Destination Run Somewhere

https://www.facebook.com/events/357149207752381/

When: any time between TODAY and October 31st
Where: as the event name says, somewhere - your choice
Who: anyone, this event is open to the public, so please pass it on

A play on words, Destination Run Somewhere is not about traveling to another location or destination to run, rather running to a destination - " Destination Run" and "Run Somewhere", combined. The goal is to pick another location to run to, or to run home from another location. Walkers are invited too. This could be another city, town, or a landmark. The point is to get out of your normal routine run near where you live, test your limits, and expand your horizons, literally. Try something new. Logistics could be an issue, as you may require a ride home or to the starting point of your run. Otherwise a round trip may be in order.

I will post my destination runs somewhere on the above Facebook Event page as well as here, and I encourage you to do so as well, showing others where you have traveled by foot, and inspiring them at the same time. Post as many of these runs as you like - the more posted runs the better. A description of the run and the location of the start and end of it would be good. A link for the mapped run on RunKeeper or another mapping website would be even more interesting. Pictures would be great as well.

Enjoy your Destination Run Somewhere!

Jim

2013 24 Hour Challenge

Due to the snowstorm hitting the area May 2-3, Mr. Parry's 24 Hour Run/Walk has been moved to Thursday, May 16th at 8am - Friday, May 17th at 8am.

The 2013 version of Mr. Parry's 24 Hour Endurance Challenge takes place from March 1st through May 17th.  Participants are asked to exercise in any form for a total of 24 hours over those 8 weeks.  For my part, I will be getting ready to complete my 24 hour continuous run/walk around Stewartville from 8am on Thursday, May 16th through 8am on Friday, May 17th.

See the tabs to the right for information about this challenge in years past.

Sign up here to show your commitment to an active lifestyle.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1N8hlcHuYUKKJT1hKLO8gqYy8e5l7G20s8t2H8Yd_rwY/viewform

Those of you who are planning on joining me during my run and walk for a while will be able to indicate when on this form as well.


LIVE TRACKING IS BACK!!!...you now have the option to track my exact whereabouts in real-time during my 24 hour run for Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge.  Go to the following link or click on the RunKeeper icon on the left. http://runkeeper.com/user/JimParry/activity/
Satellite and hybrid views tend to work the best.

Stewartville Star article from April 16th, 2012 about last year's event:
http://www.thinkstewartville.com/main.asp?SectionID=7&SubSectionID=18&ArticleID=5795

The 2013 version of my challenge will have me again attempting the 24 hour/100 miles format.  Students and others are again challenged to complete 24 hours of exercise over an 8 week period. That works out to only 3 hours of exercise per week for 10 weeks!  Everyone should be able to do that!

My 24 hour run/walk around Stewartville will take place from 8:00am Thursday, May 16th to 8:00am Friday, May 17th, 2013.  If you are in the area, please consider coming to run with me...evening, overnight, and the early hours on the 2nd day are always the most difficult, so I could use the encouragement of company.

The challenge itself is easy.  Get out and complete 24 hours of exercise over 8 weeks.  All movement counts, including running, walking, biking, walking to school, walking the dog, sports practices, etc.  Again, that is only 3 hours per week.  Hold yourself accountable and keep track of what you are doing.
Printable log here:    https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-xFX5JuL4fDcmhRcW56XzQ2RzQ/edit?usp=sharing   Print this and fill out what you are doing to keep active, the number of minutes, cumulative totals, and any comments on that day. This log is for you to keep and does not need to be turned in to me.  Use it to hold yourself accountable.  You could also use a calendar or create your own log if that is easier for you.  I will have a follow-up Google Form that can be filled out at the completion of the challenge to tell me how it went for you.

Be sure to check back here often for updates and to fill out the follow-up Google Form at the completion of the challenge.

Interactive map.  http://runkeeper.com/user/JimParry/route/1201558

This run starts at 8:00am on Thursday, May 16 and will continue until 8:00am on Friday, May 17. Stewartville Middle School address is 500 4th St. SW.  My run begins and ends here and will be passing by the school during each of my 4 mile loops.  This 4.01 mile loop will be run counter-clockwise.  I will have my aid station in my vehicle set up in the MS gym parking lot behind the school (NW side of the building).  I will again be keeping a log of my miles and the time of day I last stopped by my vehicle on my last lap.  See this log on the front passenger seat to figure the approximate time of my next return.

