When I committed to train for this half marathon with the Team in Training program, I was more apprehensive about raising the required $1,500 than I was about being able to actually run the 13 miles. Obviously, I had a right to be concerned. I signed a contract that would essentially allow TNT to make up the difference on my credit card, which I provided. I had to. It's part of the canon for how this program succeeds. Talk about lighting a fire under my bum!! I certainly didn't want to get stuck with some $500 payment simply because I hadn't worked the fund raising circuit all the way through.
My first step was to send letters to friends and relatives of my family. That gave me a comfortable starting cushion. Jason also encouraged me to send the letters to his relatives as well. I was nervous about that because I hate to seem greedy, especially to people I don't know very well. Again, I was thrilled with how they responded to my cause. It's wild for me to think that people chose to give their hard earned money to this worthy cause simply because I asked. It amazes me still. Well just yesterday I sent an email around at my work asking with help for the final $200. The outpouring of donations stunned me. I was given checks from people with whom I don't even interact. Most of them apologized for not being able to give more. I had no idea that most people would be so magnanimous in spirit. It really is a beautiful feeling to know of all the support out there. It makes me think that this year I have really done a good deed. I have made a small bit of difference for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. I feel almost spiritual about everyone's charitable sense. What a wonderful world.
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On another positive note, I had quite the amusing interaction at the gym this morning during my four mile run. I have been noticing this older fella when I'm there. He's like a friendly little gnome, waving at the ladies, grinning a smile that stretches all the way to his ears and he's running all this time at a 6.0 pace on the treadmill.
Today I saddled up next to him and when I began running, he looked over with his kind eyes and nodded a polite good morning my way. I responded with a genuine smile. I was plugged into my i-pod and he was carrying on a conversation with another member on the opposite treadmill. At some point, I think we made eye contact again and I gave him a friendly cheer with the universal thumbs up sign. (This guy is clearly out pacing me!) When his conversation buddy left, he turned to me and started asking about how far I run. He told me about running the past Dexter-Ann Arbor race. He seemed to think I had a lot of gusto when he saw me running nonstop the other day (I assume this was my 6 miles on Tuesday). I curtsey'd to his kind words but said that I was the one to be impressed with his much faster pace. He simply chuckled and kept his smile stretched out. Then he took this bemusing tone like he's about to share a sweet secret and admitted that he would have usually stopped running when his friend left but since I was chugging away his machismo got the better of him and he was determined to stay on as long as I was still running.
What a hoot this little fella was! I only had about 1/4 mile left when he disclosed this bit of information and I was glad of that. I don't think I could have handled a dramatic neck and neck race with this deceptive sprinter!! When my 4 miles was up, I slowed down to a walking pace and he decided he was done. He turned to me and said Thanks for the good run. See ya around. I responded in kind. Aw, what a blissful start to the day.
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