FEATURED CLUB MEMBERS
Mia and Ellie Cook

Mia and Ellie Cook, age 10 are some of our most active members. They began swimming at SAC with Rebecca when they were 3 years old. They have progressed into active participants in our after school swim club with Leah. They began swim club in January 2011 and have been with it ever since. They enjoy the camaraderie of the swim club and being with their friends in the pool. They also “just love” Leah. Besides swimming, Mia and Ellie enjoy riding horses. They share a show pony named Scooby Doo. They ride English style and compete in Hunter Jumper events. Their dad Jeff is a horse trainer so most of their training comes from him. Central Oregon hosts many competitions which keep them busy. Besides swimming and riding horses Mia and Ellie enjoy skiing and spend a lot of time at Hoodoo. They started skiing last year but have become quite good. Ellie enjoys skiing for the fun of it but Mia likes to challenge herself on black diamond runs and hopes to race someday. Aspirations for the future include opening a dog kennel complete with grooming facility, doggy bakery and a foster and rescue operation. The girls currently foster dogs waiting for adoption so they are getting lots of practice. If you can’t tell, Mia and Ellie are twins with Ellie being the oldest by one minute. These sisters are very close and the best of friends. They share a room, have the same friends and sometimes have “twin moments” when they say the same thing at the same time. If you can’t tell them apart – Ellie is pictured on the left and Mia on the right. We love seeing their smiling faces at the club and are happy they have chosen to be so active at SAC!

Get Active America
May is the month that SAC participates in the Get Active America program. We are challenging our members and the community to be active for 5 days a week; 6 out of 8 weeks. Being active consists of 30 or more minutes of activity. Throughout May members may bring a guest with them for up to two weeks at no cost. Last year was the first year we participated in the program. We had 137 members take the challenge and I would love to see that number increase this year. All participants will receive two free guest passes and will be entered into a drawing for some great prizes. Take the challenge and get your body ready for summer with Get Active America! Sign up forms are available at the front desk.

TRAINER TIPS
Triathlon Training Tips
By Khiva Beckwith
Thinking about doing your first triathlon? It’s a great way to start off the month of May with Get Active America. As a first timer you may have genuine fear and you are not alone! I have been there and so have many others. Here are some tips to help calm your fears: When training for your swim try to go a little farther than your needed distance. It will give you confidence and you can always resort to your “easy” swim if need be (such as side or breast stroke.) The swim is the shortest part of the race and it’s over before you know it! For the riding, keep in mind that any bike with gears will work, be it mountain bike, hybrid, or road bike. Practice drinking while riding by reaching down for your water bottle and replacing it while looking forward. The bike is the longest part of the race and this is where you will need the most fuel and hydration. A good pair of running shoes is very important. If you haven’t been running lately you can work your way up to it. Start by running and walking. You can also do this during the triathlon. Incorporate brick workouts into your training. This workout consists of a back-to-back bike and run and will help your legs adjust from cycling legs to running legs. It should be done once a week. Weight training twice a week is great! The transitions occur between the swim/bike and the bike/run. If this is your first triathlon you don’t need to worry about speed during the transition, but preparation is important. With this being your first race, your main goal is to finish with a smile on your face. Be warned— once you do one triathlon you may never want to stop!

We will be hosting a blood drive here at the Club on June 12th.
Sign up times are available at the front desk. All blood donors will receive a free guest pass and the chance to help save a life!

Featured Staff Member
Carlos Garcia

Have you ever wondered how we keep the club in such great working order? The answer is Carlos Garcia. Carlos has been a part of our maintenance staff for less than a year and really keeps the gears turning around here. He works mainly behind the scenes but he is very valuable to the Sisters Athletic Club. Carlos was born and raised in Southern California. He has a degree in Fire Technology from Cal State that led him to a 30-year career with the Los Angeles Fire Department. When not at the Club, Carlos can be found coaching track and field at Sisters High School He has been coaching the Outlaws since 2007 but has been a track coach for 22 years. Carlos is not only a great track coach, he also competes at the master’s level in decathlon. His favorite events are pole vaulting and running hurdles Although he no longer fight fires, Carlos has not left his roots far behind. He works with Deschutes County Search and Rescue team and heads up the swift water rescue program. Carlos moved to Sisters in 2006 and has 11 acres which keep him busy. In his spare time he enjoys hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and like any good Southern Californian, surfing! We are very thankful that Carlos is a part of our team at SAC.
In case you’re wondering, Carlos is single.

Mark your calendar for the
SAC Triathlon on June 2nd!

