Thanks for an excellent JBR season thus far!

The Arthritis Foundation, Wisconsin Chapter would like to extend a special thank you to our volunteers, participants, and staff who helped make the Jingle Bell Run in Racine possible!

We had an excellent turnout on a chilly December day.  We would like to thank everyone for their cooperation, support, and enthusiasm throughout the JBR season with the Arthritis Foundation.

Don’t forget if you missed any of the Jingle Bell Runs up until this point there are still a few left to participant in!  We hope to see you there with bells on!

 

(12/11/10) – Eau Claire, http://www.jbreauclaire.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Madison, http://www.jbrmadison.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Marinette/Menominee, http://www.jbrmm.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Wausau, http://www.jbrwausau.kintera.org

JBR Racine is almost here!

The Jingle Bell Run in Racine is right around the corner!  It kicks off Saturday, December 4^th at 9:30 a.m. at Racine Lutheran High School.  Register online at www.jbrracine.kintera.org.  Registration fees are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.  Registration can also be done on race day between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m.

 

Kid’s Race!
This year, we are holding a kid’s race at 9:00 AM prior to the 5K event. Participants in each age group will receive a prize.
Race 1: Children 3 and under, Children 4-6
Race 2: Children 7-8, Children 9-10
Children 10 & under are welcome to participate in both the Kid’s Race and the 5K event!

 

Pre-Event Packet Pickup
Save time in line and pick up your packet early! You may pick up your event materials on Friday, December 3 between 4:00 and 7:00 PM at Racine Lutheran High School, 251 Luedtke Ave, Racine.

AWARDS

Top Pledge-Raising Team
The team raising the most pledges will receive a team prize.
Largest Team
The team captain of the largest team will receive a prize.
Fastest Team
A traveling plaque will be awarded to the team finishing in first place, determined by the average time of the five fastest runners.
Team Spirit Award
This coveted award will go to the team displaying the most holiday enthusiasm before and during the event.
Team members are also eligible for individual pledge prizes and medals.

Individual Awards
The top overall male and female finishers will receive medals, as well as the top three male and female finishers in each of the following age brackets:
10 & under, 11-14, 15-19, 20-24, 25-29
30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59
60-64, 65-69, 70-74, 75 and over

Costume Contest
Show your holiday spirit and don your most creative costume! Prizes will be awarded in the following categories during the post-event celebration:
Group: two or more individuals dressing with a common theme
Individual: best costume over the age of 12

Child: best costume for 12 and under

 

We hope to see everyone there with bells on!  But, if you can’t make this JBR, register for one of our other awesome races across the state:

 

(12/4/10) – Green Bay, http://www.jbrgreenbay.kintera.org

(12/4/10) – Janesville, http://www.jbrjanesville.kintera.org

(12/4/10) – Racine, http://www.jbrracine.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Eau Claire, http://www.jbreauclaire.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Madison, http://www.jbrmadison.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Marinette/Menominee, http://www.jbrmm.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Wausau, www.jbrwausau.kintera.org

JBR Milwaukee Pictures!

            The Jingle Bell Run at the Milwaukee County Zoo was once again a huge success!  Teams and individual runners came with their bells on ready to have some fun. 

            The race kicked off at 8:30 a.m. and over 4,000 participants lined up at the starting point.  Runners and walkers of all ages made their way through zoo just as the animals were beginning to wake up. 

            The Arthritis Foundation could not have asked for more perfect weather on this great day. The Arthritis Foundation would like to extend a special thank you to all the volunteers who helped make this day possible, as well as everyone who participated in the Jingle Bell Run. 

            If you missed the Jingle Bell Run at the zoo, sign up to come to one of our other Jingle Bell Run events across the state!

(12/4/10) – Green Bay, http://www.jbrgreenbay.kintera.org

(12/4/10) – Janesville, http://www.jbrjanesville.kintera.org

(12/4/10) – Racine, http://www.jbrracine.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Eau Claire, http://www.jbreauclaire.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Madison, http://www.jbrmadison.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Marinette/Menominee, http://www.jbrmm.kintera.org

(12/11/10) – Wausau, www.jbrwausau.kintera.org

Check out the pictures from JBR at the zoo!

