Fit Philanthropy: Race Across America To Help Kids With Cancer

When asked what she wanted to do before her 50th birthday, racing across America was not the first thing that came to mind -- that is, until Lisa Priestly's physical therapist asked her to be a part of her team.

On June 12, eight cyclists, including an athletic trainer, a yoga teacher, an ex-underwear model, a Parisian hairdresser, triathlete, a second-degree black belt, a fireman and a physical therapist will compete in the Race Across America to raise funds for Charlie's Champions Foundation.

Lisa, a New York-based holistic fitness coach, yoga teacher and motivational speaker said she was inspired by the cause and the challenge. "It was really moving," she said.

This race is also pivotal for Lisa as she recovers from a back injury in her early 40s, not knowing at that point if she could take on a serious endurance event again. But, as she worked to heal her body through yoga and Qi-Gong, she eventually began cycling, riding in the LiveStrong Challenge and teaching indoor spinning classes.

Now, feeling better than ever, Lisa's sights are set on her biggest challenge yet: The Race Across America -- a 3,000 mile cycling event from Oceanside, Calif. to Annapolis, MD.

RAAM is considered the toughest endurance event in the world as over 250 international cyclists race 24 hours a day for eight days straight through winds, heat, darkness and altitudes of 10,000 feet hoping to win the title. "Everest is more dangerous, but RAAM is much harder," Mt. Everest climber and three-time solo RAAM winner, Wolfgang Fasching, said in a statement.

Supported by eight crew members, this eight-person team will take shifts with each person cycling an average of four hours a day around the clock in and effort to raise funds for Charlie's Champions, a foundation named in honor of a young boy who has battled leukemia for much of his life. The funds raised will support the the Winthrop-University Hospital's Cancer Center for Kids in Mineola, N.Y., which offers medical programs that assist children like Charlie to live to their fullest potential while fighting for their lives.

To prepare, Lisa will train for eight months total and has been riding up to twelve hours a week, working up to a century ride (100 miles) in two weeks. Participating on the RAAM team has not only proven that her body is stronger than ever now, it has also re-inspired Lisa's true competitive spirit and is helping to push others to believe they can get back into it too -- no matter what "it" is. "People have told me that they see me doing this and they want to do something extraordinary now," Lisa said.

And while she admits that training through the wind and cold (including one day with a windchill of eight degrees) have been tough, Lisa never loses sight of the goal and says she is not a quitter. "You have to focus on what you can do versus what you can't do. If it's raining or windy now, I just say, 'I can't wait.'"

Lisa's advice to others who are considering a big goal? Go for it. "The joy and excitement of taking on something you have never done before is amazing!"

To learn more about the Race Across America, visit their Web site or follow Lisa's site as she blogs and tweets along the way.

Inspired by cycling? Take a look at another upcoming ride for charity!