Photo by Stephen Korecky

A marathon, or even a half marathon, is a race distance that many people may have no desire to accomplish. It takes a special kind of person to take an interest in and complete these types of advanced running events. However, the action, and even the dream or idea of, completing one always brings about a sense of accomplishment. Believe it or not, there is a way to instill this sense of accomplishment in your participants without requiring that they run a marathon distance all at once.

I’m talking about a year long marathon. With this type of event you split up those 26.2 miles throughout the year encouraging participants to take part in each of the hosted events and raise funds for your organization in the process. In addition, your events will appeal to those people who are not likely to run a full marathon or half marathon at one time.

Now, before you think I want to you to plan over 5 – 5Ks in one year, let me explain. There are at least two ways that you can design such an event. The first is to focus on run/walks. This doesn’t mean you have to plan each one. You could simply plan the first one to kick off the year.

Next you identify five or six others in your area throughout the year especially targeting those who are not yet specifically organized to support a charity. You can approach the coordinators about partnering with them to raise funds for your organization. There are still plenty of run/walk events out there that do not support a charity, but may be willing to do so.

Once you have your events identified you’ll want to promote them to your participants at your first kick-off event. Let them know that they will earn miles for each event they participate in with the ultimate goal of completing a full marathon (adding the mileage for each event) by the end of the year.

From that point you can decide how to honor those who do. You might want to distribute donated prizes, honor your highest fund raisers or hold a celebration at the end of the year.

The second way you can accomplish a year long marathon is to include different kinds of athletic events throughout the year. This approach may be easier if your organization prefers to host each event themselves.

Some examples of events you might choose to host include a 5K run/walk, a bike ride, a triathlon, a community sports tournament such as volleyball or basketball and a group exercise class. If these events don’t translate to specific miles then you can assign miles to the events yourself. For example, a high intensity group exercise class lasting two hours might translate to 9 to 12 miles considering that most runners would complete 3 miles in about 30 minutes.

All of these events would be under the umbrella of your year long marathon. You can host each of these events in honor of your charity and use registration funds and additional fund raising campaigns for support. At the end of the year you can honor those who completed the marathon via all these events, and those who raised the most money with a celebration and donated prizes.

Have you planned or participated in this type of year long event? If so, let us know about it in the comments.

Women for Women International is an organization that works with women in conflict and post-conflict environments. The worst conditions many of us could imagine living in, these women face every day and this organization is there to help. Their goal is to mobilize the women to change their lives and move from victim, to survivor to active citizen. Through programs for recovery and rehabilitation, as well as post graduate support, these women are more fully able to participate socially, economically and politically in their communities.

Run for Congo Women is one program of the Women for Women International and provides an avenue for charity fitness event participants can help the cause.  Some participants raise funds by personal sponsorship for the events of their choice such as the Pittsburgh marathoner who raised more than $1500 for the project.

Those wanting to help can sponsor a woman or raise funds themselves through their fitness events and donate to the cause. In addition there are a few races around the U.S. this year which will benefit Run for Congo Women specifically. If one happens to be in your area consider spreading the word and participating yourself.

Morrison, CO 5K and 10K – September 19, 2009

Portland, OR 3 or 9 mile Run/Walk – September 19, 2009

New York, NY Run/Walk – September 26, 2009

Tempe/Phoenix, AZ 5K Run/Walk – September 27, 2009             

Chicago, IL 5K Run/Walk – October 3, 2009

St. Louis, MO 4.2 Mile Run/Walk – October 17, 2009

You can register for any of the races by visiting the Run for Congo Women web-site. If you are a race coordinator, you can also devote your event to benefit Run for Congo Women if you’ve been looking for a charity to support.

A special thanks to The Happy Runner who helped spread the news and alerted us to this cause.

Want your bike ride to benefit the environment and be educated in the process? Join the Brita Climate Ride 2009 coming up September 26^th through the 30^th! Referred to as “a fundraiser and climate conference on wheels,” the focus of this event is to advance climate change education and renewable energy policies.

The mission statement for the event is:

 to create dynamic events that inspire and empower citizens to work toward a new energy future.

Participating cyclists will begin their journey in New York City in the heart of Manhattan. From here a five day, 300-mile course will take you through New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland offering some spectacular scenery along the way. The ride comes to an end as you arrive in Washington, D.C. and cycle past the Washington Monument and up near the steps of the Capitol Building where a celebration will ensue.

