The Longest Journey Begins with the First Step …
By Edree Downing
Have you heard enough about all the wonderful benefits of exercise? Are you ready to get out there and actually do it? You know all the stats – if we’d just do a couple of hours each week, we’d all live long enough to be a burden to our children. But more importantly, wouldn’t you like to be part of a group that is aware of the lasting and lifelong benefits of physical fitness and that is also having lots of fun?
There are many fitness organizations in the area, which just might make this exercise business a whole lot more enjoyable than you expected. If it’s not listed below, try www.MeetUp.com for even more, and if a particular sport or location or time doesn’t work on your schedule, MeetUp.com will help you to start your own group.
Below is a partial list of groups that would love to have you join them for fun and adventure. You’ll likely discover new areas, create new friendships and even get started on that elusive fitness program you’ve been thinking about.
There’s also a website if you’re interested in obtaining more information on healthful exercise for the mature body: www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/everyone/guidelines/olderadults.html
So go ahead, get started. There isn’t a better time of year to get out there and take that first step.
BIKING
Annapolis Biking Club www.annapolisbicycleclub.org
Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts, Inc. www.more-mtb.org/
HIKING
Mountain Club of Maryland http://mcomd.org
Appalachian Mountain Club www.amc-dc.org
KAYAKING/ROWING
Chesapeake Paddlers Association www.cpakayaker.com/
Annapolis Irish Rowing Club www.annapolisirishrowers.org/
RUNNING
Annapolis Striders http://annapolisstriders.org
TENNIS
Annapolis Area Tennis School www.aatstennis.org/
Anne Arundel County Tennis Association http://www.aacta.com
WALKING
Annapolis Amblers Walking Club www.annapolisamblerswalk.com
OTHER
Maryland Volkssport Association (walking, biking, swimming) www.mdvolks.org/
Mid-Maryland Triathlon Club (triathlon) www.midmdtriclub.org/
Senior Olympics (all sports) www.nsga.com
Trail Riders of Today (horseback riding) http://trot-md.org