photography by: rick lee

Most have an excuse when it comes to maintaining a regular exercise routine. Struggling to survive the current pace of life has turned procrastination into a new art form. For the majority of people, the normal day is filled with earning an income, caring for children, cleaning house, walking the dog and getting ready for the next day's barrage of activities and life's unexpected emergencies. Which begs the nagging question at the end of the day, "Hmmm. Relax for awhile, or get up and start running again?"

There are a select few, however, who believe there is no justification good enough for not feeling and looking your personal best everyday. This unique breed of gym rats and runners, cyclists and stairclimbers are called "fit." In 2002, HQ decided to find the "most fit" people in our community. We began by circulating flyers and posters at local gyms seeking nominations for the most fit people in town. Ultimately, we received 61 nominations including 41 men and 20 women.

A committee of three fitness experts was then formed to help us make our final 10 selections. The committee consisted of Dr. Terry Shepard, professor of exercise physiology at Marshall University and owner of the HIT Center, a performance enhancement center and weight loss clinic in Huntington; Cheryl Bentley, director of fitness at the Huntington YMCA; and Lisa Marsh, M.S., A.T.C. and clinical exercise physiologist at Cabell Huntington Hospital.

Each of the 61 nominees were sent a questionnaire to complete detailing their exercise program, diet, lifestyle and other data supporting their fitness level. The original list of 61 was narrowed to 20 and, after several weeks of deliberation, the final 10 were selected.

It should be noted that our list represents fit people from every walk of life. The committee was instructed to choose people from different age groups participating in various forms of exercise. Our youngest selection is 22 while our oldest is 60. Our list includes runners, swimmers, weight lifters, competitive cyclists, racquetball players and, of course, those sadists known as triathletes. It should also be noted that despite numbers being placed by each person's picture in the layout of this article, our list of 10 is in no particular order.

One of our selections is a single mother of two and an attorney at law. Her day can be longer than the norm, but Katrina Vega takes life in good stride. Vega can't imagine not working out, because she says staying fit is what allows her to keep her hectic life manageable.

"Exercise is an outlet for me because my job and my children and their schedules are so demanding," says Vega. "I need a getaway to lose myself in something other than work or carpooling. It definitely makes me a better mom and a better employee. You have to exercise or otherwise the other things suffer."
Like many of the people on the "Most Fit" list, Vega is an over-achiever. She earned her degree from Marshall in just a year and a half before enrolling at Vanderbilt Law School. Today, she is still hard-charging, but a bit more laid back and philosophical.

"I really enjoy my life and believe everything in moderation is the key. For example, I don't believe that you should cheat yourself out of the foods you enjoy. You have to be well rounded and that includes mental as well as physical fitness."

Another of our "Most Fit" also lives an extreme lifestyle as an orthopedic surgery resident, husband and father while competing regularly in triathlons, duathlons, mountain and road bike races and marathons. Steve Lochow has worked relentlessly to be first place in his medical school class while pulling off 13 first place triathlon wins. He has competed in Hawaii, Florida, Indiana, Alabama, Cincinnati and Columbus, just to name a few.

He was the only West Virginian to compete in the 1999 Hawaii Ironman World Championship Triathlon, and placed 94th out of 1,500 competitors. Over 50,000 triathletes from across the globe compete to win one of the 1,500 spots because Hawaii is considered the most prestigious of all the Ironman competitions. The grueling 2.4 mile swim in the Pacific is followed by a 112 mile bike race and then concludes with a 26.2 mile marathon. Lochow was ecstatic to finish and notes it was one of his highest achievements.
His residency in orthopedic surgery will begin this summer, but Lochow plans to stay on track with the competition. He's an inspiration to many and has motivated over 15 others to begin their trek to triathlon and duathlon competitions. For those of us that procrastinate, Lochow says if someone is serious about feeling good all the time it's simply a matter of time management.

"I remember when I was training for the Ironman and working through school as a med student," says Lochow. "That probably pushed me as hard as anything I've ever done. My day was so structured, because it had to be. I think working out is addictive. That's the biggest thing people always say, 'I don't have time to do it,' but once you get into it, the first few weeks are hard, but then you find friends that will train with you and it makes it easy. If I don't work out for three or four days I feel guilty."

For residents of Huntington, three cyclists on the Go-Mart racing team are a common sight in the summer. Kevin Chapman, Tim O' Toole and Ryan O' Connor are seen regularly on the streets training for their six month long competition schedule. Since 1997, Team Go-Mart has won four national championships and placed regularly in the top 10 during the Columbus and Cincinnati competitions. The racing season runs from March through September, and all three train extensively for the bike competitions, but O'Toole is admittedly the most obsessed about reaching his peak performance by utilizing the latest technology.

