Janice's Fundraising Page
The law of Increments: why marathons and fund raising are the same
Hello everyone, Well, I did it - I ran the Vancouver Marathon and I finished in 3:39 and some change. I'd like to share with you what this experience was like for me.
On Marathon day, many people in purple Team in Training t-shirts lined the start line, the walkers at 6:30 am and the Marathoners at 7. I was surprised by the amount of purple I saw out there, many with photographs of and letters from people pinned to their TNT jerseys.
At one point, I came upon a woman running slowly on the sidelines. You can always tell a thoughtful runner by their propensity to stay to the right. In my experience these are the best-paced runners, allowing nothing to distract them from their inner rhythm, they almost always finish strong and happy.
This woman was wearing the purple TNT jersey, so I was going to do my little "go-team" thing as I passed her, but then I saw the picture pinned to her back; a toddler wearing a big floppy rainbow coloured hat and a huge grin. Across the top of the photo were the words: "I'm running for my son Austin."
Although my pace was a bit faster than hers, I couldn't pass for a bit. I was scared to touch her and give her my jaunty thumbs up as I went by. I still don't know why.
I just felt so grateful to be able to contribute in some way to creating hope for people. I'm a mother too, and I would do any thing to help my child. As a mother, I would do almost anything to help another parent.
There are people alive today because they survived CA. I know that they survived because we have found some ways of killing off the cells and healing the body. We are learning more about curing and healing all the time.
So, if the money we raised goes to give hope that Austin will see another year, or another 10, or live far into adulthood,(maybe someday run his own races!) to me it's worth it.
I touched her her shoulder lightly as I passed. I made sure my cheeks were dry and that I smiled and looked her in the eye as I did. I know that I am not immune to being in her shoes, or her son's, and I think it's important to keep everyone "inside the circle" even when they are probably experiencing things we hope to never have to endure.
Now, I have to make a confession: I hate fund raising. I don't like asking people for money because I know that they either already give far more than their share or they feel resentful about constantly being approached for cash for this that and the other.
How much can we give, when there are so many good causes, before we all just cry enough?! I feel the same, believe me, I'm on every list for helping kids on the planet and I get tired of saying: no, I'm sorry, try me next month... We can each only do so much.
But...I believe in the law of increments. That's why I love the marathon. The law of increments means that a little adds up to a lot. You cannot run a marathon without learning this and submitting to it. You can only increase a little at a time, or you will become injured or worn out. You cannot "give till it hurts" in a marathon, (for long) because you will end up losing more than you gain. You must build in tiny steps, carefully measured increases until you can go the distance.
But - incremental building works. That's why I'm taking these last two weeks for a final push for just a bit from everyone I know. I'm sending this email to you, hoping you will give just a tiny bit via the link at the end of this email.
The cost of a Starbuck's latte, or a movie rental...something you will hardly notice and that won't hurt a bit. It will all add up to a large cheque for a researcher just waiting for the money to go one step further in a clinical trial; it will become hope for someone like Austin.
I want Austin to learn to read, to have a first day at school, to spend more time in the baby jogger with Mom.
Personally, I don't like to remind people of sad things all the time so I'm sorry to be knocking on your door, but I made a promise to the picture on that woman's back.
I only ask for a "painless" amount from you now will make a difference - a difference that we may never see, but those on the receiving end, the patients and researchers and doctors - they know, and work all that much harder in gratitude.
By way of a thank you, Nathan and I have offered a marathon-building program for anyone interested in running any race, triathlon, or duathlon - as a thank you gift for a donation. All you have to do is email livingston.nat@gmail.com or directinprint@telus.net and we'll interview you and create a program for whatever you want to achieve.
Anyone can run a marathon. Anyone of us can survive cancer. It's forward motion, one step at a time.
One last picture - at mile 20 I saw a man with MS, or some sort of neuromuscular condition that obviously made walking a bit complicated. He was loping along at a solid pace, accommodating for his condition, but moving strongly forward.
I have seen the elites racing like they plan on dying right after the finish line, but this man truly was running as if it was the last one he would ever do. It may, or it may not have been. But witnessing that kind of strength makes you humble and awed, it makes you love people.
Thank God I'm a mid-packer, or surely I'd miss seeing these courageous people. Seeing a person struggling and drawing on all their resources is so humbling.We truly are at our best when we strive. I want to give to the ones who strive quietly, far from the cheering bystanders, to simply live.
Thank you for giving what you can to this cause.
Love, Janice ============================================ You can give online at the link below and a tax refundable receipt will be sent to you. http://www.active.com/donate/tntvan/tntvanJBennet
