Valentines - Hearts 'r' Running 5k "Celebrating Active Loving Hearts" Recap in Photos & Stories

The 6th Annual Valentines - Hearts 'r' Running 5k "Celebrating Active Loving Hearts" produced by Charities Challenge at Como Lake, St Paul, MN on Saturday, February 15, 2014, did reveal lots and lots of active loving hearts, "Miles of Smiles", many fast-fun-friends, happy families, and athletes of wide ranging ages and abilities. Love it!

Photos slideshow and video available from event web page here http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/valentines_5k.html

(NOTE: CC's next Holiday Run is Sunday, March 16, back at Como Lake - St Patrick's Irish Traditions 5k - Celebrating Friendship-Love-Loyalty http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/st__pats_5k.html )

The start line was an occasion to follow the announcer's invitation to "hug somebody you love before by we start".

More hugs were seen after the finish line. Love it!

Running Club MNRED (RED=Running, Eating, Drinking) delivered many of their happy team members to the event.

Coach Ron Byland, founder/leader of MNRED, made a handsome appearance with very encouraging words in the Valentines 5k video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1cJBEW987A&feature=youtu.be produced by CC's pro-videographer, Paul Sanft.

CC's events are always warmer when "frequent flyers" (regular runners and great friends) run our Holiday Run Series. Here's a photo including Ivan and Julie Silverman, and Mike Jamison (in orange "Runners for Recovery" team shirt). Imagine! Mr Jamison is running well beyond his challenges with a heart pace maker. Go MikeMan!

John Wacker, running again the entire CC Holiday Run Series, always has this backward "wacky"  salute when he sees my Canon camera. I learned from John that his unusual salute is his daughter's sorority salute, and he sends all these photos to her as his encouragement to her. Go Mr Wacker!

Sarah Montaigne whose sign reads, "My Heart is Running for my dad, Paul". Well done daughter and dad! Here's another noteworthy example of how kids of all ages can encourage their parents' RxExercise. Brilliant!

Top three men finishers getting Valentines Hershey's Kisses from CCREW volunteer Jackie.

Top three women finishers getting Valentines Hershey's Kisses from CCREW volunteer and coach, Kyle Clark.

CCREW volunteer US Army Colonel Retired, Neil Hetherington congratulating US Army Sergeant Major Retired, Renee Hickerson, on another fast CC 5k

Paul Montaigne, also running again the entire CC Holiday Run Series of 12x running events, celebrating his well-earned heart health beyond bypass surgery and lifetime of improved diabetes management because of his RxExercise. Go Paul! Your daughter, Sarah, is an inspiration to many of us dads who vicariously glow in the active love of a daughter. Go Sarah!

Mike Jamison, co-founder and leader of Runners for Recovery run club is the inspiration for CC's Challenge Addiction 5k that we produce every August. Mike is an inspiration and encouragement to me and Charities Challenge of how we can enjoy long-term recovery from a variety of addictions with the help of our running and walking together. Thanks, Mike! http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/challenge_addiction_5k.html

Thanks, Rachel Pexa, for dancing with this ol' coach, roaming announcer, and finish line photographer! "You make me feel so young"! As I regularly announce to all: "Dance while you have the chance".

And, here is our senior participant of the Valentines - Hearts 'r' Running 5k, Della Soderbeck, F75. (Note: Tomorrow, Feb 24, Della turns age 76. Happy Birthday Della!) In this photo, she's holding a photo of herself when she was more than 100 lbs heavier than now. She wrote these inspiring words to me following the event:
"Thanks Gary! You run a great race program. Walking/running has been my lifesaver, literally! Della Soderbeck"

Well done, Della! Walking and running continues to improve and save so many of our lives. Thanks for your winsome example.

