Hawaii’s Own Michelle Wie leads Tres Marias Championship

Punahou grad, Michelle Wie, on verge of winning her first LPGA title

Hawaii native and Punahou graduate, Michelle Wie, fired a five-under 68 on Friday to seize the second-round lead in the LPGA Tres Marias Championship in Mexico as Lorena Ochoa faltered in her farewell event.

Wie had a 36-hole total of 134, one shot in front of Japan’s Ai Miyazato and American Brittany Lincicome.

Overnight leader Miyazato carded a 72, while Lincicome notched a 67.

South Korea’s Na Yeon Choi was alone in fourth after a 68 for 137, and compatriot Jee Young Lee was a further shot back after a 67 for 138.

Wie has never won on the LPGA circuit, but this may be her best opportunity to make a breakthrough in the winner’s circle.

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HHSAA State Tennis Championship – Draws Set

 

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• The Draws – May 6, 2010 
  • Boys Singles 
  • Girls Singles 
  • Boys Doubles 
  • Girls Doubles 

Ethiopia’s Tsegaye Kebeda is World’s Best Marathoner

Tsegaye Kebeda win Fukuoka International Marathon in course record time of 2:06:10

Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia, the fifth of thirteen children, won the 2010 Virgin London Marathon in grand style. Hitting the halfway in 1:03:06, Tsegaye took off with Abel Kirui of Kenya,then broke him with a series of miles 4:38, 4:37, 4:33, and finally ran 2:05:19! There was noting ambivalent about Kebede’s race tactics: they were straightforward-run fast, then run faster.  In is wake, Sammy Wanjiru, Duncan Kibet dropped out, and Emmanuel Mutai took second in 2:06:23 with Jaouad Gharib took third in 2:06:55! More details to come later this evening!

After winning both the Fukuoka International Marathon and the London Marathon Kebeda is now considered to be the worlds best marathon runner.

Maintain Good Balance for Better Health

Simple balance exercises can improve your health

   The feet are very important in balance and posture because they are loaded with proprioceptive sensors. These sensors are constantly sending signals to the brain, which then sends signals back down the spinal column to the muscles telling them when to contract and when to relax. Every movement from standing to walking, running and jumping is controlled by this system.

    Supporting the arches of the feet with a custom-made orthotic device (insert) that you wear in your shoes has been shown to block the abnormal foot motions that create a twisting stress in the knee, hip, pelvis and spine and that improves balance and posture. The messages sent from the feet to the brain are done so more efficiently when the arches are properly supported.

    There are certain activities that promote balance and don’t require any special equipment:

	Begin by standing on one leg for 30 seconds and then shift to the other side. Practice this until you can consistently stand on each leg without losing your balance.
	Stand on one leg with your arms crossed for 30 seconds and then do the same while standing on the other leg. Crossing the arms adds complexity to the amount of information going to the brain from the sensors in the muscles and joints.
	Stand on one leg with your eyes closed for 30 seconds. (Be sure you are in an area where you can support yourself if needed. Stand next to a doorway or have a chair available to reach out to for support.) Repeat with the other side. Closing the eyes increases the difficulty of the exercise by removing one of the systems of balance.
	Stand on one leg, close your eyes and cross your arms for 30 seconds. Repeat with the other side.

Hawaiian Idol Winner an Island Natural

   “Let food by thy medicine, and medicine by thy food,” Hippocrates.

   The above quote was brought to my attention when I was interviewing Kalona Purugganan for this column.

   Purugganan is the Vitamins Manager at Island Naturals Mauka in Kealakekua and she is a firm believer in good health through exercise and diet.

   “I provide customers with the help they need to include the right supplements and or body care products for optimal health,” she said.  “I love it.  Alternative medicine and natural remedies are effective and economical.”

   After work Purugganan can be found doing a variety of activities in order to stay healthy and to improve her overall fitness.

   “When I became a mother (seven years ago) I started running again and making better decisions for my health,” Purugganan said.

   “I’ve always been somewhat health conscious thanks to my Mom who never let us drink soda and made sure we ate our fruits and veggies,” she said.

   The big change for Purugganan came when she started working for the well known Health Food Store some five years ago.

   “When I took my job here at Island Naturals I stopped eating fast food, something that I can’t believe I ever did,” she said.  “I have learned to appreciate the importance of an organic diet, taking vitamin supplements, and cleansing.”

   Besides adopting an organic diet Purugganan will also start each day with a good breakfast and throughout the day stay well hydrated, consuming lots of water.

   Purugganan grew up in the sleepy rural village of Laupahoehoe and in high school dabbled in cross country, junior basketball and cheer lead for one year.  “Those high school activities were enough to get me started,” she said with a grin.

   Today this 27 year old will average 35 miles of running per week, when not training for any races.  She will also include stretching and breathing routines into her weekly exercise program and compliment everything with strength training.

   “Running is my base or foundation,” she said.  “Over the years I’ve combined it with typical weight training, yoga, resistant machines and dance. I think it is important to have variation in one’s exercise regime.  The only thing that always remains for me though is running.”

   Being a busy single parent with full time job Purugganan needs to adapt to the constant demands on her in order to find the time to exercise.

   “Time is of the essence and right now I am learning to be flexible,” she said.  “I’ve been doing a stretching for athlete’s routine for years and now I fit it into my workout schedule at least three times per week for 30 to 45 minutes each time.”

   Purugganan’s talents extend far beyond health and fitness as she is also a singer and songwriter.

   “I won the Hawaiian Idol last year (www.myspace.com/kalonazloveletters) and I performed one of my songs on the new local TV show, Entertain Me, which aired two months ago,” she said.  “Music is my passion and I often get ideas for songs when I am running.”

  Purugganan would like to be able to run three marathons (a marathon is 26.2-miles) this year and then give biathlons a try next year.

   “I’m hoping to do the Kona Marathon in June,” she said.  “Then I’ll do either the Maui or Kauai Marathon, depending on my work schedule, and return to do the Honolulu Marathon again this year.”

   As Purugganan develops into a competitive athlete she plans on adding bicycling and swimming to her fitness regime.

   “My long term goal is to someday compete in the Ironman World Triathlon,” she said.  “I know they hold some spots for us Kamaina.”

   Purugganan has set her goals high for the future and reminded me that above all else, “I am a mother.”  Her daughter just completed her first track season, at age seven, and appears to be running in her mother’s shoes.

   “Anything active and fun I can do with my daughter whether its hula, swimming at the beach, basketball, tennis, playing at the park or just dancing around the house, I consider as my cross training,” she said.

   “I am also leading a life that supports and utilizes sustainable and environmental practices,” she proudly stated.

   Since Purugganan began this interview with a quote by Hippocrates, I find it appropriate to close the interview with a Chinese Proverb that says, “He that takes medicine and neglects diet, wastes the skill of the physician.”