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DONATIONS TO DATE: $1100.00
THE WINTER CHALLENGE
THE WINTER CHALLENGE
24 Hour Challenge: Ruck-hike the 47.25 mile Winter Challenge Trail in 24 hours.
Section Hike: Hike one section, approximately 11 miles, of the Winter Challenge Trail in about 6 hours, along side Michael and the 24 hour hikers.
Join In Hike: Hike a 3 to 5 mile loop on the Winter Challenge Trail along side Michael and the 24 hour hikers.
For the past two years, Big Tree Fitness has held a fundraising event and physical challenge on the first weekend in March where a group of gym members and friends venture out into the woods of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Each year’s hike is different from the previous, the adventure being something many have never experienced before. The one thing that stays the same is that everyone who embarks on this adventure is challenged physically, mentally and emotionally. In addition to the charitable donations, the goal of the Big Tree Fitness Winter Challenge is that each individual finds a new resilience they can draw upon going forward in life... and hopefully make some new friends along the way.
For this year’s Winter Challenge, I (Coach Michael) have strung together 47.25 miles of trails that start at Sand Run Park and run through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The Challenge has three options for participants to choose from. We understand that not everyone is able or ready to hike for 24 hours with 20 pounds on their back or has 6 hours in their life to do a full section hike, and a challenge looks different for each person, so pick the challenge that's right for you or just Join In for a nice walk in the woods.
GEAR LIST
GEAR LIST
Each ruck-hiker will carry a back pack containing certain gear and supplies. All clothing should be kept in a dry bag of some sort. The weight of an average backpack with the items listed below is roughly 15 lbs. The goal is to have your pack weight at 20 lbs, but this is not a requirement. Your participation is more important than the weight of your pack!
A backpack or rucksack
2 - 32 oz water bottles (full)
High energy food - examples peanut butter & honey, nuts, energy bars, bagged mash potatoes
50 feet of 550 para-cord
1 multi tool with knife
1 headlamp with extra batteries
1 or 2 extra pair of socks
1 long sleeve base layer
1 short sleeve base layer
1 small towel
First aid kit: band-aids, tape, gauze patch, antiseptic gel, assorted cough drops - Trust me, this is helpful
THE WINTER CHALLENGE TRAIL
THE WINTER CHALLENGE TRAIL
SECTION TRAILS
SECTION TRAILS
Keep in mind that hiking times are estimates and may vary based on the pace of the 24 hour hikers. If you are doing a Section Hike or Join in Loop, we will be in touch with you via text or email to let you know the exact times of these hikes in order to meet up with Michael and the other 24-hour hikers.
SECTION #1
Friday Feb 28th 6:00 p.m. to Midnight
11.60 Miles
SECTION #1
Friday Feb 28th 6:00 p.m. to Midnight
11.60 Miles
Start at Wadsworth Field on Sand Run Parkway. We hike the upper & lower part of Dogwood Trail to the Chestnut Lodge Connector that takes us onto the Towpath Trail. We head north on the Towpath to Bath road. At this point we take Bath Road to O'Neil's Woods Trail. From O’Neil’s Woods we keep heading north and connect into the Buckeye Trail and head north to IRA road. We connect back onto the Towpath and head north to the Valley Link Trail and head towards the Covered Bridge trails. We finish this section with the Furnace Run Loop back to the Covered Bridge parking lot. This ends section #1 and is the starting point for section #2.
Reasons for Hiking Section #1
Reasons for Hiking Section #1
It is the start of a great adventure. The energy level of everyone is going to be pretty high. The confidence levels will be feeling pretty high as well. Those two types of energy typically make for a good time to remember. February 28th is also a new moon. So, as long as the skies are clear, we should see a night sky full of stars.
SECTION #2
Saturday March 1st Midnight to 6:00 a.m.
12.05 Miles
SECTION #2
Saturday March 1st Midnight to 6:00 a.m.
