"...In the end, people either have excuses or experiences; reasons or results; buts or
brilliance. They either have what they wanted or they have a detailed list of all the rational reasons why not."

~ Anonymous
(taken from Matt Erbele's, It Takes Time to Get Good)

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Deep Thoughts with RBR

There has been an idea rolling around in my head since I signed up for Coeur d'Alene, but I have too scared/lazy/worried about other's opinions to do anything about it. Then I was reading this (TriBoommer post "Who Do you Race For?")

And realized that this is a very important question for me to think about:

Who do I Race for?

Well, I think it is pretty obvious from the race times on the side bar that it is not for Nike or Trek, so I guess that leaves just little ol' me.

But the me I race for is bigger than just the ego of me.

(I know, it is difficult to believe from the layout of this blog that there is anything bigger than the 'ego of me', but I digress...)

I race for the me that finally, after years of self destructive and self centered abuse and neglect, realizes that how I move through this world matters. I am watched by children, peers, friends, loved ones, and even strangers, and my actions, reactions, and interactions, whether good or bad, make a difference in the world. A difference that is also, good or bad. Only I can make the choice of what I leave in my wake. I often choose poorly. I often choose wisely.

So today, I race for who I was. I race for who I am. I race for who I want to be.

In some ways, they are the same person, in some ways they are very different, but they all represent everything I love and cherish and everything I want to make different as a result of my time here.

With that said, I have decided that as a part of my Ironman commitment and training I will raise money to benefit the Humane Society of Silicon Valley. There are MANY worthy causes. I have raised money twice for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as a part of Team in Training. I believe in their cause and am forever grateful for the training they gave me, but I have spent most of my life being made whole by animals (dramatic I know, but it seems like that kind of day here on Run Bitch Run) and I owe a debt of gratitude to the HSSV for saving the lives of both my dog Lucy (picture left) and Mary's dog Cassie.

It is a local shelter that relies entirely on private donations. They do not receive any government funding. Therefore, the money raised is not a drop in the bucket, so to speak. It will directly save and improve the quality of animals' lives.

I don't mean this as a DONATE NOW post (ok, maybe I do), but sometimes I like reminders of worthy causes that could use my help. If you have had your life changed by an animal and are so moved please feel free to visit the link.


http://januscharitychallenge.kintera.org/cda09/fortheloveoflucy

Donation amount ideas:

  • Cost of a Spay surgery for females to reduce unwanted puppies and kittens $100.00
  • Cost of Neuter surgery for males to reduce number of unwanted puppies and kittens $50.00
  • Cost of 15 lb bag of dog or cat food $35.00
  • Cost of 50 pk of Puppy Wee Wee pads. $15.00
  • Cost of Kong dog toys for hours of doggie enjoyment $10.00
  • Cost of cat toys to keep kitties happy and entertained while awaiting new homes $5.00


I am raising the money through the Janus Charity Challenge (I got this idea from Trigreyhound who has done some amazing fundraising for MS, another very worthy cause, for his Ironman races) they offer additional donations to your cause as incentives for top fundraisers for the various Ironman races.

Now, I can't make the top 50% in the actual race, but give me the opportunity to save some puppies and kittens? I am racing 'Elite' in that category! It is ON baby!

12 comments:

Unknown said...

I like that you are racing for something meaningful to you. All my animals have been rescues too. :-)

TRI TO BE FUNNY said...

Great cause!!!! See you at CDA!

Kelly said...

I found your blog recently, and I read a few recent posts..then I started at the beginning of your bloggy world. You make me laugh...you make me think...you have even made me cry...I am not some crazy stalker girl I promise. I just wanted you to know that I have been touched by your words. And..yeah for you for picking a great cause!

Klassenator said...

"I am watched by children, peers, friends, loved ones, and even strangers, and my actions, reactions, and interactions, whether good or bad, make a difference in the world. A difference that is also, good or bad. Only I can make the choice of what I leave in my wake. I often choose poorly. I often choose wisely."

This is why you are held amongst those who mean a great deal to me...

heck this whole post does, but that section right there really says it well.

ShirleyPerly said...

I read that post by TriBoomer today and wondered the same thing. Wonderful that you have chosen to help out some four-legged friends. I'll see what I can do to help!

Krista said...

"So today, I race for who I was. I race for who I am. I race for who I want to be."

can i just say.....i LOVE you! :)

plus your post below made me laugh my ass off through the tears.

Aileen said...

You nearly made me cry at work.

Anywho, I should be able to donate in the next month or two, as soon as I get some financials of my own in order. This is a great cause...the only way we're going to save these animals is change the hearts and minds of people out there. I hope your blog helps bring awareness to it!

Lindsay said...

definitely a great cause. my heart yearns for the poor animals who are neglected or abused. so glad you are helping a few out!

Carolina John said...

That's really cool, that you can race and raise for something that's meaningful to you. My thing is lung cancer, after it took my grandfather over 10 years ago. But i haven't tried to raise anything for it yet.

Jo Lynn said...

Aaaaaaaaaaaw, what a great thing to do. You should be very successful, both with the race and the cause.

Ordinarylife said...

Fantastic post!

And I agree with the sentiments exactly. Last month I also decided that I needed to do this for a cause bigger than me so decided to do "Ironman for the Kids".

Good luck with the rest of your training.

Kelly said...

Wonderful post! All my animals have been ones that others don't want and they have added more to our life than one can imagine. I spend lots of time wishing I knew their story... where they've been, why someone would give up a beautiful, loving animal, etc. If only they could spend one afternoon talking to me :-)