Why is it called a conference on wheels? Well, along this five day ride, participants will have the opportunity to hear expert speakers teaching about the science, policies and solutions regarding the climate crisis. These sessions are aimed to benefit both the riders and the communities they pass through.

The event has several goals including raising funds for causes related climate, energy and bicycle projects. The ride also aims to increase awareness about climate issues, stimulate the creation of Climate Rides in other parts of the world, motivate individuals to make eco-friendly changes in their personal lives and promote the bicycle as an ideal choice for transportation.

If you are interested in participating you can register on-line. Climate Riders must pay a $100 registration fee and commit to raising $2400. All proceeds go to the following organizations:

Focus the Nation

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Clean Air – Cool Planet

If you want to stay up to date with all the current information regarding the Climate Ride you can check out the blog which is updated regularly. You can also follow updates on Twitter.

Photo by Lori Rice

This summer has been a hot one so far for many places across the U.S. When it comes to training and heat, it’s important to our health that we take note. Exercising in the heat isn’t about pushing through or overcoming an obstacle. It can be a dangerous situation which isn’t worth risking your life for.

Dehydration will be the first sign that you need to scale back your activity. Of course, we lose fluid through sweat during exercise and we can drink fluids it prevent it, but the hot temperatures exaggerate this situation. You may feel thirsty and tired after a run or other workout any day, but when that moves to light-headedness, dizziness, confusion and increased heart rate and breathing it is time to take action.

Stop your physical activity and get to a cool place. Drink water to begin replacing the fluids lost and if necessary include a sports drink to restore electrolyte balance. If things don’t improve quickly seek emergency medical assistance.

Becoming dehydrated and exercising in hot temperatures puts you at risk for heat stroke, a life threatening condition. Heat stroke occurs when the body is overheated and due to dehydration sweat production is too low to sufficiently cool the body. Headache, dizziness, disorientation, hot flushed skin with no sweat and loss of consciousness are all signs of heat stroke.

If this occurs, seek help. Move indoors and start cooling the body by removing clothes and applying ice packs to groin and armpits. In many cases emergency medical attention will be necessary.

It is true that we can acclimate ourselves to the heat for outdoor exercise, but it is important to know signs of dehydration and heat stroke. Our bodies can only take so much when it comes to heat and exercise. While exercising in the heat may become easier over time, extreme heat should make us rethink an outdoor session all together.

To keep your training program going during the hot weather months follow these basic guidelines.

• Keep your fluid intake up drinking plenty of water throughout the day and not just before and after your workouts. Avoid fluids which also dehydrate you like alcohol.
• Exercise in the early morning hours. The later evening hours are ideal too, but the mornings tend to be cooler in hot climates.
• Choose a shaded course that will protect you from the sun or give you breaks from its intense rays.
• Wear workout clothing appropriate for warmer weather which is made of moisture-wicking fabric. These will keep you cooler and help you to avoid overheating.
• Progress gradually when exercising in the heat. Reduce your workout time or intensity during hot days.
• Create a backup plan. Some days are just too hot to exercise outdoors, period. Choose a high intensity exercise video to do at home, or workout at the gym. If you don’t have a membership consider going with a friend or seeing if the gym has one day passes during the summer months.

References

University of Maryland Medical Center  

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Photo by darnok, MorgueFile

Summer is a time of travel for many people and as a fitness advocate maybe you enjoy taking your exercise on road. A number of people do this by traveling to a specific destination for an event or looking up an event in a place they may be visiting.

While I haven’t yet traveled to a location to participate in a specific event, I have taken part in some events in the midst of a trip. Travel can take a lot of out of you even if you do it often and enjoy it quite a bit. It can be physically taxing on the body and in order to perform to the best of your ability whether it be in running, cycling, walking, or swimming, special care must be taken to stay healthy.  

Here are a few tips to keep in mind if you are racing during your summer travels.

Arrive early. Get to your destination a full day prior to an event if at all possible. Two days prior would be ideal. This allows you to get used to your new surroundings, adjust to any time zone changes and get adequate rest before the event.

Pack your snacks. Road trips make it easy for you to pack healthy foods for meals and snacks during your travel. If you are flying, this will take a bit more effort. Load up on items such as nuts, seeds, whole grain breads, whole fruits and dried fruits. When you need an energy boost turn to your packed snacks and avoid high sugar, high fat options from vending machines and newsstands.

