Keep Calm And Run To The Best You has always been an organization that serves people. I am passionate about running for a cause, and my mission is to help people overcome their own challenges. Whether it’s obesity, physical injury, autism or other disabilities. In this week’s blog & podcast, I had the opportunity to speak with others equally passionate individuals about running for their special causes.

4x4x48 Challenge: Running For A Cause 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours straight!

Last weekend, I conquered the 4x4x48! What is this challenge you ask? Let me tell you all about it. Run 4 miles every 4 hours for 48 hours straight! Easy right? I heard about this 4x4x48 challenge from another member of the Keep Calm And Run To The Best You Program. Lisa Diaz texted me on Sunday, February 14th and said, “This challenge has your name all over it.” That challenge was by David Goggins, a retired Navy SEAL. This synchronous running challenge is for people in all time zones who will be waking up, running, and resting on a continuous loop for the entire weekend.

The beautiful thing about the challenge was that you were to run for a purpose. We were challenged to tie our run in with a fundraiser for a cause that’s close to our hearts, and share our story with David Goggins online. Since children have always been near and dear to my heart, I wanted to dedicate my run to helping children with autism and their families. Each of my 4-mile runs raised money for a local organization called Faces 4 Autism.

One thing that I recognized in 2020 was that nonprofits like Faces 4 Autism were in a tough spot due to the current restrictions on gatherings. Many annual fundraising events have been canceled over health concerns related to coronavirus. “They can't raise money like they used to due to Covid-19 not allowing gatherings. If I can continue to run and raise the funds every little bit counts now more than ever.”

The community quickly rallied around my efforts and sponsored each puzzle piece.

Coach Tadris - Running For A Cause (Thanks To Our Sponsors)

#1 Puzzle Piece - sponsored by Turnovers baby ShOP

Thank you Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney of Turnovers Baby Shop- natural, gender neutral baby clothing!

Leg 1: 11pm EST 3/5 at Atlantic City NJ Boardwalk / Melrose Ave

#2 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Session Arts

Thank you Jen Burke of Session Arts - local art classes and workshops!

Leg 2: 3am EST on 3/6 at Coach Tadris Parker’s Neighborhood

#3 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Lolla Chiropractic Center

Thank you Richard Lolla of Lolla Chiropractic Center - supporting spinal health in Galloway NJ!

Leg 3: 7am EST on 3/6 at Keep Calm Course in Galloway NJ

#4 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Pampered Chef

Thank you Dawn Lolla at Pampered Chef - quality cookware and healthy meal prep support!

Leg 4: 11am EST on 3/6 at Stockton University Track in Galloway NJ

#5 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Faces 4 Autism

Thank you Isabelle Mosca at Faces 4 Autism - supporting and educating the community about autism

Leg 5: 3pm EST on 3/6 at Galloway Nature Reserve

#6 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Atlantic City Marathon Race Series

Thank you Atlantic City Marathon/April Fools Half Marathon/Bungalow Beach Boardwalk Run!

Leg 6: 7pm EST on 3/6 at Wrangleboro Road in Galloway NJ

#7 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Team Anthony Rocks

Thank you Ray Martinez of Team Anthony Rocks!

Leg 7: 11pm EST on 3/6 at Atlantic City/Ventnor NJ Boardwalk

#8 Puzzle Piece - SPonsored By norm mccoy

Thank you Norm McCoy / Front Champ!

Leg 8: 3am EST on 3/7 at Coach Tadris Parker’s Neighborhood

#9 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Team Anthony Rocks

Thank you AGAIN to Team Anthony Rocks!

Leg 9: 7am EST on 3/7 at Kennedy Park in Somers Point

#10 Puzzle Piece - Sponsored by Jill Babybirth Doula & Dan burke Door Co.

Thank you Jill Burke of Jill Babybirth Doula & Dan Burke of Dan Burke Door Co!

Leg 10: 11am EST on 3/7 at Northfield NJ Bike Path (Jackson Ave)

#11 Puzzle Piece - Team Kyle

Thank you Matt and Katie Ayers, and Traci McCoy!

Leg 11: 3pm EST on 3/7 at Stockton University Track in Galloway NJ

#12 Puzzle Piece - For Na'Imah

Thank you Sonia & James Muhammad!

Leg 12: 7pm EST on 3/7 at Keep Calm Course in Galloway NJ

How It Went: 

In my first two runs, I was excited and ran around 9 minutes per mile. On my first run, my son Shealen rode his bike alongside me. That was memorable and it meant a lot to have his support.

Two members of our program met with me for the 7am run. They were surprised that I was running with them. Chris and Katie were kind of hoping that I would run ahead and leave them at their pace, but that’s not my style- if you come out, I’m not going to leave you. My 4th run was more challenging since I wasn’t fueled at that time. Upon completing that run, it was important that I went home and ate to replenish my body. Running my 5th leg through the nature reserve with my son by my side, biking. I was pleasantly surprised to see Alyson and Dylan Bakley had driven out there to cheer me on. Thank you. 

Things were going well until 7pm when it got dark, and that was challenging. Later that night at 11pm my run was not as dark due since I was running on a well-lit boardwalk. However, the temperature had dropped and it was very cold. My legs were getting tired. I came home and ate everything in the cabinet at 12:30am. 

My son accompanied me on both legs. Three straight bike rides for him and he was wiped out from there. 

