I called my ultra-marathon running buddy Pat on Wednesday to see if he wanted to run together this Saturday. After telling me he’d be away with his family he asked me, “Have you thought about running the endurance run?”
He was referring to the Presque Isle Endurance Classic. It’s a pretty simple race. The Erie Runner’s Club sets up a 1 mile loop around the Water Works ponds on Presque Isle and you’ve got 12 hours to see how many laps you can complete.
I know what you’re thinking.
Pat said, “If you trained for it I think you could win it.”
“I’m really having too much run just running to actually train for anything.”
“Well if you keep having fun like you’re doing you’re going to be very good.”
I couldn’t get it out of my mind. Still can’t. Diane talked to Pat yesterday and he said he’d run it with me. He thinks we could get 70 miles which would be pretty amazing. Now Diane is on me to do it.
I told her I had talked myself out of it on my bike ride this morning. I told her to think about how I could be crippled for a few days afterward if I did it. She was undeterred. She’s willing to put up with that.
Then I had a thought that motivated me to change my mind…
WHAT IF I COULD DO THIS AS A FUNDRAISER? REALLY WORK WITH SOME PEOPLE THAT KNOW WHAT THEY’RE DOING AND RAISE A TON OF CASH FOR AN ORGANIZATION?
That got me going. Running for 12 hours just for myself seems so meaningless. But running for a cause puts some spirit into it.
My first thought was to do a play on words with the theme of “70.” Like trying to raise $70,000.00. Both goals are ambitious. Maybe way too ambitious. But maybe not.
If I get on this right now I think I have just enough time to raise a lot of money. The Erie City Mission is about to start building a new facility and I love what I know of them. I’d like to round up some people and be able to give them a nice big chunk of money.
I’ve seen people do fundraisers like this and I’ve always had mixed feelings. A stunt to raise money?!?! Now that I’m in a position to do it, I’m swayed.
I’d appreciate any thoughts or suggestions – critical, encouraging, or construcive.
And if you’d be willing to put some muscle behind this, help me out with publicity ideas, contacts, web support, or even running a bit with me that day if it all comes together… let me know.
Filed under: Exercise Stuff, Family Stuff, Fun Stuff, Jesus Stuff
I’ll be willing to buy a bag of ice for your bathtub for after the run
I think it’s a great idea! Kind of interesting coming on the heels of your last post. Maybe the Lord wants you to put your money (or legs) where your mouth is!
Raising money for an organization like City Mission would be a wonderful thing to do. I know that when Dan & I worked for HMI, we really relied on the generosity of people to help the ministry out.
Keep us posted!
I think its a wonderful idea and a GREAT cause. I think you should run it for the reason you can raise money to help out people. Thats what I love about our family everyone thinks of different ways that we can help people. Our whole family has servants hearts and your a great influence on me and wish that I lived closer to you so that we could be closer friends, because i would love that. God Bless You!
Love Ya, marybeth
Jason,
I’ve wanted to do this since I did my first (and only) marathon. Apparently Pittsburgh is having a marathon in May. I’m thinking about doing the same thing. Go for it man. Let me know what you decide.
Will do Justin.
You’re welcome to come up and do it with me if you’d like.
I keep going up and down on it… one day I want to do it and the next I don’t.
I think I’m settling into doing it though. What an adventure it’ll be!