At some point soon after 6am, I will be switching to this shorter loop near the HS/MS.  This 1.5 mile loop will be run clockwise.  This will keep me away from traffic and will allow me to be closer to aid the last couple of hours.

http://runkeeper.com/user/JimParry/route/1207026

TEACHERS NEEDED!!!
If you are a teacher and would like to share this challenge with your students or team, or organize a run at your school, please contact me at runjimparryrun@gmail.com.  I would like to expand the 24 hour challenge on to students in other schools.  There are already several around the country that will be doing their own challenges.  The best way for me to do this is to get other teachers involved.  Challenge your students to complete 24 hours of exercise over an 8 week period.  Sign up yourself, print out a log, fill it out, and keep it posted in your classroom for your students to see.  You can have your students sign up individually, or sign up as an entire class - see the form link above for information.  Finish it up with a run or walk as a class, grade level, or school to celebrate.  It would be great if this were to follow the timeline of my challenge here in Stewartville, following the dates listed above.  Let's see how many students we can get out, being active, and doing something good for themselves!

Aside from the known benefits of exercise on brain function, as well as the physical benefits, I try to focus on a few lessons that can be learned from this challenge.
1.  How to set a goal.
2.  How to make a plan to get ready to accomplish that goal.
3.  Preparation to accomplish that goal.
4.  Time to prove yourself - performance, contest, game, test, etc.
5.  What happens if you succeed?  Are you all done then?
6  What happens if you fail?  Are you all done then?
7.  Finding an activity that you are passionate about to do the rest of your life.

All of these apply to school, relationships, etc, as well as athletics!

More details to follow...

See the tabs to the right for information about the 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 versions of this run.

2013 16 Hour Treadmill Run for the Y

Stewartville Star Article

http://thinkstewartville.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=6853&SectionID=13&SubSectionID=62&S=1

Call 507.287.2260 to make a donation and/or reserve a spot on one of the other treadmills.  Donations can also be made in person or at www.rochfamy.org  Click DONATE NOW, enter your information, put in honor of Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge.

CLICK PLAY TO VIEW LIVE-STREAM FRIDAY, MARCH 8TH   5AM-9PM

OR GO TO THE FOLLOWING LINK IF IT DOES NOT WORK

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/runjimparryrun

VIEWERS ON MOBILE DEVICES MIGHT CONSIDER DOWNLOADING THE FREE USTREAM APP FROM THE APPSTORE OR GOOGLE PLAY STORE FOR BETTER QUALITY

On Friday, March 8th I will once again be running on a treadmill in the lobby of the Rochester Area Family Y from 5am-9pm to help raise funds for their Annual Support Campaign.  We have set the ambitious goal of raising $5000 during my 16 hours on the treadmill this year, which will provide many area students the opportunity to participate in Y camps and programs, regardless of their ability to pay.  My brother and I were able to attend Y camps in elementary school because of the generosity of others through this program.

Check back for updates, but a sign-up sheet should be ready any day at the Y.  Join me for a few minutes on one of the other 2 treadmills that will be set up next to my treadmill in the lobby that day.  You do not need to be a member of the Y to participate in this event.  Also, please consider donating to this worthy cause.  Every little bit helps!
See the other tabs above for information about this run in previous years.

Call 507.287.2260 to make a donation and/or reserve a spot on one of the other treadmills.  Donations can also be made in person or at www.rochfamy.org  Click DONATE NOW, enter your information, put in honor of Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge.


STEWIE DAY AT THE Y
This year we are pleased to offer those who are closest to me a special deal.  I would like to offer those individuals who are Stewartville Public Schools students, staff, and all residents of Stewartville a family day-pass to the Rochester Area Family Y good for March 8th in exchange for a $10 donation to the Y's Annual Support Campaign.  The family day-pass cost is normally $25.  At least 1 person in your group must be at least 18 years old.  Bring a current driver's licence or school ID for proof of eligibility.  Print out a copy of this pass, fill it out, and bring it with you for access to the Y on March 8th. 

Link to printable pass:  https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1oq4temv3Tla2M4cU8tbDROZ1E/edit?usp=sharing

Call 507.287.2260 to reserve a spot on one of the other treadmills and/or donate to the Annual Support Campaign and visit http://rochfamy.org for more information.

Wednesday, August 1st

Got out for 3 miles late this morning, trusting the oldest child to watch the other 2.  He offered to babysit for a small fee.  I agreed, as I need to learn to give him more responsibility, especially when he is willing.  As a parent, I see my biggest responsibilities on making my children are happy and SAFE.  Letting go a little and letting them grow up can scare me at times.  That said, I was never more than about 2 minutes from home on my loop and made sure that I passed by our place several times just to make sure it was still standing.  All was good.  Its' sometimes hard for me to trust him.  Might be that I'm not so ready for any of them to grow up yet, but it was nice to get out on my own for a few minutes.  Hot out!  Still sucking air because of that, but the shoe experiment is working and the foot felt great.

