I am training for my 4th consecutive Chicago Marathon. As I have stated before what I demonstrate as marathon running might be mistaken for a not so brisk hike by those that actually witness my efforts, but I was bitten by the running bug in my first marathon and haven’t been able to stop. Some of the attraction to the sport for me is the crowd, those that watch, those that endure on the sidelines waiting for that slow friend or family member in the race, those that participate as volunteers offering drinks and encouragement even to the last of the runners and then of course the runners themselves, fat ones, skinny ones, walkers, sprinters, those in costumes, and that guy that juggles 5 balls as he runs the entire course, all are interesting fellow participants filling my day. One of the other interesting things to me is the mingling of the sport with fund raising for charities, mix that with the excitement and you have created an almost Christmas atmosphere.
Personally guarantee to raise enough money and some charity will provide your entry and will adorn you with an ill-fitting tee shirt blazoned with their current logo. Each is likely a worthy cause and at least some have found success in raising significant funds evidenced by their repeated presence. By no means would I deny them this effort, I like and have supported more than one of these charities with direct contributions of my own. I am happy they find support and each adds to the excitement of the day.
However this runner, this individual, just can’t get past the idea of asking my friends, co-workers, and neighbors to fund my running and my philanthropy. Maybe I am a coward and just don’t want to ask for support, maybe I don’t want to explain why certain charities touch my heart and others do not. Mostly I think it has to do with asking others for money. I, of course, am that dad that wouldn’t allow his children to sell candy to fund their band trips. I might buy a case or two myself but my children were not going to solicit neighbors to pay for what looked like a vacation package to me.
If you like supporting your philanthropy by collecting money from friends or family please I do not want to discourage you. I can admire your efforts while not being able to join you. However if you are like me and just can’t bring yourself to ask your coworkers to buy you a cool tech jersey, I have a solution. For those of you that currently are not running for a charity, with paid entries into the Chicago Marathon I have an alternative. Go to a sporting goods store of your choice, buy a good fitting, favorite color, high dollar tech running shirt, emblazon it with the some thoughtful words, and quietly make as large a donation as you can to your favorite charity, make a small difference locally, where you live. Then run your race, enjoy your day, and know you made a difference!
October 7, 2012 you will find me in Chicago, near the back of the pack of 45,000 excited participants. I will have on my cool tech shirt, emblazoned with some yet to be determined phrase, I will have made my donation to my favorite charity, I will have run countless miles in preparation, I will have swallowed a few aspirin washed down with some Gatorade handed to me by a volunteer. I will be ready! And I will be focused on what has become my annual goal… to be sure I finish before that guy running the entire 26.2 miles juggling 5 balls.
make a small difference somewhere.
David