Register your team TODAY for Jingle Bell Run!

Jingle Bell Run is approaching very quickly!  The deadline to register your team for JBR is today!  The race takes place on Sunday, November 7 at the Milwaukee County Zoo.  Creating a team to participate in the run/walk to support arthritis is fun and easy.

To create a team, first go to http://jbrmilwaukee.kintera.org. From there, click on “Sign Up”.  Then, you can simply choose to start a team, join a team, or join as an individual. 

Teams can create fundraising goals and team member goals once registered.  Donations can be made online as well.

Registering as an individual continues up until race day.  Registrations made before October 25 is $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.  Registrations made after October 25 is $30 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under.  Participants can also choose to be chip timed for an additional $3.

Registration on race day begins at 7:15 a.m. and the race kicks off at 8:30 a.m.

Please come join us on Sunday, November 7 at the Milwaukee County Zoo to support arthritis and kick off the season of giving!

For any additional questions please contact Gena Fischer at gfischer@arthritis.org.

Summer Fun!

Summer fun is officially here!

While those of us in Wisconsin and other northern climes understand the long, long wait we have for wonderful weather, there is nothing stopping us from being active all year round.

Moving is truly the best medicine and now that we can get up and get outside with warm temperatures and lots of sunshine, here are some tips for making the most out of your exercise!

1. Good gear – make sure your shoes fit right! The right shoe should be roomy enough to minimize rubbing against joint deformities, such as bunions and hammertoes, which can cause corns and calluses, but also be snug and firm enough to provide sufficient support. Cross-trainers are suggested over running shoes because they are heavier, but sturdier.

2. Walk together – find a buddy! Using the buddy system helps you stay motivated and makes walking fun. You can often find walking groups through senior centers, your local shopping center’s mall walking group, or online. Many of these groups meet all year long.

3. Avoid smog – reduce your exposure to air pollution! If you live in a city, walking in the afternoon might be hazardous to your health. Smog hangs in the air in the hot afternoons which could cause asthma, coughing and if regularly exposed to it, lung cancer. Walking in the early morning or after sunset reduces your risk. Avoiding busy streets, walking in the mall or at the gym also helps. Be sure and listen to local weather reports when they say that air pollution is high.

4. Be creative – vary your route! If the same old route isn’t inspiring, try something new. Walk to a new destination or try a new park. Not only will the new route be a challenge to your muscles, it also helps stimulate your brain.

5. Prioritize – make time to exercise! One of the top reasons people put off exercising is saying that they don’t have time to walk. People who make time for exercising, are the ones who stick with it. If you have trouble fitting it in and you feel able, you can work it into your day by walking to visit a friend’s house or walking to a store that you need to go to anyway. After you have dinner at a restaurant, walk around before you get back in your car if you feel the neighborhood is safe. If you honestly can’t fit it in your day, don’t worry and make an effort to walk the next day.

6. Perk up – enjoy the mental health benefits! Walking is good for your body AND your brain! Walking has been known to slow memory loss, lower Alzheimer’s risk, improve your sleep and your mood. Walking releases endorphins as natural painkillers and antidepressants (a la Elle Woods in Legally Blonde) and provides time to clear your mind.

For more fitness tips, visit Arthritis Today or www.fightarthritispain.org.

National Arthritis Month is Here!

Hello readers!

There is so much to be excited about for National Arthritis Month! We have a lot going on in Wisconsin that you can be a part of to help raise awareness and funds for important programs and services as well as necessary research.

Here’s a quick overview:

If you haven’t noticed the blog posts for the past couple of weeks on the Arthritis Walk events happening across the state, feel free to visit our website for more information. When you’re there, click on the big button on the right (probably in the middle of your screen) that says Arthritis Walk. You can find an Arthritis Walk near you! There are six left to participate in, so grab those walking shoes and your friends and family to get out and walk!

"Who's your arthritis hero?"

The National Arthritis Foundation is having a “Who’s Your Arthritis Hero?” contest. Just go to this site and download the “My Arthritis Hero” medal, print it off, snap your best photo of your hero and send it to be voted on by the public. Don’t forget to tweet, update your facebook status and e-mail all your friends to vote! Did I forget to mention that the first place winner gets a Wii game system and a Wii Fit Plus with Balance Board?

