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I completed a half-marathon yesterday morning; I ran it at a conservative pace and met my targets. The Eco Run was a brilliant way of educating runners on the need to be mindful and conservative when using resources during a race. Staging such an event can be potentially wasteful and inefficient. Runners were encouraged to 1) Bring their own drinking cups, or refill the ones they initially took at the first aid-station 2) Purchase the race t-shirt (optional) at an additional, nominal cost; runners could wear those from previous editions 3) Bring their own e-wastes to be recycled at the race-site 4) Sort out their refuse (banana peels from cans from cups) clearly in their correct sorting bins 5) Race bibs (number tags) were about 60 percent smaller in size. 6) Only digital certificates would be issued. 7) S$1 for each kilometre completed by each runner would be directed into a charity fund. Run for your ego ( I mean, ECO) or for fund (fun). It was also a good reason to meet like-minded people at such an event. A race can be treated as an assessment of fitness or higher-intensity workout. How ecologically-minded are you? How conservative are you with your energies? Do you feel inflated or deflated after each working day? How do you recharge yourself, and re-cycle your motivations for the next day? How resourceful can you be during a crisis? #running #marathon #ecology #ecofriendly #recharged #greenrevolution #recycling #leadership #personalleadership

It’s not all about the running Embarking on the London Marathon demands more than just physical training; it requires a meticulous approach to nutrition. Recognising the crucial role of fuelling his body for peak performance, Steve Loader has sought the expertise of Tom McLure, a trusted Sports Nutritionist. Here’s a glimpse into Tom’s insights on marathon fuelling ahead of Steve’s London Marathon run for the Rob George Foundation. Quality Fuel for Peak Performance: Tom emphasises that quality nutrition is the cornerstone of sustaining the demands of marathon training. His role extends beyond merely ensuring Steve’s fuelling during workouts; it also encompasses optimising recovery, managing external stressors like sleep and work, and preventing fatigue overload. Tailored Nutrition for Marathon Training: Adjusting caloric intake, especially carbohydrates, for energy demands and prioritising protein for muscle repair is paramount during marathon training. Crucial Race Day Nutrition Strategy: The marathon’s gruelling miles demand strategic nutrition to stave off hitting the proverbial “wall.” Tom collaborates with Steve to refine his race-day nutrition strategy, which he hones and replicates throughout his training sessions. With every step he takes towards the marathon finish line, Steve runs not only for personal achievement but also in support of The Rob George Foundation. Steve aims to raise £2,500 to help us raise much-needed funds. Barclays, Steve’s employer, is generously matching the first £1,000 he raises. This means every pound donated will have double the impact! Please donate here: https://lnkd.in/enrRhuRs

I love it when two of my passions, #running and #sustainability, intersect. 7 easy-to-copy tips to reduce the environmental impact of running #events: 1️⃣ Use unused, upcycled, and leftover paint (race stripe); 2️⃣ Recycle trash (runners'); 3️⃣ Use compostable cups (hydration); 4️⃣ Give out recycled polyester T-shirts (runners'); 5️⃣ Lead with an EV pace car; 6️⃣ Collect and donate discarded clothing (runners'); and 7️⃣ Enable and encourage public transit to the starting line (runners). Do not stop at #7, though. Do more! #newyorkcity #marathon Publisher: Runner's World. Author: Abigail Carney. https://lnkd.in/ezTVdNMU

🚴🏻Enjoy the Ride: The CIO Charity Run&Bike just started last week and I would have loved to collect some kilometers myself to support equal (educational) opportunities and digital integration of young people. But unfortunately, a torn meniscus is holding me back for a while now.   It took me a while to fully realize, how active sports contribute to my well-being. But at least for the last 10 years, it became a habit and an inherent part of my life. That's why I'm always happy immersing myself in outdoor exercise to boost my mood and creativity. Biking and running are holistic experiences that engage my body and mind. Taking a break allows me to recharge my batteries and gain different perspectives. It's a chance to step back, reflect, and return to my responsibilities with renewed energy and clarity. My passion are long(er) distances and I especially enjoy ultra running distances in the mountains or taking the bike for multi day solo bike packing tours.    I cannot wait to be back on my bike and in my running shoes. Are you collecting kilometers yourself or is your team collecting kilometers?    See you in the mountains and on the trails!   #CIOcharity24 #technology #rechargingbatteries #perspectiveshift

