We are 2 weeks into 2009 and 16 weeks from the Capital City Half Marathon and Commit to Be Fit 5k. How are your "fitness resolutions" going? In this issue we highlight Family Fitness and bring you a special and emotional reason for running in the event.

As a gentle reminder for those not yet registered, we will limit the half marathon field to 5,000 and the Commit to Be Fit 5k Field to 1,500. Remember that the earlier you register, the more money you will save.
Our total registrations continue to be more than 100% of where they were last year at this time. Register Today and start your journey with us.

We have started work on the event Facebook pages. I set one up for myself "David Babner" over the weekend and the process was pretty painless. It was simple to do and it amazes me how many of you I have seen online. Check it out and give me any tips you might have.

My 12 year old son Nate continues his training for his first half marathon. His training took an interesting twist last week as most of his training came via wrestling practice at Karrer Middle School. Not being a wrestler, I was not familiar with the workouts. After seeing the combination of endurance, strength and explosive training and watching Nate's body transform over the last few months into a fit looking athlete, it makes me think that we all should be doing 200 "butt ups" and carrying 30 pound sandbags around. I found some helpful strength training tips at Running Planet.

It seems that the promotion of youth and family fitness is everywhere. From the advertisements running for the LPGA tour, the NBA and the NFL's "get active" promotions, it is clear that our society has finally figured out that video games are not a substitute for a ball and a stick or a bike and pair of sneakers.

In this month's issue of City Scene Magazine 10TV's Andrea Cambern has a great article on Family Fitness. She points out that fun is the key for any family adopting an active lifestyle. According to the Article, one out of every three children born in the year 2000 will develop Type 2 diabetes. A child who develops Type 2 Diabetes at age 10 will lose 17 to 23 years of life. If that's not motivation to get everyone active, what is?

With both the Capital City Half Marathon and the Commit to Be fit 5k, we are helping to supply some motivation to encourage families to come out and have fun together. So..register more than one person by February 1 and save $10 off each entry after the first one as long as you register all at the same time. For example, If I register myself and Nate. I would get $10 off Nate's entry. If I register Nate and my sister, I would get $10 of both of their entries.

Are you looking to add some strength training to your running and walking workouts and are not currently a member of your local health club, recreation center or YMCA. Bret Hussing and his team Tartan Athletic Club have extended their zero enrollment fee through January 31st.

The Capital City Half Marathon continues its "quest" to become one of the "greenest" events in the country. Each week, this newsletter will include an update or a tip on how we can all make a difference.

Every moment you spend idling your car's engine means time spent needlessly wasting gas, as well as rougher wear on your vehicle. So give it a rest, and avoid idling through your days.

One of the ways the much-praised hybrid vehicles like the Saturn Vue are able to achieve such impressive fuel economy is by having a computer cut out idling automatically: when you aren't making headway, the gas engine shuts off.

For regular cars, it doesn't make sense to shut off the engine at every stop sign. (Even though Environmental Defense found that idling for more than 10 seconds wastes more gas than is required for startup.) But, you should certainly kill it when you are waiting for your son to get out of wrestling practice, or when you will be idle for more than a minute or two.
Overall, idling Americans burn 2.9 billion gallons of gas a year, worth around $78.2 billion, according to a recent report from Texas A&M. That doesn't count the damage done to idling engines by incompletely burned fuel.

For more "green ideas", check out the the City of Columbus' Greenspot Campaign.

Be part of the 5th Annual Arizona Distance Classic Half Marathon and Northwest Medical Center 5k on March 29, 2009 in beautiful Tucson. Arizona. Register by January 31, 2009 and save $10.

While the Capital City Half Marathon is in my home town and the city course is 2nd to none, running and walking around with a view of the Tucson mountain ranges in 65 to 70 degree weather is a nice change from the winter sky of Columbus. It is a great "spring break" for our team to be able to head out to Tucson in March. Come stay with us.

Please email me your feedback, photos, suggestions and comments on how to improve the event experience for you as we prepare for 6th Annual Capital City Half Marathon and Commit to Be Fit 5k.

Get Fit. Stay Fit. Live Fit.
David