Overcome the challenge of finding healthy meals. Finding a meal that is truly healthy when you are traveling is difficult for even the most informed person. While calories may not be a concern at this point in your training excessive sodium and heavy fats probably are. Choose salads with lean proteins sources and olive oil based dressings. Choose simple basic nutrients such as a steak, baked potato and steamed vegetables. Try pasta with lean protein that is mixed with a fresh red sauce or steamed vegetables. All provide the nutrients you need with few of those unhealthy components you don’t.

Stay hydrated. Travel, especially air travel, can be dehydrating to the body. Always have a water bottle with you so can sip throughout your journey and replace the fluid your body may be losing which could affect your performance in an event a day or two later.

Take a break. Whether you are driving or flying, get up and stretch regularly. Take advantage of rest stops and do a full, lower body stretch while you take a break from the car. Walk around airports as opposed to sitting during your entire layover. The circulation and stretching will help prevent muscles from getting tight and uncomfortable.

Sleep well. This is easier said than done when you are in unfamiliar surroundings whether it is a hotel or a relative’s guest room. Prepare for a good night’s sleep by avoiding caffeine and exercise several hours before bedtime. Take along an eye mask and ear plugs to block out light and any unfamiliar noises that may keep you awake.

While you can’t control all factors when you are traveling you can take steps to preserve and renew your energy. Healthy foods, adequate fluid intake and restful sleep will help you to be prepared for your upcoming fitness event whether you’ve traveled five miles or five hundred.

Photo by the ignitionpoint.co.uk

On May 9^th, 2009 Scott Finamore, 23, and Sam Malaska, 19, set off from Ohio embarking on 3,000 mile cycling journey to San Francisco, California. Why? Well, for kids! Cali For Kids to be exact, a donation charity with a goal of raising money for the Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley.

With its non-profit foundation the hospital strives to serve the community and benefit children in need of medical care. From the web-site the mission of both the foundation and hospital is

to treat each child as if it were our own, to treat other people as we would want to be treated, and to turn no child away, regardless of inability to pay.

Scott and Sam, Youngstown, Ohio locals, have already raised $3,480 through sponsorships and community donations. Currently, they are about halfway through their journey. Hovering around Glenwood Springs, Colorado they have covered 1,600 miles since leaving Youngstown!

You can keep track of them on the Cali For Kids web-site where they provide blog posts about their adventure. Both informative and funny, you can find out what they are getting themselves into as well as the ups and downs of the cycling itself. In addition, you can get a good chuckle at their photos as they pose for each state sign and document their journey along the way.

Scott and Sam may be halfway through their ride, but they are still accepting support through donations. Day sponsorships are gladly accepted for which the guys will recognize and thank your organization in their daily report. Others can donate by the mile committing three, six or nine cents per mile. In the end this will result in a donation of $30, $60 or $90 based on a 3,000 mile cycling distance. In addition, donations of any dollar amount are gladly accepted and appreciated. Supporting them is easy through their donation form and they will be accepted until July 1^st which is three days after they plan to fly back to Ohio.

If you’d like to support by spreading the word you can check them out on Twitter or post to Facebook via their Pledgie page.

What: CAMA Coalition’s 4^th Annual Teen Bike Rally to help teens resist and/or recover from methamphetamine abuse. CAMA Teens – a part of the CAMA Coalition – is a drug awareness and prevention teen group promoting enjoyable, healthy, drug free events at local high schools.

When: Saturday, June 6, 2009; Registration 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM; Expert 70 mile ride starts at 7 AM; 40, 25, and 7 mile routes start at 7:30 AM.

Where: Twin Lakes Park, 945 North Ardmore Avenue, Paris, Illinois; each route begins and ends at Twin Lakes Park.

Cost: Riders under 18 – $15; Adults – $25; Families – $50

Other: All skill levels and ages are welcome; children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Helmets are required. Lunch will follow the rally.

For more information: Call 217-465-4110 ext. 267 or 217-264-1478, email camateens@camacoalition.org or visit the CAMA Coalition’s 4^th Annual Teen Bike Rally Website.

Have you participated in a CAMA Coalition athletic charity event and/or are you familiar with this nonprofit organization and its accomplishments? Post a comment to this blog and tell us about your experiences. It always helps to hear from those who have already participated in an organization’s annual event to learn more about what to expect in future years.

Sandals Resorts International is most often known for their spectacular vacation accommodations in the Caribbean. They offer cozy rooms overlooking pristine beaches and wonderful cuisine with tropical drinks that is all included. They are fabulous, trust me. I’ve tested them out a few times.

Each time we travel to the Caribbean I become more and more interested in the work the company is doing with local schools and charities. They are always accepting donations from travelers of learning tools and dental care items for educational programs they are sponsoring in schools.

