Upcoming Events

Cougar Strides is dedicated to offering various programs to encourage you to get involved in improving your wellness. We hope you find these programs enjoyable and find that they encourage you toward improving your health and well-being.

Most of all, have fun!!

Steps to Better Health Walking Program - 10,000 Steps Excel Log

Our new and improved physical activity program will continue this year. Take the challenge by doing 30 minutes of physical activity at least 20 days each month and log them on your calendar.

• February 25th to May 18th - Final Session - Start Anytime!
• Download and save the attached Excel document.
• Each of the three sessions has a different tab at the bottom. Be sure to look for the current tab!
• Use the new spreadsheet to record your activity.  Simply enter your steps or minutes of physical activity on the appropriate week and day and the spreadsheet will automatically update your information. Not only will this tool track your time, it will also plot your activity in a chart to help you visualize how well you are doing.
• Note: Be sure to record the entire chart as either your number of steps or number of minutes of activity. Don't mix steps and minutes on your chart!
• At the end of each time period, simply email or print-off your chart and send to Kathy Ault to be eligible for a prize drawing.

EHA Fitness Program - April 1 to May 12: Mission to Mars

Join this fitness challenge and travel from Earth to Mars!

Your mission is to exercise, eat right and sleep your way to Mars! As a participant, you will blast off and earn points by following program guidelines for exercise, nutrition, and sleep as compared to the entire challenge average points.  Members that remain at or above challenge averages will reach Mars and be entered into the drawing for one of 200 $25 gift cards. All registered participants will receive a t-shirt.  You may also form teams of 6 for this challenge.  Create your team and get registered today!

Local & Regional Fitness Events & Activities

Check out the following events as you make your 2013 plans!

• Saturday, May 4 - Scottsbluff YMCA, Scottsbluff, NE
  Community Family Fun Ride - Y Not Ride

  Bring your family and get ready to have fun!  There are 5 routes with two family ride options: a 3-mile round trip on the bike trail to Trails West Camp, a 9-mile round trip to the Monument on the Monument Valley Path.  For those feeling more adventurous, try the 28-mile route to Melbeeta, the 54-mile route to Bayard or the 80-mile route to Bridgeport.  Free helmets for kids (while supplies last).  Hope to see you there!
  

• Saturday, June 2 - Summit Christian College, Gering, NE
  Summit to Summit 2013

  Join us to walk, run, or ride the shuttle on the round trip from the Summit Christian College Campus to the top of Scotts Bluff National Monument.  In addition, attend the Health Fair from 8 AM to 11 AM. 

• Saturday, June 8 - Scottsbluff YMCA, Scottsbluff, NE
  Sprint Triathlon

  Can you swim, bike and run? If so, this event is for you! Racers will swim 500 yards, ride bikes for 12 miles, and end with a 5K run. You can race as an individual or register as part of an all-male, all-female, or co-ed team.  Sign up today!

• Saturday, June 8 - Deadwood, SD
  Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon/Half-Marathon

  The 12th Annual Mickelson Trail Marathon is almost here! The Full Marathon is a point-to-point course, beginning in the hamlet of Rochford. The first 1.5 miles are on the road, then the course moves to the Mickelson Trail.  The next 12 miles are a mixture of gentle uphill and flat terrain. From there to mile 19 is downhill, from 19.6 to about 20, there is a serious downhill... but be careful that you do not become a runaway! From this point to the end, the course is either downhill or falt and finishes at the historic Engine House at the end of the line... the Deadwood Trailhead.

  The Half Marathon is also a point-to-point course, starting at the 13.1 mile mark of the full-marathon course. This route follows the 2nd half of the full marathon course described above.  Get yourself signed up soon!

• Saturday, June 15 - Mickelson Trail, Lead, SD
  The Big Mick

  Pick your distance and ride your bike on the Mickelson Trail. Options include a century-ride (100 miles) starting in Lead, SD, a Metric Century (about 66 miles) starting in Hill City, and a 32-mile Fun Ride begins in Pringle.  All rides end in Edgemont.  Don't wait to get registered for this event!

• Sunday, July 7 - Lions Park, Cheyenne, WY
  Cheyenne Sprint Triathlon

  Try this challenging event which takes place at 6000 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest triathlons in the US! This is a USAT sanctioned event (USAT membership is required for all participants). The sprint triathlon involves a 600-meter lake swim, 13 mile bike ride, finishing with a 3.1 mile run.  There are several other event options involving competing in 2 of the 3 events, swimming, biking, and running.  Pick the event that fits your fitness plan the best.

• Saturday, September 28 - Gering, NE
  Platte Valley Companies Monument Marathon

  Get the date for the second running of this great event on your calendar now!