Like many, I typically approach the 9/11 anniversary with a sense of dread but also with a desire to take action. I was working just a few minutes outside of Washington, D.C., that day. When the plane crashed into the Pentagon, it destroyed the side of the building I used to enter every morning when I was a Marine years earlier.
Within minutes of realizing what happened I called my wife and told her of my plans to re-enlist in the Marines. I did not re-enlist, but years later the thought still crosses my mind. We should never forget that day and I am glad that it still stirs up the fight in me to do something.
Like me, Jeremy Boyd had always wanted to do something to give back to the families of 9/11 victims, but was never sure how he could help. Then, he came up with an idea to run from the Pentagon to New York to raise money for those affected by 9/11. He named his idea The Run to Never Forget. I am proud to feature Jeremy on the cover and in our September issue. Make sure to visit http://runtoneverforget.org to donate to the two organizations he is supporting with his 240-mile run.
We also feature the inspiring story of 18-year-old Austin Harrell, who suffered a rare stroke. An ever-smiling recent high school graduate who was only weeks away from leaving for orientation at Liberty University, Austin had been active all his life. Family vacations centered on fun activities like hiking, skiing, and wake boarding. At home, the Harrell family trained hard for running, volleyball, and soccer. This stroke was a game-changer not only for Austin but for his family and friends too. In the brief seconds that Austin’s brain was denied oxygen, his motor and language skills were severely damaged. Read his incredibly inspiring story of battling back from the stroke that nearly took his life.
As school gets into full swing for teens and children this September, health-minded parents will be looking for ways to provide them with healthy lunches and snacks. Our friends at Roots Hummus help us out this month with some perfect family-friendly, busy-schedule, back-to-school hummus-based snacks. These tasty snacks will get kids excited about eating healthy.
Less tasty than hummus and not good for snacking is sodium bicarbonate, better known as baking soda. While you most likely know many uses of baking soda for cooking and cleaning, you might not know that it is also good at counteracting lactic acid buildup in your muscles. We challenged our nutritionist Brandon McDearis to put this knowledge to use and create a homemade recovery drink. Try this month’s home-made recovery drink recipe and taste for yourself.
As always, we feature great exercises, reviews, and information to support your healthy lifestyle. However, I want to close this note with some important information our cycling columnist, Thomas Henson, Jr., provides this month in “Concussions and The Best Concussion Apps for You.” All athletes at every level of expertise and every age are at risk of a concussion, not just cyclists.
Despite new research about the long-term effects of concussions, many people still tend to regard concussion almost as a rite of passage for young athletes, a sign that you play hard and aren’t afraid to get hurt. They talk about “getting your bell rung” or “seeing stars.” But, it’s important to dispense with the metaphors and call concussion by its rightful name: mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Immediate diagnosis and treatment are crucial for anyone with concussion. In this issue, Thomas reviews three apps that are trying to help make that happen. Be sure to read his very important cycling column this month.
