Walking for a good cause

I’ve participated in two benefit walking events in as many weeks.

Today, at the University of North Carolina, there was an employee event called the Spring Fling. I organized a department team, and we joined hundreds of other employees for a 3-mile fun run or 1.5 mile walk. The Spring Fling, just like the Jingle Bell Jog we did there in December, promotes health and fitness, and raises canned food donations for a local food bank and pet items for the animal shelter.

We walked through campus and a beautiful neighborhood nearby, admiring the homes and gardens, most of which looked like something straight out of Southern Living Magazine. It was a gorgeous Spring day, with flowers in bloom and sunshine that was very welcome after a rainy, gray and cool week.

When we returned from walking, the organizers had refreshments ready for everyone and awarded a number of raffle prizes. It was fun walking and chatting with my work friends, and provided a much-needed break from a busy and stressful week.

A couple weeks ago, I participated in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro CROP Hunger Walk. This is an annual event held throughout the country. CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by religious groups, businesses, schools and others to raise funds to end hunger at home and around the world. Locally, the walkers raised over $14,000.

At the CROP Walk, I walked about four miles through the lovely town. Which is not a problem, since my usual treadmill sessions are four miles. But doing it through the hilly sections definitely added something to my workout! I felt it a little bit for a few days after, but it was a “good” sore, nothing serious.

I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to do this event at all, because I’d had a procedure done at the podiatrist just a few days earlier and didn’t know if I’d be okay in time. But I really wanted to do the walk, and I did, and it was fine. And fortunately, we were blessed with beautiful weather for this walk as well.

I’m sure I’ve mentioned before about how much I enjoy walking outdoors. Exercise and fresh air on a Spring day is a reward in itself, but knowing that you’re also benefiting a good cause in your community sure feels good, too.

Have you participated in any charity fitness-related events? Please share in the comments!