National #RunningDay June 4

I hope you will all get out for a run on National Running Day, June 4.  This is a relatively new "holiday", only 5 years old.  The day is set aside for runners to declare their passion for running.  Sounds like a great day for me!

 

I will run tomorrow with a few of my running friends, just to reaffirm my commitment to running and a healthy lifestyle. I will push my 5 yr old daughter in the stroller, and have her run at least part of it, to set an example of a healthy lifestyle.  My kids have learned that running, and daily physical activity is "normal" and what is expected.  I think that is the best lesson that I can ever teach them. 
  I will also be running my miles for charity tomorrow.  I discovered Charity Miles more than a year ago.  It is a free app that you can download onto your smartphone and dedicate your miles to several different charities.  Every mile walked or ran equals 25 cents to the charity of your choice. You can also bike to earn money for your charity of choice, with 10 cents earned for every mile biked.  Charity Miles has partnered with several corporate sponsors, including Timex and Humana in order to collect the donations to charity.  I run with my phone anyway, for safety, and to be reachable while my children are at school. It is so easy to turn on the app when you head out.
  My favorite charities include The Wounded Warrior Project, Team RWB and Every Mother Counts.  Just by turning on the app when I start my run, I have been able to donate at least $25 per month, just by doing what I would have done anyway: running!
  I hope you can get out there and run or walk tomorrow. Also, think about turning on Charity Miles when you do.  #EveryMileCounts
 Happy #RunningDay everyone!
 

Charity Miles

In January of this year, I discovered the Smartphone app Charity Miles.  It seemed simple enough:upload the app on my phone, pick a charity to run for, turn it on when I start, turn it off when I'm done.  Each mile I run, 25 cents is donated to the charity of my choice.  It has become a regular habit of mine to use the app on my daily runs. 
  My charity of choice is almost always the Wounded Warrior Project. This charity is close to my heart, being an Army wife.  This charity helps Wounded Warriors and their families.  It is an easy way to give back to an organization that is helping so many people affected by the recent deployments. 
  What I like most about Charity Miles, other than the simplicity of using it, is that you have so many charities to choose from, including Every Mother Counts, Do Something.org, Habitat for Humanity, Ironman Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, ASPCA, Feeding America, Pencils for Promise, Partnership for a Healthier America, Achilles Int'l, WFP, Stand up 2 Cancer, (Red)to Benefit The Global Fund and Autism Speaks.  Everyone can find a charity that is close to their heart. 
  I recently watched this video which features Gene the founder of Charity Miles with his grandfather, who suffers from Parkinson's Disease.  Gene started this company in order to gain support from corporate sponsorships that will contribute to these charities.  I love their slogan #EveryMileMatters. Because it does. As a runner, I'm out there running anyway. Why not benefit a charity at the same time?
  Right now Charity Miles has the chance to have the opportunity of being chosen to have a commercial during the Super Bowl.  Click here to vote for them to get to the next round. 
I also hope you will be inspired to upload the app, and start earning your own Charity Miles.