"Since January 2002 I have trained seven days a week cycling and weightlifting to prepare for the Tour of Havana, Cuba, a four day Elite Cycling Stage Race," says O' Toole. "I utilize the latest equipment to maximize my training and fitness. I use a SRM power meter to measure heart rate, watts and to identify any weaknesses in my performance. I have also acquired a Hypoxic Tent Sleep System which simulates altitude from 9,000 to 14,500 feet to naturally increase my red blood cell count."

O'Toole's Go-Mart teammate, Ryan O'Conner, is considered the premier cyclist in the region. A proven competitor in some of the bigger road races in the country, O'Conner is also one of the state's best off road cyclists. In fact, he is the reigning "Mountain Bike State Champion" for West Virginia. A full-time student, O'Conner's friends have nicknamed him "A.D.D." because he can't sit still and is always "into something."

All of the selected winners agree that working out regularly becomes a healthy addiction once you get started. They also agree that to keep on track it's important to keep the workouts fun and diverse. To keep things in perspective, the Go-Mart team occasionally does something called the "Bakery Loop."

"I usually tell people I try to stay in shape just so I can do the Bakery Loop," says cyclist Kevin Chapman. "There's an Amish farm near Rio Grande, Ohio and this guy has a bakery out there. It's the real deal. It's an 85-90 mile bike ride, but it's fun to stay in shape just so you can ride up there to pig out on cherry pies, tarts, donuts and cake."

A husband and wife team also made our list. John and Lydia Tudor met when both were swimming competitively. While John continues to compete at a high level (including being ranked 1st in the world in his age group in the 100 freestyle in 2000) Lydia has opted for an easier way of life as a full-time mother of four! Although she no longer swims competitively, she still finds time to workout in the pool, run, jump rope, lift weights and practice yoga. Her hard work has paid off as many people take notice of her amazing physique and youthful appearance.

Student and bouncer Josh Petrie made our list because of his display of muscular fitness. Petrie, who stands 6' 2" and weighs in at 255 pounds, carries only 7 percent body fat. A permanent fixture at the YMCA, he is easily recognized by his size, in particular his massive deltoids, which helps him bench press over 500 pounds.

At 60 years old, Jean Fry can run circles around people half her age. In addition to weight training and cycling, Fry logs more than 30 miles a week running around the Huntington area. She still enjoys competing several times a year in road races including 5Ks and half-marathons!

Dr. Tom Dannals also prefers running over all forms of exercise. He has finished 40 marathons in his lifetime including three Boston Marathons with sub 2:50 qualifying times. In recent years, he began challenging his limits of fitness by training for triathlons. Last year, the good doctor completed a 500 mile fund raising bicycle tour in Alaska.

Two of our selections used to compete against each other on the track while in high school. Rick Weston and Bill Hill, both in their early 50s, are still competing, but in different ways. Today, both men still want to push themselves to the limit and achieve the highest level of fitness.

Weston, 53, can be found at the YMCA nearly everyday and is well-known around the gym for his positive attitude and chiseled body.

Hill, 54, continues to lift weights, run and cycle despite being diagnosed in 1981 with Myasthenia Gravis, an autoimmune disease marked by skeletal muscular fatigue. His faith in God has given him the strength not only to push his body to the limit, but deal with the tragic death of his teenage son, Jay. He remembers his son with a tattoo on his right arm that reads "J10" ­ his son's initial combined with the number he would have worn in basketball at Glenville State College.

Our final selection is the epitome of overall fitness. Diane Nance, at 42, enjoys sports of every variety. She runs in 5K and 10K races, lifts weights, swims, golfs, skis, plays tennis and softball, mountain bikes and is highly competitive in everything she does. Just ask the many men who have fallen to her lethal serve and quick feet on the racquetball court. For her commitment to fitness, she was selected as a torch bearer for the 2001 Olympic Torch Relay Team in Huntington.

In addition to our Top 10 Most Fit selections, HQ decided to include two people in a "Most Improved" fitness category.

Sherry Hanshaw has lost over 50 pounds in the past year while Dr. Michael Waldeck has lost nearly 100 pounds over the last 2 years.

Hanshaw credits her amazing transformation, including reducing her body fat percentage by 20 percent, to the scientific training and instruction she receives at the HIT (High Intensity Training) Center in Huntington. Working with personal trainer Kevin Sowers, she spends five days a week being put through the paces including intense cardiovascular training, strength training and regular diet/nutrition evaluations.

