Keep Fit: Feast Your Eyes on Turkey Trots, Sporting News
Thanksgiving is here, and it’s hard to believe that just over a month ago, I comfortably jumped into the ocean. I think I got sick after that, but no regrets.
For those of you who are dreaming of summer 2014 and all the potential outdoor fun it represents, help is on the way in the form of that most quintessential of Hamptons summer pastimes—tennis.
Greg Bolitsky, professional tennis instructor, has joined the team at Sportime in Quogue, bringing high level, year-round lessons to the area with his Junior High Performance Tennis Program.
“There’s a misconception about how kids become players,” says Bolitsky, who’s the only USTA (United States Tennis Association) National Coach in a 50-mile radius. “It’s not about where you go, but more about the programs being offered.” All of his students are local kids who range in age from 8 years old to high school. In addition, Bolitsky will be offering a full range of tennis programs for kids of varying abilities that serve as feeder programs to the Junior High Performance Tennis Program.
Bolitsky came to the East End this September as the new Director of Tennis at Sportime. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Bolitsky was a nationally ranked junior player, and he began his foray into coaching in 1988 at the Port Washington Tennis Academy (where alumni include John McEnroe). He went on to become the USTA National travel coach, traveling both nationally and internationally, before taking a position as the head pro at Flushing Meadows and then coaching with the ISA International Tennis Academy.
In the summer, the area is “tennis central,” says Bolitsky. But he wants to make the highest level of the sport more accessible to local kids. “If you want to be serious about tennis, this is where you come.”
Thanksgiving Is Named the No. 1 Racing Holiday
Turkey trots are number one! In a recent article posted on RunnersWorld.com, Thanksgiving was named the most popular holiday for road racing. The previous frontrunner was July 4th.
Luckily, the East End has both covered. Montauk and Mattituck invite East Enders to strut their stuff before feasting. (But if you miss it, the Old Whalers 5K is in Sag Harbor on Saturday, November 30.) Southampton has a Firecracker Run over 4th of July weekend.
According to the study, 835,000 people participated in Turkey Trots in 2012, and the number is expected to increase to over 1 million this year. Will you be one of them?
Join in Some Holiday Fitness Challenges
The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s brings two holiday fitness challenges. The first, championed by Runner’s World, is “The Streak.” It begs the question: Can you run every day between Thanksgiving and January 1? The answer: Yes. Even slowly jogging a mile will take no more than half an hour. Carve out a little time each day, and you’ll feel much better about grabbing that slice of pie.
The second is Lululemon’s #NoHumbug challenge, which encourages people to “stay focused on what really matters (like love, laughter and eggnog)” throughout the holiday season. Each day brings a specific task to complete, but the general idea is to perform a random act of kindness. I think my coworkers will appreciate December 4, which is apparently “Bring Treats to Work Day.” Spread the love this holiday season. No humbugs allowed.