Why I'm running a marathon

It was my 48th birthday, I was running around the tiny track at the YMCA, with not much on my mind. Suddenly it pops into my head that in 2 years I will be 50 - half a century - wow! Couldn't really believe that, but another thought pops in - I should run a marathon to celebrate turning 50! Why that came to mind I'm not sure. I had seen a poster at the Y for Team Diabetes, and a while earlier had read about someone who did their first marathon at Disneyworld. It actually sounded FUN! I put the two together and thought - I could run a marathon at Disneyworld, support a charitable cause, and still celebrate turning 50 - AWESOME!

That was before I thought it through. But once I told some friends, I found I was quite committed. Started calling it my mid-life crisis. I figure it's a pretty good crisis to have. I found out more about the charitable cause, checked out a couple of different groups, settled on Team Diabetes. I have to raise $4700 in donations, but almost all that money goes towards Diabetes research, care and advocacy. They send me to the marathon, but because of corporate sponsors, can send me there and still have lots left to support their programs. Sounds great.

A bit about Diabetes. This is almost an epidemic in North America. More than 2 million Canadians are living with diabetes - between Type 1 (usually starts in childhood), gestational (occurs during pregnancy but puts the woman at higher risk for developing Type 2 later), and Type 2 (usually happens in adulthood and can be related to lifestyle). Having diabetes means your pancreas isn't working properly. However, that can lead to many other health problems, including heart disease, kidney disease, eye problems, and nerve damage. These complications have a huge impact on quality and length of life. For more information, see http://www.diabetes.ca/about-diabetes/what/facts/.

A bit about me: I am pretty healthy. I started running a few years ago to help lose weight, and have since progressed to triathlons. I have considered exercise to be my "anti-aging" treatment. As a result, I feel great, and everyone says I look pretty good, too - I love when people can't believe I will be 50 next year! As a "warm-up" to Disneyworld, I am training for a half-marathon next month, and really enjoying it (surprised myself). So I am working on the physical preparation.

Now for the fundraising preparation. This is what is more daunting to my mind. But I know I can do it. I am now actively looking for donations. And what can you donate? Money of course - you can go directly to the website: http://www.diabetes.ca/get-involved/supporting-us/donate-online/ and donate in my name. Or you can give me money:). I am also planning a pub night with a silent auction. So I am looking for donations of silent auction items or door prizes. You can even receive a tax receipt for items donated! And I'm also looking for fun people to come enjoy the pub night! Call me if you would like to help in any way:
780-456-3934

I hope this wasn't too long-winded, but I wanted to explain why I'm doing what I'm doing.