The Challenge of My Goal

I have good news and bad news with this post.

Let's start with the good news. My running streak for causes is alive and well at 24 days. Only 974 to go.

The bad news? My blog needs to be updated!

That has always been a challenge for me as I find it's easier to run every day than it is blog.

So I appreciate those still following this blog and I have a new challenge with my overall goal: keep this blog updated as often as I can.

In my defense, I was pretty sick last week and out of town this past weekend so I am at least proud to have kept up the running but I know the blogging is behind.

Hope every one is doing great.

Updates coming soon.

Run well,

CA

Run # 15 - Austin Browncoats

The Cause: Austin Browncoats, founded in 2007, is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt non-profit located in Austin, TX. Austin Browncoats work to end violence and discrimination in all sectors of society. We place special focus on working alongside young women and children because, given the opportunity and proper education, young women and children can help create a better world for all beings. Much like our passion for the amazing works of Joss Whedon, such as "Firefly", we are passionate about our causes and raising funds for our charities, including Equality Now, SafePlace, Heart House and Emancipet.

- from austinbrowncoats.com

Donate here.

The Run: I wanted to try something new tonight and I did that by adding free weights to this run. Using just 5 lbs. dumbbells in each hand, I ran just over a mile to see how it would feel. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be but I adjusted quickly and noted my increased heart rate and exertion level. Hopefully my continued use of weights will help me more than hinder me. However, I am still researching the pros and cons as I've read the benefits many believe in as well as the detriments.

Up Next: Avenue Z Food Drive

Run # 14 - Simpson Housing Services

The Cause:The mission of Simpson Housing is to house, support and advocate for people experiencing homelessness.

We know that with close, individual advocacy and support, men, women and families experiencing homelessness achieve housing stability. We are committed to Housing First: house people quickly, then provide services as needed.

- from simpsonhousing.org

Donate here.

The Run: This was by far my best run of the new streak. I still ran late but I prepared much better than before. I also didn't take a watch with me so I wasn't concerned about time and distance (expect for hitting the minimum one mile mark). I hit day # 14 with this run and it feels great to be moving along on a streak again. Quietdrive's "Starbright" was the best song I listened to during this one.

Up Next: Austin Browncoats

Run # 13 - Kids' Pages Cares

The Cause: Kids' Pages Cares gives families a loving "hand-up" not a "hand out." The families that receive assistance from Kids' Pages Cares have encountered difficult circumstances, the loss of a job, an illness or injury, a disabled child, a disaster such as a fire, parental abandonment (grandparents and other family members taking custody of children). By receiving referrals directly from school administrators, we insure that the assistance is going to children and families that really need it and will make good use of the help.

Last year, Kids' Pages Cares provided $308,000 worth of necessities and gifts to 3000 local needy children and their families. Help us reach that goal again this year!

- from kidspages.org

Donate here.

The Run: After a long day in which I didn't eat hardly anything, this run was just plain tough to do. I'm happy to be back on a streak and maybe the unlucky number 13 had something to do with the pain. My body was in no mood to move, but after a 2 hour nap from around 9 to 11, I rose to hit the streets. Once again music was critical to me completing this one. I still am hoping I get some feedback on great running songs if anyone is reading this. What do you listen to?

Up Next: Simpson Housing Services

Run # 12 - Grameen Foundation

The Cause:Grameen Foundation's mission is to enable the poor, especially the poorest, to create a world without poverty. With tiny loans, financial services and technology, we help the poor, mostly women, start self-sustaining businesses to escape poverty. Founded in 1997 by a group of friends who were inspired by the work of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, our global network of 55 microfinance institution (MFI) partners, including our Growth Guarantee partners, has touched more than 34 million people in 24 countries. Our partners reach 6.8 million clients, and in addition, we introduced and now sustain technology initiatives (Mifos and Village Phone) in Cameroon, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, bringing our total country outreach to 28. - from grameenfoundation.org

Donate here.

The Run: My penchant for night running continues and it's probably something I have to change. I started this run at 11:30 pm and was up until after 2. I didn't listen to music on this run and it reminded me how in awe I am of people who never do. It just doesn't work for me and this one was shorter than usually. I'm definitely bringing back music on the next run.

Up Next: Kids' Pages Cares

Run # 11 - Global Hope Network

The Cause:
Global Hope Network International is a non-profit, private humanitarian aid organization headquartered in Orlando, Florida and Geneva, Switzerland. Through a committed team of both staff and volunteers, Global Hope Network International is dedicated to serving the "hidden and hurting" in more than 38 countries around the world. We focus on the overlooked or hidden persons in war zones, victims of natural disaster and peoples of under-developed countries by providing aid through food supply, medical care, agriculture, education and micro-enterprise.