Here are a couple of great videos that I saw today.  I see great lessons to be learned from both of them.  What do you do to achieve greatness?





Congrats to George Zack on his win with Jack the burro at Sundays World Championship burro race.  George and Jack ran 29 miles together, climbing up and down Mosquito pass in Fairplay, CO.  I need to do this race someday!!!



I've also been following Marshall Ulrich's circumnavigation of Death Valley.  He has been a hero of mine for a long time.  I've followed his explorations for 17 years or so, beginning with watching his teams race in each of the Eco Challenges.  Daily updates, including links to pictures and some video, as well as a link to live-tracking this expedition can be found here.  http://www.marshallulrich.com



This after Marshall ran the Badwater 135 just a few days before.  Here's a great recap video from this year's race.

Monday, July 30th

Got out for a run all by myself after dark last night.  Only did about 5 miles, but it was very relaxing.  I ran when I felt like it and walked when I didn't.  Ran in the new shoes...more about those later.  Foot felt great - no plantar pain at all!

Most of my runs the last year and a half have been with others.  Although I really do enjoy the company, I thrive on the miles I run by myself.  I see the need for both of these in my life and when things get all "lop-sided" I feel like something is missing.  I enjoy the conversation and stories I get to hear when running with a partner, with my kids, or a group like the Stewie Striders.

Running with Abbi on the summit of Pikes Peak last month.

At the same time, I need to have time to myself when I can let my thoughts drift from one subject to another.  Other times, I find myself lost in the simple sounds of my breathing and footsteps on the ground.  This can go on for hours.  Getting lost in nothingness can happen for me during daytime or nighttime runs.  It is during these runs that I feel most refreshed and for at least a short time all the stresses of life don't seem to be as big.  The best part of this is the fact that this feeling of peace can last for hours.

So, what do you think?  Do you primarily run with others, alone, or a good mix of both and why?

Ran alone and with a group this evening.  Ran to the Williw Creek Reservoir to meet up with Jim Mason's Tuesday trail running group.  Did a couple of laps around the reservoir with them, then finished up the rest of my run into Rochester's south Target store.  Started out way too fast, then ran too slow, then was forced to walking, but the foot felt good again.  Another run that I would rather have suffered through alone, even though the company was great.  12 miles.

Run With Marshall Ulrich

I finally got a chance to run with one of my heroes, Marshall Ulrich.
Jim Parry
http://mrparrysendurancechallenge.blogspot.com
Don't set your limits.  Go out and find them.

Pacing Med City Marathon 2012

I will be pacing the Med City Marathon on Sunday for the MN PACERS.  Pacing the 4:30 marathon group this year.  Follow my progress on RunKeeper Live by clicking the RunKeeper link to the left.

Jim Parry
http://mrparrysendurancechallenge.blogspot.com
Don't set your limits.  Go out and find them.

RunKeeper Sponsorship

Excited to announce RunKeeper as my newest sponsor.  The RunKeeper app and website are a great way to keep track of your running and other exercise, as well as diet.  The RunKeeper app is available for your mobile device through iTunes and Google Play, formerly Android Marketplace.  This service is free, but a premium service called RunKeeper Elite is available for $5/month or $20/year.  This gives you access to additional information, but the biggest advantage is that it gives you access to RunKeeper Live.  RunKeeper Live allows others to track your movements during a workout or race and see your progress.  My profile can be found at http://runkeeper.com/user/JimParry/profile and you can sign up yourself at http://www.runkeeper.com/

You Can't Control Everything

So my 24 hour run this year was cut short...really short, due to the weather.  Temps were in the mid 30s, with 15-25 mph winds and nonstop rain that made being outside miserable at best.  My biggest concern was that someone would end up in the hospital.

My run started out well.  I cruised through the first 12 miles or so at about 10:00-10:30 per mile.  Everything felt great and under control.  I was already thinking about the number of miles that I might be able to cover.  I wanted to bank a few quick early miles, knowing that it would likely rain, and that the rain would slow me down.  I figured that once the rain let up, I would then be able to easily pick up the pace again.  That turned out to never be the case.

