California State PTA Convention 2010 Pedometer Challenge Results!

The 2010 100 Mile Club CAPTA team from l to r: 

Patricia Hartson, BJ Walker, Kara Lubin, Dot Lubin, Tara Mackie

If you turned in your pedometer at CAPTA Convention 2010, your 100 Mile Club® Pedometer Challenge miles are listed here. Can you find yours?  PTA Convention this year was a BLAST (and I thought we had fun LAST year!). 

Remember the feeling you had when you brought your pedometer back to us to share your miles? Everyone who came to the booth had the. biggest. smiles. on their faces! You guys were all soooo cute! That feeling you felt when you came back to see us is very much the same feeling your kids will get when they participate in 100 Mile Club®. (Though the kids'smiles are WAY bigger!!) That pride makes it all worth it...


Here are the pedometer steps exactly as reported to us:

10000 15305 12000 15005 11000 12621 12008

10200 12220 12000 10281 11000 14334 12679

10097 12240 10809 10281 11000 1679 11030

10750 12230 10537 10118 6697 15285 10479

15339 14672 16401 10118 7000 10524 10000

16295 11000 13000 20708 22795 15000 11715

7864 11000 10319 10604 12210 16285 13825

10151 18096 10500 22000 12500 22871 6142

13361 4500 10500 15000 20481 22871 8500

10000 3421 4500 2730 2397 6000 6173

10000 4391 14562 9335 11111 7000 14000

18499 6397 2164 4000 11932 9000 6000

10581 15000 1962 9653 2565 15973 10000

1000 10800 12174 6000 2565 10137 11715

17457 811 14527 17981 13000 15470 13825

14406 3406 17830 10974 8372 13327 29916

14406 10127 10316 17981 7833 9754 10000

11082 10000 7998 10974 9512 22000 36290

1100 10081 7998 10000 10099 35269 12016

14199 10568 10218 15341 7218 16205 10000

14199 18479 11109 15597 7738 19488 17472

15638 12000 11109 12000 5000 19488 11500

9472 13626 10444 11036 7540 10400 8439

3745 10759 11000 12580 4287 21482 13000

13642 7000 15964 12000 13000 11061 12000

10376 11500 15000 13500 10158 41000 12000

12748 12000 12151 10491 10000 10629

12402 11000 11127 11000 10204 10000

All told, the fabulous ladies and gentlemen of CAPTA '10 walked...

1196.118 MILES!!!

That is over 250 more miles than CAPTA 2009!  Yay, you!! We hope you will consider Accepting the 100 Mile Club® Challenge at your school in 2010.  The registration form is right here: CLICK! :)

Print it.
Fill it out.
Fax it in.
And you're IN!!

Then, just go for it!  We are here for you.

ABC7 Profiles 100 Mile Club!!

LOS ANGELES SPARKS TO HONOR THE 100 MILE CLUB®

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Sparks will celebrate and recognize The 100 Mile Club® and its members on-court on May 28th at STAPLES Center before they face the Washington Mystics at 7:30pm on Opening Night. Seats for 100 Mile Club® Families and kids are just $10.

Click Here for Flyer.

The 100 Mile Club® is a physical fitness and life skills project for all individuals based on the goal of running (or walking) 100 miles at school during a single school year. Since 1993, the goal of The 100 Mile Club® has been to help their runners experience fitness and true personal success through attainable physical fitness goals. Students use life skills based on The Pyramid of Success, designed by the legendary basketball coach, teacher and 100 Mile Club® supporter, Coach John Wooden.

“We are proud to honor The 100 Mile Club®, as they share our desire to create a more fit Los Angeles,” said Sparks President Kristin Bernert. “We are looking forward to celebrating their accomplishments with them on Opening Night.”

By recognizing The 100 Mile Club® and their efforts, the Sparks continue to demonstrate their commitment to promoting healthy, active lifestyles for today’s youth. With the launch of the “Get Outside & Play LA” campaign, the Sparks will focus on providing ample opportunities for children to improve their quality of life and “get outside and play.”

“To be recognized by the Los Angeles Sparks is an incredible honor,” said Kara Lubin, founder of The 100 Mile Club®. “We are thrilled to spotlight The 100 Mile Club® and our fit, happy, connected 100 Mile Club® Kids at the Sparks’ Opening Night. The Get Outside and Play LA campaign is a perfect fit for our organization.”

The 100 Mile Club® continues to effectively raise awareness among students in Southern California by providing them with an affordable and life-changing fitness program. The life skills they teach of ambition, intentness, industriousness, honesty and loyalty are the very essence of what Sparks players strive to be both on and off the court. At the core of their program they share the same vision of building healthier, more active and stronger communities.

