First of all, I want to thank everyone for participating, volunteering and/or sponsoring the 6^th Annual Buck Hurley Triathlon. All proceeds will go towards our families and individuals in need.

The YMCA never will turn anyone away due to the inability to pay. With great help of Rowan County United Way, our annual campaign and the Buck Hurley Triathlon we can continue to do so. We could not have done it without the following sponsors: Bill and Shari Graham, Busby and Webb Orthodontics, Larry Cloninger, Fowler Physical Therapy, Fast Med Urgent Care, RAM Pavement, Tina Merhoff DDS, F&M Bank, Wendy’s, Central Piedmont Builders Inc., Food Lion, Barnhardt Jewelers, Salisbury Tutoring Academy, Law office of Koontz and Smith, Novant Health Women’s Health Associates, Carolina Hand and Spine, Total Motion, Skinny Wheels, Autumn Care, Pinocchio’s Restaurant, Dodson and Margaret Schenck, and our greatest supporters — Gordon and Carolyn Hurley.

Over 130 volunteers helped us. A sincere, special thank you to Brian Stallings and all 22 Salisbury Police volunteers for an outstanding job, the Salisbury Fire Department, City Of Salisbury, Salisbury Parks and Rec, Salisbury Rowan Runners, the Army Reserve, National Guard, Salisbury High School JROTC and all other volunteers who helped.

The 6^th annual Buck Hurley Triathlon was another great success. Thank you residents, businesses and churches, especially our neighbor Life Church for doing the prayer and giving us all your support, on all the routes for the triathlon, we really appreciate you “dealing” with this once a year. Next year’s date is set for May 1.

Two amazing women who work very hard on this each year are Sarah Busby and Jennifer Burroughs. It is an honor to work with ladies with such talent and dedication. Besides the triathlon and many other commitments and obligations, I was pretty much sleep deprived. Not just getting ready, but also excitement of my daughter Edie Belk who is in the U.S. Army and was returning from a 9-month tour in Bagram, Afghanistan, the day after the triathlon. It’s amazing how your body reacts when you do not get enough sleep. Luckily, I don’t deal with this too often but there are people who do. Looking at all kinds of research, the following are the most common side effects for sleep deprivation:

• It can cause accidents. Sleep deprivation is a factor in many vehicle and work-related accidents.

• Sleep plays a critical role in thinking and learning. Without it, things are more difficult.

• It can lead to serious health problems. At sleep, your body is fully recovering, restoring and re-energizing.

• Research states that the lack of sleep lowers the libido in both women and men, lessening the interest in sex.

• Over time, sleep deprivation can contribute to depression.

• With a lack of sleep, your body releases more of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol can break down the protein in your skin that keeps it young and healthy looking.

• With the increase in cortisol, your body tends to gain weight in certain places but sleep deprivation also triggers cravings for high fat, high carbohydrate food, therefore weight gain is expected with the lack of sleep.

The older I get, I can tell it takes longer and longer to get back into my regular sleep rhythm. But I “make” myself go to bed and get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep/rest. If you are someone who deals with sleepless nights all of the time, please check with your doctor. Just because you got used to it does not mean it’s the right thing to do. Your body needs sleep for a healthy mind, body, and spirit.

Ester H Marsh Associate executive Director JF Hurley Family YMCA