Making a Difference by Making a Footprint

photo by: Metaxin

It's that time of year again, when summer closes to an end and fun fall activities, like the Chicago Marathon, peek around the corner. As this approaches and we all start to make our fall agendas, the Bank of America introduces the first digital fundraising program featuring 2009 race participants and spectators. If you have been to the Chicago Marathon before, runner or not, you would agree that it is an exhilarating experience. Even from the sidelines you become a part of the race, entirely.

Even if you are just cheering or sharing your inspirational quotes and thoughts, it is just as important as any role in the race. How? Because without the energy supplied by the crowd, the runners are without an encouraging atmosphere to help them push to the last mile. Regardless of your role, anyone is welcome to create their own digital running shoe footprint with a personal image and message of choice at www.chicagomarathon.com/footprint. It's quick and easy so anyone can participate. With each submitted tread, Bank of America will donate $1 to one of 22 charities that you may select during the creation of your footprint. You can support the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago with just one click of your mouse! The support from these small donations will go a long way and greatly assist in helping those in need. When you are done, you may even view your completed digital image on the event site’s home page. On the day of the race, the fundraising's final outcome will be announced and Bank of America will award an additional $10,000 to the charity with the most submissions.

Just because you are not running the Chicago Marathon, doesn't mean you can't help change lives. By making a personal footprint you can support runners and the Red Cross, as well as partake in one of the greatest and most inspirational events where people travel from all over, to reach their goals at the finish line. The 26.2 miles takes thousands of steps, but if you just take this one, it will go much farther. By donating your personal footprint, you can show that every step counts for something great.

Stretch for smoother running with Run Red

While most of my volunteer hours are spent with the Disaster Action Team of American Red Cross of Greater Chicago, I'm also a distance runner and enjoy helping coach new runners. While I've run plenty of races of various distances, this year I've very proud to be running the Chicago marathon with Run Red Team, the official Red Cross nationwide running team.

Training for a race isn't just about running. There is the cross-training, the gear shopping (my favorite!), making sure to properly fuel and hydrate, and (my other favorite) many minor tweaks and hacks which can be done throughout the day to contribute to better fitness and an easier time training.

Spending time hunched over the laptop and the general stress of certain jobs (or, the absence thereof, sometimes, too) causes tension in the neck and shoulders, which, believe it or not, carries over to running. Granted, running, as those of us initiated already know, eats stress nicely, but still! The smart runner is all about being proactive and training smart, rather than waiting to address an issue once it's a big issue.

When you have stiff shoulders due to tension, it limits the ability to swing arms freely forwards and back. When this happens, the arms take a less neutral side to side motion, which does not a lot to propel the body forward and mostly just wastes precious energy and causes unnecessary fatigue. Hello? Not good. So, here's a quick fix you can start doing today:

• Take mini-stretch breaks throughout work time. Seems minor, but it matters.

• Lower your right ear to your right shoulder. Press gently on your left temple with our fingertips. Hold, release, and repeat ten times on each side. Aim for a stretch here, not a neck-crack.

• Raise right arm up, keeping your elbow locked straight and palm facing forward. Hold your arm between your elbow and shoulder with your left hand. Pull (gently please!), hold, release, and repeat ten times on each side.

Twice a day, then, to strengthen the shoulders:

• Let your arms hang relaxed at your sides with your palms facing in. In one slow, constant motion, rotate your shoulders up, backward, downward and forward, bringing them toward each other. Hold them for a second. Do it in reverse, rolling shoulders until arms return to starting position. Do two sets of ten reps. Hold dumbells to make it more challenging as strength improves.

How easy is that? Very. So easy you can start right this second! And, as an added benefit, these mini-stretch breaks help you feel more alert during the day too. Pro-tip: there are several simple downloads you can utilize to remind you via email or pop-up to take a second and stretch during the workday. It doesn't get easier than that.

Hope to see everyone at the Team Run Red fun run on Wednesday August 5th at 6:30 on the west side of the North Ave. bridge.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Today’s blog is dedicated to recruiting runners to our Run Red Team to join the Red Cross the Back of America Chicago Marathon, Chicago 13.1 and Chicago Half Marathon.

Join runners from all over the country and become part of a growing community of philanthropic athletes. Our Run Red Team members are generous runners who raise much-needed funds for the Red Cross as part of their marathon preparation.

Join the team to train and participate in the following events. You can sign up for:

Bank of America Chicago Marathon
Chicago 13.1
Chicago Half Marathon

Since its inception in 2001, the Run Red Team has raised more than $300,000 for the Greater Chicago Chapter and has run nearly 300,000 miles in their training. In exchange for reaching runners’ fundraising goals, we provide expert training, team gear, and the support of a cohesive team.

As a team member, you’ll support our services. The Red Cross helps disaster victims avoid hunger and homelessness and also brings CPR and other preparedness classes to more than 250,000 people each year in our area. Learn more about the Red Cross here.

Our runners are generous individuals who train together for the Bank of Chicago Marathon to raise much-needed funds for the American Red Cross to help people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.

Visit www.chicagoredcross.org/runred to learn more.