By ANNE MOORE
So, I’m sitting here in my usual
couch potato mode, anticipating
a trip to Colorado. You
know — the fresh, cool, clear
air; the beautiful views/scenery; the hiking.
Wait. The hiking. I’m still not in
swimsuit-season shape.
That’s when it hit me. We have
access to beautiful places where there
are hiking and biking trails, trees, water
and picnicking. One such place is
Government Canyon State Natural Area.
This 8,622-acre area was purchased as a
joint effort of Texas Parks and Wildlife,
Edwards Aquifer Authority, San Antonio
Water System, the Trust for Public Land
and the Land and Water Conservation
Fund for the purpose of protecting our
water supply and to preserve the beautiful
area. Government Canyon lies over
the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone and
the transition zone for water recharge.
Here, you’ll find over 30 miles of
trails, including some for biking and
some for the family with a stroller, if
needed, and their dog. And some for
hiking and biking only. You’ll wind
through a variety of trees and see rare
birds along the way. You can view all
around Bexar County from some places.
Make your exercise an adventure. You
might even want to become a volunteer at
Government Canyon. At present, it is
open only Fridays through Sundays. A tip:
Call before you go since trails are sometimes
closed because of weather conditions.
Get more information at www.governmentcanyonsna.com.
ROLLING ON THE RIVER
Or, at least around town and close by it.
According to a recent article in the Express-
News, there’s a biker “gang” that cruises
around San Antonio at night. Well, not
exactly a gang, more like a group. The
Downtown Highlife Bicycle Club, pretty
much composed of some regulars and
whoever else shows up, meets in front of
the Alamo the last Friday of each month.
Be there by 9 p.m., ready to roll, and
you’re in for what sounds like a really interesting
and fun look at the San Antonio
most of us don’t know. Now that’s a great
way to get some exercise.
KEEP ON ROLLING
If you’re interested in biking and
would like to ride with a group or want
to participate in events, drop by or call
some local bicycle shops for information.
For example, the San Antonio Wheelmen
(www.sanantoniowheelmen.com) will
give you access to maps and organized
rides for various levels of skill and all for
a very nominal fee. Their Web site is
chock full of information.
October 20-21, there’s the annual Valero
MS 150 Bike Tour, a two-day bike-to-thebeach
cycling event stretching from San
Antonio to Corpus Christi. The funds raised
go to research and programs for multiple
sclerosis. A tip: Proper fitting attire and
equipment for biking are as important as
properly fitted shoes for the runner.
MOVING ALONG
As you know, walking and running are
two ways to tone your body, air out your
lungs and get rid of those cobwebs in your
brain. In an interview with Karen
Wolfshohl, a pioneer in women’s competitive
running, Express-News staff writer
Vincent T. Davis gives us some insight into
the obstacles encountered by women runners.
Wolfshohl reveals how, as late as the
1970s, women had to wear men’s running
shoes, and there were no trophies for the
winners of women’s running competitions.
Women weren’t allowed to run in Olympic
marathons until 1984. It happened then
only after many years of dedicated work
by Wolfshohl and others sharing the
dream. She told the reporter, “They said
we couldn’t do what men do. It made me
think of Ginger Rogers’ response to all the
praise for Fred Astaire — that she did all
that he did, and did it backwards!”
So, if you don’t want to run alone or
want to participate in some “organized” training or maybe even enter
some running events, join the San
Antonio Road Runners, (www.sanantonioroadrunners.com) or one of the
other running clubs or groups around
town. As with the Wheelmen’s site,
there is a whole bunch of information
here. Also, check with stores selling
athletic shoes for running, walking,
tennis and so forth, for information.
The Downtown YMCA has an indoor
track for those of us wanting more comfort
(less heat in the summer, less cold in
the winter, less rain anytime). There are
5K, 10K and other specific distance runs
for charity or for fun throughout the year,
such as the annual Susan B. Komen run
for breast cancer research. There’s a Zoo
Run, which is a four-person, eight-mile
relay race through Brackenridge Park, the
Zoo and Aquarium. Some other places to
hike, walk and bike are Friedrich
Wilderness Park, Eisenhower Park, Walker
Ranch and Brackenridge Park.
And, of course, you can always jump
on the treadmill at home or at a fitness
club and watch TV or a DVD movie, or listen
to music or a recorded book, or tune
into Texas Public Radio and National Public
Radio to learn a lot of interesting stuff and
for other great programming. The multitasking
might give you even more of a lift. To make your walking and running
extra special, consider adopting a dog
from a local shelter to accompany you.
