The Training Crucible

This week I found two great ways to make a greater impact with your running.  This first was mentioned to me by Tony B. over at Daily Mile.  

This morning I wanted to highlight Running for a Reason because it ties in with one my core values as a runner.  I run to try to make a difference in the world.  Sure, there are plenty of people faster than me, with greater popularity, who can get bigger things done, but that doesn't mean that I can't make a difference.
The goal of Running for a Reason is to help bring together charity runners.  Since it appears they are still in the beginning stages of organizing this project I think it is the perfect time to jump in and offer to help.  It will be exciting to see where things go with this organization in the future.  Right now you can go to their site and sign up for their newsletter or their Facebook page or on Twitter.
For you cyclists out there, there is also Riding for a Reason.

So I have only been back into running for about a year now, but by far my favorite race has been the Soaring Wings Half Marathon in Conway,AR.
Here are some of the reasons it's a favorite:
1. It's for a great cause.  Helping kids in need is what I'm about.  It's why I ran St. Jude's as my first marathon, it's why I work with teenage boys who are battling addiction, it's why I've renewed this blog: to bring my passions of running and helping others together.  Soaring Wings Ranch provides a permanent place for children who have been victims of difficult circumstances.
2. It's a great race.  Some of the hills on the course are grueling, but the support is awesome!  Last year at the race, kids from the Ranch had gone out and written messages in sidewalk chalk along the race course, they are also present at the aid stations and finish line to present you with your medal.  There is also plenty of fan support from the community, with lots of people coming out from their homes to cheer the runners on.  The food afterwards is also pretty amazing!
3. The Cost.  Today is last day to get the early bird cost of $30 dollars.  Tomorrow is jumps up to a whooping $40!  This is one the cheapest races I have ever been a part of, ever!  But don't let the cost fool you. The finisher medals are nice, the long sleeve tees are great quality, and like I said, the food afterwards is great.  One of the things this tells me is that Soaring Wings Ranch has sponsors that really believe in them and that the race organizers know what runners like.  Quite impressive for a race that is only going into its 3rd year!

There are countless reasons why anyone might pick up running. It may simply be because you do it as a part of staying in shape for another sport. Maybe you love the simplicity of not needing tons of workout equipment or a gym membership in order to get it.  Maybe your goal is weight loss, or just getting out the house for 30 minutes a day makes a big difference in your life.
This past week I started a 31 Days to Building a Better Blog project with Church Web Trends.  The community effect of going through this together has been awesome.  I have found some great blogs that I probably would have missed had I not been involved. However, I do feel like an odd man out because the majority of the other writers involved are writing for church/ministry type blogs.  Today I wrote the guest post for the project I am hoping that many of my other writers will be stopping by here to check out my blog. So if you are a first time reader of the blogger let me recommend that you start with my About page.
When I was a minister I put on an extra 20 lbs (living in southern Louisiana didn't help much either). The why of running for me started as trying to get that weight off.  I weighed in 189 this morning which means that I have kept the weight off for a year now.  I still would like to get down to 180, but I am happy with the progress I have made.
Having been running for a year now, the focus of why has changed.  In my first half marathon my wife, Meg and I ran for Soaring Wings Ranch in Conway, AR.  Soaring Wings is a Christian group home for children in need. Then in December we ran are first marathon for St. Jude's in Memphis. As I continue to run I am finding more whys.  I recently found out about Operation Jack and I am still on the hunt for more charity runs and ways I can use my ability to help others and promote causes, especially those that help children.

First, let ask, why do you run?
Maybe another great question is, why have you stopped running?
Finally, if you know of any great causes drop it in comment section below. I love finding new causes to support.

This week I have regained some focus with blogging thanks to a 31 Days to Building a Better Blog tour sponsored here.  With the new found focus, I have decided that one of the things that I want to do with the blog is highlight various charities or causes that are trying to raise money through running.

The first cause to be selected for this is Operation Jack.  Operation Jack as an attempt by Sam Felsenfeld to run 60 marathons in 2010 to raise money/awareness about autism, a disorder that his 6 year old son, Jack has been diagnosed with in 2006.  While most people would be happy to run one marathon in a lifetime, and many would think it a major accomplishment to run 60, Sam is pushing his body to the limits (running 2 marathons in different states on the same weekend) in order to get his done.
Having previously worked as a therapist with families whose children I have been diagnosed with autism, I can tell you how frustrating this disorder can be.  For more information on autism you can check here.
So here is how Operation Jack works: (taken from the Operation Jack website)

There are a lot of reasons that runners run: to achieve a goal, to prove they are the best, to stay in shape, to escape their demons, so they can eat that extra bowl of ice cream each night, because they feel in love with running.
I started running in middle school and then throughout high school. And I stopped.  I put on the extra weight, got married had 3 kids.  Now I run again.
This time I have a knew focus in running: helping others.  I run for those who cannot run.  I run to raise awareness about some awesome causes. I run, not because I am fast, or have something to prove.  I run because I want to help others.

So why do you run?