 02:59:10 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/my-friends-at-rva-news/#1042 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/historical-street-cred/     Not to give away the goods, but there's going to be some cool stuff at the Anthem Stride Through Time on May 30th -- and if you see people out and about dressed like they're shooting a scene from Gone With the Wind, but they're wearing Nike walking shoes, well, you get the picture...by the way, I can't take credit for this cool photo.  Jackie, one of our three most awesome Sports Backers interns, was the Adobe wiz of the day.  Our other two interns, Pete and Aurie, are hard at work and they can now boast of massive amounts of historical ... Thu, 21 May 2009 10:58:11 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/historical-street-cred/#1034 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/an-only-in-richmond-overlap/ Traditionally, Richmond's history-minded folks and fitness-minded folks have had a mutual respect for each other, but no real interaction -- on May 30th that will change with the launch of the Anthem Stride Through Time. And for those folks who are a little bit history and a little bit fitness, it's a great idea. "Because I work in the tourism industry I thought I might find out something new (by walking the tour)," said Angela Love, president of Distinctive Destinations, a company that runs a tourism shuttle bus from Stony Point Fashion Mall to Washington, D.C. "Anything that brings people that don't normally come ... Thu, 28 May 2009 10:16:30 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/an-only-in-richmond-overlap/#1026 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/dominion-riverrock-redux-ii/ Rusted Root was the heart of the party of 10,000 on Brown's Island Friday night -- the vibe was of a contented Richmond with mud runners, dock dogs and aerial bike acrobats adding to the fun -- Mon, 18 May 2009 15:43:23 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/dominion-riverrock-redux-ii/#1014 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/dominion-riverrock-redux/ After building the Filthy 5k mud pit, Sports Backers staffers Megan Silva and John Raigins celebrated Friday night's mud run's success by jumping right in ... Mon, 18 May 2009 15:45:29 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/dominion-riverrock-redux/#1013 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/dominion-riverrock-and-job-info/ Job seekers at Dominion Riverrock would do well to stop by the Dream !t Do !t Virginia tent and get clued into their wealth of information which they have on hand to promote the launch of their new website. "We are very excited about the launch of Dream It. Do It. Virginia 2.0,” said Brett Vassey, president and CEO, VMA.  “Representatives will be available at the Dream It. Do It. Virginia tent to talk to attendees about career and training opportunities in advanced technology.  From making jets fly to creating life-saving medicine, today’s careers in advanced technology offer great pay, provide for ... Fri, 15 May 2009 15:19:02 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/dominion-riverrock-and-job-info/#1004 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/the-james-river-scramble-always-a-surprise/ Richmond's runners love the James River Scramble because there's always something wacky -- heat, high water, an amazing route through the rocks -- there's no telling how the run will play out.  That's its appeal -- that it's not so much about a measurement of time elapsed as it is about a measurement of effort and adventure.  Who knows what Saturday's run will bring?  For sure there will be a start, a finish, a great story and new this year, a surpise in your race bib!  Wed, 13 May 2009 15:25:43 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/the-james-river-scramble-always-a-surprise/#990 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/jeff-lenosky-rva-construction-and-a-new-way/ What do mountain bike pro Jeff Lenosky soon to headline the RVA Construction Freetyle Bikes event at Dominion Riverrock on May 15-16th and a construction company have in common?  Plenty ... RVA Construction has a new way of looking at the way they do things -- so does Lenosky (seen him ride?) -- they are builders (he's making his own obstacles) -- so is Lenosky -- and they both like keepin' it green. "We're all trying to make for a better community," says RVA Construction's Mattson Roberts, who advises us that their work on the Northside Family Life Center will be a ... Tue, 5 May 2009 16:59:41 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/jeff-lenosky-rva-construction-and-a-new-way/#962 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/the-active-richmond-anti-gloom-room/ On a rainy, misty May monday go anti-gloom by --- -- signing up for the May 15th Filthy 5k Mud Run (less expensive than Muddy Buddy, convenient locale on Brown's Isle, free concert by Rusted Root (who will be previewing a new album) and beer will be served).  The route tours Belle Ilse so runners will have to contend with mud sauvage and a dip in the rivah!  Also be prepared for obstacles -- creative, stategic obstacles -- designed by Sports Backers' best and brightest -- and then the grand finale will be the spectator friendly Brown's Isle Mud Pool featuring a special blend of professinally mixed mud courtesy of Venture Richmond.  ... Mon, 4 May 2009 09:36:53 -0400 http://social.richmond.com/blog/ActiveRichmond/2009/05/the-active-richmond-anti-gloom-room/#949