Team IDA Races For The Seals

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends,

 

The first event of the Ultimate Challenge In Defense of Animals, the

San Francisco Half-Marathon, took place Sunday, February 1st and was

a huge success. Despite the gloomy weather and the early hour, Team

IDA had a fantastic turnout. Our champion of animals, Eric Harr

crossed the finish line with the time of 1:15:55, putting him in 15th

place out of 5000 competitors! Eric finished in the top half of the

top 1% of the half-marathon competitors, which far exceeds his

original goal of placing in the top 10 %. ERIC IS UNSTOPPABLE!!! As

he finished, Team IDA ran to meet him and whooped and hollered in

triumph as Eric passed out the high fives. There were hugs, pictures

and lots of laughter, while Eric led us in a boisterous Team IDA

cheer. We were filled with so much enthusiasm as we parted, I do not

think anyone noticed it was still pouring rain.

 

Check out what Eric has to say about Team IDA!

 

**

Hello to Team IDA – and to future Team IDA members!

 

Jessica is right. I may have blazed across that finish line last

Sunday, but that didn't come close to the fire that Team IDA set

ablaze at the San Francisco Half-Marathon. On a drizzly day that

dampened the spirits of most, I noticed something extraordinary:

every Team IDA member was smiling ear-to-ear. You could tell we were

there with a mission in our hearts and other people took notice.

CBS's Sydnie Kohara said " Eric, that group is simply amazing.

They

got me so motivated to come out and run your next race! "

 

It was the showing up part that mattered most. Every Team IDA member

woke up at an ungodly hour, and hauled their butts out of cozy, warm

beds to walk/run in the rain. Each time I saw a Team IDA member out

on the course, I surged, much to the dismay of the leaders in the

race! I am honored to be part of a group of people that have such

passion and dedication to a cause.

 

We have a chance to light up the world here with our bodies, with our

spirits and on behalf of animals. By putting one foot in front of

the other and just coming out and participating in this event on

March 13th, you will have tons of fun, you will improve your health

and you will benefit the welfare of animals worldwide. Then you can

have all the soy ice cream you want after the race. You will have

earned it! How better to spend a Saturday morning?

 

I know that when it comes to fitness and exercise, many of us tend to

straddle the fence. The fact is that working out isn't always a

very

exciting proposition. Each of us wants to improve our health and our

bodies; it's the motivation that's so tough. But let me tell

you:

motivation doesn't spontaneously occur; it follows ACTION. Here

is

the spark you need to establish, or boost, your exercise motivation.

Tap into your deep, driving passion for animals and let that compel

you to live a better life. I will give you all the coaching and

advice you need whatever your goal at this event.

 

Woody Allen nailed it when he said: " Eighty-percent of success is

showing up. " When you do that, you open yourself up to

everything

life has to offer and you can change the world. People across the

country are hearing about what we're doing. Team IDA is catching

fire. Set your passion aflame. Please seize this day and join us on

March 13th.

 

And…I promise you all another blazing performance!

 

Gimme a T, Gimme an E, Gimme an A, Gimme an M, Gimme an I, Gimme a D,

Gimme an A. WHAT DOES THAT SPELL? TEAM IDA. DAMN RIGHT!

 

Eric

 

**

Let's recapture and surpass the energy we gained at the San

Francisco Half-Marathon! Eric's next endeavor in the Ultimate

Challenge In Defense of Animals is The Run For The Seals. This race

is a fundraising event for IDA's neighbor, The Marine Mammal

Center.

We could not ask for a better event, as it helps our animal friends

of the Bay Area waters. This unique event is a 4 mile run/walk that

takes place in the Marin Headlands on Saturday, March 13, 2004. The

best part about this race is that your four-legged training partners

are allowed to accompany you on the course. That's right, your

dog

can participate too!

 

We want to exceed the fantastic turnout of the half-marathon. I am

confident this will happen, as we already have 10 teammates committed

to participate. Here is your chance to be part of Team IDA 60, 70,

or 80 members strong in the Run For The Seals. Sign-up!

 

Registration is limited to the first 2,000 registrants, so do not

delay in registering for this event. You can register online, by

mail, or on the day of the race. You may register online for $25

until midnight March 9. Online registrants who submit their form

after midnight February 28 will need to pick up their bib number on

the day of the race. Pre-registration by mail is $27, and the form

can be downloaded from the website. Entries must be post-marked by

February 28. Same-day registration is $32 payable by cash, check,

Visa, Mastercard, Discover Card, or American Express. The

registration will be open from 7:30-8:45am.

 

Team IDA generated so much enthusiasm and energy at the San Francisco

Half-Marathon. Here is what some teammates had to say:

 

" When I looked out of my window the morning of the race and saw

that

it was raining, I thought about staying home. I'm so happy that I

didn't! Not only did I have an awesome time at the race, it was

really cool to see Eric's enthusiasm over racing for the animals. it

was really inspiring. I'm definitely going to do the next one! "

-

Laura Beck, 25

 

" It does my heart good to see Eric and Team IDA spending time in

such

rewarding ventures. I'm looking forward to the next race and

hopefully getting to spend some time with Eric. " - Judy Jones, 65

 

" I had tons of fun! It was one of the best rainy cold days I

have

spent since I came to America. Thanks to Team IDA and my best friend

Emilie for being such great sports and encouraging me. It was also

the first time I had actually run. I would call it one huge

adventure and who can forget me stopping Emilie to tie my shoelaces

or her and me throwing water at each other " - Farah Soomro, 15

 

" The Ultimate Challenge was a great way to spend a Sunday

morning,

from getting lost trying to find the Rose Garden, running while

encouraging the panting Farah to keep on going, yelling my lungs out

to cheer Eric Harr as he passed the finish line at an amazing speed,

and getting drenched with bottled water by Farah. I would love to do

something like it again, since there's nothing like a five-mile

run

to get you into shape for the track and field season. Oh yeah, and

can I have another Access power bar, please? " - Emilie Olsen, 14

 

" I had not run a 5k race since my high school days, but

Eric's

dedication to the animals, his tremendous support of IDA and his

contagious enthusiasm in promoting physical fitness motivated me to

get out there in the cool misty morning of February 1st to join our

Team IDA members on the course. It was exciting, fun, and

exhilarating. " - Kevin Connelly, 39

 

" The best part was talking with Eric after the race. He had the

combined excitement and motivation of everyone with Team IDA. His

commitment and determination to end animal suffering would make

anyone want to run a half-marathon. I had a great time! "

- Staci Hendryx, 25

 

Sign-up for Team IDA by going to www.idausa.org/teamida, or by

calling Jessica at (415) 388-9641, ext. 222.

 

Want to show your support of Eric and The Ultimate Challenge? If you

buy his new book, he will personally autograph all copies! This book

is a nationwide best-seller and a perfect training guide whatever

your fitness level or goals. Get some as gifts too! For more

information, or to buy the book, visit: www.yourfirsttriathlon.com