For more information on tickets for Sparks Opening Night, please call 877.44.SPARKS. To find out more about the Sparks community initiatives please visit http://www.lasparks.com/ and for more information about The 100 Mile Club®, please visit http://www.100mileclub.com/ .

Warrior Dash: April 10, 2010!

"The greatest mistake you can make in

life is to be continually fearing

you will make one."

- Elbert Hubbard

(Goodness gracious NO! this is NOT L. Ron Hubbard, the scientology guy! Click the link...)

Here's to the fearless who came out to WARRIOR DASH and raised $$ for their schools!!

From L to R: Michelle Sanchez, Lucy and Viv Silva, Elysa Quinn, and Sol Shapiro...ROCKING the Spirit Wear booth!

This was a new adventure for 100 Mile Club, and I have to admit, I was a little nervous asking people to come out and volunteer for something that we'd never done before.  But, as the quote says, don't be afraid to make a mistake.  Worst thing that could happen was that we walk away with a generous donation and say, Wow. Never gonna do THAT again.  We went for it...and had a BLAST!!

 

100 Mile Club was able to FULLY sponsor 100 kids through the Warrior Dash Charity Partnership on Saturday.  Sponsorships were awarded based on school/volunteer participation. Thanks to everyone who came out! That was the muddiest, most fun and insane day ever...but we walked away with $1000 for our schools.  I think I left with dirt in my teeth...in a good way.  Plus, the Viking Hats!!  seriously? all worth it.

Here's how it all broke down:

• CFIS- 12 kids sponsored (Lucy and Viv S., and Jaz)
• CNUSD Lincoln- 4 kids sponsored (Shale S.)
• PomonaUSD Lincoln- 8 kids sponsored (Lora and Dot L.)
• Susan B. Anthony- 4 kids sponsored (Elizabeth S.)
• Raney Intermediate- 4 kids sponsored (Tiff S.)
• Garretson- 8 kids sponsored (Michelle S. and Elisa Q.)
• Washington- 8 kids sponsored (Patricia H. and David B.)
• Vandermolen- 28 kids sponsored (Jared, Tanya, Gary, Chris, Matt, Jill, and Coach Melissa!)

 

The rest of the sponsorships will be sent into our ABBIE Memorial Sponsorship Fund for use next year...thank you to the volunteers who came out!  It was great.  Hopefully we can staff 2 shifts next year and double our sponsorships! Who's in?

Promote childhood fitness through The 100 Mile Club Project. Pepsi Refresh Everything

Question from the Mailbox...(AKAs Added by me!)

When we get letters that may benefit everyone, they are published in Letters From the Mailbox.  This one concerns a little girl who is slightly worried about getting her miles done, and a great dad who is eager to help her...but not sure how exactly to do it in line with the mission and principles of The 100 Mile Club.  GREAT question, GREAT response from his Head Coach.  Way to go, everyone!!

Dear Kara,

My daughter recently hit the 50-mile marked and was so honored at school, checking off the appropriate box on her shirt. With so little time left of the school year, we are trying to get miles as quickly as we can. She is off-track, but we plan to go to the school this morning to see if we can join in the 100-mile club activities.

I measured out a course near our home that is just over a mile. If she walks the course and I confirm it, is there a way for her to get credit?

We understand if not, but just want to see what we can do. Her other commitments have made participating in most other extra-curricular walks challenging.

Thanks!

Mike (aka A Very Cool Dad)

Mike,

Here’s my thought, but you and your site Head Coach can work something out. It just can’t be special for one child…whatever you decide must be available to all kids. If you are in SoCal. There are SOOOOO many events coming up. Vicentia has 1st and 3rd Wednesday afternoons/evenings and Sierra Vista has their Second Saturday runs, as well. World Walking Day on May 8th is FREE and fun! There is Chad Zeller on the 15th and the 5K at Dos Lagos on the 8th of May. Anyway, check the calendar. www.100mileclub.com/calendar.html

I know it’s hard, but allowing unlimited miles to be completed at home with just mom or dad opens a whole can of worms with kids and families (trust me). The commitment was to have her complete the majority of her miles at school with classmates, etc. Having her go to school and complete her challenge with her “team” according to plan would be the very best way to go. Doing anything else cheapens the process, so be careful when you decide what to do.

Talk to your head coach…she may have something special that you can have ALL the kids have the opportunity to do at your school. I would think that maybe logging 1 mile/week at home MAXIMUM would be ok, but that would have to be approved by your coach and opened to ALL of the kids, not just one or 2 and would require parent signature. Does that make sense?

Let me know what you guys figure out.