Run or Walk Christmas Day 5k and/or New Year's Eve 5k

You’re invited to run, walk and/or volunteer Charities Challenge’s last Holiday Run Events for 2013, both at Como Lake in St Paul, on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. http://www.charitieschallenge.org

Wednesday, Dec 25, is the 8^th Annual Christmas Day – Joyful 5k experience at Como Lake in St Paul, MN. Start time 10 AM. This continues to be “The Biggest Christmas Day 5k in the USA”. http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/christmas_day_5k.html

Tuesday, Dec 31, is the New Year’s Eve – Hopeful 5k experience at Como Lake in St Paul, MN. Start time 3 PM. Learn more about the last Holiday Run of 2013 & post-race party here http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/new_years_eve_day_hopeful_5k.html

Looking for active gifts to give to family/friends that will run throughout 2014? Find at the CC web site the special reduced entry fee offer for the 2014 Holiday Run Series of 12x events and the 2014 Taking on All Challenges 8x Series of events. http://www.charitieschallenge.org

Throughout 2013 at CC’s RxExercise Events we celebrated the Power of RxExercise to improve the health and lives, and even the relationships of thousands, especially improving the lives of so many of us who live well beyond our health challenges due to chronic diseases like arthritis, cancer, depression, diabetes, or accidental serious injuries.

Christmas Day is a day to celebrate all those “Miracle Miles” so many of us have walked and run together in 2013, and to encourage our loved ones to join us by coming alongside us on Christmas morning for a fun walk/run.

  

If you're among those already pre-registered, Thank You! Perhaps you'll want to forward this invitation to more of your family & friends to join you, too.

Early Day-Before Check-In and in person Pre-registration option:

Check in the day before the race reduces the check-in lines on race day.

Early Check-In & Shirt and bib # pick-up is Tuesday, Dec 24 from 10 AM to 3 PM at Black Bear Crossings Cafe inside the lakeside pavilion on Como Lake.

Christmas Day – Joyful 5k Race Day Check-in for pre-registered, and race day registration, opens at 9 AM at the beautiful lakeside pavilion on Como Lake. Enjoy:

1. Long-sleeve commemorative shirt
2. Christmas Day 5k collectible ornament for first 250 registered
3. Happy holiday motivating music and announcer
4. Healthful tasty treats and a variety of hot beverages
5. Unique free fabulous photos and online slideshow
6. Miles of Smiles shared by families & friends Holiday Run
7. Beautifully "Ugly" Christmas Sweater Photos Contest - More fun!

For more inspiring “Christmas Day – Joyful 5k” registration  information, press release, online photos slideshows of past events, and even a great “History of Christmas”, go to http://charitieschallenge.org/html/christmas_day_5k.html

Any tax-deductible contributions added to your entry fee or sent separately will continue serving others’ RxExercise needs by supporting Charities Challenge year ‘round RxExercise Mission, Programs, Partnerships, Services and Events.

The Christmas Holiday Run Event has become for many of us a particularly meaningful, and memorable Christmas Day’s Families & Friends Tradition of RxExercise, because “Brighter, Lighter Days & Miles of Smiles Come with Sharing Our RxExercise Every Day”.

We CC Race Event Worker (CCREW) volunteers look forward to seeing you at Como Lake on Christmas morning where together we’ll enjoy an active “Miracles Miles” morning.

More CCREW are always welcome to join us in delivering another Holiday Event. RSVP if you want to join our rewarding experience as a CCREW volunteer. What a great active gift of volunteering you’ll be giving to so many others as a CCREW member!

ThanksGiving Day - GivingThanks 5k - Attitude of Gratitude Celebration (8th Annual) Review

Thanks to everyone who played an active part in Charities Challenge's 8^th Annual ThanksGiving Day - GivingThanks 5k - Attitude of Gratitude Celebration, at Como Lake in St Paul. Find and enjoy reviewing inspiring video and photos slideshow via this event page http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/thanksgiving_day_5k.html

(Note as found at the above web page: As with all CC's wintry Holiday Run Series events from Thanksgiving to Valentines we do not record/report racing times. Instead we emphasize safety when pathways may be icy/snowy, and really emphasize sharing with family/friends running/walking RxExercise benefits to health and relationships around the holidays. Holiday can be unusually stressful and we want to start each significant holiday with a brisk walk or run, especially with loving family/friends. The large digital display clock will show everyone's finishing time, as will so many finish line photos.)