In today's society, human cruelty is rampant and those without an advocate have little or no means in which to find aid or refuge. Global Hope Network International is committed to bringing help and hope to the hidden and hurting around the world. Our goal is to assist and provide humanitarian aid to the overlooked, discriminated and marginalized men, women and children who might not otherwise see any aid in their unreached region or province.

- From globalhopenetwork.org

Donate here.

The Run: I bundled up with a hooded sweatshirt, snow cap, pants, you name it. I was surprised I didn't wear gloves. Running these hills in the cold night has been a struggle for me so I had to take action. The funny part is it wasn't cold after the first two minutes. I got pretty hot and the hills weren't bad tonight. I went up a slow, steady one and the way down was much faster. A good run for me. I feel like I'm ready to start going farther.

Up Next: Grameen Foundation

Run # 10 - World AIDS Day

The Cause: For World AIDS Day 2008 on December 1st, I decided to run for the World AIDS Campaign. This group was formed to support and promote a global campaign on HIV and AIDS. The campaign strengthens and connects together many of the AIDS-related advocacy and campaigns happening in our countries and regions – each are supported by a multitude of groups who are demanding that their governments and other key stakeholders deliver on previous promises and commitments on HIV and AIDS. - From WorldAIDSCampaign.org

You can help by getting involved. Visit here and learn about ways you can help - from signing up for a newsletter to signing pledges.

The Run: To me, the weather in Austin fluctuates much more than it did while I lived and ran daily in Phoenix. I returned to running later at night on Monday and the weather proved to be pretty chilly. I dressed warm and ran a bit different route, but I didn't get to enjoy the cool breeze as I did on Sunday afternoon. The new route was nice as it went up and down small hills. I'll stick with night running this week and hopefully use the weekends to get day runs in. That will be something nice to look forward to.

Up Next: A recap of Tuesday night's cause - The Global Hope Network - and run.

Run # 9 - Network For Good

The Cause: If you're looking for a great resource to find a holiday charity this year, look no further than Network for Good. I am sure I'll use this service time and time again in my efforts on this streak because it offers a safe and secure system to search for various charities and meets the BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standards. Read more about them here. With a foundation of more than 450,000 donors contributing more than $200 million dollars via Network for Good, I am sure their success will continue in helping facilitate donations to charities and causes around the globe.

The Run: In an effort to change things up, I opted to go for a mid-afternoon weekend run. It was a great decision. The weather was perfect and I ran with my beautiful Amy around our neighborhood. I'm starting to get used to the hills and the breeze provided a nice relief. I also want to start sharing more of the songs I listen to on these runs. Today I really enjoyed "Dizzy" by Jimmy Eat World. Highly recommended.

Up Next: A recap of Monday night's World AIDS Day run.

Run # 8 - GiveIndia

The Cause: This week I spent a lot of time with my nieces and nephew for Thanksgiving. I loved having them at my house and we all had a great time. It was pretty tough for me to say goodbye to them last night as they headed back home just under 1,000 miles away. I don't have any children of my own yet, but when I do I know I'll want them to always be safe, happy, and healthy.

I imagine there are thousands of other Uncles just like me living in India today. The recent tragic attacks in Mumbai has shed worldwide light on the dire situation there. The statistic I read was that 18 million children live on the streets in India, certainly thousands who are nieces and nephews, and that number has assuredly gone up due to last week's tragedy.

GiveIndia is a donation platform that allows you to support a cause of your choice in India ranging from those geared for children to those that are disabled to the elderly. Since it's inception, over 30,000 donors across the globe have been able to impact over a million lives by supporting 150 organizations through the platform.

Visit GiveIndia.

The Run: I wasn't sure how I'd feel as I ran tonight considering I started just after my family left. I did try to put things into perspective though and I am thankful they drove quite a distance to see me. I felt great to start though as I ran and I carried it all of the way through. It was my best run so far of the streak so maybe I'm starting to get back in shape.


Up Next: Network For Good.

Run # 7 - Pancreatic Cancer Foundation

The Cause: I am not an avid reader. I can honestly say I haven't read more than 10 books in my entire life from start to finish. At least not ones that have really moved me. Especially since I read books so infrequently, I cannot say I am often inspired by them at all. But I cannot recall being more touched by the most recent book I read, The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch with Jeffrey Zaslow. My words would not come close to the great advice on living life Dr. Pausch provides in the book as he relives his childhood through tremendous storytelling. All I can do is urge you to read the book or watch the various clips of his lecture, specials with Oprah and Diane Sawyer, and various other appearances on YouTube. It will be well worth your time. For me, it inspired tonight's run for the Michael Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation. The Foundation "serves as a catalyst for the early diagnosis and ultimate cure of pancreatic cancer by funding advanced medical research, public awareness initiatives, and educational programs. The Foundation also seeks to increase the quality and quantity of emotional and psychological support services for pancreatic cancer patients and their families through partnerships with organizations that specialize in this type of care."- (From rolfefoundation.org).
Donate here.