Featured Club Member
Conrad Weiler

Conrad has been a member of SAC since 2003. He is dedicated to fitness and works out five days a week. He attends Q-Club class on Tuesday and Thursday and Water Aerobics on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays.Conrad has lived in Camp Sherman for 17 years. He and his wife Joan have been married for 53 years. Before moving to Oregon they lived in Santa Barbara, CA. They spent many summers camping at Camp Sherman and decided to make it their home upon retiring. During their years in Santa Barbara, Conrad taught biology at community colleges in Los Angeles and at Santa Barbara City College. He was also a genetics researcher at City of Hope Medical Center.
Conrad has four daughters and four grandchildren. He is a Marine Corps Veteran and served during the Korean War. He is a graduate of Farleigh Dickinson College of NJ and has a Masters of Science Degree from
USC. Conrad is very active in the Sisters community participating in the Sisters Area Photography Club, Sisters Area Historical Society and the McIntosh Users Group Computer Club.
We are so happy to have Conrad as a member and are proud of his dedication and hard work.

Featured Staff Member
Jim Holcomb

Jim has worked at SAC for ten years. He teaches Q-Club class and is a favorite amongst his personal training clients. Jim has lived in Sisters for 12 years. Jim and his wife Jeanne have been married for 44 years. Before moving to Sisters they spent 29 years in Alaska living in areas that to most people would seem uninhabitable. They lived in Point Barrow Alaska which is the northern most point in the United States. They also lived in St. Michael and north of the Arctic Circle in Kotzebue. Along with their children they lived in wooden cabins with no running water or toilets. Food was brought in once a year and mail was flown in three times a week. During these years Jim was a schoolteacher and coached basketball, track and cross country. He also spent seven years working as an air traffic controller in Homer Alaska. Beginning in 1980 Jim and his family spent their summers in Sisters and decided this would be the place to retire.
When not at the club you may see Jim running, mountain biking, backpacking, kayaking or playing tennis. Jim is a true asset to the Sisters Athletic Club and brings a wealth of knowledge to our members and those who have had a chance to work with him.

New Season, New Focus
By Garret Caster

For many central Oregonians the start of spring is cause to stash the stationary bike and dust off the trail shoes. As shards of Spring pierce through winter winds our interests shift. Whether it be a spring marathon or a low key hike that doesn’t require one to don snowshoes, the spring yields more than just a change in temperature. With the trails, rivers and golf greens calling, what happens to the time dedicated to the gym? I cannot argue with those who protest the use of a treadmill in favor of hitting the trails and soaking up rays. However, there are areas in which our great Oregon wilderness lacks in fitness provisions. I suppose you could chop down a tree or carry boulders around instead of lifting weights, but that could prove to be inconvenient. The winter can be a tough place for UV junkies who live for the summer sun. A level of “gym resentment” can build when the weather dictates your hobbies and we are forced inside. There are a great many reasons why individuals tend to stray from indoor exercise during the spring and summer. I can’t say I blame anyone who adopts that mentality. Despite feelings of gym mutiny, it is important to remember that when it comes to fitness and health, balance is of upmost importance. Indoor exercise such as weight training, yoga, swimming, and class style exercise are just as important and beneficial as anything you could do outside. Although you might dedicate more of the spring and summer hours to activities outside, budgeting time to get in the gym can prove crucial in maintaining or improving your health even as you stay active outdoors. I’d like to suggest that you get outside but not abandon regular fitness activities at the club. The gym can offer a consistency in training
and fitness that can be difficult to replicate with outdoor sports. Change is paramount to
progression in our health, as an athlete and as an individual. Just as important as change, balance is what allows us to sustain those changes. Try finding half an hour to sneak in weight training before heading out fly fishing, or going to yoga after your morning mountain bike ride.
As we approach the shift in seasons, I will be undergoing a shift of my own. I will soon be leaving Sisters to pursue a long awaited endeavor in my education. I am starting Paramedic school this spring where I hope to further my ability and passion for helping others. I will be leaving with an abundant supply of happy and genuine memories made wholly possible by the people I have met here. The relationships and experiences I have gained as a member of the Sisters community are ones I won’t soon forget. Thank you.

Tate’s Tidbits

Do you love to backpack? Would you like to learn more about lightweight backpacking?
Summer is not far away and that means backpacking season will be here soon. Join us at the club on Wednesday, March 21st at 6:45pm to hear and share great tips on how to have a positive and fun backpacking experience. Bring your gear, a few friends (non members welcome) and your ideas. This will be an informal gathering to talk about backpacking trails, gear websites, and to share ideas about hiking philosophy. Paula Berry, who hiked the Pacific Trail last summer, will be our host. If you would like additional information please contact Paula at 541-549-4842.

