Ithaca's Quarantine Treamill Ultra
I had to do something, I just had to.
Every day I call the unemployment office 100 times.
I try to log into the defective website whenever I can.
80,000 people in NY have lost their jobs and the list keeps growing. I know it’s par for the course, yet I could not base my existence on this prospect. Continue to call yes, but each time I am rejected, I can’t help but feel down, like a broken system in a broken government withholding money.
The money I have given in my taxes, for a crisis like this. It’s simply frustrating. The world is frustrating.
And so I run. And I thought, how can I use my running for good?
Personal Peak coaching has decided to host an event, free to sign up, called the Quarantine Backyard Ultra
This event is a Free Backyard Ultra, completed in self-isolation or quarantine, streamed live on Youtube, with the largest, most competitive field ever assembled! You will be competing for the soon to be World’s most coveted prize: The Golden Toilet Paper Roll! Plus… Did we mention it’s FREE?!?
At home on your treadmill (or in your hallway if need be)
Connect in to Zoom call using a computer webcam, or smartphone with the Zoom app – this will allow you to interact with other racers and the live feed while running
At the bell you will start your treadmill and run 6.706km/4.167miles
When you finish the distance, point your camera at your treadmill to prove you completed the distance, and then you are free to relax, eat or do any other things you need to prepare for the next lap
You must be back on your treadmill when the bell rings to start the next loop
Running a loop or out and back course based at home,
Connect in to Zoom call using a computer webcam, or smartphone with the Zoom app. Set this up in the entryway of your home which is now your starting corral. You will also be able to interact with other runners and the live feed during your rest breaks each lap
Use a GPS Watch or smartphone to record your data and upload to Strava
At the bell you will head outside and run 6.706km/4.167miles
When you finish the distance, hold your watch in front of your camera to prove you completed the distance, and then you are free to relax, eat or do any other things you need to prepare for the next lap
You must be back in your entryway when the bell rings to start the next loop
My other friends, Eric and Sheila Eagan from TrailsRoc have also decided to host a virtual event to raise money for three Rochester area running stores.
Being unemployed with limited funds myself, I wondered how I could contribute. A plan formed in my brain, combine the events and raise some cash!
On April 4th, my friend Amelia and I will take place in the Quarantine Backyard Ultra on two treadmills (we shall do the treadmill option obviously). For each lap we run, we’re asking people to donate per loop or a one time donation of $4.16. We’re just gonna run, and raise money for three local businesses, the Finger Lakes Running Store, Collegetown Bagels and Finger Lakes Fitness Center (where we are running the race). All three businesses have either been shut down or significantly impacted by COVID-19.
Instead of writing all the details and how you can help, I am going to direct everyone to the FB event page. The event page has a link in the ticket box to the Google Form, where you can sign up.
These companies are not only my family, they also keep our community together. They are the life blood of Ithaca, NY.
I feel empowered. I feel like this might help. I feel like although I am in a bad spot myself, there are ways to give back. If you feel inclined, please donate and better yet:
RUN THE RACE WITH US! It is free to sign up and we’d love your support. Run a few virtual loops with us.
DM me on IG if you do and we’ll be answering calls and messages throughout.
This support means the world to me, help me keep Ithaca weird.