Do any of us really pay attention to where your money ends up when we enter a race? Water, timing systems, employees and awards are all part of the overhead when your local 5k is in the planning stages. Also, many charities are beneficiaries of the race day revenue. I have been looking into this issue for a while and have come up pleasantly surprised with, of course, a few exceptions. The Seattle Marathon in 2007 donated 0% of the entry fees to charity while the bulk of the profit went to a few major companies who organized the race. I don’t see any problem with this as long as the race is not pulling a bait and switch with my money. The Seattle Marathon did just this when it’s website touted the fact that the money went “to benefit UW Medical Center Patient & Family Housing Fund”, when in fact, the only money that went there was cash donated by runners above and beyond their entry fees.
Some charities have political affiliations and agendas that you may want to investigate 
before tossing a few bucks their way. Regardless of what side of the aisle you fall on, it is a good idea to be informed as to who your money is “benefiting”. For instance, the Susan G. Komen Foundation recently found itself embroiled in controversy over the funding of Planned Parenthood. The organization waffled back and forth for weeks but it is up to you to decide if they are worthy of your hard earned money. Personally that issue is one I will not debate here. I happen to like The National Cancer Society who is the recipient of many race dollars throughout the year and does great work to fight cancer in all it’s forms.
Every year the Arthritis Foundation holds 5k’s around the country called the Jingle Bell Run/Walk. They are a very worthy organization determined to fight this crippling disease. Since 1948 they have committed over $400 million to research arthritis in all its forms. In addition, they also lobby congress for better access to care by attempting to remove the restrictions on the small drug companies and allowing these medications to be made available to the public cheaper.
The Special Olympics is also another high profile and wonderful charity that every runner should be glad to help. Starting in 1968, the Special Olympics has provided year-round training and competitions to children and adults with disabilities. This happens to be one of my favorite non-profits.
The National Kidney Foundation also hosts one of the largest walks throughout the country in different cities to raise money for kidney disease research and awareness. This is yet another charity where I would be glad to see my money working.
To this point all the charities I have mentioned are associated with disease research or benefiting the disabled and you really can’t go too wrong with supporting them. But beware, some other charities that have political affiliations also put their hand out for your race money and you may want to watch out for them. The Annual Race Against
Extinction 5k in Boston, MA. is a good example of what I am speaking about. We all love animals and I am absolutely no exception, but I will not participate in a race that supports and gives free membership to participants to the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) and some of the crackpot ideas that have been given unwarranted consideration. I draw the line at letting my dog sue me or issue a restraining order.
The dispute over global warming is ongoing contrary to what many people are being told. If it’s hot or it’s not, the cause is definitely a point to be argued, which is why I do not participate in anything “Earth Day”. The 5K Run For Clean Air is an example of some of these global warming races. They clearly state, ” supports programs that reduce waste in favor of increased recycling and composting to slow down global warming.” Beyond that they have award medals made from recycled materials (afraid to imagine what that may be) and a bicycle valet (see post from two weeks ago). So compete in all the “green” races you want but remember the people you are giving your money to are the same people who hate the factories where your shoes and running gear are manufactured.
The Legs Against Arms 5k in Philadelphia is heavily supported by Joyce Resources Inc., which is rabidly anti-gun. Held yesterday, they brag about “attracting runners, walkers, wheelchair rollers, children and adults who are committed to changing the social norm that celebrates violence by focusing on violence prevention, honoring loved ones lost to gun violence and modeling healthy life choices”. The City of Philadelphia has incorporated this important event as one of the city sponsored events to stem the epidemic of violence in Philadelphia. What? I barely know where to begin. Many pretty, but deceiving, words that mean absolutely nothing. Sorry Philadelphia, this will not reduce your violent crime rate. Even the winner of the race, with an admirable 16:15, can’t outrun a thugs bullet. I’ll save my money for more ammunition rather than participate in a race such as this.
So, in my opinion, donate your shoes, walk for cancer and run for any and all disease related races. Hey, if they have a local race to raise money for grade school playground upgrades, do that too. But pay attention to exactly who is getting your money and if they are using it to lobby for a “green” agenda. Maybe like shutting down a few running shoe factories because the rubber involved is environmentally hazardous?