Sisters Athletic Club
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February 2012

FEATURED CLUB MEMBER : Rennie Morrell
Rennie has been a member at SAC for the past nine years. She actually started her membership in our old location downtown. Rennie enjoys the many group exercise classes that we offer at the Club and using the cardio machines. She moved to Sisters in 2000, prior to that she had vacationed at her cabin in Camp Sherman since the late 80’s.
Rennie grew up in South Carolina and is a retired Navel Officer specializing in training and education. Throughout her career she has been stationed in Texas, Japan, Florida, Seattle, New Orelans and the Pentagon, which was her favorite. Rennie met her husband, a retired Navy Captain in Newport, Rhode Island. They have been married for 28 years. During our interview Rennie said “the best thing about me is my husband; he has a great sense of humor.” Rounding out their family is their Yellow Lab Murphy. Having spent 22 years in the Navy, Rennie has done a lot of traveling. She and her husband honeymooned in Hong Kong and visited China in 1980 before tourists traveled there. For her 40th birthday she went to Ireland. She has gone zip lining in Puerta Vallarta. After hurricane Katrina, Rennie contracted with FEMA and planned base camp operations providing services for all the aide workers in the area. She lived in a tent in a parking lot for 1 month. When not at the Club Rennie enjoys hiking, camping and cooking with her friends. Rennie has been working very hard lately and has lost over 30 pounds! We are extremely proud of her and her dedication to leading a fit life!

TATE’S TIDBITS
Taking Ownership of Your Health

Exercise, watch your nutritional intake and lead a relatively healthy lifestyle; it sounds so simple, right? Then why has the obesity rate gotten out of control? Go to our website to see a 25 year trend that tracks the obesity rate state-by-state. Recently I had the pleasure of attending a presentation by Dr. Andrew Weil. This is the second time that I have heard him speak. While I understand that part of his job is to sell his books, I truly value what he says. Our Facebook page has a link to his website where you can get his fantastic food guide pyramid. The interesting thing to me and Aimee was how sparsely attended his lecture was. There could be numerous reasons; but when one of the world’s leading doctors comes to Central Oregon and only a handful attends, I wonder if it is simply a result of apathy. My final rant comes on the heels of watching the documentary Food Inc. I strongly encourage everyone to watch it, but be forewarned it is not pretty. With only about 1/3 of our population exercising on a consistent basis and our habit of compromising our nutrition, are we setting ourselves up for even worse health? While I know that I am preaching to the choir, here is a key to solving the issue: help a friend. People are always telling me that exercise and eating organic or natural foods are too expensive. I contend the opposite to be true.

FEATURED STAFF MEMBER
Myra Fisher

Myra found her way to Sisters seven years ago all the way from Boulder Colorado. Myra grew up in Hawaii and spent a lot of time swimming and long distance running. It was through a friend that Myra discovered her passion for yoga nine years ago and has been teaching for seven years. Myra has spent many hours studying yoga with some of the most respected yogis including Pattabi Jois, the founder of Ashtanga yoga. She has made multiple trips to India in order to further her practice and share her knowledge with her students.
Before moving to Sisters, Myra lived in Boulder where she ran an exporting business that specialized in outdoor and rescue equipment. Prior to that she was a Merchandise Manager for a chain of 165 women’s clothing stores in California. Once the “burnout” hit, Myra “retired” into a yoga instructor. She teaches 5 classes per week here at SAC. She also teaches at Black Butte Ranch and occasionally at studios in Bend.
When not at the club you can find Myra practicing yoga 6 days a week, hiking and cross country skiing. Myra still travels back to her home island of Oahu at least three times a year where she continues her yoga studies. Myra has been a vegetarian for the past seven years, which she says, keeps her healthy and strong. It may be hard to believe but Myra is 62 years young and says that life is about making the right choices. The good choices that she has made have enabled her to maintain her body’s health even into her 60’s. Myra is passionate about sharing her knowledge of yoga with anyone who is interested and encourages even beginners to come to one of her classes or take a private yoga class with her. We are so fortunate to have someone with Myra’s knowledge on our staff and could not be more thankful for the service she is able to provide to our members.

TRAINER TIPS
Small Town Heart Healthy
By Garret Caster

With scores of Americans falling victim to chronic cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and sometimes all of the above, living in a small town like Sisters may provide a potent “fiscally friendly” medicine, prevention. To great extent, the diseases above are highly avoidable through a simple equation:
Healthy Behaviors + Activity x Consistency – Sedentary time = Reduction in risk of chronic disease.
Healthy behaviors: Wise nutritional choices, proper rest, maintaining emotional health, and stress management.
Activity: Getting out and moving, choosing to walk over drive and exercise.
Consistency: Make it a regular, repeated life style.
Sedentary time: Sitting, doing nothing physically, limited movement, a lack of activity.
Healthy behaviors are easy in Sisters for many reasons. There are two gyms, two sporting goods shops an extensive trail system to hike and bike, a health food store, and a nationally recognized wilderness to play. There is an abundance of activity available to all who live here and the distinct advantage of proximity. There is nothing in this town that isn’t within the distance of a reasonable walk or bike ride. When the factor of consistency meets these practices it will accumulate and have a positive impact on your health. If you work at a job where you mostly sit, make a point to hit the gym after (or before) work. If you love your couch and don’t want it to miss you, sorry, it is time to say goodbye to an unhealthy relationship. There is no substitute for accountability and responsibility. In the end it’s up to the individual to take advantage of all the potential health benefits of living here. Do that ticker a favor and enjoy what this town could do for you!

Place the below link into your web browser and hit “play” on the map.

http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html