Sweat can fulfill dreams

Let it be known that on Ironman Sunday, thousands of locals turned out to cheer for family, friends and complete sweating strangers.

While nearly 2,500 athletes pushed their bodies beyond the outer limits of endurance, a whole lot of good things were happening.

The exposure our community received during the 9th annual Ironman pilgrimage to the Lake City goes well beyond what the cash registers declared. Forget the several million dollar immediate economic impact. Did you notice that the "average" Ironman isn't average at all? The "average" Ironman is 37, professional, and along with that expensive bike and other gear, totes around an average annual income of nearly $170,000.

These people are well-educated, influential and, in case you've already forgotten, capable of clearing barriers that most folks would never confront. We could hardly ask for a better group to descend on our fair community for a few days and indulge themselves on the many positives they find here, because when they go home they'll share those experiences with others. The result is a long-term snowball of goodness for our region.

Meantime, there's another snowball that starts rolling locally. It's focus on physical fitness and, we hope, the first steps for many in deciding to take better care of their health.

While it's great to look good - or so we're told - we know very well that feeling good bears fruit in many areas, from our relationships to our work to the fulfillment of our dreams. And there is no better way to feel good than to eat right and get plenty of exercise.

It's impressive to see so many locals engaging in outdoor fitness when the weather finally turns nice, and it seems to be a trend that's increasing since the first Ironman arrived. But with our short summers, it won't be long before gold and crimson leaves are whistling down our streets, soon followed by cold wind and snow. And until New Year's resolutions kick in, exercise for many goes into hibernation.

We encourage readers whose fitness flames have been fanned by Ironman to act now, to make a commitment to taking better care of your health, starting today. Join a health club if you possibly can; the atmosphere and accommodations will help keep you going back for more.

But if that's out of your reach for financial or other reasons, embark on an exercise regimen that you can not only maintain, but gradually build upon. And who knows? Maybe in a year or two, all those Ironman fans lining Sherman Avenue will be cheering for you.

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