Half-Crazy Marathon Club

Michelle is looking for a half-crazy partner for the Women's Race

Michelle is looking for one female to partner up with her at the Women's Race in Austin, Tex., on Sept. 9, 2007. The race is a mini triathalon, but there are twists. The teams are two-person; there is a running leg(s) (a short distance and interspersed throughout the race); a 'water' leg, meaning
that the team would need to build your own raft out of floatable material - no actual rafts or hard plastics can be used - as well as bring your own floatation devices; and finally, a mystery event.

No member is allowed to leave her teammate. They must endure and complete the race together. This race is in support of breast cancer survivors. 

So, if there is anyone out there willing to partner up with a Half-Crazy, let Michelle know.

Kristen's purple bracelets

Kristen is on the run again.

As all of you know, last year Kristen completed a marathon in October as part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. This year, she is going to complete a Century Ride (a 100-mile bicycle ride) as part of the TEAM.

To help raise money and awareness for both LLS and TNT, she is selling the purple rubber bracelets that say "Train Endure Achieve Matter." The bracelets are $2 each. Let Kristen know if you would like to donate and get a bracelet to show your support for a good cause! Get one for you, your spouse, your kids, your neighbor, your dog, your cat, your best friend, your fish, your guinea pig, etc... You get the point!!!

And check out Kristen's new fundraising Web site too!

Three ways to beat a side cramp

Sara Bodnar, in Shape magazine (March 2007), asked three experts for tried-and-true remedies to stop those pesky side cramps in their running tracks:

• Stretch. Reach your arms overhead for 20 seconds. Keeping arms raised, lean towards the side that's not cramping, and hold for 20 seconds. Repeat until you feel relief.
• Add salt. Sprinkle a packet of salt on your tongue, then take a sip of water. (Sodium helps muscles absorb water, which should alleviate cramping.)
• Breathe. Decrease your pace and inhale through your nose for three seconds, then exhale through your mouth for six seconds. Repeat until the cramp subsides. Exhaling slowly helps release tension in your diaphragm.