River Region Runners

Meet the RRCA Alabama State Representative

reprinted with permission of Running Journal-May 2010

This month I would like you to meet the Alabama State Rep, Ron Macksoud. Ron is one of our “oldest” State Reps when it comes to years in the position, having served since 2004. Prior to his appointment, Ron had talked to his two predecessors about their duties and that peaked his interest. When he got an offer to become the next Alabama State Rep, he jumped at the chance.

By Kym Klass
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- The journey to my love for running country roads started with two phone calls.  The first, to a woman named Marcie. The second to ask advice on what to do about a cow in my path.

The call to Marcie was easy.

Column by Kym Klass 
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

April 11, 2010

I received an e-mail this week from a 28-year-old man who recently researched his diet and started exercising more after he and his doctor had a frank discussion about his health.  The man is 5-foot-11 and weighs 340 pounds. He told me that overweight people such as himself face a special set of challenges, and that as someone who has never really exercised, carrying that extra weight can make a 30-minute brisk walk a near-breathless experience.

By Kym Klass
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

There's nothing more fun to watch than determined children toeing the starting line of local running races.

It's serious business -- there's no money on the line, but there's a ribbon to clutch at the end. Or a plastic medal to place around their neck -- you know, the stuff that gets tacked on corkboards hung on children's bedroom walls across the country. We see this almost every weekend at races -- bright faces, anticipation, smiles -- when young children cross that 1-mile fun-run finish line at area 5K or 10K races.