If you’re thinking Gulf Coast beaches, think Georgia. Georgia may not have a long coast, but what it has is absolutely beautiful. And one of the very best beaches is the 10-mile stretch of beach on Jekyll Island, a barrier island off Georgia’s Gulf Coast.

Historically Jekyll Island was a winter resort and playground for the rich and famous, but now “Georgia’s Jewel” is open to everyone. The 240 acres that encompassed the old resort is a National Historic Landmark, and is the largest such landmark undergoing restoration. But, the Historic District isn’t all construction; it has shops and restaurants, and it’s decorated in a 19th century style. Guides are dressed accordingly.

If lying on the beach and soaking up the sun isn’t enough, put on your walking shoes and take a nature walk. You can go solo, or you can take a tour with an experienced guide from the Tidelands Nature Center. You may see some of the island’s loggerhead turtles, who bury their eggs on the beaches and dunes from May through August. They’re a protected species, and their nests are flagged by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center. If you see a disturbed nest, or an unflagged one, let the Georgia Sea Turtle Center know.

Another great way to see the island and its many specimens of wildlife is by canoe or kayak. You can rent one and slide through the protected salt marshes and estuaries, and see birds, fish, dolphins and more. Be sure to bring a jacket in fall or winter, as it can get cool out on the water, and don’t forget a good-sized tote to carry your camera, notebooks, water and snacks.

Jekyll Island’s beach is divided into three named parts: north, middle, and south. You can park at the middle beach, and public restrooms are also available there. The north beach has an access ramp, but no parking or amenities and access to the south beach is a long boardwalk over the fragile and scenic oat grass covered dunes. Whichever you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy the soft white sand and the Georgia Coast sunshine.

Hello there, runners!

We are well into October, and the Dec. 6 Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon is sprinting towards us at a fast and crazy pace! I have decided, at the advisement of the Zappos Running Team, that I just do the half. The thought that I should run this powerfully and next year do the full. I agreed, and now I have my mind set on completing the Half at a good time and still have enough energy to have a beer and listen to some rock and roll afterward!

This week I am at the goal of 7 miles. I’m not moving along at the pace that I really wanted; I’ve been flat-lined at 5 miles, and I am going to break it!

Brooks, Asics, New Balance and Saucony have all helped me along with some gear, and it is much appreciated. The only thing I had to run in before this was a plaid moo-moo and wooden clogs I fashioned out of a tree in the forest near my house. (Picture that…..yes…yes….frightening, I know.)

But this week, I came across the finest piece of running gear known to man. (at least this man)

Behold:

Playlists for Brett’s Running This Week:
-Robert Palmer-Sneaking Sally Through the Alley (obsessed with this album)
-JEM-Finally Woken
-Old Crow Medicine Show-Tennessee Pusher

Sign up here for the Half or the Full Marathon!

One of the best known beaches in the Northeast is Old Orchard Beach. Located on the southern coast of Maine, about 15 miles south of Portland, Old Orchard Beach has been a year-round destination for ocean-side fun for 170 years. But no worries – that doesn’t make it old-fashioned!

Old Orchard Beach is located on Saco Bay, a glistening bay of deep blue water with generally low surf, making it ideal for sunbathing and swimming, although not a surfer destination. The seven miles of soft sand offer plenty of space even on crowded days, and there are beachfront stores and restaurants along much of its length. The 500 foot Old Orchard Pier has stores, restaurants and games, as well as offering a variety of entertainment events year-round.

If it’s possible to get tired of the beach, put on a good pair of walking shoes , load up a nice-sized tote bag like the “Enjoy” from Diesel , with pockets for everything you might need, and head to the Route 1 corridor. You’ll find shopping, two water parks, an amusement park, plenty of restaurants, and just a little further, the Maine Mall with over 140 shops.

You can also head to the southern end of Saco Bay. At Camp Ellis, the Saco River enters the bay, and you can rent a sailboat, or go whale-watching or fishing. There’s a breakwater there that will give you a long walk in the fresh salt air. When you go, remember it can get cold up there, so bring a jacket like this “ Cabin Fever “ Bomber with a hood. Its plaid flannel outer layer with cute toggles will fit right in “down east” and the faux fur lining of the body and hood will keep you warm enough.

Old Orchard Beach isn’t just for summer. Fall and spring offer plenty of summer-like days, and the turning leaves in the fall are priceless, especially with off-season rates! The ocean is beautiful in the winter, too, and there are sleigh rides and Nordic skiing to keep you busy.