The lesson of the day had to do with CONTROL.  I could control my pace, my attitude, what I ate, what I drank, but I could not control the weather.  The weather defined this run!  It started raining at about 10am and would let up slightly at times, but never gave up all together.  This made the conditions miserable at best, and likely dangerous for myself and those outside with me.  Mike showed up late in the morning and stayed with me like he said he would.  I was hearing from others that the rain would continue until midnight, and most likely throughout the night as well.  There was no way I was going to be able to continue this for the next 16-18 hours!

We made a quick pitstop in the school at about 4:30pm to change into dry clothing.  There were students waiting to join me for the next loop, but it was simply too cold, too wet, and too miserable out.  I did not want anyone to get ill for this run.

I made the decision to walk laps inside the middle school/high school.  5 1/2 laps equals 1 mile, so I figured I could walk this for a while and re-evaluate my goals for this day.  I was cold...very cold and had the shakes pretty bad for a while.  But, on the other hand, I did feel ok, and did not want to let go of this, so we walked.  It took me an hour or so to come to my senses and realize that my day was done. 

We ended up resetting 2 possible goals - 12 hours, or 50 miles within a couple of hours after that.  I was joined inside by students, staff, friends, and strangers for the final miles of my journey.  I decided to call it quits at 46 miles.  But then again "quitting" isn't really the right word for it either.  I simply stopped because it would have been unwise to continue.  I was ready to go home to a warm bed at that point.

You can't control everything.  I am ok with how things turned out.  Disappointed at first and not ready to let go, but fine with it once I made that decision.  I don't dwell on that stuff...I can't...it's just not the way I am wired.

Don't set your limits.  Go out and find them.  On this day, I definitely found mine!

Just so you know, Kyle Amos had a perfect day in KS, covering 116 miles!  Amazing!  I am proud of him and what he does to help out the students in his school.

24 Hour Run Start

Check out this video by Donny Rowles of Hey! Original Productions.

Kyle has finished 100 MILES!!!!

Kyle has finished 100 miles at 20:02:03 hours or 5:02am.  He is doing great and is looking forward to seeing his students and staff soon!

Jim, Kyle wanted to tell you he is sorry to hear about the battle with the weather.  Congrats on finishing 50 miles!

I'm done...

9pm, I'm done, 46 miles.  Going to bed until sometime tomorrow afternoon.

The New Plan

Still inside, but calling it quits when I hit 50 miles at about 10pm.  The wet cold just too much out of me.  I hope Mr. Amos is doing well.  Too tired to check myself...

Inside

Due to the weather, I am now inside for a while, but only until 12 hours or 50 miles.  Not sure which yet.  Felt good today, but the cold and the rain and the wind beat me down.

Kansas Update!!

It's close to 4:00 and Mr. Amos just finished 40 miles!  Students are out for the day but many are returning with their families later this evening.  The weather has been beautiful and it looks like the rain went around us.

Kansas Update!

4 hours into the run and Mr. Amos has hit the 25 mile run.  The weather continues to be relatively nice and the rain seems to be holding off.  Students are having fun staying active!

21

Kansas Update!

Mr. Amos has completed 17 miles so far!

Pictures

 

Pictures

 

Pictures

 

12.5

The 24 Hour Challenge Has Started in Kansas!

 

~Bridget Hale

 

6th grade teacher

Stewartville Middle School

(507)533-1636

Pictures

 

Pictures

And he's off...

 

Good luck Mr. Parry!

Pictures

 

Pictures

At the beginning...

 

Pictures

 

Krystal Peterson

6th Grade Teacher

Stewartville Middle School

SMS

Central Intermediate

Bonner Elementary

4 miles done

Cards for Mr. Amos

Fourth graders at Moonlight Elementary gave Mr. Amos some encouraging cards in honor of tomorrow's run.

Live Track Me Through RunKeeper

Just added...LIVE TRACKING...you now have the option to track my exact whereabouts in real-time during my 24 hour run for Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge.  Go to the following link or click on the RunKeeper icon on the left.  http://runkeeper.com/user/JimParry/activity/
Satellite and hybrid views tend to work the best.

KSTP RunKeeper Live Tracking Story

Check out this KSTP  TV story about me live tracking my 24 hour run through RunKeeper Live.
http://kstp.com/article/stories/s2584883.shtml

Stewartville Star Article, April 16th

http://www.thinkstewartville.com/main.asp?SectionID=7&SubSectionID=18&ArticleID=5795

2012 Shirts

These shirts are available for purchase at Stewartville Middle School.  $10 - cash and carry - no checks please.  All sizes available.

2012 24 Hour Run Map

See the 2012 24 Hour Challenge tab above for more detailed information about the challenge. 

