PROVIDED BY ADAM WEBB

The day was June 21^st, the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the bocce league was rolling into their fourth week.  The beach was long and fast. The tide was low but on the rise, making for the perfect combination of both soft and hard terrain.

After three solid weeks of performance, the tides show signs of turning. Perhaps it was the excessive heat or the strong breeze — whatever the reason, the only two teams previously undefeated showed their vulnerability.  Balls to the Vol and Balls on the Edge, both local Folly Beach teams, struggled but were able to pull out 2 out of 4 wins each. This change of events brought the Bocce Bros into a share of the lead. But there’s still plenty of time in the season and it’s still anybody’s for the taking.

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Join the Folly Beach Challenge: October 16 - 17, 2010

Provided by Charleston County Parks and Recreation

If you enjoy triathlons, here’s one with a few twists! The Folly Beach Challenge is the perfect alternative to the traditional triathlon, and this year’s event has been expanded to two days to include optional kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) races on Saturday, October 16.

The Folly Beach Challenge, which will be held on Sunday, October 17, is a nontraditional triathlon that features a three mile paddle up the Folly River, an eight-and-a-half mile beach bike ride and a three mile beach run, all starting from Folly Beach County Park. Participants can compete individually or as one leg of a three-person team. Competitors may also take part in the kayak and/or SUP race on Saturday, October 16, and grand prix awards will be given for the lowest combined times for both days’ races.

Online registration for either day’s events is now open, and will end on October 15. If available, late registration will take place on October 16 at packet pick-up. There will be no race-day registration.

Saturday’s kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard races are $30 per person or $25 for Charleston County residents. Single participant registration for Sunday’s triathlon is $44, $36 for a Charleston County resident. Participants must be 16 or older and must furnish all necessary equipment to participate. Triathlon team registration is $92, or $76 for Charleston County residents. Teams require three participants and one member must be at least 18 years of age. Awards will be presented for all individual races and the weekend’s overall combined lowest time.

We recommend that participants bring shoes that can get wet and will stay on their feet in the water, a swim suit or nylon shorts, sun protection including a hat, sunglasses, and lotion, a two- to three- quart plastic water bottle and clothing for the anticipated weather conditions. For more information or to register, call 795-4386 or visit www.ccprc.com/follychallenge.

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Most Lowcountry citizens have been through some serious storms in their lifetimes and when hurricane season rolls around, a palpable level of anxiety is present; especially on the barrier islands. But while the rest of the coastal community is Saran-wrapping their valuable documents and stocking up on canned goods, surfers are waiting for that first storm like a kid waits for Christmas morning.

As most beachgoers are aware, Charleston is not exactly the “wave capital” of the Southeast, but when tropical depression Colin swung by about 800 miles off of our coast on August 7, it kicked up some amazing swell. Waves ranging from chest-high to the occasional head-high set brought tons of activity out to the Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, and Folly Beach breaks. Several amateur and professional photographers with high-resolution lenses also appeared along with the surfers, snapping pictures of surfers hitting the high waves and occasional barrels. It was a great change of pace from the hot, lazy days of an otherwise sweltering and uneventful summer.

As tropical depression Colin began to dissipate on August 8, our surf began to return to normal, though many online surfing sites predicted that the effects of the storm could be seen in the swell upwards of Wednesday.

Surfers do look forward to swell generated by storms, but not hurricanes or storms dangerous enough to threaten the safety of residents. One item of concern is the safety of surfers during large swells. If the surf is rougher than normal, surf with a buddy, wear your leash and don’t let the current drag you too far from your original position.

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The Anderson South Carolina Leukemia Society

By Lauren Dean

It was not an ideal day for a race. Heavy rains the night before had scattered huge puddles along the race route, some of which stretched from each side almost to the center lane of the street.

The sun came out just at the last moment. From my vantage point on E. Arctic Avenue, I experienced the same thrill I get each year as the first flood of runners surged past me. I saw the group of teen-agers from Anderson in their long-sleeved yellow shirts – pony tails flopping, smiles as wide as their faces – glide by in tight formation. A man running behind a baby stroller waved as he went by.

I saw many of these same faces go by my house later in the day as they finished the last leg of the race. Some were still running, many were walking, and the last, courageous, sweat-soaked stragglers simply willed themselves toward the finish line. What dedication! One woman flew in from Wisconsin just for the race and finished third in the “female best overall” category! I’ll bet she was running for more than the exercise.