Though fast food is often blamed for obesity and parents are urged to keep their children out of the drive through and to make home cooking a priority, there’s still something to be said for a fast food meal. In fact, teaching children to eat in moderation at a fast food restaurant, and to view fast food as a special treat instead of a daily indulgence, has its benefits. Making a family outing to a local fast food establishment once in a while can be a learning experience for children, as well as a fun treat.

Select fast food restaurants carefully.
Select the fast food establishment you want to share with your children carefully. Not only should you consider what you have nearby, but think about their menu options and the layout of the restaurant, too. A fast food restaurant with a playplace is a great idea, and allows kids to burn off some energy. Some restaurants offer milk, apple and carrot sticks, grilled chicken instead of fried, or a variety of other healthier choices for both parents and children. Select a fast food restaurant that meets these requirements for a healthier and more enjoyable experience. Pick a restaurant within walking distance, throw on your running shoes , and make the whole evening healthier.

Find a reason to visit a fast food establishment.
After a first dentist’s visit, after putting on a brave face for shots at the doctor’s office, to celebrate the first day of summer vacation, or to break up a long car trip are all great opportunities to make a trip to a fast food restaurant. These don’t necessarily set up fast food as a special treat, but they don’t make it a common, everyday occurrence, either. Don’t make a big deal out of a fast food restaurant, but show your children that there are much better ways to eat through your own activities.

Make positive meal choices.
The occasional Happy Meal is hardly going to make children obese or raise their cholesterol. But it can’t hurt to make good choices while you are at a fast food restaurant, too. Select milk for the kids, instead of soda. Let your children see you choose a salad instead of a triple cheeseburger. Indulge in french fries if they’re your favorite, but order a small instead of a large. Making positive choices for yourself and your children when you do choose a fast food restaurant shows them that it’s okay to eat healthy when you are out.

Making a family outing to a local fast food establishment once in a while can be a learning experience for children, as well as a fun treat. Showing your children how to indulge in fast food the right way is a valuable lesson.

When you’re sitting behind a computer all day or are stuck behind a desk for hours on end, the seated position will take its toll on your posture. Stretching throughout the day can help improve circulation and keep your energy levels up. Stretching is especially important if you’re trying to keep up with your get-fit routine; if you do manage to sneak off for a workout during lunch hour, or snag a break in the mid-afternoon for a power walk, stretching your arms and legs properly will reduce the risk of injury and keep you strong and healthy. Here are some easy stretching routines you can do behind your desk, any time of day:

Lower Arm Stretch: Interlace your fingers and push your arms out in front of you. Tense your upper back and shoulder blades, and continue pushing forward until you feel your back muscles contract. Hold for 10-15 seconds at a time, and repeat.

Oblique Stretch: Extend your arms overhead and hold one hand with the other while pulling your body to the side. Hold for 15 seconds, inhale and exhale, then do the same to the other side. This is a great way to stretch at your waist and elongate your torso.

Ankle Rotations: Sit with square shoulders and feet slightly apart. Lift one leg up about a foot from the ground and rotate your ankles clockwise for 20 revolutions and counterclockwise for 20 revolutions. Repeat with the other leg.

Upper Back Stress Buster: A great one if you’re hunched over a computer keyboard or laptop for most of the day; interlace your fingers behind your head and make sure your elbows are pointing straight out. Push your elbows back to make your shoulder blades contract, and hold the muscles in a tense position for at least 10 seconds before relaxing. Repeat 2-3 times.

Shoulder Stretch: Hunch your shoulders tightly up towards your neck and hold for 15 seconds before releasing. Repeat for 10 seconds, and release. This will help loosen up your upper back and tense neck muscles.

Don’t forget to drink lots of water throughout the day, since this also keeps your energy levels up when you’re in a seated position for most of the day. And, be sure to pack those walking shoes for those opportune moments where you can squeeze in a workout during your break.

Often times, when a person attempts to find the perfect shoe , he finds himself either staring at a wall full of endless sneakers that all seem to look alike, or he pages from link to link on the web, all the while unable to figure out what is what. At long last, once a shoe has been chosen, he feels his toe box to make sure he can wiggle, and he stands up to see if his heel slides too much. Yet rarely does a buyer think about the part of the shoe that is the most important: the midsole.

