You mean everyone doesn't do this?

"The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice" - George Eliot

So I think it's about time for another running stunt, except this time, I'm actually going to try to do some good with it...

Some of you might remember my participating in a part of the Run Across Alabama along with Eric Schotz (schotz.fastrunningblog.com) and Jon Elmore (jelmo.fastrunningblog.com) from the blog in an effort to raise money and awareness of Tay Sachs Disease, with which  Eric's son Elliott was diagnosed at 9 months old.  The run, which took place between July 1-4, eventually generated over $20,000 in donations to NTSAD, the National Tay Sachs and Allied Diseases Association.

In about a month, I'll be running in the Delano Park 12-Hour Run, a race directed by Schotz and Elmore, in which I've been participating for the past few years.  The catch is that this year I'm planning on starting 12 hours early, making it the Delano Day.  I've never run a 24-hour event before, so I'm looking forward to a new experience, and I'm hoping to snag a new 100-mile PR.

Now, as much as I like stupid running stunts (and I think could legitimately be qualified as such...) for the simple sake of stupid running stunts, I figure that I might as well do some good for someone with this strange obsession.  To this end, I'm trying to raise a little more money for NTSAD through this latest contrivance.

I'm trying to get people to sponsor me on a per-mile basis for my run.  For example, I've already gotten a few families to pledge $0.25 per mile that I run that day; if I run 100 miles this will result in a $25 donation.  (Being in a college town, I'm suggesting a $0.10/lap donation for students wanting to get involved...)  I hope to run between 100 and 110 miles (flat course with aid as often as I'd like it)

If anyone reading this wants to contribute, please send me a private message, and I'll get you in the loop.  I can personally attest to the character of the entire Schotz family, so I think this is a very worthwhile cause.  If you have any questions, feel free to ask...

For what it's worth, the website for the race is http://delano12.com/.  Take a look...

"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence.  Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.  Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.  Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts.  Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.  The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race." - Calvin Coolidge  

Surprises are fun.

One bright day in the middle of the night,

Two dead boys got up to fight.

Back to back, they faced each other;

Drew their swords and shot each other.

A deaf policeman heard the noise,

Came and shot the two dead boys.

If you don't believe this lie is true,

Ask the blind man; he saw it, too.

"As we look deeply within, we understand our perfect balance.  There is no fear of the cycle of birth, life, and death.  For when you stand in the present moment, you are timeless." - Rodney Yee