Finding Inspiration Beyond the NYC Marathon: Pursuing Personal Goals The New York City Marathon is a celebrated event that draws tens of thousands of dedicated athletes from around the world every year. While many find themselves inspired to take up running after witnessing the determination and grit of these marathoners, my inspiration took a different turn. Instead of lacing up my running shoes, I found myself inspired to pursue other important goals in my life. Here, I will share my journey of finding inspiration in the NYC Marathon and how it leads me to focus on what matters to me in the coming year. The NYC Marathon: A Symbol of Resilience It is essential to acknowledge the incredible feats accomplished by the marathon participants. The NYC Marathon is not just a race; it is a true testament to the human spirit, resilience and determination. As I watched runners push through physical pain, mental fatigue, and countless miles, I couldn't help but be in awe of their commitment to achieving their goals. Finding Inspiration While the marathoners were undoubtedly inspiring, what struck me most was the diversity of goals they represented. Some were running to raise awareness for charitable causes, others to prove their athletic prowess, and still, others as a personal challenge. This diversity got me thinking: What are my own goals, and how can I pursue them with the same determination I saw in those runners? I decided to take a step back and reflect on my life's ambitions. I realized that I had some long-cherished dreams and goals including many different parts in my life. The NYC Marathon reminded me that I need to focus on what goals are most important to me. continued in comments

London Marathon only 2 weeks away. It will be my 21st charity marathon. Sport is always full of highs and lows. I've had great runs and some miserable ones. Here are nine things I've learnt over the years....👌🏻 1. Be completely honest about your running ability. 2. If it's your first ever marathon, forget time, you're guaranteed a PB! 3. The brain will tell you to stop, long before your legs do (keep going!). 4. It's impossible to wee and run at the same time! 5. Aim to run the 2nd half, faster than the 1st (95% don't, so start slow). 6. Run tall. Keep your posture. Easy to slouch when tired. 7. Focus on your breathing. Run at conversation pace. 8. Euphoria when crossing the line, will stay with you forever. 9. You vow never to run another one again (until you book one, a week later!). Best of luck everyone😀 #LondonMarathon #ActionHeart

Please help Us Raise £2,000 to Bring Mobile Access to Over 200 People! https://lnkd.in/egcWTRUz Find out more about our Road to Preparation and how you can help us achieve our goal of completing 200 miles and raising £10 per mile! A passionate team of over-50s from Edinburgh is gearing up for an incredible challenge to support a worthy cause. On June 22nd, we'll be taking on Chase The Sun Cycle North double-century feat, cycling an epic 200 miles from the beachfront at Whitley Bay at sunrise (04:40 am), cycling through the beautiful countryside of Dumfries and Galloway Council, to the esplanade at Ayr by sunset (22:05 pm). Jan Lauckner Judy Hardy Why We're Riding Our goal is to raise £2,000 to provide internet data to over 200 people in Scotland. In today's world, internet connectivity is essential for education, employment, healthcare, and staying connected with loved ones. Your donation will help bridge the digital divide and bring vital access to those who need it most. We are therefore proud to be supporting People Know How, a charity striving to make everyone connected and eradicate digital exclusion. People Know How runs the Connecting Scotland Helpline (SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations), helping everyone to be digitally included across Scotland. Their support consists of the provision of Data SIMs, ensuring that more people have access to the internet. (www.peopleknowhow.org) ·      Donate: Please contribute whatever you can to help us reach our goal of £2,000. Every pound makes a difference! ·      Share: Share our campaign on social media, with friends, and within your community. ·      Support: Send us messages of encouragement to keep our spirits high during training and on the big day. Did you know: ·      It is estimated that, in the UK, approximately 13-19 million people over the age of 16 are experiencing some form of digital poverty ·      In 2022, the average data consumption per user increased by 24% to 8GB per month, up from 5.6GB per month in the previous year increasing the cost. ·      The 2022 Lloyds Bank Consumer Digital Index established around 14 million people in Britain (a rather sizeable 27% of the population) still have the lowest digital capability. This means they’re not only likely to struggle to interact with online services but are at risk of being left out of society. Join us in making a real difference. Your support will motivate us to complete this challenging ride, and help provide essential mobile access to over 200 people. Together, we can bridge the digital divide and create lasting change. Thank you for your generosity and support! People Know How #FixTheDigitalDivide Good Things Foundation Nominet The Edinburgh Remakery Dumfries and Galloway Council