The Run: I really enjoyed this run for this cause. Heck, I even did something I rarely do after runs: I stopped and walked the last quarter mile or so to give myself more time to just think. I thought a lot about courage, running through brick walls, dreaming big, telling the truth, accepting criticism, head fakes, leaving it all out on the field, birthday cakes, inspiring music, hot air balloons, laughing, persistence, not being able to touch love and hope, among other things. If you have no idea how all of these things go together, take my advice above, and take a run right afterwards. Then tell me how it made you feel. And if you're one step ahead of me, answer this question or tell me it's significane: Did you eat the Thin Mints yet?

Up Next: GiveIndia.org.

Run # 6 - Epilepsy Outreach

The Cause: I've had relatives, co-workers, and classmates who've lived with epilepsy, enduring it's effects from childhood to adulthood and I've always been inspired to see the lengths they've gone in combating it. While I've also had a close friend who has had seizures, I don't believe most people know how common epilepsy is. The American Epilepsy Outreach Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in honor of Emmett Leyden, a young boy, living with epilepsy. The Foundation’s mission is to raise the public’s awareness of epilepsy through advocacy and education, as well as provide support for those living with epilepsy and their families. We strive to eliminate the stigma and dispel the myths surrounding epilepsy. (From epilepsyoutreach.org).

Donate here.

The Run: I read blogs recently and today that described Thanksgiving morning runs of various types, from Turkey Trots to more competitive 5K's, etc. The notion of rising early to get a run in to prepare for the feast was one I liked the sound of, but did not make happen. As I've said, I'm naturally a night runner and Thanksgiving night was no different. I ran around my neighborhood after a day full of eating and it was much better than I'd thought it would be. I'm very thankful for the ability to run and enjoy the outdoors here in November as I know I wouldn't have enjoyed a night run in my hometown of Minneapolis today. I'd also like to thank Melanie here who let me know of a cause she would run for that made me decide to run for this tonight.

Up Next: Michael Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation. I thought of this cause after reading a great book I suggest to everyone: The Last Lecture.

Run # 5 - Tweetsgiving

The Cause: Tweetsgiving is a celebration of gratitude and giving created by Epic Change, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The project aims to demonstrate the power of the social web by raising $10,000 in 48 hours to build a classroom in Tanzania. (From tweetsgiving.org).

Epic Change believes that people's stories are assets that can be used as resources to improve their lives. We help people in need share their "epic" true stories in innovative, creative and profitable ways to help them acquire the financial resources they need to create positive "change" in their communities. (From epicchange.org).

Visit and Donate to Tweetsgiving. As of this writing, the project is 73% to it's goal.

The Run: I've wondered if I'd ever have a moment when I really missed Phoenix and it came tonight. Out on this run, I felt some pain in my legs, especially when running up and down even the smallest of hills. This is going to take some getting used to. The flat desert spoiled me. I can't say enough how happy I am to be on a running streak again, but it is still an adjustment to get back in the groove. This run and next I am sure I will record more thoughts about what I am thankful for than usual, but I do agree with many people who have blogged and spoken about how we should be more thankful more often for all we have. I'm thankful for my family and friends I rarely see who traveled thousands of miles to see me this year. I'm also thankful I learned about Tweetsgiving, and I'm grateful for Twitter introducing me to it as well. Twitter has shown how powerful of a positive impact it can have and it is truly remarkable how it's effectiveness is on display with this project.

Up Next: My Thanksgiving cause has yet to be decided upon. What would you run for?

Run # 4 - Homeless Nation

The Cause: Homeless Nation is a non-profit endeavor founded by Daniel Cross, a documentary filmmaker whose films deal with social justice and Canada's homeless. In the making of his films "The Street" and "S.P.I.T. - Squeegee Punks In Traffic", hundreds of Montreal's homeless community shared their many, amazing stories with him. So many, that he was not able to fit them all into his films.
He conceived of a forum where these stories would not be lost. Where Canada's homeless community could share their stories and refuse to be ignored. A place to create equal access to online media, of sharing truths through audio/visual content for everyone to learn from. To have these stories told as an on-going dialogue for social awareness and positive change.
In 2006, with the help of Dan's film company partner Mila Aung-Thwin (producer), Brett Gaylor (filmmaker and web architect) and Anuj Khosla (administrator), www.homelessnation.org went live.- From homelessnation.org

Donate to Homeless Nation.