~Kara

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dear Kara,

I think you are spot on. This would open a can of worms and you don't want hundreds of kids (and their parents) trying to work out their own process.



I am happy to just keep doing what we are doing and catch miles where we can.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply.

~Mike, AKA Very Cool Dad

And a thoughtful reply from their site Head Coach arrived just minutes later...

Hi Mike,


Students, who are off track, are more than welcome to come join us during our weekly walk times! :D We are out there Tuesday and Thursday mornings (8:00-8:20) and Wednesdays during the long lunch (11:00-12:30)! Since Mrs. Bakovic tracks miles in the classroom, I can keep track of what she does during her off track time! :D

All the Best,

Alice, AKA SuperSTAR Head Coach

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Thanks, Alice. We actually went this morning and collected a few sticks. We plan to attend again as we are able and turn them in when she returns to school.


Have a great day!


~Mike

With the support of her father and Coach, this little one will certainly make it to 100 miles this year.  We all believe in her, and she in herself.  I can't wait to see her with her medal!  Send pictures!

Everything I Needed To Know About Life, I Learned From A Jigsaw Puzzle

Everything I Needed To Know About Life, I Learned From A Jigsaw Puzzle

Genius words from Jacquie Sewell, 1991. 

1. Don’t force a fit. If something is meant to be, it will come together naturally.
2. When things aren’t going so well, take a break. Everything will look different when you return.
3. Be sure to look at the big picture. Getting hung up on the little pieces only leads to frustration.
4. Perseverance pays off. Every important puzzle went together bit by bit, piece by piece.
5. When one spot stops working, move to another. But be sure to come back later (see #4).
6. Variety is the spice of life. It’s the different colors and patterns that make the puzzle interesting.
7. Working together with friends and family makes any task fun.
8. Establish the border first. Boundaries give a sense of security and order.
9. Don’t be afraid to try different combinations. Some matches are surprising.
10. Take time often to celebrate your successes—even little ones.
11. Anything worth doing takes time and effort. A great puzzle can’t be rushed.
12. When you finally reach the last piece, don’t be sad. Rejoice in the masterpiece you’ve made and enjoy a well-deserved rest.

© 2001 Jacquie Sewell

Everything I Needed To Know About Life, I Learned From A Jigsaw Puzzle

It's Almost Medal Ceremony Time!!

'Never worry about numbers.

Help one person at a time,

and always start with

the person nearest you.'

- Mother Teresa"

100 Mile Club® Medal Ceremony from 2005-06 at McKinley Elementary School in Corona, CA

The 100 Mile Club® Medal Ceremony has its origins right in my little classroom, and began the first year of The 100 Mile Club Project over 17 years ago. It is almost time for yours! The medallions this year are fabulous and so meaningful!  I can't wait to see them on kids! 

You need to know that...

• The 100 Mile Club® does not publicly identify or announce individuals who hit 100 miles until the end of the year awards presentation. Some individuals make 100 miles by mid-January…We let these individuals savor the inner rewards that come from humility, poise, confidence and friendship as they help others reach their goals, too. We ask that these individuals reach inside themselves and set new personal goals in order to reach their true level of competitive greatness.

Now that some kids are reaching 100 miles...

• They should keep running. They ran 100 miles with ease, and so they need to strive to hit THEIR personal best...whatever that may be. It may be 120, 150, or even 200! That is something the child needs to decide for him/herself.  We want them to practice the lifeskills of poise and confidence. Feel that pride and refrain from boasting. We will celebrate their personal best at the medal ceremony. We promise.
• They should help their friends. They are now a true role model. Others will look to them and seek their assistance, right along with you as HEAD COACH. Students who reach 100 miles become MENTORS themselves.
• They can pull together a group to run together as a team...Kids who reach 100 miles  have the opportunity to show true friendship, cooperation, and team spirit as they bring their classmates along so may all reach their personal best...TOGETHER!!

We ask that you schedule your medal ceremonies to allow as much time as possible to get those miles in.  Don't cut off too early (or too late!). 

• Medal Ordering can begin in April.  PLEASE allow at least 14 days from the date you place your order to receive your medals and certificates.  You can always come pick them up!! You will definitely get them faster that way.  :)

Here are MEDAL CEREMONY basics:

1. EVERYONE receives a certificate with the total miles run/walked written in and signed by the Site head Coach/es. Even if they walked 1 mile, they are recognized for making the effort.  Each Incentive Package comes with a certificate, so you are eligible for the total number you have ordered.  If you need more, let us know...


2. Make sure that everyone wears their 100 Mile Club® t-shirt the day of the ceremony. It is spectacularly unifying to have everyone in their tees, and it LOOKS really cool! Take pictures!