Would you pledge to take some climate-friendly actions in return for me doing some ridiculous challenges? I've got a couple of upcoming fitness challenges, and instead of asking for charitable sponsorship, I'm using Do Nation to ask you to pick climate-friendly actions that you pledge to do to help drive forward climate action. These commitments will add up to meaningful carbon reductions - so I'm keen to see how high we can get our total! To earn your pledges, my challenges are... 🚴♂️ ⛴ 🚵♂️ Cycling 375km from London to Brussels with 60+ cyclists (20th-24th April) 🏊♂️ 🚴♂️ 🏃♂️ Triathlon at Blenheim Palace, swimming 800 metres, cycling 20km and running 5km (1st June) For friends in Brussels - on 24th April I'll be doing my sweatiest ever public speaking at the iconic Atomium - speaking on AECOM's finish-line panel discussion immediately after our day-four 61km ride from Ghent. The panel topic: How to ensure no one gets left behind in the energy transition. I'll be sticking around in Brussels for a couple of days, as on 26th April, I'm teaching a module of the European Board Diploma on "The Role of the Board in Net Zero Governance" with ecoDa a.s.b.l - The European Confederation of Directors Associations and Chapter Zero Brussels Please get involved and pledge your own actions - if I hit 100 pledges then I'll try and find some way of wearing the #ClimateStripes and/or #SDGs as I ride... Pledge link is in the comments.. (P.S. If you're doing any of these challenges as well - let me know and we can link up!) Let's do this! 😁

In need of a new bike this holiday season? Here are some bike buying tips that’ll be sure to help you along your journey. Tip #2: Educate yourself. While it seems as if there are thousands of variations, you only need to make three decisions to get started; new or used, hybrid or road, and steel, aluminum, or carbon fiber. A road bike is more aerodynamic, making for a faster, easier ride, whereas a hybrid has you a bit more upright, which some people find more comfortable. A steel frame is heavier but incredibly durable. Aluminum is light and fast, but you will feel every bump in the road. Many aluminum bikes have carbon fiber seat posts and forks which do help. A full carbon fiber bike is fast, light, and comfortable because it absorbs a lot of road vibrations, but it will cost you more. Read Full Article Here: https://lnkd.in/epgUX7TR Photo Credit: Alan Barnett & Roth Media #Productionteam #NewYorkProduction #ProductionCompany #GlobalImpactProductions #EventPlanning #Nonprofit #NonprofitOrganizations #CommunityBuilding #ProductionCoordinator #BusinessOwner #NewYorkBusinesses #NewYorkLiving #NewYorkEvents #NYCBiking #NYCCycling #BikeRides #Fundraising #BikeLife #Cycling #EventWalks 

I'm delighted to be running the London Marathon for...   Nah, despite over two decades of talking a great marathon in a professional context, I haven't ever completed that distance in one go, and will not be joining the ranks of contacts in your LinkedIn feed seeking sponsorship as 21 April draws inexorably closer. We exist in a sector echo chamber where everyone taking part in a mass event is supporting a cause they're connected to, skilfully sharing charity stories and distributing links to online fundraising pages. The reality - as shared by massive (ltd)'s latest Mass Participation Pulse Report - is that less than a third of people at any given marathon, half marathon, 10k, triathlon, or swim are raising funds for charity. The warm and fluffy motivation of supporting good causes is way down the list after fulfilling personal goals and getting fit. So, when someone does choose to participate for a charity it makes them VERY SPECIAL INDEED. Yet in fundraising teams across the land, the familiarity and usual-ness of dealing with event participants means we treat them less like the magical unicorns that they are and, frankly, more like sheep. Mass emails are sent greeting a "dear supporter," incoming queries are passed around internal teams taking days to recieve a response, the same tired case studies and shopping lists are trotted out again and again, and the vital act of saying thank you is entrusted to operational teams (or even outsourced entirely). Thing is, it's cheaper and easier than you think to make supporters feel special. I may be giving away valuable IP and consigning myself to a life of unemployment here, but it's this simple: 1. Draw the supporter journey and have colleagues (or even better, supporters themselves) tell you where it's broken 2. Identify the quickest easiest fixes and do them 3. Repeat If you'd like some help with that give me a shout. In the meantime, there's heaps of great insight in the Massive's Mass Participation Pulse Report and it's free, so go and grab it here: https://lnkd.in/ecxBwsyA ___________ A white cartoon unicorn has big friendly eyes, a pink snout and hooves, a twirly straight horn, and the most magnificent rainbow mane and tail. It's galloping across a white background, leaping into the air. It came from clipartbest.com.