New Starts

Okay, so I sort of false started last month. I've got a big goal and I started well with the MegaTransect one month ago, 26 miles the first day with 6,000 feet of elevation.  Then, in typical fashion, I stopped.  Quit.  Not on purpose, but zilch nonetheless.
After 3 weeks, I ran 2 days in a row, then missed another week.  The good thing is that I'm back and feel great.  No more lags in motivation, because today begins National Diabetes Month and I am rip roaring and ready to rumble.  I remember that I run for my benefit, but I write this, and run, and lift, and bike and ask people to help me support research projects for a whole lot bigger, and better, reason than me.  So, away we go.  For real this time.
So, here is the goal:
750 miles of running with 133,400 feet of elevation gain.  This elevation gain is equal to the total height of the highest point on the seven continents (the 7 summits).
Along with. . .
1500 miles of bicycling - since I am doing this over the winter, and I'm not as wild as some of those folks I see riding by the house - I can do road biking, mountain biking, or riding the bike on the trainer.  I know that my pace should actually be faster than this, but I will count the trainer time as 10 miles per hour.
1,000,000 pounds of weight lifting - talk about low weight, high reps :) !
Finally, I will end with a 100 mile run during the last 24 hours before the JDRF walk on May 19.

So, if I look at the 35 miles of running and 16,000 pounds of lifting I did in the month of October, I've at least got a start.  I'm not sure it is even worth counting, but I will.

I am going to sell Sheetz coupon books and have a fun night at Chik-Fil-A to help raise money.  I don't have a financial goal, so let's not put a limit on it.

Let's get it started!

Here is what I'm thinking

I'm not very good at keeping my thoughts to myself.  At least not very good when I'm trying to make an impact.  I really want to make an impact.  I can't say why that is except that I want to make a difference in a lot of lives, especially the life of my wife.

So, here is what I'm proposing.  I'm going to lift a million pounds.  Of course, not all at once.  I know that some may not see that as a big deal, but I am not a weight lifter, not by a long shot.  But I'm motivated.  Not only is this a fundraising endeavor for a devastating illness, but my son has asked me to start lifting with him so that he can meet his wellness goal for high school.  How can someone resist those influences?  I've got to say I'm glad I can't.

Anyway, the lifting isn't the only part of the endeavor.  In fact, it may prove to be the easiest to complete.  I'm also going to bicycle 1500 miles.  I know, if you were to look at the time from October 1, through May 19, which is when I think the JDRF walk will be, it only amounts to 6.5 miles a day.  I ask only that you might remember that it will be winter most of the time, that I don't ride very often, and that it is for a good cause.

Oh yeah, there is more.  I am also going to run 750 miles in those 231 days.  I'm planning on the last 100 being during the last 24 hours ending with the JDRF walk at Medlar Field.

I want my effort to be worthy of the discomfort, of the neuropathy, heart disease, blindness, and amputations that diabetics deal with all the time.

Please help.

Visitors from where ? !

I was working on a flier to share with students tomorrow at our school's Health Fair.  I have a table reserved to publicize what I am doing to raise money for JDRF and to let the kids know that we will be having a School JDRF Walk.  The kids last year were awesome and really came through, raising over $1000 for JDRF.  They did a variety of fun stuff, but the best, by far, was duct taping teachers to the wall.  :)
 I've been looking at the statistics to see who is viewing this page and have been amazed at the geographic breadth of those who visit.  Yesterday, the majority of hits were from Brazil and China.  I don't understand how these links are made, but I am so grateful that people are seeing this small corner of the web.
Don't forget. . . give early and give often.

Runs the last couple of days have been very enjoyable.  Not far, but longer each time.  I feel much better about the 65 days remaining until the run.  You know what else makes me feel good?  This verse:

Titus 3:4-7
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Trading . . .

Last year, I decide to try to emulate the "one red paperclip" endeavor.  For those of you unfamiliar with this project, Kyle MacDonald decided to trade a paperclip for another item and then trade this new item for another.  You get the idea.  He wanted to get a house.  It all began rather "normally," until he traded a keg of beer for a snowmobile and a snowmobile for a trip to Yahk, British Columbia.  Long story short, too late, he traded a movie role for a house.  It took him a year.  Big difference between Kyle and me, he was willing to go anywhere in the world to make the trade.  I'm really not able to do that unless this thing goes viral (I know they make medicine for that now ;)  ) and I make tons of money in appearance fees.

Anyway, I traded 3 new golf balls for a pair of cross country skis.  This week, I am trading the cross country skis - I'll let you know what for later.  Who knows where it could all go, but I would eventually like to end up with a solo racing type canoe or kayak.  I really enjoy doing run, bike, paddle triathlons and this would make them more fun.

So, you may notice the addition of ads to this page in addition to the signs of supporters of my runs.  I decided that I would go ahead and "monetize" my site.  Any money that comes in because of this will be donated, in full, to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  I hope that this doesn't offend anyone, as I think the end justifies the means.

Well, time for some rest.  I plan to get in a snowy run tomorrow.

I am because I can (I think).

I know lots of times I have thought, "Man, I wish I could do something to help."  Well, I figured that I can do something.  I love to run and seem to be able to go a long way.  Last year I did a great 25 miler through the mountains around Lock Haven (check out the Megatransect) and the next week did 50 miles on PA state forest roads (Tussey MountainBack).  Since then, I have set my sights on a 100 miler.  I'm not certain if there is a good reason to run 100 miles, but I do know that there are loads of good reasons to support diabetes research.  If I can do both, what a deal!

In May, I am going to run for 30 straight hours, around 100 miles, to try and raise $30,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  This blog will be one way to keep up my preparation, see the sponsors of the run and help me get motivated (I need a lot of help with that.).  The JDRF folks are working to get a website set up for donations and I've begun contacting companies to help with equipment sponsorships.  

I've put the information out there.  By making it public, I have put the pressure on myself.  Away we go, and go and go!

Steve