Earlier this year, marked the launch of the Sandals Foundation. Working as the philanthropic arm of the resort chain, the goal of this group is to raise funds to support efforts focused on community, education and environment throughout the Caribbean. The foundation supports projects and programs of charities and individuals who work in these three main areas which encompass such causes as crime and violence, health, community farming, education through scholarships and marine ecosystems.

 I was thrilled to see that fitness events are part of their methods for raising much needed funds. On March 29^th the Sandals Foundation hosted an all-day Spinathon at a locally based fitness center in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Participants cycled for one hour sessions from 6:00 am until 6:00 pm raising JA$1.8 million (about US$20,271).

A few years ago, prior to the launch of the foundation, while traveling in St. Lucia I heard about the Sandals to Sandals 10K. During this event participants run from the Sandals Halcyon resort to the Sandals Grande St. Lucian resort on the island of St. Lucia reaching a 10K distance to raise money for local charities.

This event is still going strong today with this year’s date tentatively set for November 29^th. The 10K draws about 1500 participants raising US$3,500 and attracts champion runners from around the Caribbean. Many charities are supported through the dollars raised. Some examples include Dunnottar School St. Lucia, the St. Lucia Association for Persons with Disabilities (SLAPD) and the Child Development and Guidance Centre.

If you happen to be in the Caribbean this coming November be sure to look up the event. Do you ever come across any great charity fitness events during your international travels? I’d love to hear about them in the comments.

Top photo courtesy of the Sandals Foundation. Bottom photo Sandals Grande St. Lucian by Lori Rice.

What can one man with a bike and a desire to honor his wife do over the course of 100 days? Raise one million dollars for ovarian cancer awareness and research!

I recently came across an amazing story of the ultimate love, respect and support which can be shared between husband and wife. It is a true example of how one person can make a difference and raise funds to prevent and treat a dangerous disease.

Beginning on May 15^th Craig Broeder, Ph.D., FACSM, FNAASO will set off on a 100 day bike ride with plans to cover 9,000 miles around the United States traveling to 32 cities. Dr. Broeder is a cycling-lover and preventative medicine nutrition and physical activity researcher. Several years ago he decided he wanted to do something special to honor his wife’s 20^th anniversary of surviving ovarian cancer. The decision was made to take part in this bike ride and raise funds for ovarian cancer and he has been planning his course since July 2008. The ride will end on August 25^th which just happens to be their 25^th wedding anniversary.

The goal? To raise one million dollars by getting one million people to donate one dollar each. As a result the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Foundation plans to establish the “Craig and Kay Broeder Preventative Health Female Cancer Foundation”.  The dollars generated with go directly to support female related cancer awareness and preventative education as well as fund preventive health behavior research focused on exercise and nutritional interventions.

Dr. Broeder keeps an updated training diary blog with which you can track his training efforts and preparations. In addition, he plans to keep his GPS information downloaded on his web-site so readers and supporters can follow along on his journey tracking his mileage and other exercise information.

Those interested can easily make donations online through the ACSM Foundation.

According to its website, Climate Cycle is a non-profit organization “working to reduce global warming and empower our youth to become leaders in an emerging green economy.” This is the organization’s first bike-a-thon and it would be great to see a lot of participation. Here are the details for this unique event:

What: Climate Cycle: The Ride will traverse Chicago’s southern lakefront. Riders have a choice of three scenic courses: a 22-mile course, a 12-mile course, and a 4-mile course for kids.

When: Saturday, May 9, 2009, Registration 7:30 AM, Ride 9 AM

Where: 1410 Museum Campus Drive; all courses start and end at the Great Lawn next to Soldier Field.

Cost: A $20 registration fee is required; adult riders are asked to raise a minimum of $200; college students are asked to raise a minimum of $140; children under 18 are asked to raise a minimum of $60. All participants will receive lunch, snacks, a goody bag, and t-shirt.

Other: Parking will be available at the Field Museum’s East Lot with alternative parking at Soldier Field’s North Lot. Bobby’s Bike Hike is offering discount bike rentals for the event. There will be a post-ride celebration including musical entertainment, several green exhibits, and kids’ activities. NBC 5’s Ginger Zee will be the emcee.

What do you think of this green athletic charity event? Post a comment and share your thoughts. I am impressed by the scope of the event considering that this is the inaugural Climate Cycle Ride. Although I cannot attend, I wish Climate Cycle a huge success!