Marathon Walking a Growing Trend - Charity Programs Help Average People Achieve Remarkable Goals
A Chance of a Lifetime - The Orlando Disney World Marathon is our next exciting challenge of the Arthritis Foundation -and will take place on January 11, 2004. This is a great way to get in shape and support a worthy cause.
Fort Lauderdale (PRWEB) September 30, 2003 -- While less than one tenth of
one percent of Americans has ever completed a marathon, that number soon may be
changing. Due to the growing trend of marathon walking, many people who
otherwise thought completing a marathon was out of their reach are getting their
shot at achieving a lofty personal fitness goal while helping millions of
Americans at the same time.
Many people used to think a marathon was not
for them or that completing a 26.2-mile event was an impossible feat because
they were not seasoned runners. However, with the advent of charity programs
like the Arthritis Foundation’s Joint in Motion program, marathon walking is
becoming not only acceptable, but also popular.
In fact, of the more
than 2,000 participants annually in the Arthritis Foundation’s Joints in Motion
marathon training program, 60 percent are walkers.
“I never thought I
could complete a marathon,” said PAM BELEY, a participant in the Arthritis
Foundation’s Joints in Motion training team. “Training for the marathon helped
me get in shape and gave me more energy. Plus, with guidance from the Arthritis
Foundation, I raised funds on behalf of a person with arthritis, which kept me
motivated to complete the training program and made me more committed than ever
to cross the finish line.”
Arthritis is the number one cause of
disability in the U.S., affecting one in three adults and nearly 300,000
children. For one in three Americans, arthritis is a daily struggle that limits
even the simplest activities that others may take for granted, such as dressing,
bathing or even brushing one’s hair. As arthritis surges to epidemic
proportions, the mission of the Arthritis Foundation -- to prevent, control and
cure arthritis and related diseases -- has never been more important.
Joints in Motion participants commit to raising funds on behalf of the
Arthritis Foundation and walk in honor of a person with arthritis. In return,
the Arthritis Foundation provides a 20-week training program with seasoned
coaches, detailed training schedules, weekly group training sessions and ongoing
support to increase endurance and improve walking strategy.
In addition,
the foundation offers clinics to learn more about important subjects such as
proper footwear, nutrition and the importance of stretching. The training period
culminates with travel to the event destination of the participant’s
choice.
A Chance of a Lifetime – The Orlando Disney World Marathon is our
next exciting challenge and will take place on January 11, 2004. Those who
achieve their fundraising goals will receive ground transportation and hotel
accommodations for the event in Orlando. Twenty weeks of training will be
conducted for runners AND walkers, for a half and a full marathon, by our Coach
Bob Weinstein, also known as “The Health Colonel”. Participants from Dade,
Broward and West Palm Beach are welcome as well as contributors and corporate
and private sponsors from everywhere.
The Health Colonel is also
offering two FREE beach cross-training classes per week to all Joints in Motion
participants. Coach Bob can be reached at 305-491-3573 or through his website at
www.beachbootcamp.net.
Walking is Good for You
The
Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health states that “regular
physical activity that is performed on most days of the week reduces the risk of
developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness and death in the
United States.”
Besides the obvious health benefits, walking in groups
helps build camaraderie and motivates individuals to stick to a fitness plan. In
addition, for those with arthritis, walking may reduce pain by strengthening
muscles around the joint and keeping joints flexible and limber.
The
Arthritis Foundation’s Joints in Motion program is designed to lead people of
all ages and fitness levels through an extensive training program to complete a
marathon. Approximately 80 percent of all Joints in Motion athletes have never
completed a marathon before, but with careful guidance and encouragement from
staff and other volunteers, nearly all of them cross the finish
line.
About Joints in Motion
Joints in Motion is the Arthritis
Foundation’s premier athletic training program that raises funds to fight
arthritis, the nation’s number one cause of disability. If you are interested in
joining a future Joints in Motion training team, or would like additional
information, contact Toni Jones at the Arthritis Foundation at 954-726-6707 or
email e-mail protected from spam bots or visit www.jointsinmotion.org
.
About the Arthritis Foundation
The
Arthritis Foundation is the only nationwide, nonprofit health organization
helping people take greater control of arthritis by leading efforts to prevent,
control and cure arthritis and related diseases.
For free arthritis
information, including the Arthritis Foundation’s brochure, Walking and
Arthritis, contact the Arthritis Foundation at 954-726-7607 or www.arthritis.org.
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2003/9/prweb73187.htm