Hi Folks,
This is Gwen. I’ve decided to scare and challenge myself, as well as do something which helps a good cause. I’ve signed up to run the 2012 ING New York City Marathon on November 4. I’ve joined the Team for Kids and pledged to donate $2,620 to the organization.
Team for Kids is a team of volunteers who raise funds for critical services provided by New York Road Runners Youth Programs. These programs combat childhood obesity and empower youth development via running and character-building programs in low-income schools and community centers in New York City, throughout the country, and in Africa.
For many years now, I have both wanted to run the marathon of my home town and give back to the community there. Through Team for Kids, I can do both. I feel that doing something like this, which scares me and gets my adrenalin running, will also effect change–both a profound change in me and how I face challenges and learn every day how to be stronger and faster through my training and mental control, as well as contribute to change for others, in this case for young people who can benefit from my donation and learn the value of regular exercise to help them be stronger both physically and mentally, and to live better, longer, and richer lives.
Physical activity has been an essential part of my life since as long as I can remember. When I wasn’t dancing around the living room as a six or ten year old, I was climbing trees and ropes, playing football with the boys, practicing Tae Kwon Do and, finally, running. I’ve been running for over 20 years, at more or less reasonable rates. There was a time when I ran an hour a day, rain or shine, through hail and snow storms, in the cold of first dawn or in a blistering afternoon. I’ve run many 10k races, and half a dozen half marathons click over here. I’m not a super fast competitive go-get-’em runner. I run because I love it. I love the freedom, the exertion, the peace, and the way running helps me clear my mind and focus better on everything else I do. I’ve slowed down, and lately, more often than not, I’ve allowed work and family matters to take priority over any daily running routine, but I’m ready to make the commitment to run, walk, crawl my way through the NYC Marathon and come out smiling on the other side.
I hope you will join me and help me to meet this challenge. I have pledged to Team 4 Kids that I will donate $2,620 to the organization by October 4, 2012. I’ve calculated that if 175 people help me by donating $15 each, then I can definitely meet this goal. I hope you will help me. And if you want to run with me, that would be great too!
Making a donation is easy. You can click on this Donate link to give through my secure fundraising site. You can also find information there about where to write a check, or how to get your company to match your gift. All contributions are tax-deductible.
Your giving helps New York Road Runners Youth Programs to:
- Serve over 100,000 children in more than 400 schools and community centers with FREE programs.
- Reach children of all fitness levels and athleticism, with a heightened focus on reaching out-of-shape and overweight kids with little or no athletic experience.
- Prevent overweight or obese children from eventually suffering heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and other chronic illnesses that lead to health-care costs in excess of $100 billion annually.
If you have any questions about this effort and about my training program, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Thank you!