Palos Expo Raffle Winners Are…

Yesterday was the Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair and packet pick up for almost 2000 runners of the First Midwest Bank Southwest Half Marathon and we had a table there to raise awareness for Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that affects over 2 million people.

Let me start with a brief history. I decided to run the Chicago Marathon again this October and I wanted to run for a charity, because I realized that through my running I could make a difference in the lives of others. It really puts a purpose to my running. I chose Neurofibromatosis for two reasons. 1.) I know someone who has had Neurofibromatosis since birth and 2.) Neurofibromatosis is a charity that is not well known. It does not have a big name spokesperson or a big budget. I then decided to go far beyond the extra mile to raise awareness for Neurofibromatosis; in fact, I am running an additional 157.2 miles to raise awareness for Neurofibromatosis. I am running 12 half marathons, in 12 states in 2012, or as I like to call it 2012Run12.

Now if we were just standing at a table at the Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair passersby might not even stop. So I called on a few friends and strangers and got some really great donations. First came the raffle prizes:

Running for Kicks – Palos Heights, IL

$50 Gift Certificate

New Day Spa Salon – Oak Lawn, IL

Gift Certificate for a Sports Massage with Liz

Coach Kennihan Personal Trainer & Run Coach

30 min. Run Specific Strength Training Session

The executive planning committee (meaning my wife) decided we still needed more to get strangers to listen for a brief moment. So she called a friend at the Walmart in Hodgkins, Illinois and got some candy. Then my wife contacted someone who works for Gordon Flesch Co, one of the largest independent providers of office equipment solutions and they donated handouts to put into the runners packets. This would give the First Midwest Bank Southwest Half Marathon runners a chance to make donations online and still be entered into the drawing. We did our best to make our table stand out in the room. I could go on and on about our attempts to sell a $1 raffle ticket to attendees at the Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair and offering them a chance to win a great prize and to benefit a charity. It’s actually shocking to think that with almost 2,000 runners of the First Midwest Bank Southwest Half Marathon and only 80 people cared enough to contribute.

So to all of you, who purchased a raffle ticket, from the bottom of our hearts thank you. All proceeds from the raffle go to Neurofibromatosis Midwest. Neurofibromatosis Midwest offers support to families who are affected by Neurofibromatosis.

So here are the winning tickets.

Click to Enlarge Tickets 857148, 857058, 857059

Great Prizes for Donations Received thru May 5, 2012

The Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair is this Saturday, May 5th. The Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair is a free community event, and it will be held at the Moraine Valley Church at 6300 West 127th Street in Palos Heights, IL. Hours for the fair are from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Thanks to the following businesses, the Neurofibromatosis table has got some great raffle prizes!

Running for Kicks – Palos Heights, IL
$50 Gift Certificate

New Day Spa Salon – Oak Lawn, IL

Gift Certificate for a Sports Massage with Liz

Coach Kennihan Personal Trainer & Run Coach

30 min. Run Specific Strength Training Session

You’re probably wondering, “Wow! Those are some great prizes. How can I get in on this?” and the answer is quite simple. We will be selling raffle tickets for $1 at the Neurofibromatosis table at the Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair on Saturday May 5th or you can donate through the following link to be entered into the drawing:

www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/michaelblaha/nf-midwest-run4nf

All donations collected at the Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair and thru www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/michaelblaha/nf-midwest-run4nf will benefit Neurofibromatosis Midwest, a 501 (c)3 non-profit, which supports families affected by Neurofibromatosis. Neurofibromatosis is a genetic disorder that affects more than 2 million people. Donations to Neurofibromatosis are tax deductable to the amount allowable by law. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to win some great prizes!

If you are wondering how I became involved with Neurofibromatosis, earlier this year, I made the decision to run the Chicago Marathon. This will be my second Chicago Marathon, but for me this will be different than last year. I was reading about the many charities that can benefit from my running. There are many to choose from. Then my wife sent me the NF Midwest newsletter which had an article that NF Midwest was looking for runners to run the Chicago Marathon to raise awareness for Neurofibromatosis. NF does not have a big name spokesperson or a big budget. And I know someone with Neurofibromatosis. This year I am running the Chicago Marathon for John who is a former student of mine who has had Neurofibromatosis since birth. His success and determination in overcoming everyday challenges have inspired me.  As I run, I think of many things and lately, every step I am focused on achieving a new goal to raise awareness for Neurofibromatosis.

Thank you in advance for your support and generosity. Together our efforts will make a difference to someone who has Neurofibromatosis.

