Nebraska Youth Camp 5K Spring Obstacle Run

Since I started running and doing events I have been doing obstacle runs and mud runs.  My kids have been really wanting to do one with me.  Last year, 2 of my kids sort of got the opportunity to do one with me.  They actually did the run and obstacles, I just ran along the course for pictures and support.  This year will be different.  Come April 12th, 2014 we will be doing our 1st family mud obstacle run.  The Nebraska Youth Camp in Kearney, NE is hosting their annual 5K Spring Obstacle Run.  This will be an event that the whole family can participate in.

Before I get too much into the run, let me share with you a little about the Nebraska Youth Camp.  The following is from the Nebraska Youth Camp site:

"Nebraska Youth Camp is a non-profit organization of Christians who joined together in the early 1960's to provide opportunities for young people to enjoy camping in a Christian setting. In 1965, the "Trail Junction" campsite, near Kearney, Nebraska, was acquired. The campsite is just north of Fort Kearny where the Oregon Trail, the Oxbow Trail, the Nebraska City Cut-Off and the Pony Express Trail came together.

Trail Junction is a sixty acre area of light woods which is bordered on one side by the Platte River. It contains a five acre lake with a sand beach, a dining hall/kitchen, chapel, classrooms, 2 staff cabins, 12 camper cabins, shower house, 2 covered picnic shelters, basketball court, soccer field, 8 campfire sites and numerous hiking and tractor trails.

Nebraska Youth Camp has been serving the greater Nebraska area for the past 50 years, providing 8 weeks of youth camping each summer at Trail Junction along with several activities for families. Members of the Churches of Christ from around the Midwest have weekend retreats throughout the camping season."

Now that you have a little info about the camp, let's check out some of the details of the run.  As I mentioned before, the run is Saturday, April 12th, 2014.  It starts at 10:30 AM on that day.  The run is on the grounds of the camp located at 65 Sweetwater Ave Kearney, NE 68847.  The cost to do the run is $35 per person.  So, the price is pretty good when you think about the price of some of the other mud obstacle runs out there.  Another positive on the fee to do the run, ALL proceeds to directly to the Nebraska Youth Camp.  So, you get to run a 5k Obstacle Run AND you get to help out a youth camp.  Sounds awesome, right!?  Provided with the entry is your secured place into the run, a t-shirt to let everyone know that you did it, and a hot dog lunch.  Now who doesn't like swag and lunch included with their run entry!?  I know, the question didn't need to be asked.

Our 2 year old won't be running in this, she'll be playing with other kids as they have childcare provided for those that won't be running.  The rest of the family will be though.  From our 5 year old, all the way up to mom and dad.  Now per the usual there is a Liability Waiver and a Parental Consent Form that will need to be filled out, but of all of us that run we are used to that by now.  If you want some more information you can check out the links for the Nebraska Youth Camp below.  You can also contact me, since my family is running it I have a fair share of knowledge about the run.  If I don't know the answer, I happen to know a couple of the directors that sit on the board for the camp.  If I can't answer it, I know I can ask them and they can answer it for you.

You can check out the Nebraska Youth Camp at the following:
Website: http://www.nebraskayouthcamp.com/
Mud Run Page: http://www.nebraskayouthcamp.com/mudrun.php
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NebraskaYouthCamp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/campNYC

Until next time, keep those beats coming!

*I am not affiliated with this run and no compensation was given for my post.

The Color Run 2014 Kaleidoscope Tour

So when I say, "The Happiest 5k on the Planet!"  What do you think of?! That's right...The Color Run.  This is a unique paint race that celebrates healthiness, happiness, and individuality.  This is a run that I've been wanting to do for a couple of years.  And thanks to the awesome folks over at The Color Run I will get to do just that.  And the plan is to have my whole household running it.  Yup, all 7 off us!  We'll deck out the 2 year old in all white, to the 5 (almost 6) year old, the 8 (almost 9) year olds, the 12 year old, and mom and dad!

This year I think my girls especially will be excited for the swag.  Especially the "rockin sling bag."  My boys will like the brag bracelet.  The retro headband will probably go over well for all of them.  And the designer tee will probably be mom and dad's favorite.  You can check out some details of them below.

Check out the details of the headband!

Some info on the designer tee.

The wide brag bracelet!

