Kyle Amos 24 Hour Challenge

I received the following email this morning from Kyle Amos:

Kyle Amos  You replied on 4/30/2011 9:43 AM. Sent: Saturday, April 30, 2011 4:32 AM To: James Parry

Jim, That was the greatest day as a teacher of my life.  I am still processing what just  happened but my brain and body need a little time to recover.  Thank you for coming  up with and sharing this amazing idea of how to get kids moving.  Now because of your  original idea there are over 600 students and their families excited about exercising  and getting/staying fit in Gardner, Kansas.  I can not thank you enough for setting  such a great example. Thanks, Kyle Amos PS   I will get you shirt in the mail monday.  Life got a little crazy this week. Kyle is a PE teacher at Moonlight Elementary in Gardner, KS.  He contacted me way back in October, having seen the article in Ultra Running Magazine about Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge.  He had questions about doing the same challenge for his students and we have been in contact ever since, with information for each other about both challenges.  His 24 Hour Challenge happened this week with Kyle running 24 hours from Thursday morning to Friday morning for his students.   Amazing and very cool! Here is a link to a TV story done about his challenge the morning of his 24 hour run.  You have got to watch it.  He seems like a great guy who is genuinely interested in his students' well being. http://www.kctv5.com/local-video/index.html?grabnetworks_video_id=4666894 From Kyle's 24 Hour Challenge FB page: Kyle Amos with 1 minute to go.

2011 Marathon Challenge

http://www.thinkstewartville.com/main.asp?SectionID=7&SubSectionID=18&ArticleID=4730

16 hours...61.25 miles...$1565 raised!!!

Media coverage from 16 hours on the treadmill

FOX 47 TV
http://www.myfox47.com/story/14496815/stewartville-teacher-to-run-17-hours-straight

KTTC TV  4/22/11
http://www.kttc.com/story/14496815/stewartville-teacher-to-run-17-hours-straight

KAAL TV6   4/22/11
http://kaaltv.com/article/stories/s2078067.shtml?cat=10151

Olmsted County Journal 4/28/11
http://olmstedcountyjournal.com/run-jim-run

Rochester Post Bulletin   4/21/11
http://postbulletin.com/news/stories/display.php?id=1451795

Pictures

I ran again this year in the Brooks Launch.  17 hours in them on the treadmill last year and 16 hours this year, without a single blister.  Not even a hotspot.  These shoes are light, flexible, and cushioned enough to protect the feet.  That is exactly what I look for in a shoe as an ultramarathon runner!  Looking forward to the new colors coming out soon!

Today's Post Bulletin

Check out the article from todays PB.
http://www.postbulletin.com/news/stories/display.php?id=1451795&query=jim%20parry

16 Hours, not 17

I goofed up and didn't check to see that the Y is only open until 9pm on Fridays, so my treadmill run will be from 5am-9pm.  I am sure I will welcome the earlier finish time that evening.  Call 507.287.2260 to reserve a time on one of the other 2 treadmills.

Thanks,

Jim

Sign up and/or make a pledge

Sign-up sheets are up and ready to go at the Y for those who are able to come run with me at the Y this Friday.  I will be running from 5:00am - 9:00pm.  2 other treadmills, in addition to mine, will be set up in the lobby for others to run/walk on.  You do not need to be a member of the Y to join me that day.  Call 507.287.2260 to sign up for a time slot...they filled up quickly last year, so call early.

If you can't make it to the run and wish to make a donation to the Strong Kids Campaign, send me an email and I will email back a copy of the pledge form or you can call 507.287.2260 to make a pledge.  Remember, the money raised will go to helping kids who need some financial help affording the cost of attending Y programs and camps.  Please help out if you are able.  Thank you.  Jim

From the Rochester Area Family Y's website:  http://rochfamy.org

We believe every child deserves the opportunity to experience our programs, regardless of financial difficulties their family might be facing. YMCA programs such as child care, camping, swim lessons, youth sports, LINK, and Y Mentors do more than teach skills; they instill confidence, responsibility, and help young people to be strong in spirit, mind and body. These experiences help our local youth grow into healthy, contributing adults.

With your help, no person will be denied the benefits of a YMCA membership based on financial limitations. Through our Annual Strong Kids Campaign, people just like you come together to make their community stronger. Donations to the Strong Kids Campaign allow the Y to provide membership and program assistance to kids and families who might not otherwise be able to afford to pay for our services. With a commitment to making programs and services available to everyone, the YMCA provided nearly $800,000 in scholarships and program subsidies in 2009 to over 17,000 of our Southeast Minnesota friends and neighbors. We ask that you give generously so that more in our community can share the YMCA experience.

A Letter For Help

My name is Jim Parry and on April 22nd, I will again be running on a treadmill in the lobby of the Rochester Area Family Y for 16 hours to raise funds for the Strong Kids Campaign.  Last year I ran 67.5 miles in 17 hours, completing the same challenge on a treadmill.  We had a lot of runners and walkers join me on one of the other treadmills and raised just under $1600, but I know we can do better!  My goal this year is to raise at least $2500.

My family was able to take part in Y programs when I was a child because of this scholarship program. We would never have been able to afford those opportunities without the generosity of others. This event is called Mr. Parry’s Endurance Challenge for the YMCA and is one way I feel I can give back.  I take the responsibility of being a positive role model for children seriously and running is an easy way for me to do that. I also know that sometimes this just is not enough for some. The Strong Kids Campaign provides the resources to participate in Y programs for those who would not otherwise be able to afford to.

The idea for Mr. Parry’s Endurance Challenge came to me soon after I started teaching in my hometown of Stewartville and, before I knew it, became a reality with the first event happening in 2009. I ran/walked 96 miles during those 24 hours…in 2010, I ran and walked 100.68 miles over 24 hours from April 29-30. I have heard many stories about how individuals made big changes in their lives because of Mr. Parry’s Endurance Challenge. Those stories motivate and inspire me.

I need your help to fulfill this challenge. The Y is providing a 2 other treadmills for people to run or walk on with me. You can sign up for 15 minutes or an hour. It’s up to you.  My run is from 5am – 9pm on Friday, April 22. It makes a HUGE difference for me to know that people are supporting me and this wonderful cause.

Please consider signing up on the bulletin board in the Y lobby. You do not need to be a member of the Y to join me that day. You can also call the Y at 287-2260 to sign up. Thank you!

Jim

To find out more about Jim Parry’s Endurance Run for the Y, talk to a fitness center staff today. You can also make a pledge to support Mr. Parry online at http://www.ymcastrongkids.org. More information about Mr. Parry’s Endurance Challenge for the YMCA can be found at http://www.rochfamy.org/ and http://mrparrysendurancechallenge.blogspot.com/.

Fools Five Road Race

Jack and I ran the Fools Five Road Race today.  Jack's official chip time was 45:16, on a very windy day!  Way to go little man!

At the start

At the finish

April 2 Long Run

Stewie Striders this morning. 8 runners out this morning. Jim, Lee, Kevin, Mickie, Teri, Becky, Rebecca, and Joe w/Ruckus. Some big runs logged this morning, with Mickie and Teri running 16, Kevin doing 18, and Jim getting in 23. Kevin found a dime, but Teri was the winner, finding a quarter near the end of her run!  I even found a geocache just south of town, while out with the group.