Every weekend is always welcome. This past Sunday is one that I always enjoy a little more than the rest — for reasons I cannot take credit for. This past Sunday was the New York City Marathon. I do not participate in the marathon, but I love supporting the people that take on the mental and physical challenges required by marathons.

The New York City Marathon is the largest sporting event in the world, with nearly two million spectators on the streets of New York in support of the 43,000 runners and disabled athletes. It is a spectacular event for all reasons. It is a competitive sport for the elite runners and, more importantly, an individual challenge for all of the athletes who take part. Many are running to prove to themselves they can tackle such a feat. Some run for those who cannot. More than 8,000 runners this year ran for charitable causes. Each runner has a story. All are motivational and inspirational.

The marathon touches every borough of New York City, making it the ultimate community event. The entire day, both in my neighborhood and throughout the city, there was a positive buzz that would not be found on any other day. I love watching people support strangers they will probably never see again. Everyone genuinely wishes the runners only the very best in their quest to the finish line. I won’t make any guarantees at this moment that I will ever run a marathon, but watching all those people cross the finish line always reinforces my own belief that anything is possible with a little hard work and dedication.

– Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher

A great organization, A Girl’s Gotta Go, was recently brought to my attention. The company specializes in vacation packages for women and by women. The website features a ton of great vacation packages for girlfriend getaways or other trips for women. There is also a tool to request a customized vacation package from the organization.

But, what truly impressed me about A Girl’s Gotta Go is the charitable nature of the organization. A portion of each vacation package purchased through the company is donated to breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment. A Girl’s Gotta Go is truly dedicated not only to women, but to women’s issues. The approach of October is the perfect time to get involved, as October marks Breast Cancer Awareness month.

A perfect way to get involved is to join the A Girl’s Gotta Go Team for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The company is involved in the Boston, Mass., race taking place Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Seaport World Trade Center.

Another great offering from the company is the Girlfriend Cruise4Cause. The package provides a supportive, stress-free vacation getaway for females battling any kind of cancer. Every reservation equals a $25 donation to the American Cancer Society. The goal is to raise $2,500 for the organization. The cruise is a four-night getaway to Fort Lauderdale, Key West and Cozumel aboard Royal Caribbean Enchantment of the Seas, from Oct. 22-26. For more information, visit www.agirlsgottago.com/charitable-giving.

Help support a great cause and enjoy a great getaway with A Girl’s Gotta Go. Female travelers may also be interested in participating in Global Traveler’s Female Global Traveler of the Year contest. Enter the contest here.

–Kimberly Krol, eFlyer editor, circulation and public relations executive

This year, Global Traveler helped raise close to $50,000 for the charity Pencils for Kids, Inc. I am proud to be part of a company that gives back. Recently, I’ve decided to help give back to a cause I feel strongly about.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, I will be doing a 5k run for the charity Women for Women. Run for Congo Women was created by everyday women to help raise hope for women living through the horrific war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The money raised will help sponsor support groups, rights awareness, job training, literacy and other training. The goal of Run for Congo Women is for the women of the Congo to be self sufficient within one year after receiving support.

Never heard of this conflict? You are not alone. Most people haven’t. It receives little to no news coverage. I am hoping by doing this run and talking about the conflict with others, I can help raise awareness and hopefully make a small step towards helping end this war. I believe there is hope for these women with just a little support and knowledge.

–Jackie Adam, advertising and editorial coordinator

My first job out of college was 33 miles away from where I lived. Not only was it 33 miles, it was 33 miles straight north on I94 and I90, two of the most heavily congested expressways in the United States. Adding to that roadway resume was a two-year construction project on I94.

I had two options. I could leave early (like 6 a.m) and get to work in about 45 minutes or I could leave later (like 7 a.m.) and get to work in about two hours. Neither was a good option. Getting to work at 6:30 am, when I started at 9, was no better than sitting in traffic for two hours each morning.

The drive home was no better and often worse. The lowlight was a Valentine’s Day in the early 90s. In anticipation of a major snowstorm, I left work around 2 p.m. It was much worse than I had feared, as I finally arrived home six and a half hours later. I have done marathons (26.2 miles) in five hours, so this was an even slower pace than that.

I eventually bought a home about four blocks from work. Oh, how my life changed! I would make it home in 10 minutes — by leisurely walking. I could leave my home in the morning minutes before I needed to be at work. I could go home for lunch (or a nap). I would regularly attend the 7:30 a.m. management meetings with still wet hair, having woken up 18 minutes prior (I had this down to a science).

For the last four years, since leaving the newspaper, I have worked from home. Zero commute! This is nirvana.

All this came flooding back to me yesterday when my friend experienced a four-hour drive (which normally takes about 45 minutes). She got home late in the evening and was, naturally, a bit stressed.

I can’t even imagine how I managed that 33-mile trek. My life has improved in so many ways since I shortened, and then deleted, my commute. The average Chicagoan takes 35 minutes per commute. That means I get an extra hour every day. Additionally, I don’t have the stress that comes with such a commute.

I could promote myself as “green-friendly” since I don’t use any fuels without a commute. However, I will be honest — the zero commute is strictly for my pleasure and sanity.

I’d like to say I have accomplished so much with this extra time. On one hand, I have done little with this time. On the other hand, that is my entire point.

-John Wroblewski, distribution specialist

On this historic day, if you are reading this before 8 p.m. and you haven’t voted, go vote! Your vote counts.

Today will go down in history. Over the weekend, an historic event in sporting was experienced here in NYC, the New York Marathon. I was able to watch Paula Radcliffe breeze her way to her second consecutive win and third overall win in the New York marathon. As I watched along Central Park South, I was proud to see a first-time marathoner and a New Yorker, Kara Goucher, take third place.

Last week, I had the pleasure to speak to the Pass Bureau Association in Newport, RI at their annual conference on the topic of “Going Green.” I chose to focus on awareness and going green in tourism, as well as the effects corporations and individuals have on each other. Like your vote, everything you do to help the environment, large or small, makes a difference. The conference was a great gathering of dedicated people in the industry. Everyone was able to discuss key current events affecting the industries through successful networking sessions.

As the conference came to a close, delegates had the opportunity to share some laughs and fun on the Newport Dinner Train. I didn’t know what to expect but was pleased as we experienced not only beautiful scenery but unexpected entertainment as well.

We went on the dinner train on Halloween. As we boarded, I couldn’t help but notice three characters on board - a flesh-eating prisoner, a dead bride and a nearly dead maid. The train sat tables of four on both sides of an aisle. I sat with delegates from California, Wyoming and India. All three actors were dressed in costume, and their acting was nearly too good for me!

We all realized, rather quickly, that the dead maid took a strong liking to me. Even though I played along, I told my tablemates that if she served my food, I would not be eating it. She continued to make me uncomfortable, but, I have to admit, she was funny with her innuendos. At one point she whispered things in my ear which made me blush - for the whole table to see! Even though these characters were not waiters and waitresses, they would pitch in every now and then to help the busy waitstaff. We caught the maid carrying a tray of drinks. She was so concentrated on not spilling them, she finally broke character. We all had a good laugh, and I breathed a sigh of relief!

I left the train on friendly terms with the maid. I had to compliment her acting skills, as I learned she took a liking to other conference members, too. In the end, we all had a good laugh. The dinner train was a success as I bonded with my tablemates (mostly at my expense). We had a great time at the conference, and I had a Halloween I will never forget!

-Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher