Sweating for money (and glory)

We all do it.

Sweating. And working for money.

Combining the two is the genius of every athlete, NHL star, aerobics instructor (including those yogis who do the really hot yoga, otherwise known as bikram in the 40-degree heat) and a whole plethora of people that make videos of 20-somethings’ writhing bodies for….Much Music.  (Move over Madge, Lady Gaga is in town!)

So, I decided to throw my headband in the ring and sweat for money too.

By running for arthritis.

Definitely not as sexy or creepy as the aforementioned entities, but maybe more satisfying.

Maybe.

I’ve signed with a Joints in Motions Team and have made my own personal pledge to help raise

$13 000 in a year’s time.

And on Halloween 2010, I will run 42 kilometres in Athens, Greece.  The original marathon.

I will cry, probably barf and cry some more, as like many participants I’ll go from thinking “this is impossible” to “holy crap, I did it, now get me a wheelchair”.

So the plan here is to post a weekly update on what it’s like to go from rivaling a couch-sloth (a new breed of human not yet discovered because they never leave their apartment) to someone that is agile, flexible and able to run 42 kilometres within 5 hours.

What amazes me is that lots and lots of people do this.

People with arthritis.

People over 65.

Terri Fox. Rick Hansen.

All the people that run every year for Cancer, HIV/AIDS, MS, Lupus. All the people that bike, skateboard, wheel, row, climb-

All the people that kneel down and lace up sneakers to take a jog through their neighbourhood and cities, before work and after the baby is in bed.

Wow. I want to be a part of that.

I’m currently in love with runners. Their spirit and audacity. Those ridiculous, high-functioning shorts, the precision by which they can pass by you on a sidewalk as they keep up their own rhythm; and of course, all that sweat for all of those causes.

A few final notes:

Fundraising is tricky & challenging and if you like reading about my (and Jordan’s) progress and want to donate a toonie, a fiver or anything that’ll make us run bowing down to  you for an entire week, you can click here.

I really look forward to this.  Thank you so much for reading.

Bonuses:

1. Getting to train in Vancouver (where more beautiful? Maaaybe Greece.)

2. Getting to see lots of dogs in the morning.

I got this photo from www.bullybuddies.net/a pitbull rescue & adopt website in BC

3. Getting to spend some time with Jordan