Post Marathon Sports Massage

When I was training for the 2011 Chicago Marathon, I wanted to follow all the recommended steps to try and prepare for the marathon.  I read that a pre-marathon sports massage and a post marathon sports massage would make a difference.  I dreaded the thought of a massage and I contemplated as to whether or not it could really make any difference.  But then again, I put a lot of miles on my body and it sort of made sense and since it was recommended that weight training and cross training would also be a big benefit of my marathon training and I was seeing the results of both it seemed pretty clear that a massage was in my future.  The marathon training program I was using had me averaging almost 40 miles per week.  Not to mention that running 26.2 miles on the streets of Chicago leaves you tired, sore and stiff.  I decided to take a chance.

There are many different types of massages, and I needed to find someplace that was experienced in a sports massage.  A sports massage (also referred to as a deep tissue massage) helps increase the blood flow to the areas of focus, removing metabolic wastes, and improving soft tissue mobility. It is most beneficial approximately 4-7 days prior to marathon. A good deep tissue massage should help promote flexibility, help prevent injuries, improve endurance, remove fatigue,  and prepare you to compete at your best. After doing a lot of research and talking to others that ran a marathon I was convinced. Based on a running friend’s recommendation, I set up an appointment for a massage the week before the Chicago Marathon.  As I walked into the salon, the first thing that I noticed was that there were only women there that were getting their hair or nails done, so I really felt out of place. I informed the receptionist that I had an appointment for  a “sports massage” (I wanted to be clear that I was not there for any of those other salon treatments) and sat down waiting for the massage therapist. She paraded me past all of the women getting their hair done to a room in the back for my “sports massage”.

My first thoughts were, wow this therapist was got some strong hands! I wasn’t sure if she was using her hands, elbows, knees or a 20lb bowling ball? I felt bordeline discomfort almost on the verge of pain which was expected, I just didn’t think that she packed that much force. The therapist explained that I might be sore for a day or two and that was normal. I did feel a little sore but definitely looser.  Not the type of massage that I would look forward to again, however if it helps me complete a marathon, it would be worth it.

Then came the Chicago Marathon.  I did it!  I completed the Chicago Marathon!  Despite the mental satisfaction, I was feeling it physically. My quads were very sore, when I dropped my post marathon snack bag, I could barely bend over to pick it up. Stairs were a struggle.  Two days after the Chicago Marathon, I went for my post marathon sports massage, by then I wasn’t as sore so I was hoping that the post marathon massage would be as vigorous as the pre-marathon massage. As it turned out is was, and it actually felt okay. As I walked to my car, I did notice the difference, and was able to start running again a few days later.  

I highly recommend a post marathon sports massage.  This year, as the Chicago Marathon draws near, I will again have a pre-marathon sports massage and a post marathon sports massage with Liz at New Day Spa Salon in Oak Lawn.

Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair

Stop by and see us at the Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair on Saturday, May 5, 2012!  This free community event will be held at the Moraine Valley Church at 6300 West 127^th Street in Palos Heights, IL.  Hours for the fair are from 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  The Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair will feature fitness experts, injury prevention advice, health screenings and more.  Kids are welcome to come and enjoy the magician that will be wandering thru the fair.  The fair is open to the public and is the packet pickup for runners of the First Midwest Bank Southwest Half Marathon.  We will be there raising awareness for Neurofibromatosis.  Look for us; we will be at table 48.  We will also be collection donations for Neurofibromatosis and all monetary donations received before midnight on May 5^th, 2012 will be entered into a drawing to win one of three great prizes!  They are:

Running for Kicks – Palos Heights, IL

$50 Gift Certificate

New Day Spa Salon – Oak Lawn, IL

Gift Certificate for a Sports Massage

Coach Kennihan Personal Trainer & Run Coach

30 min. Run Specific Strength Training Session

 On Sunday, May 6^th, I will be running the First Midwest Bank Southwest Half Marathon as part of my 2012Run12 campaign to raise awareness for Neurofibromatosis.  It is my 5^th half marathon this year! I feel fortunate that I can run and there are many people in this world that are unable to run because of physical limitations like Neurofibromatosis.  I used to be unaware of the genetic disorder until about a year ago.  I found out that a former student of mine has had Neurofibromatosis since birth.  He has overcome many of life’s challenges that are often taken for granted.  He is my inspiration.

All donations collected at the Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair and thru www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/michaelblaha/nf-midwest-run4nf will benefit Neurofibromatosis Midwest, a 501 (c)3 non-profit, which supports families affected by Neurofibromatosis.  Donations are tax deductable to the amount allowable by law. 

The Palos Area Chamber Expo and Health Fair is going to be a great event.  We are looking forward to seeing you there!

I would like to thank Neurofibromatosis Midwest for their constant support and guidance, Running for Kicks, New Day Spa Salon and Coach Kennihan for their generous donations and John and his family for inspiring me.