When measured against the big world of road racing events, many of which seek to grow in numbers into sometimes very big crowds, CC Events are intended to be boutique events with an upper limit of participation that keeps our events safe, more pleasant for everyone, allowing for more personally satisfying experiences shared by family & friends, many of whom are recognized by name by both fellow athletes and our CC Race Event Worker (CCREW) volunteers. CC Events are meant to be the “CHEERS” of road racing, “Where everyone knows your name”.

Enjoy remembering some of the morning's special experiences as you view the online photos slideshow while hearing again some of the 2013 ThanksGiving Day 5k theme songs, and the first-ever creative pro-video highlighting “Attitudes of Gratitude” seen and heard at this special Holiday Run.

The 714 images in the slideshow at 1 second per image will take about 12 minutes to view. I hope you find the music inspiring along with the images of so many sharing their walk/run with loved ones.

You’re welcome to freely copy any photos from the gallery “index”, add the photos to your digital photo files, and even send the photo(s) to family and friends via e-mail. And, like so many others, post your favorite photo(s) to your Facebook page, including at our Charities Challenge Facebook “Friends” page https://www.facebook.com/groups/41310607820/

When you view the photos slideshow you’ll see “Miles of Smiles” evidencing the Power of RxExercise (exercise as medicine) to cheer each of us even during these darkening days of fall into winter, and how sharing a run/walk even improves our relationships with loved ones who walk and run by our sides.

Thanks to about 20 CC Race Event Worker (CCREW) volunteers who helped produce last Thursday’s Holiday Run Event. Others are welcome to join our happy CCREW for any of our 21 Annual CC Events. CC volunteers can earn a variety of valuable CCREW Rewards for being so actively supportive of others’ RxExercise experiences.

Some CCREW also are earning fundraising credits to help cover CC’s cost to send them as RxExercise Ambassadors to Great Destination Events, like the Disney World Marathon, Kauai, and Ireland’s Dublin Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in August, and Honolulu Marathon next December. Go CCREW! And…Go RxExercise Ambassadors!

Thanks also to each of you who brought non-perishable food items, and a few who added cash donations, that CC delivered immediately following the event to Roseville’s Keystone Community Services. Thanks to CCREW member, Phil Face, for making that delivery.

By walking, running and/or volunteering with about 500 others at the ThanksGiving Day – GivingThanks 5k, you made an immediate difference in your own healthier-happier life, as well as so many others’ lives, by “Sharing the RxExercise Challenge” with families & friends. Walk and run with a year ‘round “Attitude of Gratitude”, and be ready to come back next year happier-healthier, faster and fitter than ever.

Before the New Year, you’re oh-so welcome to come back to Como Lake for the 8^th Annual Christmas Day – Joyful 5k, 

http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/christmas_day_5k.html

and/or CC’s 5^th Annual New Year’s Eve Day – Hopeful 5k http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/new_years_eve_day_hopeful_5k.html

You’re invited to keep up with Charities Challenge RxExercise News, Events and inspiring stories by adding Charities Challenge to your Facebook “Friends” https://www.facebook.com/groups/41310607820/

Run or Walk Veterans USA - Honoring Military Service 5k at Como Lake in St Paul, MN, Sunday, November 10

Run or walk and/or volunteer at the 3^rd Annual Veterans USA - Honoring Military Service 5k at Como Lake in St Paul, MN, Sunday, November 10 - 9 AM start. (Note: Veterans Day is 11/11 as it is every year.)

For more inspiring event information and registration options go to http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/veterans_day_usa1.html

1. USATF certified 5k course

2. Chip timing & race results and records by CC’s official timing company www.WayzataResults.com

3. Free photographic record with fabulous post-event online slideshow displaying “Miles of Smiles”

4. Pro-videography show will be online same day to review

5. Commemorative Veterans Day - Honoring Military Service 5k shirts

6. Americana motivational music & announcer

7. CC Race Event Worker CCREW volunteers’ hospitality, lively camaraderie & healthful, tasty refreshments

8. A pocket size Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution. (CC’s Americana Heritage Events are the only known races in America giving away these historic, world-changing USA founding documents.)

