EDITOR RUMAN KANG THE DAILY VOICE, TUESDAY APRIL 3, 2012 5 RICHARD LAM photo Participants in the 2011 Sun Run hit their stride along the Seawall on April 17, 2011. This year’s event will mark the run’s 27th year. Getting ready for the Sun Run The Sun Run kicks off the race season in Vancouver. Are you ready? By QUINN MELL-COBB ith the Vancouver Sun Run less than two weeks away on April 15th, a Langara Olympic hopeful has some last-minute training advice for those taking part. First-time runners and seasoned veterans who are looking to best their personal records need to take the time to train and eat well, according to Ab- dul Fadel, a Langara human kinetics student and alternate for Canada’s na- tional judo team at the 2012 London Olympics this summer. Fadel, who also moonlights as a per- sonal trainer, said there is much that can be done to prepare for the physical demands of the 10-kilometre race. “With a lot of my clients, we try to incorporate a running and jogging rou- tine to get them initially started,” said Fadel. “This helps the athlete slowly get ac- customed to the type of run. The Sun Run isn’t a vigorous run but it is some- thing for a lot of beginners that is something that can be quite a hassle.” Fadel said there is a fairly simple nu- trition regimen that, if followed, will pay dividends for those in the Sun Run. “You definitely need your carbs [and] to have a good breakfast, some- thing on the lighter side like fruits or hashbrowns that isn’t too heavy,” Fadel said. “You want to be very hydrated —try to consume one and a half to two litres of water approximately four hours be- fore the run.” Fadel also cited the importance of good footwear along with maintaining a routine. “A lot of athletes do start encounter- ing foot and hip problems because of the type of shoes they wear,” he said. Fadel recommends running shoes as opposed to cross-trainers or basketball sneakers. “Your body gets accustomed to cer- tain types of things — if you break your routine halfway through, you’re going to go back to step one.” There is still time to register for the race online. The cost is $50 for individu- al registrations and $80 for the 2.5-kilo- metre Shaw Mini-Race. To find more information, please visit: http://www.vancouversun. com/2012sunrun/index.html SUN RUN quick facts The Sun Run began in 1985 HZ inits inaugural year, the run attracted 3,200 participants Hin 201, there were 49,365 participants and over 3,000 volunteers HM The Sun Run brings in millions of dollars to the local economy every year Source: The Vancouver Sun Get healthy with your community Local mayors want their community to be the healthiest in the province By AUDREY MCKINNON friendly fitness competition be- Ae communities and individu- als has British Columbians chal- lenging themselves to get fit through exercise and healthy eating. Langley, Abbotsford, Coquitlam and Surrey are featured communities in the Healthy Community Challenge, a 90- day program filled with resources and fitness tracking tools that pits these communities against each other to see who is the fittest. But Vancouverites can enter individ- ually or as a workplace group in this competition as well. “Everybody’s doing the competition in a fun way and that seems to go over really well,” said Overwaitea Food Group dietician Heather McColl, who just wrapped up a week of giving healthy eating demonstrations for chal- lenge-takers on CTV Morning Live. The challenge, which started on March 12th, encourages participants to improve their healthy food intake and increase exercise. “Those are those two factors that are so key for just keeping energized and feeling good,” McColl said. Contestants must enter their prog- ress in the Healthy Community Chal- lenge Handbook and have their mea- surements taken by an official on June 9. Four winners of the grand prize will be given two nights at the Fairmont Empress and $100 credit at the Willow Stream Spa. Tracking physical activity, sleep, breakfast, fruits and vegetables will in- crease participants’ fitness score, as long as their intake of nicotine, alcohol and sugar are kept to a minimum. Contestants will have access to free online expert advice and participants can report progress by sharing stories with one another and the public in an online forum. McColl said healthier choices can be as simple as taking a walk on your lunch break or following the 80/20 rule; making sure you always have room for 20 per cent indulgence in your diet. “Keep that joyous part in there as well,” she said. Spring ski and board for cheap Local ski resorts are offer- ing great deals and fun promotions for the end of the season By ROSS ARMOUR swing while bargains abound at local mountains across the Lower Mainland. Mount Seymour in North Vancouver officially kicked off its spring season last Sunday and will run until mid- April. “The main difference between spring and winter skiing is that in the spring we just get a lot more sunshine,” said Anna Rowinska, the mountain’s mar- keting and events coordinator. “There’s also a huge difference in the amount of snow. We get a greater influx of snow in the spring so there’s way more. The conditions are perfect.” Rowinska said early signs show that Ss skiing season is still in full Mount Seymour is set to have weeks of clear blue skies with lots of sunshine until then. “Our spring pass for adults is $119 and that gives people full unlimited ac- cess to the mountain so it’s a great deal,” said Rowinska. Further away from Vancouver, Silver Star mountain resort near Vernon of- fers a variety of activities this spring. “We started our spring ski-and-golf stay package this past weekend which is new to Silver Star this spring,” said internal sales manager Anna Tilly. “This package, which costs $118.50 per person per day, allows people to stay at the mountain in the morning and then head down to Spallumcheen Golf and Country Club in the after- noon.” “We also have all sorts of activities going on at the mountain right to and through the weekend,” Tilly added. “We have our retro day coming up where all the staff dress up in retro gear and have a dance-off. That’s as well as our chili cook-off competition where chefs arrive from downtown Vernon to show off their skills.” On Easter Sunday (April 8th), the re- sort holds an Easter bunny breakfast in the morning followed by a Hawaiian shirt day in the afternoon. Silver Star’s spring season runs from April 4th to 8th. Closer to home, Cypress Mountain has extended their spring season due to the large amount of snow they have received in the last couple of weeks. Along with extended hours, the re- sort is offering patrons spring ski-and- board discounts. All regularly priced passes are now 20 per cent off. Full day passes will cost $38. Night skiing at the resort will cost $25. The resort will remain open until after Easter, with no set date for clo- sure. For more information please visit: http:/cypressmountain.com/ http:/winter.skisilverstar.com/ http://www.mountseymour.com/home CYPRESS MOUNTAIN photo Spring Skiers take advantage of the great weather and conditions at Cypress Mountain.