25 years ago, Rick Hansen set himself the goal of touring the world in his wheelchair. Over two years, he wheeled himself across four continents, through 34 countries; wheeling the gruelling equivalent of two marathons a day. His Man In Motion World Tour inspired people around the world and raised awareness of the potential of people with disabilities (it also inspired the Grammy nominated song St. Elmo's Fire - listen to the lyrics - that's the core of so many uplifting workout playlists).

rick hansen & the rick hansen foundation

When he was 15, a spinal cord injury left Rick Hansen paralysed from the waist down. Coming to terms with his disability, Rick set new goals for his life and went on to win 19 international wheelchair marathons and six medals as a Paralympian.

Rick set off on the Man In Motion Tour to raise awareness of the many obstacles he'd overcome that were ubiquitous for people with disabilities. The Tour raised 26 million dollars and gave birth to the Rick Hansen Foundation which seeks a cure for spinal cord injuries and to improve the lives of those affected by them.

25^th anniversary relay

To celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the world tour, the Rick Hansen Foundation is recreating the Canadian-portion, a 12,000 kilometre westward trek across Canada. Beginning on August 24, 2011 in Cape Spear, St. John’s Newfoundland and Labrador (and finishing on May 22, 2012 in Vancouver, British Columbia), the 25th Anniversary Relay will shift the focus from ‘man in motion’ to ‘many in motion’. 7,000 participants from across Canada who have made their own difference in the lives of others (by fostering inclusion, inspiring others to live healthily or improving the community through courage and determination) will walk, wheel or run in the Rick Hansen Relay.

join the 25^th anniversary rick hansen relay

The Rick Hansen Foundation has launched an online public contest, inviting Canadians to enter to win a spot to participate in the 25th Anniversary Relay as a medal-bearer.

All Canadian citizens and permanent residents over 13 years of age are eligible to enter.
If you want to keep up to date on the 25th Anniversary Relay goings-on, join the Rick Hansen Foundation on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Head to RickHansenRelay.com and show what a difference we can make when the whole community comes together.

One of my favorite annual run events has become the Hood to Coast Relay, a 197 mile race from Mount Hood to Seaside, Oregon. Each team consists of 12 participants, with each person running three legs of approximately 4-7 miles. The legs consist of a variety of difficulty levels from extreme up hills and down hills, to fast, flat stretches. The race takes an average of 24 hours to finish, with many of the legs taking place in the middle of the night on shoulders of northwest highway, as the runners follow the path of light illuminated from their headlamps.

Each team has a team name and two vans with six people each. We were “Strangers in the Night.” I was in Van Two this year, which was an eclectic group filled with a lot of personality.

For many runners, this race is truly roughing it and is as close to camping as some will ever come (myself included). Runners curl up in vans and sleep on the ground between legs, teams subside on Clif Bars and Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches, and run through all weather related elements.

Like many races, Hood to Coast is also mentally challenging. People are running their hearts out on very little sleep. The lack of sleep, combined with the competition, can be taken out on the run, as just when the athlete starts to feel really stressed; it is usually time for them to run again.

Another unique aspect of the race is that it brings runners of all ages together. My van consisted of my little sister Kate, who is new to competitive running and really embraced her legs with incredible finishes, to Chris, known to me as the Colonel, who brought an incredible sense of diplomacy to everything throughout the race.

For me personally, this race meant a lot to me, not only because some of the most important people to me were involved, but also because it helped me re-find my competitive edge. This was technically my first race back since my stress fracture in the spring. Competing with the purpose of contributing to our team standing made me remember what I love most about running is race day, and putting my heart and soul into my race. It helped me really find the focus that will add the spark to the next couple of months of workouts before my fall marathon.

All in all, the greatest memories I will take away from the race are the people. Being able to do the thing I care about most -- run, with Kate, the Colonel, and my other mentors and friends is what I will remember in the coming years.

And you thought the notorious Vancouver Grouse Grind was hell. Try Seek The Peak 2009. Char, along with guest co-host Jenny Harnett, venture to the top of Grouse Mountain where they get in on the relay action while swatting off a fly or two. Ch-Ch-Cheeckk it below!

Char In My Suitcase Ep.04 from lululemon athletica on Vimeo.

Above, Lori Moretti from Yatra Yoga takes our running gear for a spin. 

Conquer your head games

You've wanted to do a race and excuses are top of mind to rationalize your way out. I've heard: I'm not in shape, I am not competitive, and I don't have money.

Together, we're going conquer the head games, because this is the year you will race. I'm here to give you the inspiration, how-tos and tips to get ready for your first, fifteenth or five-hundredth race.

Find the race for you

Online magazines such as Active.com, Runner's World, Bicycling, and Triathlete are hubs for event listings and training tips.

Check the community board or website at your local lululemon store for training groups and buddies, tips, and run clubs.

Add athletes' blogs to your blog reader and check out their upcoming race schedule (see our blogroll on the right side of this page for a list of athletes' blogs).

If you’re still not sure what you want to do (a 5K vs. a half marathon or a sprint triathlon vs. an international/Olympic distance) go watch one! Not only will you be inspired, you have a chance to network, sign up for upcoming races and talk through your questions with professionals and athletes.

I cheered on local athletes and our ambassador Rachel Challis at the Oceanside Ironman 70.3 with fellow blogger Kirsten and our ambassador Beth Gerdes and realized that if I want, and start training, I can do this race next year!

There are a variety of opps to volunteer at races and race EXPOS as well, both will connect you to people also interested in the sport.

Create a goal

Perhaps your goal is a PR (personal record). Maybe it's to meet new friends in a new town. Just finishing an event is an incredible fete. Some other ideas:

• start small: a 2 mile walk is amazing. We aren't all Ironman triathletes, and that is okay
• align yourself with a charity and create a fundraising goal (Will your company sponsor you? Can you fundraise your way to the registration fee - plus some - through your contacts, friends and family?
• join a relay and make a mini time goal for your leg
• think big: as long as you train, rest, eat and condition your body and mind properly, you can be an Ironman!

Just sign up

No more excuses.

What race did you sign up for? I've started training for the Lighthouse Century Ride in San Luis Obispo County, California.

I'm off to try on the new lululemon bathing suits just delivered to the store!