12.05 Miles
Starts at the Covered Bridge parking lot and begins by doing the Riding Run Loop and connecting back to the Valley Link Trail. We hike the Valley Link Trail to Bolanz Rd and then north to Robinson Field & Butler Trail. We then take Butler Trail to Lange Run Trail to Tabletop Trail and then hop on Wetmore Trail to the Pine Hollow parking lot. This ends section #2 and begins section #3
Reasons for Hiking Section #2
Reasons for Hiking Section #2
We will be hiking in some of the most secluded and deepest valleys and ravines of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. This portion of the hike will be at the darkest part of the night and will then give way to the first signs of sunrise. Hiking at this time of night can be very deceiving due to the feeling of sense deprivation and confusion about time and distance. Because of this phenomenon, it is much easier to get lost in the hike itself, which is an amazing way to feel and experience a hike.
SECTION #3
Saturday March 1st 6:00 a.m. to Noon
11.70 Miles
SECTION #3
Saturday March 1st 6:00 a.m. to Noon
11.70 Miles
We start in the Pine Hollow parking lot and head down the Salt Run Trail to the Lake Loop Trail and connect up Pine Grove to The Ledges Trail. We then take the Ledges Loop to Haskell Run to the Boston Run Trail. We hike the whole Boston Run Trail loop back to complete Haskell Run, Ledges and Pine Grove Trail loops. Once back at the Lake Loop we finish off section three with hiking the Cross Country Trail loop back to Pine Hollow parking lot. This ends section #3 and begins the final Section #4.
Reasons for Hiking Section #3
Reasons for Hiking Section #3
At this point the members of the group doing the 24 hour hike are really starting to feel the effects of 12 hours of ruck-hiking. Even though there will be a renewed excitement about reaching the half way point, that feeling will only last a couple of hours before the fatigue and pain start to set in. This is where some good support is needed. Fresh eyes, fresh legs, fresh energy, fresh laughter, and fresh confidence is what will be needed to get through Section 3.
SECTION #4
Saturday March 1st Noon to 6:00 p.m.
11.90 Miles
SECTION #4
Saturday March 1st Noon to 6:00 p.m.
11.90 Miles
We start again in the Pine Hollow parking lot and hike the Salt Run Loop Trail and then reconnect with Wetmore Trail to the Valley Link Trail and head north to Pine Lane Trail. From there we take the Buckeye Trail to the Towpath Trail and head south to Deep Lock Quarry Trail. We complete the Deep Lock Quarry Trail then head back north on the Towpath and finish section #4 and the complete 47.25 miles at the Lock 29 parking.
Reasons for Hiking Section #4
Reasons for Hiking Section #4
We will be on the home stretch at this point, but will still have 6 hours to go. Support from you will be really needed at this time. This will be the hardest 6 hours that the 24 hour ruck-hikers will have to go through. They will be very tired and very sore. Because of the extreme fatigue, there will likely be some pretty strange conversations going on, and knowing Jim and I, those conversations will be funny and quite possibly stretching the limits of decency. Lol. Also, we will be taking a big group picture on top of the Deep Lock Quarry stone wall. Should be a cool picture to be in.
JOIN IN HIKES
JOIN IN HIKES
A 24-hour ruck-hike isn't for everyone. If you just want to be there to support our Big Tree Fitness Family and a great cause, JOIN IN on a 3 to 5 mile loop!
Keep in mind that hiking times are estimates and may vary based on the pace of the 24 hour hikers. If you are doing a Section Hike or Join in Loop, we will be in touch with you via text or email to let you know the exact times of these hikes in order to meet up with Michael and the other 24-hour hikers.
Join In Hike #1 will be at the beginning of Section 2 and starts at approximately Midnight at the Everett Rd Covered Bridge parking lot. We will be hiking the Riding Run Trail Loop with a distance of 5.2 miles. This will be a beautiful starry night hike ending with the first signs of sunrise.
Join In Hike #2 will be at the beginning of Section 4 and starts at approximately Noon at the Pine Hollow parking lot. We will be hiking Salt Run Trail Loop with a distance of 3.4 miles in the Virginia Kendall trail system. This trail has three beautiful evergreen tree areas and has been a go to hike or trail run for me for years.