Remember, run for fun but race to place!
I am not a dietitian or a doctor. I am simply the unappointed food police of our running group and my diet can be pretty strict when March training begins. Over the course of time our group leader coined the term “The Dave Diet” and it has now evolved into a plan that works great for weight loss and spring training. Some of my friends have, albeit reluctantly, opted to take the plunge and are having great success. One member in particular says the she has never felt this good.
offended you will not eat a piece of cake with them, they are really not your friends and have no respect for the goals you are trying to reach. This is a lifestyle change and you must separate yourself from the places that try to draw you over to the unhealthy way of living.
You have to start thinking about what you are putting into your body. I can not stress enough the importance of reading labels on packages before buying. That cheesecake will make you feel good for ten minutes but will make you feel bad for far longer. This may sound overwhelming but it can be accomplished when you decide that you want a better way of living and feeling. Before you know it you will find that your desire for unhealthy foods has all but disappeared.
after a week or two of eating healthy and losing weight, it is easy to fall into the “a little bit won’t hurt me” trap. This is the wrong path to choose because it can snowball and unravel everything you have already worked so hard to accomplish. Be alert and strong during this period and the road to a healthier, happier you will be much smoother. If you do falter, get back on that horse and don’t use that momentary weakness put you right back to square one. It’s only one mistake and there is no need to be depressed and give up. Good luck, good health and remember, run for fun but race to place!
I am about to make a sweeping generalization, so please spare me your comments such as, “I’m not like that!” or “We have never done that.” I realize there always exceptions to any rule. The rule I speak of today goes like this………cyclists are self-absorbed, elitist snobs. I am not the only one that thinks so. Perform a Google search with “snobs” and “cyclist” and you will quickly understand that this is a widespread concept. They have a chip on their shoulder as they race by with their pointy heads and fancy cycling uniforms, all the while thinking they are better than everyone. Let’s get one thing straight cyclists, you are not Lance Armstrong and you will never be in the Tour de France.
They ride in packs on the road that they believe they own and have a blatant disdain for traffic laws. If you don’t believe me, read this 
Finally, last weekend I was running a half marathon where four cyclists crashed the course at the mile nine turn around and expected all the runners to stop just for them. Words were exchanged once again. So please cyclists, for your own safety, I implore you to be more respectful of runners because my patience has reached it’s end. Had the leader of the four from last week been a man the outcome of that confrontation would have been much different. Maybe loosen your helmets just a little to allow some oxygen to your brains.
Have you ever noticed that many times during training runs you seem to struggle much more than if you were competing in a race? It’s a Monday afternoon and I begin moving forward for the first few steps of my usual route. It’s not too long before I start to feel winded and weak. The aches in my legs are screaming for me to turn back and call it a day. Instead, I take control of my mind and force my body through the workout. These are the days we wonder why we do this to ourselves. After a few miles the pain begins to subside and my breathing seems to flow more naturally. Conversely, when I went to the starting line of the Eggshell Half Marathon last weekend, I felt nothing. Not a pain or discomfort and life was pretty good for most of the race. The last three miles are a different story but this example shows that we have abilities within ourselves that, on occasion, we are simply too lazy to utilize. Sure, an injury is a legitimate pain that can’t be tuned out but in the course of our weekly training regimen it is easy to get weak minded and run just to “get it over with”. Battling this mindset is what makes us who we are at our core: determined, strong and passionate. The struggles in our daily workouts can serve as character builders, but can also lead us down a road of repetitious drudgery filled with psychological pitfalls. Today I would like to share some of my tips for overcoming the strife we face out there on the running path.
visited in some time. Even if you must drive a few more miles to get to your destination, do this once a week and it will be well worth it.
4.) Run where there are other people. I don’t know about you, but I find it difficult to stop in front of a dog walker, cyclist or fellow runner. Even when at my weakest, the minute I encounter another human being, I envoke my personal rule, “You can slow down, but you can’t stop”.
