Four Times One Minus One

The great thing about running is that it gives one time to think. I have been struggling to come up with a good cause for which to swim/bike/run until I realized that the true struggle is trying to narrow the list from thousands to one. As of today mid-run, I have given up on that. I figure that since the Ironman involves three events, I only have to narrow it down to three charities! Yipee!

I have been beyond blessed in my life with health, freedom, family, and friends. I want for nothing (except, perhaps, a Snuggie), and I thank God every day that I have the ability and opportunity to enjoy everything that this world has to offer. I try to make sure that I take advantage of every possibility because I never want to look back and say, "Man, I wish I would have..." These three groups strive to make sure that no one ever has to complete that sentence.

• The first is City of Hope (http://www.cityofhope.org/Pages/default.aspx), an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. City of Hope is an independent research and medical institution working to find treatments and cures for cancer, diabetes, HIV-AIDS, and other life-threatening diseases.
• The second is the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Delaware Chapter (http://www.nationalmssociety.org/chapters/DED/index.aspx). There are approximately 1500 people in Delaware living with MS, many of whom are my patients. The MS Society helps to fund research and develop programs to assist those individuals and their families to live more full and rewarding lives.
• The third is the Challenged Athletes Foundation (http://www.challengedathletes.org/) ...thanks for the tip Stacy! CAF raises funds to assist challenged athletes in all 50 states and overseas live active and competitive lives. They help to provide athletic equipment such as prosthetics, handcycles, and racing wheelchairs as well as arranging meetings with a mentor who has overcome a similar injury or ailment.

I think that is a pretty fantastic trio, but what I think is irrelevant. The fact is that these three groups provide much needed services to deserving individuals and communities. Charitable giving is down as a result of the tough economy, and while I cannot offer a free ticket to a Disney park, I hope you will consider giving what you can, even if it is only a dollar or two.

The Greater Good

I have often thought about running a marathon for charity. I have to admit that a part of that was because it would get me into a race that was otherwise closed-out. That makes me sound like a total heel, so I have to point out that there was also the aspect of wanting to run for something more than my own personal satisfaction...to take an individual accomplishment and turn it into something that could benefit several others. See? I am not a colossal jerk...just maybe a tiny jerk.

I always had an excuse not to raise the money. "I just moved, and I don't want to ask people I don't know for money...what with this economy and people falling on hard times...yadda, yadda, yadda..." Truth be told, asking for money for any reason is a slightly uncomfortable situation, whether it be to buy a house or a soda or to save the lives of countless, untold children/animals/rainforests.

Nevertheless, given this new endeavor, I thought it would be a good time to turn over a new leaf as it pertains to my fundraising habits. I will, henceforth, be pandering and begging for money from all of my favorite family members, friends, co-workers, and total strangers. Yahoo! Good decision, if I do say so myself. So please prepare to open your hearts and wallets (had to slip that cliché in...apologies)...charitable cause to be determined.

If there was any question...

So, in addition to signing up for the Louisville Ironman 2010 earlier this week, running 20 miles this morning after being sick and not running all week, this afternoon I am jumping out of an airplane.