3. Only those who run/walk 100 miles will receive a medal. Everyone knows this going in, so it is no surprise. Trust me when I say that the medal is a huge motivator, and so is the recognition by one’s peers. The will work for it, and if they don’t quite make it, you celebrate anyway.

4. No you do not get 2 medals for 200 miles.

5. Have FUN! Ceremonies can be any of (but of course not limited to) the following:

• A School-wide Assembly. These can be wild and crazy, or dignified and noble. You make it what you want… have balloons, make a slideshow, have music, invite local dignitaries.
• A Family/Company Potluck, Picnic, or BBQ. Yes, families and businesses can be a 100 Mile Club™ chapter, too! You can end the year with a group picnic at the beach, lake, or local park.
• A Reflective Year-End Classroom Activity. This is actually how the ceremony began in my classroom. We invited all of the families of our individuals and spoke of each individuals’ achievements, as we announced their miles and presented medals and final certificates.

In sum, what you need to know is that The 100 Mile Club® Medal Ceremony is something that should be meaningful to you, your colleagues, and your participants. You are creating tradition with this, so plan well and make sure to always have FUN!!
 

Medal Ceremony in 2008-09 at Lakeview Intermediate in Stow, Ohio

Your site is eligible for the same number of certificates as you have Incentive Packages. For example, if your school has ordered 250 Incentive packages, your school is eligible for 250 certificates. We will add in extras in case you mess up. :)

Additionally, you will get medals for those participants who have crossed the 100 Mile point. PLEASE only order what you need. Again, we will add in extras for you "just in case". Ordering only what you need will ensure that we keep our costs down in the years to come.

Soon, you will receive a form in which you may include your order for these certificates and medals. They are already paid for...we just need to get them to you in a timely manner. PLEASE allow at least 14 day window for medal and certificate delivery. DON'T WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE. It will make us and you freak out.

Medal ceremony time is SO exciting! Make sure to set those ceremony dates and let us know when they are. More on this later! Woohoo!!

Eat the Rainbow! 23 Ways to Eat Better

So now that you are on your way to 100 miles (or maybe even to 200!), it's time to take charge of your eating. An easy way to begin is to think about eating your way across the rainbow...take a look at your dinner plate? What colors do you see? Fill that dinner plate with a wide array of fruits and veggies and look at how beautiful it is!  Soon, you will notice "what's missing" on your plate, as you visualize the rainbow every day at meal time.  :)

The article below is a fun and interactive way to pick foods from every part of the spectrum.  Have fun!!

23 Ways to Eat Better Women's Health Magazine

Walk for Kids 2010

To laugh often and much;

to win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children;

to earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

to appreciate beauty,

to find the best in others;

to leave the world a bit better,

whether by a healthy child, a garden patch

or a redeemed social condition;

to know even one life has breathed

easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thank you to our outstanding volunteers and sponsors who made this event possible.  For more amazing photos, click here.

Three Questions by Leo Tolstoy

The short story below is retold for children in this gorgeous book by Jon J. Muth. It has overtaken The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein as my very favorite children's book.

Three Questions by Leo Tolstoy

It once occurred to a certain king, that if he always knew the right time to begin everything; if he knew who were the right people to listen to, and whom to avoid; and, above all, if he always knew what was the most important thing to do, he would never fail in anything he might undertake.

And this thought having occurred to him, he had it proclaimed throughout his kingdom that he would give a great reward to any one who would teach him what was the right time for every action, and who were the most necessary people, and how he might know what was the most important thing to do.

And learned men came to the King, but they all answered his questions differently.

In reply to the first question, some said that to know the right time for every action, one must draw up in advance, a table of days, months and years, and must live strictly according to it. Only thus, said they, could everything be done at its proper time. Others declared that it was impossible to decide beforehand the right time for every action; but that, not letting oneself be absorbed in idle pastimes, one should always attend to all that was going on, and then do what was most needful. Others, again, said that however attentive the King might be to what was going on, it was impossible for one man to decide correctly the right time for every action, but that he should have a Council of wise men, who would help him to fix the proper time for everything.

But then again others said there were some things which could not wait to be laid before a Council, but about which one had at once to decide whether to undertake them or not. But in order to decide that, one must know beforehand what was going to happen. It is only magicians who know that; and, therefore, in order to know the right time for every action, one must consult magicians.

Equally various were the answers to the second question. Some said, the people the King most needed were his councillors; others, the priests; others, the doctors; while some said the warriors were the most necessary.

To the third question, as to what was the most important occupation: some replied that the most important thing in the world was science. Others said it was skill in warfare; and others, again, that it was religious worship.

