Here’s how I feel about most non-dance exercise: running longer than around the block is awful and makes me question my whole world. I have literally tried to eke out a few more steps by imagining that I’m trying to catch a terrorist, or that someone’s holding M over a cliff and will drop him if I stop. Not (emotionally) healthy.
Little did I know that my need for mind games while exercising could actually be harnessed for good. A new app called Charity Miles tracks how far you run, bike or walk, and lets you donate the sponsorship money you earn to a charity of your choice.
I could not be more in love with this app (or the people who created it) if I tried. Everything about it is all to the good: the interface is simple, and the feedback loop means that people are motivated to do two hyper-important things (help others and exercise) that usually get tossed in the “when I have time” pile. They have an initial sponsorship pool of $1 million. I’d love to see this idea just explode, so that other major funds looking to motivate activity or minimize hunger jump on this bandwagon. The synergy of it all just makes me a little twitchy with excitement . . . if I run another mile, another person gets to eat dinner. This blows my “husband-is-in-danger” scenario right out of the water, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
8 comments :
Thanks for the heads up on this app! Awesome!
Let me know if you try it out!
So funny, I completely understand the imagination you have when running – I have it, too! Like I’m being chased by a bear or something when I need to sprint my hardest. This is such a great idea, thank you for sharing!
xo
Rebecca
http://www.rebeccamarin.com
I’m so glad I’m not the only one!
husband in danger scenario.. ha!
sound like a really awesome app
It is! I’ve tried it, and it’s super easy to use.
Sounds like a great concept! I’ve been a dancer my whole life and when I first started running I was shocked at how hard (read: impossible) it was for me. How could I be so in shape and so out of shape at the same time? Different muscles, different breathing techniques, different habits I guess. I’ve grown to love my little jogs though, even if I am constantly being lapped by old men. Thanks for stopping by and commenting,
http://www.nomadicd.com
Glad I’m not the only dancer who got owned by running…I can seriously barely do it at all.