WHAT’S AVAILABLE THROUGH SAN
ANTONIO PARKS AND RECREATION
DEPARTMENT? WELL, A LOT!
(WWW.CI.SAT.TX.US/SAPAR)
Like, tennis anyone? The McFarlin
Tennis Center is a world-class facility in
San Pedro Park. You can reserve space
at one of the 22 lighted courts, take
lessons there and have use of the lockers
and showers. Other places are school
courts or neighborhood courts — some
with leagues of their own. Blossom
Athletic Center and the Northside
Independent School District have courts
as well. Lessons may be offered.
Sometimes do you just want to hit
something? Golf might just get you
going. You and a friend or friends can
walk (well, some still do), work your torso,
upper body and arms while also taking out
your frustrations on the little ball.
There are six really nice city golf courses
available for nominal green fees that
include cart rental. All have restroom and
refreshment/lounge facilities. (Frankly, I
was always better at the 19th hole). In
addition to the health and social benefits,
you might want to conduct some business
on the course. What’s really cool? You
can schedule your tee time online at
www.sanantonio.gov/golf.
Grab some lessons by calling some of
the pro shops at clubs such as Sonterra,
Oak Hills or Dominion. Some driving
ranges also offer lessons. Be sure to look
in the continuing education schedule of
courses offered by Alamo Heights,
Northside and Northeast School Districts
when they arrive in your mailbox.
MAKE IT A SAFETY THING
You can sweat your way to safety and
cardio fitness while you’re boxing, kickboxing,
Tae Kwan do-, Karate- or Kung
Fu-ing. It can be fun and rewarding — you experience that little omygoodness I
survived another session personal satisfaction
at the end of class. Let your fingers
do the walking in the Yellow Pages,
or ask a friend who takes lessons.
MORE DANCE, LESS SWEAT
Remember Richard Simmons’ series
of Sweating to the Oldies and music and
dance videos? Dancing truly is a wonderful
way to exercise aerobically, and it’s
just plain fun.
The Web site of the San Antonio
Dance Umbrella (www.sadu.org) will
give you an overview and contact information
for 60 or more studios offering
lessons. These classes cover just about
any kind of dance experience you might
want — ballet, tap, clogging, salsa and
merengue, Irish, Polish polka and waltz,
Middle Eastern, tango, folklorico, flamenco— you name it.
One group particularly caught my
attention: The Inflight Dance Company
(www.Inflightdance.com). Especially
devoted to disabled people in wheelchairs,
it endeavors to help them maintain
or regain the joy of movement
through music. The able-bodied are
integrated with those in wheelchairs and
are challenged through the choreography
accompanying the music.
The city programs also include therapeutic
recreation, including basketball,
bowling, swimming, dancing and more,
for residents with disabilities. Call (210)
207-3048 for information. It sounds like
a good thing.
Your fancy still not tickled? Your bell
has not been rung? Your boat is not
floating?
Don’t worry. There are adult
leagues around town, including city sponsored
basketball and softball.
Soccer? San Antonio Soccer League (www.sanantoniosoccer.com). You can paddle your little floaties off at many,
many places. Palo Alto College and the San Antonio
Natatorium offer open swim, lap work, lessons and water
aerobics. Blossom Athletic Center and the Northside ISD
have open swimming and activities, as do many neighborhood
association pools.
Fitness centers offer a wide variety and an extensive
schedule of classes and all of the equipment needed for
cross training at one location. Certified Personal Trainers
cross train you, knowing how much weight you can lift,
how many reps, lunges, sit-ups and more you can accomplish
and how far to push you each session. You’ll be given
your own personal workout plan and the motivation to
keep you going.
ZOOM, ZOOM
Skating! You can inline skate at home or in the ‘hood. Try
your luck at ice-skating. Get on those four-wheelers at the
roller skating rink. Take your kids, your friends, or rent the
whole darn thing for a party.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL RIGHT HERE IN THE ALAMO CITY?
Yes, Ancira Sports Park has evening leagues on lighted sand
volleyball courts. Or you and your friends can get up a game
and play for $4 per person. They also have adult softball
leagues and a 25-meter swimming pool.
As you can see, there is quite a large variety of options available
for your cross-training activities. Check Wednesday’s
newspaper sports section for a long listing of all the sports
events scheduled around town.
