Want to run the sold-out Marine Corps Marathon in Washington D.C. on October 30, 2011? You’re in luck!
Jill’s House still has several spots available for MCM and the 10k.

More Information:
Jill’s House is a short-term respite care facility for families with children with special needs. You can check out the website for more information on what they do.

The Marine Corps Marathon is one of the largest fundraising events for Jill’s House and the more runners they have, the more children and families they are able to serve. By running the marathon or 10K, the money each runner raises will directly impact 6+ children with special needs and their families.

If you choose to run the full marathon, you will have a fundraising goal of $1250 – all of which will go to Jill’s House. If you run the 10K, your goal is $750.

For more information, please contact Kat Vinson, the Development and Events Manager at Jill’s House by email at kat.vinson@jillshouse.org or by phone 703.639.5670. The deadline to register runners on the team is August 17. Registered runners will be provided some tools and helpful tips to help you raise money. Jill’s House will take care of registering you for the race, if you’re not already.

Finally, if you know anyone else who may be interested in running for Jill’s House, please forward this to them.

{adapted from competitor magazine press release – source}

The Suntrust National marathon and half marathon will be rebranded as  Suntrust Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Marathon & CareFirst Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Half Marathon scheduled for Saturday, March 17, 2012.

“Washington DC has an incredible running scene and a plethora of great musicians, making us the perfect city to host a Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon. It’s a winning combination for a spectacular event in the District of Columbia next year,” said Washington DC Mayor Vincent Gray.

The event is the only marathon run entirely within the District of Columbia, featuring a picturesque route through the nation’s capital that highlights the many monuments and landmarks which celebrate American history. {Registration is now open online}

In true Rock ‘n’ Roll fashion, Washington DC runners will be treated to a post-race finish line concert after the event.

Have you ever run a Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon/half-marathon? What was your favorite part?  Will you sign up for the Washington DC RnR?
I’ve run this race before, but this will be my 1st RnR race. I’m looking forward to the music and crowds – in years past, this race was lacking crowd support and enthusiasm.

Check out our new team logo

{isn’t it just awesome}

Well, this is awesome, too…

Nuun is offering 25% off all products on the website {woot, woot!}

Enter the code afternuundelight at checkout for:
25% off
Expires September 30, 2011

I’m stocking up on Strawberry Lemonade and Citrus Fruit!

Author’s note: I am trying to be funny {and make fun of myself} but also serious at the same time. Use caution when icing!

“I have frostbite”, I said to one of my running buddies.

She looked at me, looked outside {it was 96 degrees}, and looked back at me. Obviously puzzled.

Let me explain: I have frostbite on my foot. From over-icing.

As a runner I’ve been icing various parts of my body for more years than I can remember. I’ve taken more ice baths than I care to indulge. And I’ve used everything I can get my hands on, including but not limited to: frozen water bottles, bags of peas/corn/lima beans, frozen paper cups and ice packs.

Never, not even once, have I come close to giving myself frostbite.

Until now….

I had no idea I could get frostbite or an ice burn from icing without something between my skin and ice (towel, sock, etc.). Is it just me, or does it seem like a bit of an oxymoron – if I’m trying to treat an affected area, why would I place something in between?

Well, I guess getting frostbite would be a pretty good reason to use a sock or towel.

Frostbite HURTS! Like really, really hurts. I could barely walk for 3 days. My foot doctor freaked-out when I showed him {he said that the affected skin would never be the same}. And moving forward, I have to be extra careful when icing. All that from a little ice pack.

You better believe I’ll be wearing a sock in the future.

One of 2 affected areas

Well… {ha}, I never thought I’d be writing this post in the middle of the summer but since one never knows when frostbite will strike, I’ve included some {frostbite} tips & tricks*. Always use protection when icing!

Examine the Affected Skin
If you suspect you have burned yourself with an ice pack, begin by visually inspecting the area and evaluating the extent of the damage. If the skin is tingling and red, you can safely proceed with home treatment. Also, if the area is numb, but you experience a pins-and-needles sensation as it begins to warm, you have not sustained permanent damage and can continue with self-care. However, if the area is white, cold and hard when you touch it and if it then becomes red and swollen as it warms, you need to seek professional medical assistance. This type of injury is generally followed by the formation of blisters and permanent “bruising” or skin discoloration, which indicates lasting damage and possible destruction of the blood vessels.



Rewarming
The affected areas need to be rewarmed, but this must be a gradual process or you will unintentionally inflict further harm on already delicate tissues. Submerge the burned skin in lukewarm water, between 104 and 107 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not move or massage the damaged areas, as this can cause subcutaneous ice crystals in the tissue to move and do further damage. Leave the injured skin underwater for 15 to 30 minutes, or until the skin is pink, soft and pliable again. If the temperature of the surrounding water drops below 100 degrees Fahrenheit, reheat it and resubmerge the affected area. This thawing process may be painful. An over-the-counter pain medication, such as ibuprofen, may be taken to ease discomfort.


Treatment
Once the skin surface has returned to a normal temperature, apply a generous coating of aloe vera or honey to the burned area and cover it loosely with gauze. Both of these substances help the skin to retain moisture and increase the rate at which new skin cells are formed, decreasing recovery time for burn victims.

Prevention
In the future, should you feel the need to place an ice pack on an injury to help reduce the swelling and inflammation, wrap the pack in a towel first; do not apply it directly to the skin. Leave it in place for 10 to 20 minutes at most as any longer application drastically increases the risk of injury.


*Source