Waldeck began his journey at the YMCA on a recumbent bike. With advice from the trainers at the Y, he developed a workout regimen that was fun and challenging. Along with a strict diet, he began shedding pounds and inches. "I went from being very inactive to the point where I now workout in the morning, run 6-10 miles in the afternoon, then play basketball for 1-2 hours. I'm sleeping better and have even stopped snoring."

No more snoring! If there's a better testament to the benefits of exercise and fitness than that, we've yet to hear it.

JOHN TUDOR - AGE 44 - OWNER OF TUDOR'S BISCUIT WORLD

EXERCISE - Works out five days a week swimming in excess of 15,000 yards (over 9 miles), lifting weights and practicing yoga. MOTIVATION - "Swimming, lifting and yoga have been a part of my life since I was seven-years-old. It's never been a question of if I am going to work out. Quitting or taking a day off from training is never an option. It is part of my life. Also, there is more than physical fitness. There is also mental fitness. I have a strong family ethic, which involves my wife and my children and numerous friends. Having such people around you for support in rough times and then having them around to share the simple things in life makes one healthier."

LYDIA TUDOR - AGE 35 - HOMEMAKER AND MOM

EXERCISE - Works out seven days a week running, jumping rope, lifting weights, swimming and practicing yoga. MOTIVATION - "I have been athletic my entire life and I can't stand not feeling perfectly fit. After having four children and a very competitive husband, I realize how important it is to keep healthy for myself as well as for them. We are a swimming family and I swam competitively up until three years ago. I still swim when I can. I swim when my husband is not around because he'll make me swim 3,000 yards which is not my idea of fun. I prefer 1,500 yards per workout."

STEVE LOCHOW - AGE 29 - ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY RESIDENT

EXERCISE - During race season, bikes 200 miles per week, runs 15-20 miles per week and swims two miles per week. He also teaches spinning at the YMCA three to four times per week. MOTIVATION - "It's all about the challenge. I went from mountain bike racing, to road racing to doing triathlons to Ironman and I just kept looking for bigger things. By doing all these races, I've met so many people. It seems like all my friends, one way or another, came from doing these races and training together. It's just basically a healthy lifestyle. I can see as I get older the racing aspect becoming less important and it's more about health. My wife works out, too, and it's kind of what we do for fun."

DIANN NANCE - AGE 42 - RECEPTIONIST

EXERCISE - Every day, she runs three miles, lifts weights for 30 minutes and swims 1/2 mile. Other weekly workouts include longer runs on the weekends, racquetball, mountain and road biking. MOTIVATION - "My kids are older, 24 and 21, so I have a lot of time on my hands. I am really a morning person and like to get up and workout. I love fitness and I'm really competitive. All my friends say I'm obsessed. I play racquetball with men and I can beat them and nothing gives me greater pleasure. Women's sports have come such a long way and I love to compete on an equal level."

JOSH PETRIE - AGE 22 - BOUNCER AND STUDENT

EXERCISE - Weight trains six days per week for two hours. Does three to six hours of various cardiovascular workouts per week. MOTIVATION - "Physical fitness is a way of life for me. I have been blessed with great genes, a vast knowledge of physical fitness and a will to always strive for excellence. I exercise all of these facets from the time I get up in the morning until I fall asleep at night. I am aware that exercise affects more than just your physical health, but your emotional and mental health as well. Physical fitness has provided me an outlet from daily stress and has given me not only great size, but a positive outlook on life. Positive physical fitness is a total way of life for me and always will be."

KATRINA VEGA - AGE 30 - ATTORNEY AND SINGLE MOTHER

EXERCISE - Weight training three days a week for 45 minutes. Cardiovascular workout three days a week for 45 minutes to an hour that includes running, biking and the x-trainer. MOTIVATION - "My children, Lauren and Evan, are my real inspiration. My son Evan is getting really involved with athletics and my daughter Lauren is into dance and gymnastics. I want to stay fit so I can keep up with them and their activities. When Evan says, 'Let's go out and play soccer, Mom,' I like that because I'm in shape and I can go and do those kind of things with him. What really inspires me is the end result ‹ the way I feel and the way it spills over into the other aspects of my life."

KEVIN CHAPMAN - AGE 28 - CORPORATE PILOT

EXERCISE - Works out seven days a week during the spring and summer logging 250 350 miles per week on his bike including both training and racing. MOTIVATION - "The reason I train so hard is because there's nothing like knowing you have a really good chance of winning and you're out in front. It's really euphoric. I am really lucky to have a wife that enjoys going to the races with me. Erika loves the races and our five-year-old daughter, Zoey, really gets into it, too. She started riding her bike without training wheels last year so she's pretty good at it and gung-ho. She loves to tell people I race bikes. I may as well be President because she thinks it's the coolest thing that I am a bike racer."