People care about saving the Morris Island Lighthouse. What’s gone, is gone forever, and without the monumental and prolonged efforts by many people who have worked long and hard to raise money and awareness, she would likely have slipped into the sea by now.

Pat Stormer, a Save the Light volunteer who helped coordinate the race, was pleased to report that there were 789 runners in the Save the Light Half-Marathon & 5-K this year and that more than $7,700 was raised to help in the stabilization of the lighthouse.

Winners were: Half-Marathon first, Ryan Robinson, Anderson, SC; second, Kent Wilson, Candler, NC; third, David Quick, Mt. Pleasant, SC. 5-K first, Chris Hicks, Florence, SC; second, Tyler Cross, James Island, SC; third, Anne Wyman Cipolla, Charleston, SC. Men’s Over-all first, Ryan Robinson, Anderson, SC; second, Kent Wilson, Candler, NC; third, David Quick, Mt. Pleasant, SC. Women’s Over-all first, Anne Clinton, Charleston, SC; second, Arden Stelly; third, Elizabeth Holland, Neewah, WI.

Event coordinator Doug Oswald said more people signed up to participate in the race this year than in any previous year. In the past there have been more 5-K runners, he said, but this year more runners opted for the half-marathon.

“Not only does the Run benefit the preservation of the Morris Island Lighthouse, it brings a lot of people to Folly Beach at a slow time of year,” Oswald said. “Eight hundred hungry, thirsty runners and their friends and families can make quite an impact on the local economy.”

Sponsors of the event include Piggly Wiggly, Holiday Inn, Avocet Realty, Bagel Cafe (formerly Bagel Nation), Rita’s, Charleston County Parks, Recreation & Tourism Commission, Ohlandt Veterinary Clinic, and C.R. Hipp.

The National Society of the Children of the American Revolution chose Save the Light as their 2010 Charity of the Year, and hard-working volunteers Emily Falkenstein and her grandparents drove through heavy snow all the way from Washington, D.C. to help with registration, according to Oswald. Other volunteers came from The Citadel Engineering Department, the College of Charleston, MUSC, Porter-Gaud School and, of course, Save the Light.

“It was inspiring to see so many young people getting up early on a Saturday morning to help with a community project,” Oswald said, adding that it would have been impossible to stage such an event without the backing and assistance of Mayor Beckmann, City Council, and Chief Terry Boatwright and the Public Safety Officers.

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The 8th annual Save the Light run consists to two routes: the 5K (3.1 miles) and the Half-Marathon (13.1 miles). The 5K is essentially the first loop of the Half-Marathon. When runners get to Arctic from 3rd street, the 5Kers turn right to the finish line and the Halfers turn left to go on to the rest of the course.

Participants can register online at www.actioncarolina.com, or from 7am – 8am on the morning of the event at the start/finish line near the Folly Beach Pier. Both races begin at 8:30am.

“We may have a record turnout this year,” says Michael Derosiers of ActionCarolina.com. “We’re already approaching 500 runners for both events. This is the 8th time we have done this event and I think in that period we have donated well over $20,000 to Save the Light, Inc.”

Due to the high expected turnout, runners and walkers who are familiar with Folly Beach are asked not to park near the pier or Holiday Inn area and leave the closer spots for people traveling from out-of-town.

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By Megan Carroll

'500 Days of Summer' breaks the vapid mold of most romantic comedies.

Romantic comedies are a guilty pleasure of mine. I don’t often share that with many folks, because I more often than not am disappointed with them on screen. Shallow, vapid, and silly come to mind.  But after seeing 500 Days of Summer I felt a need to “come out of the closet.” This quirky movie left me grinning ear to ear and I knew I had to share this small independent film with you no matter the consequences! 500 Days of Summer is charming, funny and its take on this staple of movie genres is truly original. And they flat out tell you that in the first few moments of the movie!

Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a shy greeting card writer who is instantly infatuated when he meets the new temp in the office by the name of Summer (Zooey Deschanel). She encompasses everything he thinks he wants and needs in a woman. As things heat up, and they certainly do, she suddenly slams on the brakes leaves Tom flustered, frustrated and infatuated. As the days go by Tom finds himself lost in Summer. His men friends are of no help and his precocious little sister (Chloe Moretz) uncharacteristically cannot offer any sage advice.