9. Optional added donations welcome to benefit wounded vets programs of Team Red, White and Blue Minnesota

10. Opportunity to meet, greet & say “Thanks for your service” to active duty and retired military family and friends from all military branches.

Pre-register soon for the lowest entry fee; pre-registration closes Thursday, Nov 7, or sooner if 700 limited entries are received.

Free and convenient event parking is right at the start/finish area, and indoor heated restrooms. See the CC website for maps/directions.

Invitation to 5th Annual Halloween Fearless 5k – Chase Away Fears on Saturday, Oct 26

You’re invited to run, walk and/or volunteer at Charities Challenge’s 5th Annual Halloween Fearless 5k – Chase Away Fears Event at Como Lake, St Paul, Saturday, October 26, starting at 9 AM.

For more information, online and printable mail-in entry registration form, go to http://charitieschallenge.org/html/halloween_fearless_5k.html

Pre-register online or by mail for lowest entry fee $28! Entry fee increases to $33 after Sunday, Oct 20. Race day registration is $40.


Professionally chip-timed 5k on a lakeside USATF certified course and the simultaneous 1.5 Mile Family & Friends Fun Walk will start at 9 AM. The events will start/finish near the lovely lakeside pavilion.

We'll party lakeside, celebrating the Power of RxExercise to improve lives and even reduce fears and anxiety.

Registration includes:
A) “Halloween Fearless 5k” party atmosphere including lots of participants in costume
B) Classy commemorative Halloween Fearless 5k long sleeve shirt
C) Chip timed race results according to complete USATF divisions
D) Halloween Motivational Music & Announcer to give you a “Shout Out”
E) Enthusiastic CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers.
F) Photography and unique post-race online “Miles of Smiles” slideshow
G) Videography & online fun show
H) Free online personal Photos Memory Book by Liveality
I) Healthful hot & cold refreshments & Halloween Treats
J) Convenient, free parking, and indoor heated restrooms
K) Post-race discounted party brunch & beverages at nearby Ol' Mexico Restaurante (present bib #)

Chase Away Fears! Yes, RxExercise has been shown to even improve the management of fearful depression and anxiety.

Only 4% of Americans ever run & less than 2% ever run/walk a road race! Non-exercisers fear exercise & fear that their efforts to improve their health/fitness will be a waste of time.

Actively demonstrate your friendly fearlessness as an active runner/walker by sharing your run/walk with others who may have been fearful of RxExercise and entering a 5k road race.

RxExercise has been discovered to be the “magic pill” for reducing a variety of fearsome health risks including arthritis, cancer, depression, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and more.

So, come together where we’re all making a difference by helping people to live well today and every day by actively supporting Charities Challenge ongoing RxExercise Programs and CC’s Special Holiday Run Events like Saturday’s Halloween Fearless 5k.

Report @ Challenge Aging 5k - Celebrating Strength & Successful Aging

Enjoy reviewing last Sunday's 7th Annual Challenge Aging 5k - Celebrating Strength & Successful Aging at Como Lake by visiting the event page to find:
1. race results
2. online slideshow with theme songs
3. beautifully inspiring 4 minute video
4. free Liveality Online Memory Book

http://www.charitieschallenge.org/html/challenge_aging.html

Be inspired by how very well some of advancing age are negotiating the challenges of aging, even very advanced ages and despite a variety of chronic diseases added challenges, because of their RxExercise (exercise as medicine), running, walking, and enthusiastic CC events volunteering.

A leading cause of usual aging (as contrasted by successful aging) is disengagement, social withdrawal and isolation. With advancing age, I know the temptation to withdraw, disengage, and go it alone. I daily tell myself: "Get up and get out and about with other happily active people".

So, here’s a big congratulations to those of you who will not concede to usual aging decline and disappointments.

And, an even bigger congratulations to each of you who I see actively engaged in encouraging our family & friends of advancing ages by your walking or running alongside, volunteering with smiles, always happy to come together to build one another up to be successfully strong throughout life.

Special acknowledgements from the Challenge Aging 5k:

1. Bib numbers were assigned to the pre-registered in reverse order of age.

2. So, at nearly age 89, Mary Pat Flynn, showed off bib # 1, the oldest 5k finisher of any CC event (>100 events to date).

