Enchanted Mommy

Exercise with a Cause

Spring is upon us, and for many of us that means getting back into the swing of a regular exercise schedule. One of the most recent trends in the fitness industry has been ‘Tough Mudders’ and ‘Spartan Races.’ The idea for these is pretty straightforward; take a standard running race and add a variety of obstacles to challenge participants to add a unique spin to a running race. Of course, standard running and cycling events aren’t hard to find either, and can be just as fun. Many of these races have a great cause, too. Using race registration revenue to make donations, these races can act as a platform for charitable organizations to collect funding, and are a great way for you to give back to the community.

Training Tip: To train for one of these things, you’re going to want to incorporate a lot of running. No matter how you spin it, you’ll be running a lot at these, and running is also a great way to brush up your fitness. A little calisthenic work will also go a long way: you don’t want to be underpowered in the obstacle course.

Choosing the race/event is the next priority. Be mindful to pick an event that is funding a cause that you would like to support. Most charities are clear with the destination of their donations, so check to see what is going on behind the scenes if you’re curious. The truth is, these charities have a lot more manpower to make sure the donations are going to the right places, and more so, are increasing visibility for the cause, so signing up for a reputable event is money well spent. This way, you’ll be able to knock out two things at once: you’ll get exercise with a goal in mind, and you’ll be giving back to the community at the same time. These races are a great solution for working parents struggling to find time or motivation.

If you want to go the extra mile, ask your employer what they do to support charitable causes. It’s not far fetched for companies, like this health insurance company, to have some charitable outreach. Asking your employer to start a similar program could be great for them and for your community.

No matter what type of race you participate in or how quickly you are able to reach the finish line, you’ll feel better afterwards. These races are beneficial for you and your community, so do some research and find the right race for you.  

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