Something has been heavy on my heart over the last few weeks.
I'm running this marathon on Oct. 7. For most of my training I've not "felt right" about asking people to give for clean water this time. This training? Has felt selfish. This race? It's felt like it's been about more than just Team World Vision. I've spent a lot of time in training thinking that this time around? It's just personal.
I've talked about my dad. About how he ran the Chicago Marathon. Running this race with my sister will hopefully allow me more closure on that sad part of my life.
I've talked about how training "for real" has turned me back into an athlete and how badly I needed the transformation of becoming a runner again.
But it's not enough. I can't go back to being a person who just runs or works out for personal gain. I can't run in my orange jersey and know in my heart that I didn't make the effort to help at least one person. It's not who I am any more. I can't un-know the things I know, the people we've met. The facts are still this: $50 can provide a person in Africa with clean water for the rest of his or her life. It's so simple and it's so real.
I know that some of you have probably wondered why I haven't talked about that much this time. The answer is this: I was wrong. So many of you have told me that I'm inspiring, that you're proud of me. Your encouragement and support has meant the world to me! I'm sure that some of you have wondered how to give, how to help, have felt the tugging on your heart strings that you need to get involved somehow - or give again! - and have just been waiting for the opportunity. I know what it feels like to give, what joy that has brought to my life. It is transformational and I don't want to deny anyone that blessing.
Well, here it is: My fundraising page.
Every dollar counts. I'll continue fundraising while I prepare to run the LA 13.1 in January, so that's why my page links to that race. Thank you for your help and support. Thank you for saving someone's life.
Running these races has saved mine.
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