Join In Hike #3 will be at the end of Section 4 and starts at the Lock 29 parking at approximately 4:30 pm. We will be heading south on the Towpath Trail to hike Deep Lock Quarry. When we get to the rock wall we will take a group photo and then head back to Lock 29 to finish the 3rd Annual Big Tree Fitness Winter Challenge.
CHARITIES
CHARITIES
This year, Jim O'Neil, my partner in crime for the Winter Challenge, asked me if we could raise funds for overdose awareness and prevention in memory of his close friend Anthony Salem. Considering my own family's background with addiction issues, I thought this would be a great way to give back to the community.
Honoring Their Legacy provides free to low cost holistic wellness plans and individualized wrap around services for combat veterans, people living with chronic illness(es), and individuals with treatment resistance; so that as a society we can maximize and honor the legacy within each of us by prioritizing wellness, understanding, and community.
"HUMANS ARE A COMBINATION OF ALL THE PEOPLE AND EXPERIENCES THAT IMPACTED THEIR LIVES. WE ARE WALKING LEGACIES." Honoring Their Legacy
A Note from Cassie Schumacher
A Note from Cassie Schumacher
I'd like to share the 'why' behind the nonprofit 'Honoring Their Legacy,' a non-profit which was established to remember both Anthony Salem, who tragically passed away from an overdose in 2023, and his sister, Jennifer Salem, who also succumbed that year to complications from diabetes while drinking.
Anthony was an incredible person and a dear friend of mine. I witnessed his struggle with addiction firsthand – the highs of sobriety and the devastating lows of relapse. Even at his worst, he was always a loyal friend who showed up for his friends and family.
I've been sober in recovery for nearly 34 years continuously and have witnessed countless people recover and live purposeful, meaningful lives that society often deems "hopeless." Anthony, like many in recovery, experienced the overwhelming power of craving during relapse, causing everything else in his life – his loved ones, his passions – to become secondary to getting high.
Anthony was an Iraq War veteran who battled addiction for years before joining the military. Addiction had a powerful grip on him, and it seemed there was no "off switch." He would make plans for treatment and detox, always delaying until "Monday morning." It was heartbreaking to watch him cycle through this pattern. Anthony died before Monday came.
Anthony's story is a tragic reminder of the devastating grip of addiction. It's crucial to remember that people struggling with addiction are not defined by their disease. Anthony fought hard to overcome his demons, and that's how I choose to remember him – a strong, resilient individual who never gave up.
The Salem family has established Honoring Their Legacy, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering individuals on their recovery journeys. Thank you all from Big Tree Fitness for donating the proceeds to creating recovery-focused fitness groups at Big Tree, fostering a supportive recovery community through physical activity.
Thank you!
Cassie Schumacher
Past Big Tree Fitness Charity Events have raised and donated ...
Past Big Tree Fitness Charity Events have raised and donated ...
... money for wrestling and fitenss equipment for Coach Larry and the Innes CLC Wrestling Team here in Akron.
... over $3,000 to support Isabella's Closet, a nonprofit organization that provides clients living with persistent mental disabilities with household items, is accepting donations of gently used basics to help clients as they settle into new living arrangements.
... over $20,000 between 2018 and 2024 to the Burpees for Vets Challenge for the Courage Foundation. This foundation "was established to provide transformative training to veterans and active-duty service members experiencing post-traumatic stress or with an interest in preventing it... building the trust, comradery, and social support which restore purpose. The training integrates physical, mental, emotional, intuition/awareness and spiritual aspects of one’s being through simple and highly effective self-administered training tools."
BIG TREE FITNESS RECOVERY SUPPORT
BIG TREE FITNESS RECOVERY SUPPORT
In addition to raising funds and bringing awareness to the problem of addiction, Big Tree Fitness plans to open the gym to recovery groups during off hours.
The idea would be for recovery groups to start meetings by either doing a full group workout or partnering up into groups of two to three people. The group or partner workout would last 45 minutes to an hour. During the workout, the group's leaders or mentors could use this time to help participants build physical confidence and create a supportive environment that allows each person to feel more deeply connected with themselves and with the group around them. Working out together in a purposeful and fun way would allow participants to be more vulnerable and open. Having that connection and support while doing something physically hard, would hopefully encourage members of the group to be more willing to share and give support in return.
