Dear Athlete!
It's here! The "land" of tights, gloves, hats, and all the things we add for clothing over the next five months. Your first time with this experience, or need new stuff? Go to any one of the following for help and advice:
They are the experts!
Before I get to my topics and favorite new "finds", I want to introduce you to a terrific person, Chris Smiley, a KP Colfax Ambassador. I empathize with Chris for two reasons. First, on a lighter note, I was called "Stickman" on my college track team at VMI. Second, on a quite serious note, Chris just learned he has cancer and will be starting a chemo regimen similar to the one I went through almost precisely a year ago. He's a family guy with two young children. He's a fighter. Write him. Lift him up with prayers and words. He's one of us! (Chris' email)
Fun holiday ideas and a "must do" event:
- The Lola Papers by Amy Marxkors. I interviewed Amy recently. A wonderful speaker and has wisdom far beyond her years! A solid and informative read!
- Run Like A Mother by Dimity McDowell & Sarah Bowen Shea. I met Dimity and Sarah in St Louis at a recent Rock 'N Roll event. Dimity lives here in the Denver metro area (why I have to meet these fabulous people in other parts of the country amazes me!). She has other books, but this one, as the New York Times noted, is "[A] bible for active parents."
- Healthy You! 14 Days to Quick and Permanent Weight Loss and a Healthier, Happier You by Dawna Stone. Dawna is a successful business person, mom, and athlete whose friendship is welcomed. You won't be disappointed!
Now to the event!
The Great Candy Run (fka Race for Fetal Hope) in its 10th year will be on November 10th, at Denver's Washington Park! Fun, fun, fun for adults AND children! Charity and candy... a perfect combo (candy in moderation, of course!!). All proceeds benefit the Fetal Health Foundation.
For the past 10 years we (several of you and I) have supported our 501(c)3 Kipture Primary School Foundation, benefiting the Kipture Primary School in rural, Kapsabet, Kenya. We have no paid staff, and no true office to speak of. We've built, thanks to your donations, a kitchen, a library, new classrooms, and helped get electricity into the buildings.
The Foundation president, Peter Tanui (many of you know him since he lives in Colorado eight months of each year) quietly, without compensation, is now managing another capital improvement to the roofs of the buildings and doing critical upgrades to the simple classrooms. When he and I return on December 12th (I was scheduled to go last December but circumstances prevented my trip), we will see first-hand the result of the latest work effort.
We now have a new fundraising goal: the purchase of a used 4X4 vehicle. It will be used to transport supplies and equipment to and from the school, and serve as an outward and visible sign of the Foundation in the community (we will brand it since, unlike the U.S., branded vehicles are not abundant other than U.N. and other charities). The cost in terms of USA standards is not high: around $7,000. I have personally donated $1,000 to the effort.
When Lonnie Somers and his wife Michelle, owners of Hallucination Sports (they are also founders of the Great Candy Run and the Fetal Health Foundation from above) learned of this, they matched my $1,000! We still need $5,000 by December 12th! If you can, please help. Your contribution will not be used incorrectly (I'll even take pictures!!).
Finally, Malcolm Farley, internationally acclaimed artist, and a true friend of our sport, has moved his family back to Colorado from Puerto Vallerta. He's consistently donating to charities throughout the country. He's a family guy with a big heart. His place in Puerto Vallerta is fabulous! Renee and I stayed there 18 months ago (check out the picture from the condo balcony) and now he's willing to rent it!
The view from the hillside is breathtaking, the pool is ideal, the fitness room is excellent, security is over the top, and you can go down a bunch of steps to the beach and run! Interested? Find out more here or Email Malcolm (no, I don't get a referral fee. He's a close bud!) to get details.
Thanks for all your support over the past 12 months. I am part of an amazing and wonderful community,
Creigh |