One of the more interesting things about this film is how it is shot. It would be too easy to do this sequentially so director Mike Webb scrambles the 500 days of the relationship in a very logical yet disorienting way. Trust me, you have to experience it to see how well it works. Tom falls deeper and deeper in love just as Summer pulls farther and farther away. As the audience we know things are going badly for Tom, but we have no idea why, and we definitely cannot tell where it is all going to end. Even though we see the 500^th day way before the end of the movie, the director and writer keep us guessing until the very end of the film. We are definitely one with Tom and even Summer.

Gordon-Levitt encompasses this character–he is offbeat and likeable at the same time. He makes Tom lovable, vulnerable and even a little sexy. You cannot help but care for him. Gordon-Levitt allows us to see Tom’s gifts and flaws. We see Tom trying to find himself and finally tapping into his true abilities and intelligence. Meanwhile, Deschanel is enchanting and her sexy quirkiness makes it easy to see why Tom has fallen so hard.

These two make such a cute couple that when boy loses girl, as it must happen, I was truly heartbroken. Tom’s pain seeps off the screen and into your heart and it hurts. The film does have some surprises up its sleeve which keeps your mind off the heartbreak. Jumping from one hilarious scene to one of more substance and back to hilarity, keeps the ambiance light. Office karaoke party—need I say more?

The films photography and sound score are done with such thought and beauty that it only adds to your feelings of love and loss. If they make a soundtrack you must go buy it! Best music in a film since, well since, any Quentin Tarantino film. 500 Days of Summer is an invigorating honest look at attraction, relationships and the architecture of love. Just like love this film will make you smile uncontrollable and at the same time takes your breath away with the pain of a loved lost.

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Grab your fluffy friend, lace up those sneakers, and enjoy multi-tasking at it’s very best! These exercises are also great with a stroller, friend, or on your own:

1: Jogging – A light running pace is a fantastic way to warm-up your leg muscles. Anywhere from 2 – 10 minutes is adequate depending upon your body and physical fitness level.
2: Knee lifts – Lift one knee at a time to 90 degrees. This can be done at a slow or very fast tempo for about 50 yards. Squeeze those abs tight; this is an excellent low abdominal workout!

3: Butt kicks – Kick one knee back at a time, aiming for your glute muscles. Again, tempo may be slow for beginners or rapid for veterans.

4: Lunges – At this point, your adoring pet may need a rest. Going forward, step one leg in front and bend straight down (both knees will be bent). Make sure you are not leaning forward too much; your front knee should not be gapping over your toes. Alternate legs, performing 5 – 10 lunges on each leg.

5: Arm circles – Let’s not leave those arms out of the workout! Go back to a jog and lift arms 90 degrees out to each side.  Perform 15 clockwise tiny circles and 15 counter-clockwise circles.

6: Toe walks- Stand up tall on your toes and walk about 50 yards. Keep your posture high and feel the burn in your calf muscles.

7: Side shuffles – Have one side of your body facing your pet and do a sideways walk/shuffle. 50 – 100 yards should be adequate and be sure to even out the legs and repeat on the opposite side.

8: Grape vines – Again, have one side of your body facing your dog and begin to twist your hips as your feet cross over one another. This is a great side abdominal workout, so be sure to stand tall and squeeze the stomach tight.

9: Forward jumps – Find a softer spot along the walk (preferably grass or sand) and with ankles glued together, bend the knees and perform 5 – 15 jumps forward.  Be sure to have a tight grip on the leash so your pup does not pull you too far forward.

10: Sprinting – Challenge your dog to a race! Sprinting can be done over a short or long distance. If you are up for it, start with 3 quick sprints about 50 yards long. Your pooch will be guaranteed to relax the rest of the day and your legs will soon look leaner, stronger, and sexier.

Get out there and sweat with your pup! Your furry friend and your body will thank you. Happy exercising!

Lara Wittstadt has been a personal trainer in the Charleston area for over two years.  She is the owner of Beach Bella Fitness, which offers in-home and outdoor personal training, boot camps, and beach circuit classes. Please join Lara for a free class!  Go to  www.beachbellafitness.com or contact Lara  at: Lara@beachbellafitness.com or 817-2850 for more information.

