Why are we running for ALS?

And more specifically Joan Dancy and Pals?

In 2009 I started working at a fitness center called the Atlantic Club in Manasquan, NJ. 

At that time I had no idea what ALS was... (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig ’s Disease. (See definition below)
**ALS:   is a progressive debilitating disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy. 
There is no cure.


It wasn't until I got to fulfill one of my "Bucket List" goals of participating in Polar Bear Plunge that I started learning about this disease.  (pictured to the right)

That February, along with a team from the Atlantic Club, we jumped into the freezing cold Atlantic Ocean and helped raise over $250,000 for ALS and specifically the Joan Dancy and Pals foundation. 

I had never heard of the foundation before, never knew it existed, and still...

The nice weather hits, kids are out of school, you have time to take off of work, and want to do it all! 

Every year we do this...

Start dreaming about all the activities we want to get out and do, 

All the places we want to visit, 

All the people we want to see. 

Our heads are literally in the clouds just thinking

about everything we are going to accomplish and do

this summer that we missed out on the year before.

What are you looking to do more of this Summer?

Hike more?

We all have goals and dreams we want to accomplish, unfortunately most of us will fall a little short of these dreams. 

I'll discuss what gets in our way and stops us from living out the...

I don't know about you but as an Obstacle Course Racing athlete, one of my least favorite things to do is CARDIO!!!

I'd rather train obstacles and strength all day, but unfortunately cardio plays a huge role when it comes to finishing a race without death looming over you once you cross that finish line. 

 The question then becomes what do you do to make cardio less of a chore and keep you motivated to do it? 

 There are many ways around this, except when NJ, or any other Northern area, decides that it wants to be its own Arctic Enema and keep you from being able to run outdoors. 

One of my favorite pieces of cardio equipment is the
Technogym SkillRun, because of the Bootcamp option!

This allows me to replicate the physiological aspects that I would experience on the course into my indoor workouts.
I can seamlessly switch from running or walking (from -3% decline to 25% incline), to a weighted Sled Push, or wind sprints with a Parachute......