Then came the 3am Sunday morning run and that’s when I wanted to quit. I had overslept and woke up at 3:02 - so disappointing, because I had been on time for all of the other runs. Still, I broke out of that losing mentality and got myself dressed and adopted a super modest 15/30 pace. (jog 15-sec, walk 30-sec)

That helped me on my next 4-mile run. At 7am, I should have been in Somers Point to run the bridge. I woke up late again at 6:45am and by the time I got to the bridge it was 7:30am. Out of nowhere, I told myself, “Self, let's set the timer for 5/30”  (5-min run / 30-sec walk)

Up until that time, I hadn't dared to venture up that high of an interval. I did well with it. I just kept to a rhythm heart rate. I never tried to speed up or anything I just focused on keeping my heart rate within a reasonable range while climbing the bridge. It was this leg of the challenge that I am the most proud of. 

Then, I drove to the Northfield bike path and ran at the pace of two more clients, Jamie and Jen Burke. (30/30)

Then it was off to Stockton and I ran with one mother whose son has autism. Sandra Martinez was a great supporter during those 4 miles. Marie Geary also came out to Stockton and walked the track. 

My last leg was my second most impressive to me. 
I said that no matter who came out to support me, they would have to go at my pace. I didn't want to talk, I just wanted to get it done. Two members, Jamie Burke and Norm McCoy, ran it with me and they were amazing. They gave me a lot of energy to get through. Michael Jackson playing on my JBL Clip speaker may have been a huge part of helping me through, too.

Walkers came out in full force as well; Marie Geary, Katie Ayers, Jen Burke, and her two sons, Sonia Muhammad and my wife Nichol Parker. Thank you all. 

It was an incredible experience that I will never forget. I appreciate all of the sponsors and those that came out and ran with me. 

4x4x48 Challenge w/ Laura Antonelli

Coach: Laura, congratulations on completing your 4x4x48 Challenge. How did it feel to complete? 

Laura: It felt amazing to know the hard work, energy, and training I have put in for so long was being put to a great cause. Every Time I got a negative attitude, got tired, or wanted to quit, I remembered the children who were going to reap the benefits.

Coach: That’s incredible. Who were you running in honor of? 

Laura: I raised money for the Anna Crawford Children's Center.  It is a non-profit in the county in which I live. They provide investigative services and aftercare services for children who have been victims of neglect and physical and sexual abuse. Being a former law enforcement officer and now a teacher, this organization has touched me and my students so it is near and dear to my heart. We were able to raise $1,800. 

Coach: Great job! Thank you so much for sharing this experience with me from Georgia!

4x4x48 Challenge w/ Carl Tait

Coach: Carl, what made you take on this challenge?

Carl: I Found out about the challenge through the South Jersey Runners Facebook page when someone shared David Goggins Instagram post. A couple of days later, a group was made for those that wanted to give the challenge a try.

Coach: Who were you raising money for?

Carl: The starting of the fundraiser was all my friend Kevin’s idea. I Just donated and shared it a few times to do what I could to help! I kept texting Kevin throughout the day, amazed at the progress it had made. Thank you to all that donated! That helped get me through the challenge, especially on those 2 am runs when you're half asleep questioning why I would want to go out in the cold and do this again. You start seeing that donation page and realize you can't stop now. Plus I had my wife who at 2 am said to me " your halfway done what's 4 more"

As a team we ran for the St. Jude's Childrens Hospital, and we hit $1500 which is amazing!

Coach: Let’s talk to Kevin! Nice to meet you. Why did you take on this challenge and how did it feel along the way?

Kevin: I just recently got back into running only about a year ago. Harlen Jones and James Hunsicker were the ones who got me back into running. Harlen emphasized starting with a half of a mile and James was the first person to tell me about David Goggins and the 4x4x48. 

I enjoy running and when it is for a good cause it makes it even more special. When I first set up the fundraising Facebook page I was worried it wouldn't work. Amazingly by the first round of the 4×4, it had achieved the goal of $200. That made me feel really good going into the run. From that point on I made sure to log in our times how I felt and how much we had raised to that point on a spreadsheet. As Carl said by the end we were able to raise $1,500 for St. Judes and my wife and I are excited about that. Great Challenge. 

Coach: That’s amazing guys. Thank you so much for sharing this experience with me down in the Cape May/Wildwood NJ area. 

There are many other organizations and worthy causes that Keep Calm and Run To The Best You continuously supports. We have hosted races for the Field of Dreams in Absecon NJ. Our upcoming event will be to support Shirley Mae Breast Cancer Foundation on May 8th, 2021.

Sign up today for our Run To The Best You Virtual Breast Cancer 5k.

Fighting Obesity Around the World

Running for a cause isn’t just a matter of raising money for charity. Tadris is constantly helping people to get healthy and stay in great shape for themselves and for their families. This is the mission of weight loss programs like the Keeping It Real Challenge and weekly running meets and personal accountability check-ins through Keep Calm And Run To The Best You.

Obesity is a terrible condition which shortens a person’s life expectancy. Carrying around 30+ pounds of extra weight categorizes you as obese, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and obesity increases your risk of severe illness. Beyond that, it’s hard on your joints and organs. It can make it hard to breathe, hard to sleep, and you’ll actually feel less energized instead of more. 

Food is fuel. If we eat the wrong things, or at the wrong times, or we eat too large of a portion, it does the opposite of providing energy. It drains us, instead. If you’re tired of having an aching back and sore feet and you’re tired of feeling exhausted and irritable, make a decision today to change your life. Whether you’re local to Atlantic County, NJ or you live far away, help is one step away.

Support Coach Tadris in his mission with Keep Calm And Run To The Best You!

Reach out to Coach Tadris and ask him for help with your health journey. No matter your age or your current condition, Tadris can help get you into the best shape of your life! He’ll develop a plan to teach you to eat well, keep a manageable fitness routine, and adopt a positive outlook. He can train you to become a better athlete and help you prepare for a race. He will invite you into a group of dedicated people for uplifting friendships and accountability. You may participate in Run To The Best You group activities, like registering for a 5K or supporting a fundraiser where the team is running for a cause. Let’s get connected and start running the show together!