Wolverine employees set new Fitness Challenge records this summer, logging more than 8,300 miles of hiking, running, kayaking and more.  The Fitness Challenge motivated me to get back in the groove, so I committed to racing a short triathlon in Ludington.  My youngest son trained with me over the summer, and then recorded his first ever triathlon.   I have now completed at least one triathlon with my wife, and each of my three kids.

Several employees shared similar stories with me – watching other people get into the Fitness Challenge either inspired them, or “guilted” them, into getting active with their families.  Exercising is indeed contagious, and it’s a wonderful and lasting bug to catch!  The positive physical health effects from simple exercise include lower blood sugar, better cholesterol and lower blood pressure.  I believe complete health sits on the pillars of mind, body and spirit.  If any one of these is weak, the other two suffer.  Fortunately, the reverse is also true; when I exercise, for instance, I feel stronger in mind and spirit—so, I smile when I see the efforts of Penny, Heather, Tom, Matt and Amanda to create new and fun Wellness challenges.  I know participants will improve in their physical wellness, and maybe more importantly, they will feel stronger in mind and spirit, too.

If you haven’t taken on a Fitness Challenge, please do so.  Enter a local 5K race (even if you walk it.) Take a bike ride around Lake Cadillac.  Hike the beautiful Manistee River trail.  The benefits of exercise don’t go to the few elite athletes – they go to anyone who dares get up, get out, and move!  At the Ludington Triathlon, the last runner crossed the finish line during the awards ceremony.  She finished nearly two hours behind the medalists, yet she got the loudest ovation from the racers and fans.  She dared to try, to compete, to finish, and all who saw her cross the line could recognize that she was the real winner.