The Run: I'm a total night person. It's 2:31 AM here as I update this post and I'm wide awake. Thankfully it's Thanksgiving week and things are pretty slow because I am very slow this week. Speaking of slowness, my run tonight fell into that category but I sort of planned it that way. I am easing back into running every day again and I recall how tough it got at times in the past, especially when I'd choose to run alone late at night like tonight.

I used to always head out around 11:30 and only run a mile or two, but tonight I ran a bit further for about 25 minutes. I'll keep adding more and more time and at some point I definitely want to be marathon ready again in the next few months. I did some complaining to myself on the run tonight and I realized how trivial my complaints were while doing it. I was whining because the wind was bitter cold (to me at least having just moved here from Phoenix) and I wanted to turn around early and head back home.

That's when I began to think more about this run's cause. Here I was complaining about the cold and thinking about running back home while thousands are out on the streets tonight with no place to run to at all. It made me think about how I take my house for granted and how I couldn't fathom being forced to sleep under a bridge or on a park bench.

I'm thankful for Chris Brogan's post that alerted me to Homeless Nation, and I think he makes a great point when he suggested that, especially this year, you or I may know someone forced into homelessness.

Thanks for continuing to read and for all of the support.

Up Next: Tweetsgiving

Run # 3 - Animal Rescue New Orleans

The Cause:
As an all-volunteer no-kill shelter with many physical limitations since Gustav, Animal Rescue New Orleans is doing everything they can to maintain their safe haven for abused, neglected, abandoned and stray animals. With little funding, and no paid staff, it seems it would be extremely difficult to run an operation completely with volunteers. But they do it, day in and day out, seven days a week, 12 hours a day. Many of the people that volunteer there on a daily (and nightly) basis are exhausted but they forge on no matter what. To some it may seem a waste of time, rescuing animals when the money could be spent elsewhere. But to those select few who work at ARNO’s shelter, nothing else could begin to compare to the elated feeling when a new home is found for a shelter pet. - Excerpt from An Escape Into Reality by
Molly Hargrove, ARNO Volunteer.

Donate to ARNO

The Run:
2.09 miles on a cold Austin night. I went up and down a curvy hill that my body didn't particularly enjoy. My mind thought it was cool though as I always like looking forward to running downhill. This run reminded me a little of the Tucson Marathon because of the weather and hills.

Up Next:
Homeless Nation. I'm also looking for running song recommendations. What is your favorite?

Run # 2 - Second Harvest

The Cause:
Second Harvest, founded in 1971, leads a network of more than 300 neighborhood food banks and meal centers throughout Eastern Washington and North Idaho. Second Harvest provides more than 1 million pounds of donated food each month to help feed hungry people. (From 2-harvest.org).



The Run:

The Garmin tells me I ran 1.62 miles tonight and I'll take it. It feels good to be running again and the hills here will hopefully help me although I am not fond of them at any point during any run.

Up Next:

Animal Rescue New Orleans. Not sure where I'll run yet but I don't want to get in the habit of running just in the neighborhood by my house unless I absolutely have to. Austin has too many cool places to run to do that.

Want to help? Donate to help fight hunger.

Run # 1 - What Cause Would You Run For?

On November 22nd, 2008 I started my second running streak. I didn't name a cause to run for in advance so this was my only run of this streak sans a few words about a specific group to support.

I ran around my neighborhood in Austin for 1.32 miles. Here is a pic of my essentials I must have for each run.


IPod Touch, Garmin Forerunner, Brooks Trance Shoes. I have 7's and I need 8's.

A New Streak Begins

It's been about 75 days since Streak 1 ended.

My goal with that streak was simply to run at least one mile every day for one full year, from May 20, 2007 to May 20, 2008.

I accomplished that goal, and then just kept going for around another 100 days or so before I missed a day and decided to take some time off.

Blogging about the streak was actually more challenging, and looking back I think it was due to a few factors:

#1 - I wasn't really sure anyone cared to read each day about how my run went.

# 2 - I had no idea how to make it interesting.

# 3 - I struggled on some days just to force myself to run, let alone write about it.

The list could go on but I did discover that some people did actually care to read, and a few even took time to comment.

Now I have a different approach with two additional goals as I start Streak 2.0.

# 1 - Find a different cause to run for each day. I'll post not only about the run, but about what I'm running for that day.

I also want to run for 1,000 different causes for 1,000 consecutive days.

# 2 - To learn more about other people's running goals via two new resources to me:
One is Twit2Fit and the other is Cool Running.

Thanks for reading and please join the conversation I aim to start here.

What do you run for? Fitness? Competition? To your car from work?