Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Running for Kids in Madagascar

Posted by CheapRunnerMike

It's a rainy morning here today but there's a nice pot of coffee on so all is good!

We had a nice weekend up at the cottage and did a little Father's Day celebrating as well.  My sister and her family came up on Saturday evening and we all got to sit around the campfire and enjoy some great family time.  We just had our Provincial election on Thursday so there was lots of political talk…always fun to get people wound up!

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My Dad was happy too as he was well-lubricated all weekend…I got him a case of Stella Artois and my sister got him some craft beer as well as the coolest bottle opener you'll ever see.  Think we know what the old man likes?

bottle-opener-wrench

Got out for a great run on the beach on Saturday…it was a little cool but perfect for running.  I did the whole length of the beach, about 7km, and was actually able to run pretty quickly.  Usually the sand slows me down but the legs powered through.  No thanks to my Pro Compression socks though…look what happened when I went to put them on before my run…

photo 1

My favourite pair too!  They don't carry these ones anymore either…so bummed.

While up at the cottage we heard about something really cool that's going on with one of our neighbours.  His son lives down in Atlanta and is an experienced runner/triathlete, even having completed an Ironman.  Both Steve and his running partner Matt have decided to run a self-supported 155-mile race in Madagascar.  The race is part of the 4 Deserts/Racing the Planet series and truly looks incredible.  As part of their racing experience they have decided to raise money for a great charity, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.  In 1988, Paul Newman opened The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Connecticut so that children coping with serious illnesses could have a special hideout where they could simply be kids.  Steve and Matt have set a goal of $15,000 so that they can send 5 children to camp this year…what an awesome goal!  If you want more info or would like to donate, they have a page set up on Crowdrise.  Can you imagine running here??  Puts my upcoming race in Guelph to shame…

Capture

Back to work yesterday and I got out for a decent run at lunch.  I went to strap on my watch but it was dead…oops!  I crave my running stats though, so I just strapped on my running belt and threw my phone in there with the Nike app running…I wouldn't be able to check my pace at all, but at least I would have my stats when I finished.  It was a really hot, humid run with temperatures feeling like they were up in the 90's but I felt like I kept a good pace throughout, despite not being able to check my watch at all.

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After work it was time to take Jackson out to go bike shopping…we had told him that as soon as he learned to ride without training wheels we would get him a new bike for at home.  Well, he learned to ride on the weekend, so we went checked out a few different bikes.  Ultimately he had to stay with the same size he already had at the cottage as the next size up was just too big for him.  It's actually the same bike he has at the cottage, just a newer model with different colours (orange, his favourite!)

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He was super excited about it and got to ride a little bit when we got home (as soon as I took the training wheels off).  He found some cool bike helmets too, but he already has one and there was no need to get another…as cool as this one was.  I should get one for myself for triathlon races…think I could intimidate the other athletes??

Best part about the bike…

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Yup, I got it for under $25 out of pocket.  Coupons and deals really add up!  And you Americans, please no laughing at our 13% sales tax Sad smile

Where's the most exotic place you've ever run?
Madagascar trumps me…I'm either Mexico or Disney World

What are your topics of conversation around the campfire?
We end up on politics way too much!

5 comments:

  1. Great pic of you and Jackson! Ahh---bummer about those socks...maybe they will bring them back at some point! I have my eyes on those neon w pink striped ones that Rhoda and Michelle have!

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  2. Such a bummer...if I see those socks pop up again I will let you know!

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  3. Luv...luv...luv the neon yellow and pink socks 💓💓💓

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  4. Amy @ fitnessmeetsfrosting.comJune 19, 2014 at 3:26 PM

    Noooo not the socks!!! LOL pleeeeeaseeee buy that helmet to wear during your triathlon!! I never talk about politics with anyone. Not only do I hate it and prefer to keep my opinions to myself, I find it just causes arguments! LOVE that charity! It sounds like an organization near me that I've raised money for. They host camps for kids with illnesses that allow them to just be kids. They also bring the families along and have workshops to help them learn about the illness and how to make their child's life as normal as possible.

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  5. Oh I may need to get that helmet now!
    I'm with you about no politics talk...we only discuss at the campfire to get my brother-in-law going and I'm never the one to bring it up!
    There are few causes as good as giving sick kids as normal a life as possible.

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