Running for the "Run"

Well I am officially running for the "Run" now. That's Logan's Run Animal Rescue.
I am raising money by running 26.2 miles in Paris, France for my 5th marathon. As those of you who know me know that I am passionate about many things, but high on my list is fundraising (Paying it forward) and running. This year I choose to run for a small organization where I felt I could make the biggest impact. Animal control in this area that I live in is...how can I say? Almost non-existent. If not for Logan's Run Rescue there would be so many more abused, and abandoned animals roaming the beautiful roads I run on and call home now.
Since their inception, barely a year ago they have helped over 175 stray and abandoned animals find good homes and the number is growing every week. It truly is saving lives one cat and dog at a time. It costs an average of $60 per animal to get one spayed or neutered and often by the time they get a dog or cat adopted they have over $100 or more invested in that animal. All donations they raise and 100% of all the funds I raise for my marathon go directly to helping these animals.
I also was fortunate enough to be invited to the last board meeting for LRR and volunteered to be on the fundraising committee full time. So I'll be helping them out even after the Paris marathon. The people on the board are some of the nicest people I have ever met and are so passionate about this mission. We have some great fundraising ideas, Like a Walk in the Park for dogs and I am even considering looking into putting on a 5K run, 1 mile fun run for kids and a walk for the dogs. Our area doesn't have many races so I think we could do a good job advertising it and get a great turn out for a great cause. Also we are working on a dinner and silent auction to be held in May after I return from France.
I know fundraising for my marathon will be very difficult as some people may feel it is not a problem that affects them directly. But I urge you, that if you can help please do. It has to start somewhere. Any animal, any where in the world that we can help is an act of kindness and greatly needed.
Please go to www.logansrunrescue.com to find out more about the great dogs that are available for adoption and the great job these folks are doing educating the community.
On another note I am feverishly getting ready for our marathon "marathon" for Milestones Jewelry in Florida. We will be doing 5 marathons Expos from Feb.5-March 7th, On the list is The Melbourne music half marathon, The Suncoast Classic 5K & 10K in St. Pete, 26.2 with Donna in Jacksonville, Gasparilla in Tampa and then then Disney's Princess half marathon in Orlando. Then one weekend to drive back, make jewelry, recover and then off to Atlanta for ING Georgia.
I am planning on running in the Melbourne half and the Gasparilla half. I'll be dead on my feet, but I figure they'll help me get a feel of my process towards Paris. I can't wait to see my friends and family in Florida and have lots of running partners. Though I do have to say that I am very pleased to finally have found some running buddies (other than the dogs) here in Murphy. some very nice folks who have been nice enough invite me to join them on several runs a week. They are tough cookies too. They hit the hills like they are nothing, they are much faster than I am but I know running with them will make me stronger. so on that note I will close so that I can change to go run the hills in the cemetery (No that's not a typo)they run in a cemetery that has a great huge hill loop. Very difficult and challenging. but as a very nice man that I met last night said "Run the hills and race the flats" Great advice.
And I will leave you with this great quote:
I don't believe in the concept of hell, but if I did I would think of it as filled with people who were cruel to animals. Gary Larson

THE "CANINE CRUSADERS" RUNNING CLUB

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Click play above to see the video.
Yes this is my running club. "The Canine Crusaders". They are great friends and great running partners. Without them I'm not sure I could stay motivated. It took me a while to convince some of them to join my club but I finally won them over. Now when they see me they come charging at me, hit a stride and run with me pushing me to go faster. So many times they run ahead and then keep looking back at me as if to say "Really, why are you going so slow?". Some of them come from very good homes, but some not so much. They are all left to run free and encounter many bad situations. But when we are all running together, all the bad is forgotten and everyone is happy. I thank them over and over for getting me to the Chicago marathon. I was so lonely running by myself before we became a club. One of them, Smokey bones (pictured above)probably saved my life. One day we were running and we passed a house with very mean people who raised their dog to fight. The dog jumped up on me, pushing me down and ready to attack when Smokey bones jumped on him and then ran away causing the dog to chase him. Luckily Smokey out ran him and was fine. I managed to get away as well.
I hope they hear me when I thank them and talk to them about the challenges in my training and in life. They really seem to care, especially at the end of the run when they get a treat and a big hug from me. I think they like hugs better than treats.
So now they are probably missing me as I have not been able to run outside much due to snow and ice. But today I hope to join them as it is getting above 30 degrees. I will need their help to stay motivated in my training for the Paris marathon. They have also inspired me to help out one of our local rescue centers, called "Logans Run rescue". I will be posting some unbelievable statistics on the progress the rescue center is making. Check out my fundraising page to find out more at www.logansrunrescue.com If you can give (even a little bit) I would greatly appreciate it and you can rest assured that you donation will be used 100% to help the abused and abandoned animals as well as the education of my community about spaying and neutering. I will be meeting some of the members on Wednesday and am so very excited. Well stay tuned. We have many other members in our running club not pictured in the video, as I get additional pictures I will post them, as I want all my friends to get their screen time. Thank you crusaders....see you in a few hours.

“Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell.”
Emily Dickinson