JoeDoyle.com | Tag Archive | world bicycle relief

Tag Archive - world bicycle relief

“If Lance can do it with one, you can do it with two”

February 20, 2009 in Runnin' with 6 Comments

Indeed.

That was the funniest sign I saw at the Austin Half Marathon last Sunday. There were other memorable ones, like “Your feet hurt because you’re kicking so much ass”, and “Do it for the beer! Er, the children!”

Thanks to everyone who supported World Bicycle Relief on my behalf. It was great to think about my friends at WBR and the recipients of their bicycles while plodding along the Austin streets.

These were my first half marathons and I enjoyed the physical challenge. Yes, I did two. A few weeks back I was scheduled to run 12 miles, so I did the 3M Half Marathon that day. I figured, what’s another mile?

My time for the 3M was faster than the Austin, but both were under my goal of 2:00. The 3M is almost all downhill, and a good one for records me thinks. Here’s how I ended up against other lard-asses in the Clydesdale group (men over 190 lbs):

I loved the 3M for the proximity to the house. Stacey, the kids, Aunt Pam and Uncle Frank came to watch at the end of our street, but I was already past them. Maybe next time. 3M also had great food afterwards – breakfast tacos from Rudys.

The Austin Half is a HUGE event, and that was reason enough to run – the crowds really keep you going. Lloyd and I have been training since December, and it was his idea to get in shape for this one. After all, we both turn 40 this year.

40? Damn.

Anyway, my time was a bit slower, but the course was much hillier. Next time (if there is one) I think I’ll mix hill repeats into the training mix.

half

I’ve been running with iPhone software called iMapMyRun. It’s OK, sometimes wonky – for instance it thinks I live in some weird town in Florida, but it generates a map of my local route. And if nobody calls when I’m running, I can get a full read out like this one:

half_mapped

So, there you have it. Two half marathons under 2:00. Time for more cycling.

Oh, and maybe some new baby pics soon. Or old ones. I still need to upload the holidays.

Please give $13.10 to World Bicycle Relief

December 17, 2008 in Friends, Important dates, Social media with 1 Comment

In the past my friends and family have been so generous. You’ve supported my LAF rides and others, but today I’ve got a new cause. World Bicycle Relief is my favorite charity and one of our best clients. We’re supporting their current campaign so they can start anew.

Here’s how you can help:
1. Go here and donate $13.10. Why the goofy amount? You may have read that I’m running a half marathon (13.1k). You’re sponsoring my run for a buck per kilometer, and I’ll think about you when I’m ready to hurl on mile 12.

2. Tell your friends. Seriously, you can join the WBR Facebook Cause, put it on your blog or even Tweet about it. The more people that know, they better.

Thanks for considering the pledge.

On a side note – it’s freaking cold up here in Chicago. We’ve got a big pitch with the Chicago Architecture Foundation when the WBR campaign launches, and we hold great hope for both groups.

Much love – JD

Today I begin training for my first (and likely last) half marathon

December 8, 2008 in Austin, Texas, Runnin' with 5 Comments

My blog’s been pretty dead, but I’ve got some renewed self-interest in the form of a physical challenge. Today I begin training for the Austin 1/2 Marathon.

Half marathon? Why not a whole?
Good question (beat you to it). First, I’m not that crazy. Second, I prefer to ride my bike for exercise. Third, my pal Lloyd Thompson was the generator of this brilliant idea, I’m just along for the run. See Lloyd, like me, is closer than ever to the BIG 4-0, so he wanted to get one under his belt ahead of that time.

The run takes place on February 15th. Mike Cacciabondo has threatened to come down for it and run the race in 50 minutes or something, but he won’t likely show (ahem). Another gent has joined in the effort, and we will run as a threesome on weekends for the larger runs – likely off road at Walnut Creek for more of a challenge (plus it’s 100X more fun that running on asphalt).

Here’s a look at my training schedule:

Later this week I’ll be asking for donations of just $1 per mile (that’s $13.10 for those not in the know). I’m running a micro-sponsorship campaign online to see how it works. Plus the organization I’ll be running for is very close to my heart.

More to come. I’ve got three miles to get in today…