26.2 fundraiser miles

Y'all know I'm not much of a salesperson, so I'm having a hard time with the idea of selling my cause, but I signed up to train for (and run? what was I thinking?!?) 26.2 miles to raise funds for playground repairs and active/fitness education.

If you're inclined to contribute, click the link below:

Donate online to Beth Jarosz running the MCM for RunningBrooke at Razoo

Daily dose of awesome

Little awesome moments happen every day. They just don't always make headline news...
Daily Dose of Awesome highlights the awesome little things that don't make headlines (but should).

I love the beach. I enjoy long walks on the beach. Occasionally I'll even run a couple of miles along the water's edge.

But 80+ miles? On soft sand? Running the same mile-long-loop for 24 hours?
Hmm... All I can think of are blisters, swollen ankles, and chafing from the sand.

The Emerald Coast

Thankfully (for one national charity) not everyone sees things that way...

On Saturday evening, six endurance runners will line up on the beach in Destin, Florida. They will run on the sand for 24 hours to attempt to break the world record for "greatest distance run on sand in 24 hours." The current official record stands at 83.04 miles.

The runners’ goal, in addition to a world record attempt, is to raise funds and awareness for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. Early reports indicate that participants have already raised more than $35,000 for the charity.

$35,000 in fundraising isn't bad for a day's work!

Best wishes to the runners!

For more information, see my article on the world record sand run Examiner.com

If you're going to be in San Diego... (and guest post)

Hammer Fest (n): An event of serious endurance activity. Example: "Bob, are you ready for today's workout? It's going to be a hammer fest!"

HAMMER FESTival 2010

Alternative example: The HAMMER FEST(ival) is my favorite party of the year, but this year I'm not going to be able to make it!

So... instead I'm going to tell you why, if you're in San Diego on December 9th, you should go!

Seriously San Diego readers, you know I don't "plug" things just for the sake of PR. Last year's party/gala/charity-fundraiser was incredible. (Yes, that is me front and center in the photo. It's my best side!) We stayed out dancing 'til midnight on a Tuesday night and raised thousands of dollars for the American Liver Foundation. This year the party moves to a Friday night, and a bigger location...

Hmm...I wonder if I can convince Hubby that we should fly back to San Diego for a weekend so we can go play with our friends? Maybe I can talk him into an early Christmas present...

In the meantime, I am going to let my good friend MZ explain the event:

Endurance athletes in San Diego spend a lot of time together and often in strange places. We meet at locations like "The Runners' Bathroom" (the WHAT?!) in Mission Bay, the vaguely menacing "The Cove" in La Jolla, the parking lot of a local coffee shop or park, sometimes in very remote areas of the city.

At 5am.

Then, we spend countless hours suffering together, be it a 2.4 mile swim in rough ocean waters, a 50+ mile bike ride up and down the steep local mountains or a long, long, looooong run on the trails or the pavement.

Or all three. On the same day. Not always in that order.

And then, there is food. Lots and lots of food to restore any kind of energy that one can get. "I only have two states: when I am eating and when I am hungry" - says local triathlete, Peter Blomgren.

Going through these self-imposed ordeals with the same people sure creates a new sense of camaraderie and support. Endurance athletes are a tight-knit group of people, united in the misery of training, the pleasure of overcoming their personal obstacles, achieving athletic results and, sometimes, simply reaching the finish line.

But let's be honest: majority of the time we are together, we dress in a very peculiar way. Visors, helmets or swimcaps, wetsuits or high-tech shirts and shorts, sunglasses, and running shoes. All are great and comfortable clothes, assisting us in our training. Think moisture-wicking clothing, for example... it is fantastic for staying dry and transferring the moisture off skin and into the air.

In other words, most of the time we see each other, we STINK!

Then there are the awkward situations when we see our training partners for the first time wearing jeans and t-shirts and don't recognize them. "Hi, nice to meet you! I am... wait" is not an uncommon greeting at all.

Meet The HAMMER FESTival.
The event is a holiday gala conceived by Dennis Caco who also produces and organizes it along with a group of volunteers from San Diego Running (SDR) - the city's largest premier free running group.

The HAMMER FESTival is unique in many ways: it is the city's only endurance athlete event organized by volunteers from the athletic community.

It is a rare chance to dress up, enjoy exquisite food, drinks, award presentations, video production, live music and dancing together.
It is also an important fundraising event supporting The American Liver Foundation, complete with local and national sponsors, silent auctions, raffles, thousands in prizes and donations.

It is a fantastic opportunity for San Diego's endurance athletes to get to know each other outside of their typical meeting places: on the run, on the bike, or in the water.

Last year 200 tickets sold out in 3 weeks. This year demand is so strong that we anticipate 300 guests, and the tickets are selling fast!

What better way to further existing friendships and meet new people, united by similar goals, interests and activities?
It is a chance to put the strength of our solid athletic community to support a great charity.

And finally, it is an opportunity to relax and have fun.

As hard as we train...
...let's face it, we deserve it!

The 2nd installment of The FESTival takes place on December the 9th at 6p at the San Diego Hall Of Champions. The event is open to everyone and tickets are on sale now at http://www.thehammerfestival.com/

For more information, please contact thehammerfestival@gmail.com

Have you ever not recognized a running buddy when you saw the person all dressed up? (This totally happened to me at least year's party. Sorry, Peter!)
Have you ever been to a charity gala? If so, what was it like?

Just a reminder...

Today's blog post is all about using the gift of endurance to help others.

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, today two sisters begin a 363 mile trek along the Oregon coast to raise funds and awareness for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA).

GOOD LUCK HOLLY AND LORI!

You can follow their journey through their blog.

For more information on how to donate to Court Appointed Special Advocates (a non-profit 501(c)(3)) visit the sister's donation page, or go directly to:
Essex County CASA http://www.casaessex.org/twosisters.aspx
OR
Voices for Children (San Diego) http://voices4children.ejoinme.org/363miles

Two sisters, on their own two feet, supporting a great cause

Starting June 25, 2011, two sisters from New Jersey (Lori and Holly) will use their strength and endurance to raise awareness and funds for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs that provide volunteers to watch over and serve as advocates for abused and neglected children.

To accomplish this noble goal the women will cover 363 miles of the Oregon coast on foot. Both sisters have been training for months to prepare for their journey, each covering 800 miles in the past six months. That's an average of more than 33 miles per week just in preparation for the fundraiser!

So what is CASA?
The National CASA Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) network of 1,000 program offices that recruit, train and support volunteers to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in the courtroom and other settings. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don’t get lost in the legal and social service system.

Why is this important?
CASA volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives. Independent research has demonstrated that children with a CASA volunteer are substantially less likely to spend time in long-term foster care and less likely to reenter care.

And why are the sisters doing this?
To quote the sisters...

It’s hard to imagine that not every child in this country grows up in a safe, stable and loving home. Last year, CASA programs assisted more than 237,000 children in foster care in the United States.

Lori and Holly know how fortunate they are to have come from a home with two loving parents who supported them every step of the way through life’s unpredictable twists and turns. Now, they will take this journey together to offer their support to those in need.

How can I help?
By visiting the sister's donation page, you can make a donation to:
Essex County CASA http://www.casaessex.org/twosisters.aspx
OR
Voices for Children (San Diego) http://voices4children.ejoinme.org/363miles

Please note "Two Sisters" in the memo line if you send a check.