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| Picture of Opening Ceremony |
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| At the Finish of 1st Day |
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| Pam and Walkers |
With the holidays fast approaching, our lives can seem chaotic at times. More things to do and greater levels of stress can often cause your health promotion program to go off track or to cease to exist. One way to stay on track metaphorically and physically is to pick an event to train for and show up at the starting line with your health in mind, not just your finishing time. Read this month's F.I.T.T. column to learn how a woman took on the roles of both participant and advocate in her quest to complete the Dallas Breast Cancer 3-Day event.
Finding the time to devote to physical activity over the holidays can benefit you both in mind and body. It can reduce stress levels and keep those pesky holiday pounds from creeping back. Give yourself a gift this season - a ticket to good health through regular physical activity. It may seem like your time is limited during the holidays and taking on another activity might just put you over the edge. But I would encourage you to sign up for a local turkey trot 5K or, if you are more ambitious, perhaps a 2008 event such as the Breast Cancer 3-day benefiting the Susan G Komen for the Cure Foundation (http://www.the3day.org/). With a tangible goal in mind you will be happily surprised how easy it will be to find the time. If you take care of yourself, you can do everything else on your holiday to-do list with greater ease!
Pam Dickens, a colleague from the North Carolina Office on Disability and Health (NCODH) (http://www.fpg.unc.edu/~ncodh/), just finished the Breast Cancer 3-day in Dallas, Texas on October 28, 2007. She has worked closely with the Komen Foundation in her efforts to increase access to breast cancer screenings and to raise awareness of this important health topic for women with disabilities. She decided to sign-up for the 60-mile 3-day event not only as a health benefit but also as an opportunity to educate race organizers and participants on various issues that pertain to people with disabilities.
Here is what Pam had to say about her experience with the event:
'The 3-Day Event was amazing. Energizing, supportive, positive, and exhausting. As the only wheelchair user of 2400 participants, I felt proud yet sometimes struggled with environmental barriers that others did not face - cracked sidewalks, no curb cuts, grassy camp and rest areas, and other added efforts to the 20 mile days. I had only trained on smooth paved bike trails, so some of the trek was new and challenging. Despite these challenges, the 3-Day staff, crew, and Komen staff were extraordinarily supportive of my endeavor, willing to provide accommodations and always trying to think ahead. I utilized the sports medicine team for shoulder massages at pit stops and did the 60 miles without a sore muscle and my arms feeling great!
I also had the opportunity to provide a little education to other walking participants. When someone said 'You must have strong arms', I sometimes replied 'You must have strong legs!' Others sometimes said they wish they could have a ride. I welcomed them to ride as long as they pushed - a few opportunities to hopefully get others to begin to think from a different perspective.
I completed the 60 mile event along with the other walkers and felt proud and somewhat surprised that I had accomplished this! I had followed training, food, and hydration guidelines and it all paid off! Thanks to Susan G. Komen for the Cure for this opportunity and support.'
Congratulations to all participants in this race and to anyone who has had the courage to line up at the starting line.
Mark your calendar today for your next local race event and be on your way to a healthier and happier holiday season!
Additional Resources:
- Spurs Hope & Possibility 5K Run/Walk
URL: http://www.nba.com/spurs/community/hopeandpossibility_5K.html
When/Where: Sunday, November 18, 2007 @ 8:30 am
AT&T Center San Antonio, Texas
Awards:
Special awards will be presented to the top three male and female finishers in the following 5K categories:- Open Able-bodied- Overall and Master�s
- Above the Knee Amputee
- Below the Knee Amputee
- Double Amputee
- Ambulatory Disabled
- Visually Impaired
- Pushrim Wheelchair
- Hand Crank
- Power Wheelchair
For more information:
Phone: 210-444-5652
Email: efalat@attcenter.com - LungStrong 5K
The LungStrong 5K benefits LUNGevity Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to funding lung cancer research. LUNGevity Foundation (http://www.lungevity.org) is the pioneer in lung cancer research, and is the leading private provider of research funding for the number one cancer killer.