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There are plenty of great outdoor options for lowcountry residents to choose from when it comes to exercise.

By Lara Wittstadt

As the weather begins to cool off and Charleston eases into fall, there’s no better time to lace up the sneakers and head outside for a workout. Leave the office for some fresh air, grab the running stroller, bring along the dog and choose from any of these locations for a refreshing and beneficial workout. Charleston is home to numerous parks which are excellent venues to get in a variety of workouts throughout the week. White Pointe Gardens at the Battery: With the cool breeze off the river and ample plush grass, there are many possibilities for exercise.

James Island County Park: This park has it all: running trails, enormous grass fields, playgrounds, a dog park and plenty of water activities.

Hampton Park: There is a series of workout stations around the lake at Hampton Park. Each station has instructions and is guaranteed to give you a great strength training workout.

Folly Beach: Leave the sneakers at home and hit the sand for a great workout that tests your balance. Venture ankle deep into the ocean and do movements against the water for an excellent resistance workout.

Colonial Lake: Complete with benches and curbs, a jog around the lake in combination with exercises on the benches will leave your heart pounding.

Cooper River Park: Check out the brand new park under the Cooper Bridge. Complete with a breezy pier, plush grass, benches, and ample parking, I definitely recommend a visit.

West Ashley Greenway: Whether you desire to run long distance or go on a brisk walk, this trail, which starts at the Ashley River but is most easily accessible from the Earth Fare parking lot, goes on for miles and is always shaded. Brittlebank Park: Enjoy the gorgeous Charleston sunset on the river while working up a sweat in the field or on the playground with your kids.

Waterfront Park (Pineapple Fountain Park): This touristy downtown park not only has spectacular views, it also has plenty of grass and benches for finding a spot to sneak in a few exercises.

The Cooper River Bridge: The Charleston running hotspot. Conquer the bridge one section at a time. Make a goal to run/walk halfway and soon enough you will be able to do the entire run.

Take advantage of the beautiful parks and weather that Charleston has to offer. If you have questions about locations or need ideas on exercises, please feel free to contact me. Happy exercising!

Lara Wittstadt has been a personal trainer in the Charleston area for over two years. She is the owner of Beach Bella Fitness, which offers in-home and outdoor personal training, boot camps, and beach circuit classes.Join Lara for a free class! Go to www.beachbellafitness.com or e-mail lara@beachbellafitness.com for more information.

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By Lara Wittstadt

Water consumption: Hydration is a very important component to keeping the body functional during a summer workout.  Drink at least eight ounces of water 30 minutes prior to a workout, about three to six ounces every 15 minutes during the workout, and eight ounces within 30 minutes of completing the workout to stay properly hydrated.

Food choice: Supply the body with energy by fueling up with a light snack at least an hour before the workout. Avoid foods that contain dairy and a high acid content to reduce cramping.

Clothing: Choose lightweight and lighter shades of clothing that works to wick moisture away from the skin.

Face and neck: Keep the face and neck clear of hair, make-up, and jewelry to create a better passageway for air travel.

Training intensity: Train with shorter intervals at a decreased intensity to avoid over-exertion.

Timing is everything: Decide to workout either in the early morning or evening when the sun is not at its brightest.

Beach or battery: Choose a workout location where there is an adequate breeze or ample amount of shade to keep cool. I have found that the beach and the Battery downtown are the best bets in the hot Charleston summer months.

Listen to the weather: If there is a heat advisory, stay in the A.C.!  Ask a personal trainer for some beneficial in-home workouts.

Cool-down: Allow for a longer cool-down period so that your breathing and heart rate can get back to normal before jumping in the car.

Electrolyte replacement: Mix Gatorade powder or drink with water after a workout. Avoid drinking Gatorade straight: the sugar content may lead to an upset stomach. Add a drop to eight ounces of water to replenish after a hot summer workout.

Lara Wittstadt has been a personal trainer in the Charleston area for over two years. She is the owner of Beach Bella Fitness, which offers in-home and outdoor personal training, boot camps, and beach circuit classes. Join Lara for a free class!  Go to www.beachbellafitness.com or contact Lara at lara@beachbellafitness.com for more information.

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