Training doesn't have to stop with the end of the race
By: Michael J. Montalbano
© The Times-Picayune
Some participants sprinted, others jogged and an ever growing number of individuals walked to the finish line of The Times-Picayunes' Crescent City Classic, which concluded its 30th edition Saturday morning at Tad Gormely Stadium. The 10K event was once again a party, with a festive atmosphere following what amounted to a morning workout -- for some. "I walked most of it, said Kenner's Gary Hemelt, 52, who completed his fourth CCC and first since Hurricane Katrina. "I did it in 1:41, which is my record." Hemelt was excited about his time, but was he looking forward to entering another race? "I hope to continue running," he said. "It's the only way that I can keep my weight down. This (running high), I think it will last at least until the summer."
That's what Gini Davis, a local physical therapist who has put together The Times-Picayune's Training Guide to the CCC for the past 25 years, likes to hear. She said health benefits for the participants of the CCC didn't have to stop at the conclusion of the 6.2-mile event. Davis, 63, who walked the CCC on Saturday with her 12-year-old granddaughter, Avery, says individuals who had a good experience training for and participating in the event -- and even those who didn't -- have an opportunity to continue keeping or kick-starting an active, healthier lifestyle. "It may not be practical for you to stay, or you may not want to stay, at the level where you run a 6-mile race every week," Davis said. "Pick out what's comfortable for you. There are more races out there."
Davis maps out a training schedule each year for the T-P that guides runners, joggers and walkers over the last 80 days leading up to the CCC. By completing the race, other shorter races now are easier to tackle, she said. "This area doesn't have a lot of other 10K events, but there are many 5Ks and 1-mile runs," Davis said. "The NOTC (New Orleans Track Club) has numerous races to keep one going." The training guide will continue to appear on the CCC's Web site -- www.ccff.org -- throughout the year. The benefits of continuing a running/walking program, especially with the heat and humidity quickly returning to the area, are self evident.
"For health, you think about exercising rhythmically and continuously for at least a half-hour," Davis said. "So, if it takes you a half-hour to run 3 miles or to run 2 miles, than that may be your deciding factor. For walkers, just the same. ". . . Sometimes people just focus on the Classic and don't really know that there are other races. We know it's hot and humid here in the summertime. Now could be the time to get the rest of the family involved. If you've been the only one in your family, or maybe there are two of you, or if you've got some kids, than maybe you can get them into the walking part of this. So that maybe next year every body can do the Classic together."
Davis is quick to point out that varying one's training is a way to keep motivated. "Try to expand -- strength training, elliptical machine, spin class -- and vary some of things you are doing," she said. "You don't want it to be like a drudge, saying: 'It's too hot. I don't feel like doing anything.' "
New Orleanian Connie Damare, 57, who walked the CCC at a leisurely pace Saturday, said she plans to continue to follow the training guide to the 10K event. "I really didn't train too well this year, she said. "It's a good idea to (be able to continue to look at the guide). I'd follow it."
CCC INFORMATION: Visit www.ccff.org or call (504) 861-8686
