Another win for NNSDP and physical fitness

<i>Courtesy photo</i><br>
From left to right: In a scene almost remeniscent of an old western painting, Gloria Clah, ninth grade; Monique Crank, seventh grade; and Megan Chee, ninth grade from Oljato, Utah and students at Monument Valley High School ride with Larry Holiday and 25 other riders during “Raising the Bar to Exercise 2” held Oct. 31.

<i>Courtesy photo</i><br> From left to right: In a scene almost remeniscent of an old western painting, Gloria Clah, ninth grade; Monique Crank, seventh grade; and Megan Chee, ninth grade from Oljato, Utah and students at Monument Valley High School ride with Larry Holiday and 25 other riders during “Raising the Bar to Exercise 2” held Oct. 31.

MONUMENT VALLEY, Utah - Making a full day of being physically active in this land of high plains, monumental mesas, unique rock formations and desert terrain gives "Raising the Bar to Exercise 2" a unique perspective to bike riding, wheelchair relay, horseback riding, walking and running.

First of all, one has to be dedicated to exercising and being physically fit by getting up early and driving six miles into the state of Utah and finding San Juan County Road 429 on the north side of Douglas Mesa. As the sun rose and painted an orange hue on top of the mesas, bikers were doing "jumping jacks" and getting ready for the 13.5-mile bike ride. Soon, bikers were off on the graded dirt road led by Bryan Parrish, Navajo Nation Special Diabetes Project (NNSDP) Program Supervisor in Kayenta.

"It was such a beautiful ride along the ridge from Douglas Mesa to Owl Springs and down to Train Rock," said Parrish following the ride. "I was impressed with the scenery and how well the road was taken care of for us to ride on. It made the 13.5 miles ride seems so effortless and easy for us."

Parrish said that he didn't mind the hills and sand that they had to ride on in a few places.

A couple of ladies in wheelchairs took to the road just south of Train Rock under the direction of Toh Den Nas Shai Disbility Support Group and PHN. They rode their wheelchairs five miles to Oljato Chapter House. When they arrived, a big round of applause broke the open, crispy air from people who were there for the horseback ride.

Horses and riders slowly drifted in from sand covered trails, one by one, two by two and some in groups of three. Every now and then there was a truck with a horse trailer in tow. There were girls and boys, men and women, all experienced on horses and well-seasoned to the leather saddles. There were students, excused from school to participate in this unique ride and credited with physical activity. They all came to meet in the dusty yard of the chapter house to stretch their leg muscles before getting on their horses and hitting the trail to Monument Valley High School some 10 miles away.

From the chapter house, they headed southeast along the road. The riders knew the trail, well. They took shortcuts here and there meandering along the red sandstone formations. Off in the distance, just for a moment, the riders looked like a western painting from days gone by when the main mode of travel was by horseback for Navajos in the area. There was chatter among the riders, stories of times when they rode through there during "Enemy Way" ceremonies or searching for stray cows and horses. The youth galloped their horses in front of others; they showed the speed of their horses as they weaved in and out of washes and ravines along the way. There were smiles on their faces as they sat astride their mounts as if they were truly born there, not swaying one bit or bouncing up and down. They were truly one with their horses. On they rode, up through Horse Canyon and then through the narrow pass down to Monument Valley High School.

The scene jumped to Monument Valley Park. It was the walkers' and runners' turn for the last leg of the day's event. It was only five miles and mostly downhill for some. Others looked only at the distance of five miles.

"You young ones can go fast," said one elderly grandma. "The two of us here are going to take our time; we'll walk it at our own pace."

The runners and joggers took off and quickly distanced themselves from the walkers. The Park Rangers and Navajo Nation Police provided the escort along the highway.

Bryan Parrish who started the day with the sunrise bike ride finished the day by walking and jogging.

"It was a great day," he said. "Every event was great. We had people participate and many people contributed to make it successful.

Marlene Valentine, Health Education Technician from the Kayenta NNSDP said that she really appreciated the help of her co-workers.

It was another win for the participants. It was also another win for fitness; another win for the fight against diabetes and obesity and another win for the NNSDP.

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