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Fitness challenge to follow the Great Wall of China

In honor of the Summer Olympics, during 1996 ITD had the “Road to Atlanta;” in 2000 it was the “Decathlon Down Under;” and in 204 we had the “Journey to Athens.” With the Olympics in Beijing, China this year, the annual exercise challenge will take participants to the Great Wall of China.

ITD employees are encouraged to take part in the spring challenge by making a 10-week exercise commitment. While they track their exercise and record the time, the challenge log sheet will symbolically follow China’s Great Wall.

The goal is to exercise at least an average of three hours per week. Whether employees already are active or are just getting started, this is an opportunity for more motivation to improve thier fitness level. So everyone may benefit from this activity, progress is based on time spent exercising rather than on the degree of difficulty.

All ITD employees are eligible – and encouraged – to participate.

A program of regular exercise has several health benefits, but many people struggle to fit exercise into their busy schedules. By actively participating, employees can establish or improve their exercise routine and then continue their improved exercise habits throughout the year.

The target for the fitness challenge is to encourage at least 30 hours of exercise hours during the 10-week period, or an average of three hours per week. Three incentives are offered to motivate employees to reach the 30-hour plateau: a fleece jacket, sling bag or baseball-style cap.

For inspiration to continue to exercise during the 10-week program and to turn in log sheets that record regular progress, several prize drawings are scheduled. Log sheets are due every two weeks, and employees who turn in their log sheets on time are eligible to win a raffle prize.

The program also encourages veteran challenge participants to pair up with a “buddy” who is either new to the activity or has not completed the full 10-week challenge the past two years. All “buddies” who turn in at least two log sheets earn another small incentive reward, and if both buddies complete the 10-week program they will be eligible to win a second incentive.

Each year one of the district teams and one team from Headquarters will earn a traveling trophy, awarded for the best employee participation. The Federal Highway Administration returns to head-to-head competition with ITD based on the highest exercise average at the end of the program.

Employees can indicate on their registration form interest in being part of the ITD team.

Although the fitness challenges formally begins today (April 28), registration forms will be accepted through Friday (May 2). The Great Wall Challenge runs through July 6.

For more information, contact your district representative or Pauline Davis in the Environmental Section at Headquarters, 334-8481 or e-mail her at Pauline.Davis@itd.idaho.gov).