Wellspring Peloton Challenge Grosses Over $420,000!

Contributed by: Susan Chung

Twenty six dedicated cyclists made their way from Toronto, ON to Austin, TX for the ride of a lifetime in an 8-day, 24-hour cycling relay that grossed over $420,000 for Wellspring, a network of cancer support centres in the Greater Toronto Area.  Five pelotons (teams) of 5-6 riders supported by a strong volunteer group, teamed up to bike nearly 3,500km, riding day and night.

Along the ride, many lasting memories were made and meeting individuals who were moved by the purpose of the ride including a service shop owner who provided a new tire for one of the support vehicle that needed servicing.

The cyclists saw rain, severe wind, beautiful scenery and everything in between as the ride took them from Ontario through New York, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and finally, Austin.

Upon arrival in Austin, each peloton of riders was welcomed by a special member of their team, a “Wellspring Warrior” – an individual facing a cancer journey or having survived a cancer experience.  Together, they took part in the LIVESTRONG Austin Challenge, joining thousands of other cyclists to show their support for those living with cancer.

“We are so grateful for all the support Wellspring has received for this inaugural event – everyone from the riders, to the volunteers, family, friends, and even complete strangers along the way. It has been an EPIC experience. Epic ride…epic fundraising…and epic people,” says Billy Cheung, Wellspring Peloton Rider, Chair of the 2012 Wellspring Peloton Challenge and member of Wellspring’s Board of Directors.

“The ride is not just about the cyclists, though they are key of course, it’s about the many individuals and families who will receive the support they need thanks to their efforts,” says Lynda Morrison, Chief Executive Officer, Wellspring.

Applications for those wishing to participate in the ride in October 2013 are now being accepted online.  For more information and to view photos of the ride, visit www.wellspringride.ca.

Tips for Cold Weather Running and Walking

Contributed by: Wendy O’Neill, Manager, Runner and Instructor at the Runner’s Mark in Mississauga, Ontario

One of the great things about running or walking is that it's a sport you can indulge in all year round. If you find that you only exercise in the summer, you will be surprised by how much easier it is to run or walk in the cooler temperatures. It is easier to breathe and with the correct amount of planning you will soon be a fan of winter running and walking. Here are a few tips and preventative measures you can take to ensure a safe and comfortable workout in the cold.

Dressing properly

How you dress for the cooler elements can a make or break your run or walk. A big mistake many make is to overdress.

1.      Dress in layers: Wearing several thin layers of clothing helps trap warm air between each layer keeping you warmer than if you were to wear one thick heavy item.

2.      Wear the right fabrics: Make sure that the clothing you wear is made from materials such as polypropylene, nylon, or synthetic fabrics. These will ensure that moisture will be wicked away from your body and keep you as warm and dry as possible. These fabrics do not retain moisture, unlike cotton which hold moisture causing you to be uncomfortable, wet and cold.

3.      Wear a protective shell: It's critical that you wear some sort of windbreaker or shell to protect you from the wind and precipitation. Gore-Tex is the best material to wear as it does a great job of releasing moisture from the body while also keeping out moisture from the outside elements. Nylon also does a reasonable job for a lesser price. Be careful not to wear a waterproof plastic jacket as many won’t have breathability in them. The heat and sweat from your body will cause the inside of the jacket to sweat making you very uncomfortable.

4.      Cover exposed skin as much as possible: A hat and gloves are a must once the temperature dips below freezing. Your body will lose heat through the head or any exposed skin, so cover up as much as possible. If it's really cold, you can cover exposed areas such as your face with Vaseline to reduce the risk of frostbite.

5.      Socks & Shoes Like clothing, socks should not be cotton but a synthetic material. Cotton socks will remain wet, softening the skin on your feet, this can allow blisters to form and will also make your feet cold. Wearing two pairs of socks is also a mistake many make. The added thickness could make your shoes tight restricting the circulation in your feet. Stick with one good pair of socks and try a wool or padded sock if you get cold feet. 

Try to stick with your summer running shoes if possible. All running shoes have mesh uppers to allow for breathability. This is even more important in the winter. If you are concerned about slipping you could try a trail shoe. These have a better grip on the sole and will help in snowy and icy conditions. Also available are Yaktrax or spikes which fit over the sole of the running shoe.

6.      Be Seen: When running or walking in the dark always wear something reflective. Most traffic related accidents with runners are caused because they could not be seen by the drivers of vehicles. Clothing with reflective accents should be worn or you can purchase reflective strips which stick to your clothing. Small lights can also be used.

Follow all these guidelines and running or walking in cold weather will be safer, more comfortable and very enjoyable.