While it does not seem to do too much, being in the middle and all, the midsole performs several critical functions that allow for an injury-free run. First, the midsole absorbs almost three times the force of your body weight at impact, thus making your foot strike much less hurtful than it could be. Second, it provides you with a rebound effect, with the shoe pushing off the ground in response to the impact, thus helping to propel you forward into the next stride. Next, the midsole actually helps to provide additional stability if you suffer from over-pronation. And finally, it disallows your foot from feeling most sharp or blunt objects, such as rocks, shells, or sticks, you encounter while running. Overall, it plays a pretty major role in the success and enjoyment in running , so giving it some attention is a good idea.

Generally, the midsole represents the most durable part of the shoe, as the front and side portions will often wear sooner. Being thicker and more pronounced, the midsole has the cushioning and stability to weather the stress each mile puts on the shoe, thus it does not show its age as rapidly. Yet do not be fooled into believing it performs no great function by its tough exterior and steadfast resistance. It may not be the most exciting consideration, and it may not look too cool, but it will give you the correct production if you take the time to learn about what it can do. Best of luck!

It’s been a long and stressful day at the office, or you’ve been blessed with looking after a gaggle of young kids over the Spring Break holiday. Whatever the case may be, hitting the gym for a workout or even your new exercise regimen suddenly disappeared into the abyss of the priority list. Working out regularly promises dozens of health benefits, including lower blood pressure, decreased stress levels and even a better sense of well being. Unfortunately, most of us don’t make enough time to meet our weekly minimum requirements; when health and fitness take a backseat, we also put ourselves at risk for fatigue and stress.

Fear not! There are some ways to schedule a workout into even the busiest schedule. If your calendar is packed to the brim with to-do items, here are some ways to sneak in a workout or two in your busy day:

Spend Mondays with a Personal Trainer
If you can invest in a personal trainer, get your week off on the right start with a one-on-one session first thing on Monday morning. If you can’t spare the cash for a trainer, enlist a buddy instead; make a commitment to hit the gym together first thing on Monday to kick those post-weekend blues together and get a positive start on fitness for the week ahead.

Become an Early Riser
If you’re already getting up early to head to the office or wake up the kids for school, set your alarm for 45 minutes earlier than usual to get a head start on your day. Just 30 minutes of vigorous activity – jump roping, speed walking or a quick jog – is enough to get your metabolism in gear and burn fat all day long. Keep those running shoes by your bedside and throw on your workout gear before the household begins their day.

Make the Most of Lunch Hour
Have 15 minutes to spare during lunch hour? Change into some walking shoes and hit the streets for a power walking session. If you live in the city, this is a great way to window shop and explore new neighborhoods. If you’re in the country, enjoy the fresh air and great outdoors while burning a few extra calories!

Sometimes spending time with family can be as simple as putting a twist on a popular sport or activity. Remaining active is important to the family’s health and also is a great way to have some fun together. The relay race is a classic sport that families and athletes have enjoyed for years. Skateboarding also is a family-friendly sport. Mixing the two can add to the fun.

Materials
Open Safe Paved Area
Skateboard
Sidewalk Chalk
Whistle

Preparation
Before the race begins, be sure the family is wearing appropriate footwear . No one should be running (or skateboarding) in sandals or dress shoes. Appropriate active footwear should be lightweight and supportive. Be sure that the traction on the shoes is appropriate for asphalt, as well as skateboard riding.

Other preparations for the race includes gathering the materials. Prepare the race by drawing a start and finish line on the ground with chalk. The start and finish line should be enough distance apart for a good racing area. The actual length may vary depending on your family’s endurance levels.

How to Play Skateboard Relay Race
Place a racer at the start line, as well as the finish line. If you have more than two family members, those members should split up evenly and line up behind the other players. The player at the start line should have the skateboard. Blow the whistle to signal the start of the race. The player at the start line skateboards to the player at the finish line. The skateboard, rather than a baton is the hand-off item.

The player at the finish line then rides the skateboard to the start line and the next player in line is handed the skateboard. The race continues until all family members have had a chance to skateboard. This is a non-competitive version. For a competitive version, teams can be created. Game play would be the same, except there would be two or more start and finish lines, depending on the number of players. Whichever team finishes first is the winner.

Those who are too young to skateboard the traditional way, such as younger children, may sit on the skateboard instead of standing.