They have added several locations this year for the Kaleidoscope Tour!  In 2013, The Color Run hosted over 170 events in over 30 countries.  And this year is no different.  They have announced a ton of locations and their dates (if not sold out) are available for registration now.  Keep checking back though, they still have many events still not secure in their details and they will be adding these as they become available.  They even have the option to join their VIP list so that you can get updates sent to you when they become available.  And they may even send you a special VIP discount and registration period before the general public can access it.  Now, speaking of registration discount.  Right now you can use the code "COLOR5OFF" to get $5 off your registration for ANY location.  Now, like most discounts this offer can't be used in conjunction with other sales or discounts.  Don't forget to enter it during your registration because they don't retro-apply these.

My family will have to wait until July in order to do The Color Run Omaha.  It is going on July 19th, 2014.  So, we have a 4 months wait! UGH!  It will be so worth it though.  If you can't wait you could always go to Nashville, TN for March 29th, 2014 or Maui, HI for March 30th, 2014.  And there are many more to follow throughout the year.

You can follow The Color Run in the following ways:
Website: http://www.thecolorrun.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecolorrun
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheColorRun
Instagram: http://instagram.com/thecolorrun/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+thecolorrun
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/thecolorrun/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thecolorrun

Until next time, keep those beats coming!


* This is a sponsored post.  I was provided with 2 race entries for the post.  That being said, pictures and race recap to follow when I run The Color Run Omaha.

Be Selfish...and a #Giveaway

A lot of the time I don't want to go for a run because I feel that I am taking time from my family...or work even.  I mean, taking care of the things that my family needs is certainly more important than my physical need (want) to go running.  Now as my wife who has been studying philosophy in school, (which she "loves" by the way) would say that this is a falsity.  Yes taking care of my family's needs are more important than going for a run.  And yes doing my actual work is more important than going for a run.  However, if you don't take care of yourself then you won't be able to take care of your family or your work so easily.  Your family may even have to start taking more care of you instead in the long run. (Pun not intended.)  I don't want to put a burden like that on my family.  So, yes I will be selfish.  For being selfish in this type of scenario means not being selfish at the same time.

I am committed to my family and my job, so in turn I have to be "selfish" and also be committed to myself and run.  How am I going to be selfish?  It means not letting work take over my lunchtime runs any more; or as often as I have been allowing.  It means taking the time for me so that I can perform better in all aspects of life.  It's a scientific fact that running (a.k.a. exercise) releases endorphins; and endorphins make you happy.  And if you are happy, then you can handle more easier and with less of a feeling that the stress will get to you.  This also means making sure that I get my taekwondo classes in so that not only am I doing something for cross training, but also so that I can be sure to have some kind of defense if something happens while I'm running.  (Thank you to my wife for supporting me in all my wacky ventures.)

Now speaking of being selfish, you have an opportunity to be selfish. Skinfit USA has sponsored Run This Year in our 1st quarter giveaway!

Here are the details to enter:
There will be ONE winner who will receive all of the following:
Klima S/S Baselayer: http://skinfitusa.com/shop/all/1201-klima-ss-shirt-baselayer/
Functional Beanie: http://skinfitusa.com/shop/all/9701-basics-functional-beenie/
Running Gloves: http://skinfitusa.com/shop/all/9556-basics-running-gloves/
Visor: http://skinfitusa.com/shop/all/9709-basics-sun-visor/
Basics T-Shirt: http://skinfitusa.com/shop/all/9202-basics-functional-t-shirt-ss/
Sport Socks: http://skinfitusa.com/shop/all/9401-basics-sport-socks-short/

All Valued at: $200 

Giveaway ends March 31st, 2014.

How to Enter:
1 Entry for Leaving a Comment (Mandatory)
1 Entry for Following @skinfitusa on Twitter
10 Entries for Every 100 Miles Ran (May only enter this way once per day.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms & Conditions
Giveaway ends March 31st at 11:59 PM EST. Open to Residents of the US & Canada only.  Prizes cannot be shipped to PO Boxes. Winners will be selected by Random.org and be notified by email. Winners have 72 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. Please note that Running Hutch and all members of the Run This Year Team are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. I, Running Hutch, will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with a sponsor, please notify the blog you won a prize from within 30 days for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you. The product offered for the giveaway is free of charge, no purchase necessary. Facebook, Twitter and Google+ are in no way associated with this giveaway. By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to Run This Year and Run This Year alone. We do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting the winner.

What do I have coming up?

I will have a Run This Year runner spotlight.  The runner is from the great state of Kansas and is self described as a Sasquatch!  I also have an update on my Lincoln Marathon training for Project Purple.  With the how well my fundraising efforts have been through my Crowdrise account for Pancreatic Cancer.  And along with that I will have a giveaway for some awesome stuff.  So, be on the look out.  Now get out there and be selfish!

Until next time, keep those beats coming!