As my mileage starts getting higher, so does my realization that The Portland Marathon is about to fill up and I've yet to register. I'm not financially in the place I was when I signed up for this program, so I didn't realize I would commit myself and then not be able to reach my goal, not because of not getting myself there, but because of registration costs.
While running with my group on Saturday, I was explaining my tough situation to my running buddy, and she suggested writing the marathon itself to see if they had any sponsorships. I thought about it and I decided to do it. So last night I wrote an email to The Portland Marathon explaining my journey here at MM and my personal financial journey the last six months with my fiance losing his job and other factors. They quickly responded this morning and said that they did not have sponsorships but if I ran with an organization and fund raised, that my cost could be covered that way. They sent a list this morning of organizations and I emailed the two I felt most compelled towards: The American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen.
I personally feel more drawn towards the American Cancer Society because I personally have had two very close people in my life die of cancer and, although I LOVE the cause of breast cancer awareness and the pink shirts, I've yet (knock on wood) had anyone close to me have breast cancer. To run in memory of my grandpa and uncle that both died of cancer would give me something more to train for and give this random act more meaning.
The drawback is that you still have to pay your registration costs and you have to commit to raising a certain amount of money, which in my situation is stressful because if I didn't raise enough, I would have to cover it myself which is NOT in the cards. The Susan G Komen asks you to raise $1,000 and the American Cancer Society asks for $1,200. I would have until September but I'm just afraid it's not do able.
When externally processing it this morning, my boss said they would sponsor me and pay for my registration and that I could choose whether or not to fund raise or not. The easy way out would be to just run it. But now my heart is in this a little more. Being able to do something outside of myself, for something besides my craziness to push me towards my goal and for a good cause, it might be a good thing.
I just don't know. What are your thoughts?
Oh. 8 miles this Saturday was rough but we did it! Seemed like it was at a slight incline we weren't used to but we did it and are looking forward to 9 miles this weekend! That 10 mile landmark is just a week and a half away and I'm excited as it's been a point I've been looking towards as my "I can do this" realization. Plus, Ginger and I are getting Korean food as a celebration after :) Thanks for all of your support. I'm blessed!
1 comment:
I wish I could join you on the 8 miles AND Korean food, yum! Do the American Cancer Society. Your heart is there. Here are my thoughts: my father died in 2009 from colon cancer and when I read that I thought of my dad and your loved ones who died and how they had no choice but to be really courageous and fight cancer with all they had. Shouldn't we do the same?
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