RYAN O'CONNOR - AGE 30 - PERSONAL TRAINER AND MARSHALL STUDENT

EXERCISE - Logs 15-20 hours per week cycling, running, swimming and weight lifting. MOTIVATION - "It's the same thing as going out as a kid and playing in the neighborhood. The rules are just different. Now you can go faster and learn more about how you're body works. It's the same thing as going out front and making a ramp and seeing if you can jump farther than the kid next door. It's really that simple. I can't sit inside. I just cannot do it. I have to be outside doing something."

TIM O'TOOLE - AGE 36 - PHYSICAL THERAPIST

EXERCISE - Trains seven days per week cycling (averages 26 miles per day) and weight lifting. MOTIVATION - "I thrive off physical challenges, competition and my inability to accept mediocrity. If you're going to do something, give 110%. When you push that envelope you find that you can accomplish more than you ever thought possible."

JEAN FRY - AGE 60 - SWITCHBOARD OPERATOR / SECRETARY

EXERCISE - Runs five miles four days a week with a long run on Saturdays of 8-13 miles. Incorporates free weights, bicycling and walking into her regiment. MOTIVATION - "I didn't start running until I was 40. It helps maintain my weight and I just feel a lot better when I get out and run. It's a great way of relieving stress. I guess I would have to say that I am addicted to running. I enjoy the morning runs a lot better than waiting until the end of the day. It's just a good start to the morning and it seems like the rest of the day just goes better if you start it that way."

THOMAS DANNALS, MD - AGE 43 - FAMILY PHYSICIAN

EXERCISE - Works out seven days a week. Runs 45 miles per week in addition to swimming and cycling. Competes in marathons and triathlons. MOTIVATION - "Knowledge is good for you and sometimes it just has to come from within. My wife works out a lot. She should be on the list instead of me. She's in the best shape of any 47-year-old women in the city. No doubt about it. She can go out and run 10 miles right now. She lifts weights. We typically don't get to work out together unless we're out of town. Between the two of us, we've got it covered."

RICK WESTON - AGE 53 - SALES REP.

EXERCISE - Works out seven days a week running, walking, biking, rowing, x-trainer, free weights and tennis. MOTIVATION - "I've been active all my life. In high school I played football, basketball and ran track. In college, I played football. Ever since graduating from college I have ran and lifted weights. Our sons enjoyed high school sports. They both now compete in triathlons. After watching them compete, I feel triathletes are the most fit people in Huntington."

BILL HILL - AGE 54 - INSURANCE CLAIMS ADJUSTOR

EXERCISE - Works out three days per week weight lifting, running four to six miles on training days and cycling. MOTIVATION - "What motivates me is God and family. God has blessed me with the ability I have and I feel I owe it to Him and my family to maintain my health and fitness to the highest level I am able to attain. I was diagnosed with an illness called Myasthenia Gravis in 1981. Basically, it is an autoimmune disease marked by skeletal muscular fatigue. At the time I was told I could lead a normal life with the use of medications, but I would never be able to continue my level of physical activity. My illness is now in remission. I understand that remission means it could return at any time. God has blessed me because I have been given a second chance to do something I have always loved ‹ training and pushing myself to my physical limits."

MICHAEL WALDECK, MD - AGE 45 - PEDIATRIC INTENSIVIST

EXERCISE - At least four days per week which includes cardio training, running, racquetball, basketball and weight lifting. MOTIVATION - "Over the last two years I have lost approximately 95 pounds by exercise and diet. My job is demanding, and for years I would use it as an excuse to not work out. But I had to take my kids to school each morning when my wife started law school and this became the starting point for my workouts. I soon discovered that a quality workout was invigorating and that doing something earnestly made me feel more successful in my life."

SHERRY HANSHAW - AGE 44 - HOMEMAKER AND MARY KAY CONSULTANT

EXERCISE - Seven days a week of cardiovascular exercise, strength training and running. MOTIVATION - "Last year I lost 50 pounds in eight months. I have changed my whole lifestyle. I now choose to eat healthy and make my food choices more wisely. I choose to live more positively and have made exercise a part of my daily routine. I am happier, less stressed, more relaxed and have chosen a simpler way of life. But this journey has not been an easy one. I had my ups and downs and wanted to quit lots of times, but I had the most wonderful support from my trainer, family and a best friend."

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