Date And Times- Saturday, November 17, 2007
- 9:00 AM 5K Run/Walk
- 9:45 AM Tot Trot Series (Ages 7 & Under)
- 10:00 AM Awards Ceremony
NOMAD Aquatics & Fitness Center
11202 Harris (Eastfield) Road
Huntersville, NC 28078
Or mail Registration form to:
Run For Your Life , 2422 Park Rd, Charlotte NC 28203.
For More Information:
Contact Eddie David at eddie@lungstrong.com or 704-650-4070 - Fall Harvest 10K/5K & Fun Run
URL: http://www.activezach.com/events/eventDetails.cfm?pEventId=2307
Nov 10, 2007 - Huntersville, NC
Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics Center
11725 Verhoeff Drive
Huntersville, NC 28078
URL: http://www.hffa.com
704-766-2222
E-Mail: BShelley@huntersville.org - Lincolnwood Turkey Trot
Main Website: http://www.lincolnwoodil.org
URL: http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?EVENT_ID=1469042&CHECKSSO=1&RESET=0
Date: Sunday, November 18, 2007
Time: 8:45 AM
Venue: Proesel Park
Address: 6915 N. Kostner Ave
Lincolnwood, IL 60712
Additional Information
5K and 10K participants will need to pick up a timing chip on race day. Be sure to allow enough time, as 1200 of your closest friends will be doing the same. - Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis 5K run, 5K walk
URL: http://www.arthritis.org/jingle-bell-run.php
The Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis is a 5K or 10K (Madison) run/walk held in November and December in nine statewide locations. Runners and Walkers don seasonal costumes, put bells on their shoes and jingle throughout Wisconsin to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. Awards and prizes are given for the best costumes, top finishers and top pledge-raisers. - Achilles Track Club
42 West 38th Street, Suite 400
New York, NY 10018
212-354-0300
fax: 212-354-3978
e-mail: info@achillestrackclub.org
URL: http://www.achillestrackclub.org/
Achilles is a worldwide organization, represented in sixty countries. Their mission is to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics, to promote personal achievement, enhanced self esteem, and the lowering of barriers between people. - 5K CELEBRATING ABILITIES RACE - Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville Disability Support Services
Rendleman Hall, Room 1218
Campus Box 1611
Edwardsville, IL 62026
Phone: (618) 650-3726
(V/T): (618) 650-3782
Fax: (618) 650-5691
URL: http://www.siue.edu/dss/5K_Celebrating_Abilities_Race.shtml
Email: disabilitysupport@siue.edu
Will be held on April 20, 2008. For more information please contact disability support services at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville. - Hermes Sports & Events
1624 St. Clair
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Phone: 216.623.9933
Fax: 216.363.0698
Email: info2@hermescleveland.com
URL: http://www.hermescleveland.com/events/mostx.asp
Most Excellent Race 10K, 5K, 10K Wheelchair Race & 5K Fun Walk to benefit the Achievement Centers for Children's Camp Cheerful this race occurs every June. Please check their calendar for monthly race postings. - CANCER to 5K Training Progam™
E-mail: staff@cancerto5k.com
URL: http://www.cancerto5k.com/
The CANCER to 5K Training Program™ is a free 12-week training program designed to introduce and/or reintroduce cancer survivors to physical activity by providing them with the training program, coaches, encouragement and support necessary to complete a 5K (3.1 miles) distance road race. - American Heart Association Heart Walk
URL: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?division=WSA019&identifier=3036994
The Heart Walk is a national event that raises funds to support the American Heart Association's fight against heart disease and stroke. The 5k walk around William Land Park is followed by a Wellness Fair, Kids' Zone, Women's Pavilion, VIP area, live entertainment and heart-healthy snacks - San Diego Race for Autism
March 29, 2008
Balboa Park
5K-Race & 1-Mile Family Run/Walk
URL: http://www.raceforautism.org/
For comments and feedback, please feel free to contact Amy Rauworth at amyr@lakeshore.org.