Interactive map.  http://runkeeper.com/user/JimParry/route/1201558

This run starts at 8:15am on Thursday, April 19th and will continue until 8:15am on Friday, April 20.  Stewartville Middle School address is 500 4th St. SW.  My run begins and ends here and will be passing by the school during each of my 4 mile loops.  This 4.01 mile loop will be run counter-clockwise.  I will have my aid station in my vehicle set up in the MS gym parking lot behind the school (NW side of the building).  I will again be keeping a log of my miles and the time of day I last stopped by my vehicle on my last lap.  See this log on the front passenger seat to figure the approximate time of my next return.

At some point soon after 6am, I will be switching to this shorter loop near the HS/MS.  This 1.5 mile loop will be run clockwise. This will keep me away from traffic and will allow me to be closer to aid the last couple of hours.

Interactive map  http://runkeeper.com/user/JimParry/route/1207026

Making It Better MN 30 Second Ad

2012 Strong Kids Campaign Video

Making It Better MN Video

Making It Better MN Contest

This ad is will be running in area newspapers for the next several weeks.

Photos courtesy of: Olmsted County Public Health

Photographer: Steve Niedorf

About Making it Better

The Making it Better campaign brings people together to discover, celebrate and share stories of

Minneapolis and Olmsted County residents who are working to make their communities healthier

by increasing access to healthy foods and physical activity opportunities. Making it Better is made

possible by funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as part of the

Communities Putting Prevention to Work (CPPW) community initiative. As part of this work, the

Minnesota Department of Health partnered with the City of Minneapolis Department of Health and

Family Support and Olmsted County Public Health to support community initiatives to promote

active living and healthy eating. For more information, visit www.makingitbettermn.org

Check out the Making It Better MN site to see how this ad turned out.

http://makingitbettermn.org/making-it-better/charter-stories/if-he-can-we-can/

Update
Making It Better MN will be sending down the Modern Storytellers team again on Tuesday, January 24th to film a promotional video they are producing about some of the initiatives that are taking place around the state.

December 10th
Pictures from today's photo shoot.  Modern Story Tellers handled everything today, sending a team of about 8, along with a rep from the MN Dept of Health and Olmsted County Public Health.

Update:  November 19th
I met the Modern Story Tellers team today at the Y.  They liked the site so much that they decided immediately to use it.  They will be back on December 10th for the photo/video shoot and to record my story for the radio ads.  Sounds like the radio ads will air soon after that, with the radio, TV, and newspaper campaign starting early next year.

I will be meeting a team from Modern Story Tellers tomorrow to scout locations for the photo/video shoot for the Making It Better MN advertising.  We will be looking at the Rochester Area Family Y and Stewartville Middle School as possible locations.  We will be meeting again on December 10th to actually do the photo/video shoot and to record the interview for radio advertising.  The plan is for the advertising campaign to include radio, newspaper, and TV ads.


Update:  November 8th
More great news!  I found out tonight that I won the Making It Better MN Challenge with 765 "thumbs up"!  Because of this, Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge will be a part of the Making It Better MN advertising campaign next spring.

October 24th
Please do me a favor and go to the following link at Making It Better MN and give  Mr. Parry's Endurance Challenge a "thumbs up" there for this contest.  The winner will be used for their advertising campaign next year.  Also, please pass this on to anyone you think will take the time to quickly vote.  It is my goal to encourage and inspire others to get out and be active. Thank you.
http://makingitbettermn.org/the-challenge/challenge-submissions/mr-parrys-endurance-challenge/

Update from November 4:

Great news!  I received an email this evening telling me that I won the Making It Better MN week 4 random drawing.  I had my choice of several prize packages, but decided to go with a $500 gift certificate to Gopher Sport, a PE equipment supplier.  I am giving it to the PE teacher at my school to spend on new equipment that they would not otherwise be able to get.

From the Making It Better MN website:

What is Making it Better?

Making It Better is a community initiative that brings people together to discover, share and celebrate stories that inspire healthy everyday choices for everyone. It’s an open forum anyone can participate in to learn how to help more people have greater access to healthier foods and new opportunities for physical activity.

Making simple changes to improve nutrition and increase physical activity is the best way to reach a healthy weight as individuals and prevent chronic health problems such as diabetes and heart disease across the broader population. Making It Better inspires changes in our communities that help make the healthy choice the easy choice.

Each of us can make a difference. Many people already are, launching and taking part in initiatives that help our communities become healthier places to live, work and go to school.