3. Gloria Jansen set an all-time MN F65-69 5k age group record 23:36

4. Lance Elliott, nearly age 43, running for only 4 years won overall in 16:08

5. Daniel Gerber, age 23, set for himself a huge 35 second 5k PR by chasing Lance.

6. www.Liveality.com friends created the first CC event online memory book that each participant may personalize with select photos, a visual reminder of the memories made at CC events to review with family & friends.

7. My friend Josh 'Dartos' Gerber, proprietor of www.WayzataResults.com, continues to produce accurate and fast-reported race results, and Sunday set up for the first time an announcers mat that allows our announcers, Jeanne DeMartino, George Liss and Andy Liss to announce more names than ever.

8. Faithful regular CCREW volunteers and RxExercise Ambassadors like Don Soule, Meredith Soule, Dawn Hart, Ken Wendling and others were joined by new CCREW volunteers like Kyle Clark & Sara Rapp. Thanks you all for producing CC events with the utmost in hospitality. You make CC events special!

9. So many individuals whose remarkable stories I know about and who continue to play in my memory, inspiring me to keep on keepin' on with always-special CC events.

10. The 8th Annual Challenge Aging 5k next year will see each of us one year older, stronger, and smarter. To "Successful Aging"!

Run, Walk or Volunteer - Challenge Aging 5k @ Como Lake, Sunday, Sept 22

Walk, run or actively volunteer for the 7^th Annual Challenge Aging 5k Event, this Sunday, September 22, at Como Lake, St Paul, MN, 9 AM Start.

Fabulous fall forecast for colorful autumnal Como Lake: Sunny, 47-68 F. light winds, and “Miles of Smiles”!

For more information including online registration option go to http://charitieschallenge.org/

We'll Party in the Park on Saturday morning with amazing athletes of all ages leading the way into advancing ages!

We'll celebrate:

1. A unique “Celebrating Strength & Successful Aging” Theme.

2. The inspiration of running and walking with truly remarkable and inspiring “Well-Aged Athletes” demonstrating The Power of RxExercise to improve lives throughout all our years.

3. Unique Bib Numbers Assignment: Bib #s will be going in inverse order of pre-registered athletes’ ages. (So far, #1 will be worn by a man age 78!)

4. Earning a one-of-a-kind-in-America road racing “Challenge Aging 5k” commemorative t-shirt.

5. Enjoy the cheerful welcome and expert support of CC Race Event Workers (CCREW) volunteers, and healthful tasty treats.

6. Recognition by race announcer & Ageless Motivational Music.

7. Fabulous photographic record and online CC Photos slide show of your racing the event. See last year’s event photos via the CC site.

8. Recognition for many race division winners.

9. Great Harvest fresh race rolls, whole fruit, hot & cold beverages

10. More memorable “Miles of Smiles”!

Why “Challenge Aging”?

The BAD NEWS: Because advancing age beyond age 35 is highly related to increasing adverse risks to health and happiness of “Usual Aging”.

“Usual Aging”, according to gerontologists, involves a variety of serious challenges to health and happiness and even good relationships.

“Usual Aging” is how most people age...badly and sadly.

The GOOD NEWS: Alternatively, we each can choose to actively pursue what gerontologists call “Successful Aging”.

There are a variety of personal habits that contribute to successful aging. But, one habit is paramount: Exercise.

Strength through exercise is the major variable in “Successful Aging”.

Note: “Real Aging” for physically fit & athletic individuals after age 40 is slowed to ¼ the rate of “Usual Aging” effects in sedentary individuals.

Active athletes are really younger than their chronological years and tend to be happier-healthier than sedentary individuals.

Exercise is a big part of why, for example, my own “Real Age” is 54, eight years younger than my chronological age of 62.

How would you like to be ten, or twenty, years younger than your advancing chronological age?

You’re welcome to visit CC’s Challenge Aging 5k page http://charitieschallenge.org/html/challenge_aging.html to find links to online programs that allow you to estimate your real age, and then come Saturday to celebrate your youthfulness through your RxExercise.