When we workout we also release amazing neurotransmitter chemicals called endorphins that make us feel good, not just physically, but we feel really good emotionally and mentally. After a workout is complete, the next neurotransmitter that is released by the brain is Serotonin. This is what causes us to want to be still, rest and feel at peace when we are done with our workout. The thoughts that usually ruminate through our heads have toned down. We don’t care quite as much about thinking about those thoughts. Typically, we are feeling pretty good and feel in more of a balanced mood. Our thoughts are more constructive and purpose driven. This is one element of working out that is not discussed or utilized enough.
The more traditional portion of the meeting would take place after the workout. Because of the hard work that everyone just put their bodies through and the chemical brain dump that comes with it, our ability to see things from different perspectives starts to open up. When someone begins to see things from different perspectives, it allows them to look at thoughts as just thoughts. We begin to choose whether we want to give that thought any power by thinking about it. We can start to say, “I don’t need to think about that thought... been there, done that, and I already know where it goes.” When this happens, we see a greater opening up to everyone and more willingness to be vulnerable. It allows us to face own fears with greater strength and resilience. We start to see that on the other side of fear is a sense of freedom and a power to move forward.
THE ATTITUDE
THE ATTITUDE
The attitude that I have carried throughout my life has NOT been “ready, aim, fire." My way of thinking and believing has always been, “Fire, Ready Aim,” don’t waste too much time thinking about the details. Those ideas and thoughts, given the proper time and the proper people, will figure themselves out. Don't waste time analyzing a beautiful idea; paralysis through analysis is a permanent obstacle. This way of thinking allows us to break away from traditional ways of thinking and allows us to open up to a wider point of view of life. It opens up perspectives that were hidden from us.
All of these ideas and dreams require money. Inspired by the work of The Courage Foundation, an organization serving veterans who have suffered physical, mental, and emotional injury as a result of their service, it is my goal to create a Big Tree 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable entity.
We are asking a lot from each of you for this year’s challenge. First and foremost, we are asking you to TRUST us to do the right thing with the funds we raise before all the legal boundaries from the state of Ohio have been put in place for our 501(c)(3).
We are asking you to participate in a challenge that will undoubtedly have some tough times that will require you to dig deep and push through. This is not a sanctioned event or a race. There are no entry fees, so instead, we ask for your donations. This has been our model for fundraising since we started The Big Tree Fitness Challenge. If you have the means to be able to donate, please check out our donation page and give what you can. If you don’t have the means at this time, please still join us for this Winter Challenge. The more the merrier!
A NOTE FROM MICHAEL AND JIM
A NOTE FROM MICHAEL AND JIM
The Big Tree Fitness Winter Challenge is built on the idea of learning to support and be supported, to trust and be trusted. When we can feel both ends of these life values we really start to live a fuller, deeper and richer life experience. The reason I used the term “life experience” is due to the fact that life is one big huge experience. We are not the center of any universe as individuals. We are part of the shared experience called life. In order to go through this experience we need support and trust in our lives. When we work through tough challenges in life together, whether they are natural or man-made, we learn how to truly support and be supported... to trust and be trusted.
We live in a modern society where we make commercials that have an “Easy Button” as the main character. We have managed to take challenges out of life as much as humanly possible. We did this without understanding the repercussions as a society. What we are left with is a lot of people that are adrift and do not know where to turn. There is a reason why we traditionally have had rights of passage that we would have to go through in life. These rights of passage were meant to be difficult and teach us resilience that we could use throughout life when things got tough. This resilience would give us the strength to fight through and figure out the tough times. We do not have these rights of passage as much anymore. So, we at Big Tree Fitness created the Winter Challenge to bring back the idea of a right of passage. Come out and join us. Build resilience within yourself that you can draw on in those tough times. This is the strength and the support that will pull you through.
Thanks, and we hope to see you on the trails,
Michael & Jim
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