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2004 Soapboxes
2005 Soapboxes
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Aimee's Soapbox!
December 2006: Soapbox Smackdown
According to www.myforecast.com, it is currently 70 degrees as I type this on the first day of December. Well, that pretty much takes the wind out of my literary sails this month. I was going to write about Groovy Winter Workouts that will keep you inspired to train consistently in the bad weather. Geez, for all I know, most of you are out for a run in your shorts right now and not even reading this. . .
OK, I will save that topic for a REAL winter month, when it is dark and cold and you are all whining about going out for a run or you are deeply embedded in the sofa cushions, watching yet another “Everybody Loves Raymond” rerun, eating cookies and not wanting to do any exercise at all.
For this month, then, I will propose a Challenge, a Competition, a Contest-o Supreme-o. This contest will be open to all Groovy Readers and will run from now till May 1st, at which time I will announce winners. There will be four categories of competition, outlined below:
1. RACE COMPLETION CATEGORY. This category is for contestants who have set the goal to complete a new race distance. For example, it might be your first marathon or your first half-Ironman.
2. RACE GOAL CATEGORY. This category is for contestants who are already comfortable with a particular distance and are ready to set a new PR (personal record) in that distance.
3. GENERAL GOAL CATEGORY. This category is for contestants who may not want to enter a competitive race, but instead have a general fitness goal, such as losing a certain number of pounds or being able to run 3 miles continuously. These contestants must state their goal in specific terms (e.g. lose 25 pounds).
4. POINTS CATEGORY. This category is for contestants who read the March 2006 Soapbox and would like to try to earn 750 by May 1st. (For those who didn’t read the March Soapbox, here’s the condensed version: you earn points for every exercise activity you do. Running 1 mile earns 1 point, biking 3 miles earns 1 point, swimming 500 meters earns 1 point, weight training earns 2 points, full stretching routine earns 2 points, and 100 crunches plus 50 back extensions earns 1 point.)
Here are the rules:
a. First, choose your category of competition. You have from now until May 1st to complete your chosen challenge.
b. This contest will be run on the honor system. You must document your training to show your weekly activity totals (points or mileage or amounts). You will send me your training journal, which has been signed by a witness who verifies that you have done all the training.
c. Contestants may plead their case to prove to the judge (me) that they should be the winner of their category. Extenuating circumstances, extraordinary acts of bravery or chivalry, and feats of strength may be included in the contestant’s plea.
d. All training must take place between December 1st and May 1st. Contest entries must be received by May 15th to be eligible for fabulous prizes and glory.
OK, Groovy Readers, choose your category and get documenting! Fax me your training journal (which must be signed by a verifying witness) and any pleas for mercy and compassion. Send it to my attention, with “Soapbox Challenge” in the “Re” section, to 610-296-3834 by May 15th. You can call (610-296-2868) or email me (aimee@happyrunning.com) with any questions regarding this contest. Alrighty, I’m off for a run!
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