Have you seen the list of National Arthritis Month Programs? There are over 60 programs across the state that are just waiting to answer your questions about arthritis. Most are FREE! Just click on that link above and you can search for programs by date, city, or geographical area. You can learn about a variety of arthritis related topics from treatments and medications to types of arthritis and ways to move.

Let's Move Together Shoes

In other social media news, you can update your facebook status with what shoes you’re wearing today as part of the Arthritis Foundation’s viral awareness campaign. Visit the Arthritis Foundation, Wisconsin Chapter fan page for an example! You can follow the Wisconsin Chapter on facebook via that fan page or on twitter @ArthritisWICh!

Have a great first week of National Arthritis Month!

Spring Fever!

Check these tips before you head to the check out with summer footwear!

Lately the weather has been toying with our minds. It is high 50’s one day and then we have two inches of snow the next! Whatever the weather is that day outside, the stores are all stocked with the latest spring and summer collections! When searching for the new, stylish spring and summer sandals make sure you keep your cool, while doing your body good.

Here are tips from Arthritis Today on what to look for this season:

• Support: If you are living with arthritis, proper support of the ball, arch and heel of your foot is imperative. Flimsy sandals can cause pain in the back, neck, feet, knees and hips. Sandals with semi rigid soles, backs and sides provide the right support. A rule of thumb: Avoid shoes that can be bent in half, from toe to heel.
• Coverage: Buy sandals with sneaker foot beds, bumpers that cover the toes and heels, and those with edges that rise above the sole. They’re are sturdier than their flat counterparts, and offer the best protection from toe stubs.
• Comfort: Look for materials that cushion your feet, but are rigid enough to give sufficient support. Soft leather is supple but supportive, and neoprene absorbs shock. The heel also should be as wide as the back of the shoe – not tapered – to lend stability and comfort.
• Fit: If the sandal has a closed toe, ensure that the toe box is wide and deep enough to allow your toes to wiggle from side to side and up and down. The space between your longest toe and the edge of the shoe should be about the width of your thumbnail. And your heel should not lift off the foot bed when you walk.

Spring for new shoes!

As the weather gets warmer, you might be inspired to head to your favorite shoe-shopping stop to pick up a pair of new shoes. However, fashion often trumps comfort and support. Shoes that are flimsy can be a pain in the back (and the hips, knees and feet). When you’re buying sandals, keep your cool with styles that do your body good. Here’s what to look for this season:

• Support: Proper support of the ball, arch and heel of your foot is paramount for those with arthritis, says Rex McCallum, MD, a rheumatologist and professor of medicine at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. Sandals with semirigid soles, backs and sides provide the right support. A rule of thumb: Avoid shoes that can be bent in half, from toe to heel.

• Coverage: Buy sandals with sneaker footbeds, bumpers that cover the toes and heels, and those with edges that rise above the sole. They’re are sturdier than their flat counterparts, and offer the best protection from toe stubs.

• Comfort: Look for materials that cushion feet but are rigid enough to give sufficient support, recommends Bryan Markinson, chief of podiatry at the Leni and Peter W. May Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. Soft leather is supple but supportive, and neoprene absorbs shock. The heel also should be as wide as the back of the shoe – not tapered – to lend stability and comfort.

• Fit: If the sandal has a closed toe, ensure that the toe box is wide and deep enough to allow your toes to wiggle from side to side and up and down. The space between your longest toe and the edge of the shoe should be about the width of your thumbnail. And your heel should not lift off the footbed when you walk.

Cool Shoes for Warm Weather

Women’s: the Key Largo,  a closed-back clog by Klogs, $60
Men’s: the Newport H2,  a waterproof slip-on by Keen, $90
Women’s: the Row, with internal rocker and Velcro straps by Clarks, $100
Men’s: the Rio Grande, with internal rocker by Newalk, licensed by Birkenstock, $140

Shoe Storage

The Shoe Wheel’s smart design stores up to 30 pairs of your favorite kicks. Just spin the wheel, and pick a pair. Each slot adjusts to fit the height of the shoe. $65

*Blog article information compiled from Arthritis Today Magazine.