Our Fall Season started August 25th, but it's not too late to sign up! Online registration will be open through September 7th. We've got another great season of training planned, so we hope you can join us.

Liquids with Calories
Copyright: Nancy Clark, MS, RD April 2007

If you are among the many sweaty athletes who wonders what to drink to quench your thirst, you may feel confused by the abundant choices of fluids. There's plain ol' water, sports drinks, soft drinks (sugar-sweetened or diet), 100% fruit juices, juice drinks, milk (skim, lowfat, or whole), beer, wine... and the list goes on. As a sports dietitian, I get lots of questions about what's best (or worst) to drink. Here are my answers to just a few commonly asked questions about liquids with calories.

By Peter, Team Checkpoint Zero

If you've never been to Georgia before, never heard of NGAR or the Checkpoint Zero Adventure Race, or the tour of Georgia, you may not know what exactly lies in store for you at this year's USARA National Championship to be held in Blue Ridge, Georgia. We've put together a quick survival guide of some of the info you won't find anywhere else.

Although the big race starts November 7th, you still have plenty of time to get in on the action. Below is a list of numerous regional qualifying races that will take place in the next few months. Several are even within driving distance. The top three teams from each race will qualify to compete at Nationals.

September
6 - Thunder Rolls Adventure Race (Illinois City, IL)
13 - Ozark Outdoor's Raid the Rock Adventure Race (Little Rock, AR)
13 - The NATURE CURE, Black Beard AR (Nags Head, SC)
13 - Midnight Rush at the Raging Russell AR (Cornelia, GA)
19 - Wild Adventure Race Fall 24 hour (Biwabik, MN)
20 - Terra Firma Adventure Race (Smithville, TX)
20 - Midwest Monster Adventure Challenge (Quincy, IL)
26 - Overmountain Extreme AR (Morganton, NC)
27 - The Shag (NY)
27 - Berryman Adventure (Van Buren, MO)

October
11 - Fontainebleau 8-hour Adventure Race (Mandeville, LA)
18 - Howl at the Moon Adventure Race (Hobe Sound, FL)

November
1 - Red River Gorge American Classic - The Fig VI (Pine Ridge, KY)

The Inaugural Houston "Survivor" Challenge, based on CBS' hit reality series will be held Saturday, October 25, 2008, on the lush green banks of Buffalo Bayou in downtown Houston. It will give Houstonians the opportunity to compete with real "Survivors," and other TV celebrities, in a full day of physical and mental challenges, culminating in one top winner.

Proceeds from the 2008 Challenge will benefit the Buffalo Bayou Partnership and the U'jana Conley Foundation for SIDS.

To compete for a chance to participate in this fun event, you can download the contestant application from the link below.

The National Weather Service has begun tracking the water levels and flood status of many of our area bayous and rivers. The interactive map provided on their online West Gulf River Forecast Center is a great resource in helping keep Houstonians safe as we enter peak hurricane season.

Too Cool's No Sweat (8/23)
HFAR Knights (Chad H., Nicki A., Bobby K., John M.) - 1st
HFAR/Team Schadenfreude (Ash E., Kelley S., Bart B., Sabine B.) - 4th
Outcast (Chad G., Lindsey S., Paul T., Sarah B.) - 5th
Oasis Racing (Helena F., Frank A., Garrett L., Rick K.) - 6th
HoustonFit AR/Finally Four (Alan H., Andrea S., Josh T., Alejandro A.) - 9th
HFAR/Co Factor (Tracy J., Jason M.) - 7th Overall, Unofficial 2-Person

If you've got something to say, we want to hear it! Email Megan at organizer@ houstonfitar.com with your articles, photos, story ideas or suggestions, and we will try to include them in our next issue.