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.