The journey begins...

Welcome (or should I say ALOHA)! I am going to run this Honolulu Marathon on December 12, 2004 on behalf of AIDS Project LA as part of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program. As some of you know, I began training for the Los Angeles Marathon last August but had to drop out in October due to hip tendonitis after working up to, what I still think of as amazing, 7 miles. This coming from someone who thought running 2 miles once a month for track practice was second only to Chinese Water Torture as far as pain and agony. Why then would I want to run a MARATHON? Good question!

First, to test my limits. It's obviously not impossible with tens of thousands of people crossing the finish lines of Los Angeles, Honolulu, New York and Chicago Marathons. If they can do it, so can I! Second, to get back into shape. I've turned into a bit of an "office potato" and am fed up with my clothes being an inch or two too small. I've invested far too much energy getting great deals on my collection of vintage clothes to give up on them so easily. Third, I can't pass up an opportunity to do something this HUGE on behalf of an organization and cause I believe in. My life has been touched by so many friends and neighbors who have been afflicted by HIV and AIDS. Though I cannot take the disease away from them, I can do my small part to make treatment options more readily available and help raise funds to continue the much needed research to find ways to slow the progression of the disease and, ultimately, find a cure. Lastly, it's in Hawaii. That's icing on the cake!

Of course there's a catch (there always is!). I have to raise a total of $3,000 to participate. I was very concerned about how much of this money will go to AIDS Project Los Angeles, as I did not want the majority of it to go to fund my transportation and entrance fees. The AIDS Marathon folks have assured me that in the history of the project, the lowest percentage has been 50%, but the average is around 55%. They said that by securing sponsorships for items such as our running bibs (with the AIDS Marathon logo and our runner numbers on them) the overhead costs will be lessened, which will ultimately allow for a higher percentage to go directly to APLA. Despite these numbers, 100% of your generous contributions are FULLY TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

I plan on raising money in a number of ways. Some one you will have received emails or letters appealing to you for help. Anything you can send my way, is greatly GREATLY appreciated. I don't believe in hitting people up and demanding $10, $20 or $50. Seriously, every single dollar or fraction of a dollar is a big, big help. Of course if you need big tax write offs, I'd be ecstatic if you chose to support APLA this year. But your loose pocket change is amazingly valuable, as well. Other ways I plan to raise the funds are to work on my "non" run days as a volunteer at other training site water stations. Without water station voluteers, the runners can't stay hydrated. I get a $20 credit each time I show up. If anyone is a natural early bird (it starts at 7am on Saturday and Sunday), you could do this on my behalf. The max I can earn per weekend is $40. I also plan on doing an ebay "garage" sale and sell all my thrifstore finds that don't fit in my house or on my back and use that towards my fundraising goal. I will also be participating in bakesales, yard sales and anything else I can think of that can get me a couple steps closer to the goal.

Over the next 6 months I will be logging close to 500 miles running. Wish me luck, send me your good luck and please contribute to the fund if you are comfortable doing so. I'll be keeping you posted on my progress, so check back often...

xo, michelle