Monday, March 29, 2010

The 2817 Mile Challenge



Katie Spotz set the bar very high with her Row for Water, a solo row (yes, in a row boat) across the Atlantic Ocean to raise awareness and funds for Blue Planet Run. She helped raise somewhere around $80,000 so Blue Planet Run can provide safe clean drinking water to those around the world who otherwise would go without it.

If you go to my BPR page you can learn a lot about the crisis of water on this planet and what you can do about it. I gave lots of thought to this and did a lot of research. Blue Planet Run has an impeccable reputation and a unique and award winning way to keep track of the funds donated. Yeah, you get to see exactly how they spend the money.
As I watched some video of Katie after she completed her adventure I was more than a little envious. With a family, a full time job as a lifeguard here on Oahu and a business as a personal trainer, there is just no way I could row across the Atlantic or any other ocean. But when I saw how far she rowed - 2817 miles - I got an idea, a crazy idea. 

Out of respect to Katie and with a sincere desire to help raise awareness and funds for the many in our world who do not have access to clean, safe drinking water, I will go on various endurance adventures including running, swimming, biking and paddeling around the  dramatically beautiful Hawaiian Islands that will total, in miles, 2817 and will complete this challenge before my 51st birthday on March 28, 2011. For all of my efforts I simply ask that you imagine a life without clean water, read some of the info on the website and then make a donation of at least $30 to Blue Planet Run to help toward my $20,000 goal.

This is going to start with my being part of Team Palfrey and helping escort Penny Palfrey on her amazing attempt to swim from Oahu to Kauai. A wild way to  get 80 miles closer to my goal

Then on to RACE the SUN 2, start at sunrise and bike ¾ the way around the island and paddle back the last quarter before sunset. Can you believe it? Some people are actually betting against me on this one.  You’re going to lose, Dale.

I’m going to need some more ideas for these Race the Sun events. I’ll be doing lots of them. Please send in your suggestions and keep checking back in the days to come to see these lofty ideas get doused in saltwater. 

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'd like to be the first to say "you're crazy" and good luck.
Dale

Anonymous said...

You obviously have to do some long bike rides, count me in on a few and good luck.
Ron K

Anonymous said...

wow, I'll be checking on your progress. Happy Adventuring!

djinndog said...

By my calculations that's 24 times around Oahu. You going to swim it a few times?

Anonymous said...

How about paddle boarding around each of the five Hawaiian islands!

Koz said...

No, I'm not going to swim around the island even once. I'll take my paddleboard around a couple times, A SUP, an OC1 and maybe even a Hobie Cat if I can get hold of one. Lots of bike trips around the island, too but no swimming around the island, sorry.

Koz said...

IF I get a sponsor to cover the expenses I would like to go around all the islands. It is very expensive. But that is part of this adventure too (finding sponsors.) I'll keep you posted

Anonymous said...

Amazing! Good for you. How do you stay motivated?

Anonymous said...

Go Jeff! I'm betting you can do it!

Debbie said...

Impressive. Does Katie Spotz know about this?

Shannonlaughing said...

You are amazing! I will spread the word...

Koz said...

Thanks for the encouragement.Don't forget to donate and pass this around to YOUR WHOLE EMAIL LIST.
Katie has already agreed to an interview for this blog. Give it about a week for that.

Kozlowski said...

I just wanted to add something to encourage others, and also comment on staying motivated (while I must admit I am young and no wiser than most). Jeff and the other contributors are simply using what's available to them, as well as what they enjoy doing, to push themselves physically. For them, it's the ocean and tropical mountains. But exercising out in nature isn't limited to these types of places. While Koz was training in Hawaii, my friends and I have taken hiked numerous times up Mt. Mansfield, to the highest point in Vermont, half of the times during the winter with our snowboards. This is another somewhat extreme case but it proves my point. There are plenty of places around you to push yourself while doing what you love; adventure and fun aren't limited to ocean waves and paradise beaches.