All the answers being different, the King agreed with none of them, and gave the reward to none. But still wishing to find the right answers to his questions, he decided to consult a hermit, widely renowned for his wisdom.

The hermit lived in a wood which he never quitted, and he received none but common folk. So the King put on simple clothes, and before reaching the hermit’s cell dismounted from his horse, and, leaving his body-guard behind, went on alone.

When the King approached, the hermit was digging the ground in front of his hut. Seeing the King, he greeted him and went on digging. The hermit was frail and weak, and each time he stuck his spade into the ground and turned a little earth, he breathed heavily.

The King went up to him and said: “I have come to you, wise hermit, to ask you to answer three questions: How can I learn to do the right thing at the right time? Who are the people I most need, and to whom should I, therefore, pay more attention than to the rest? And, what affairs are the most important, and need my first attention?”

The hermit listened to the King, but answered nothing. He just spat on his hand and recommenced digging.

“You are tired,” said the King, “let me take the spade and work awhile for you.”

“Thanks!” said the hermit, and, giving the spade to the King, he sat down on the ground.

When he had dug two beds, the King stopped and repeated his questions. The hermit again gave no answer, but rose, stretched out his hand for the spade, and said:

“Now rest awhile – and let me work a bit.”

But the King did not give him the spade, and continued to dig. One hour passed, and another. The sun began to sink behind the trees, and the King at last stuck the spade into the ground, and said:

“I came to you, wise man, for an answer to my questions. If you can give me none, tell me so, and I will return home.”

“Here comes some one running,” said the hermit, “let us see who it is.”

The King turned round, and saw a bearded man come running out of the wood. The man held his hands pressed against his stomach, and blood was flowing from under them. When he reached the King, he fell fainting on the ground moaning feebly. The King and the hermit unfastened the man’s clothing. There was a large wound in his stomach. The King washed it as best he could, and bandaged it with his handkerchief and with a towel the hermit had. But the blood would not stop flowing, and the King again and again removed the bandage soaked with warm blood, and washed and rebandaged the wound. When at last the blood ceased flowing, the man revived and asked for something to drink. The King brought fresh water and gave it to him. Meanwhile the sun had set, and it had become cool. So the King, with the hermit’s help, carried the wounded man into the hut and laid him on the bed. Lying on the bed the man closed his eyes and was quiet; but the King was so tired with his walk and with the work he had done, that he crouched down on the threshold, and also fell asleep – so soundly that he slept all through the short summer night. When he awoke in the morning, it was long before he could remember where he was, or who was the strange bearded man lying on the bed and gazing intently at him with shining eyes.

“Forgive me!” said the bearded man in a weak voice, when he saw that the King was awake and was looking at him.

“I do not know you, and have nothing to forgive you for,” said the King.

“You do not know me, but I know you. I am that enemy of yours who swore to revenge himself on you, because you executed his brother and seized his property. I knew you had gone alone to see the hermit, and I resolved to kill you on your way back. But the day passed and you did not return. So I came out from my ambush to find you, and I came upon your bodyguard, and they recognized me, and wounded me. I escaped from them, but should have bled to death had you not dressed my wound. I wished to kill you, and you have saved my life. Now, if I live, and if you wish it, I will serve you as your most faithful slave, and will bid my sons do the same. Forgive me!”

The King was very glad to have made peace with his enemy so easily, and to have gained him for a friend, and he not only forgave him, but said he would send his servants and his own physician to attend him, and promised to restore his property.

Having taken leave of the wounded man, the King went out into the porch and looked around for the hermit. Before going away he wished once more to beg an answer to the questions he had put. The hermit was outside, on his knees, sowing seeds in the beds that had been dug the day before.

The King approached him, and said:

“For the last time, I pray you to answer my questions, wise man.”

“You have already been answered!” said the hermit, still crouching on his thin legs, and looking up at the King, who stood before him.

“How answered? What do you mean?” asked the King.

“Do you not see,” replied the hermit. “If you had not pitied my weakness yesterday, and had not dug those beds for me, but had gone your way, that man would have attacked you, and you would have repented of not having stayed with me. So the most important time was when you were digging the beds; and I was the most important man; and to do me good was your most important business. Afterwards when that man ran to us, the most important time was when you were attending to him, for if you had not bound up his wounds he would have died without having made peace with you. So he was the most important man, and what you did for him was your most important business. Remember then: there is only one time that is important – Now! It is the most important time because it is the only time when we have any power. The most necessary man is he with whom you are, for no man knows whether he will ever have dealings with any one else: and the most important affair is, to do him good, because for that purpose alone was man sent into this life!”