The Start of Something Big

I've registered for my first race and it is (drumroll please) the Arnold 5K on Sunday, March 4th!  This race will take place in downtown Columbus and is one of the events put on in conjunction with the Arnold Fitness Expo (here is the link to the Expo).  I've already begun looking for a race on either March 10th or March 11th and will let everyone know when I find it.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated.  Also, I want to thank those getting the word out about The 31 Initiative.  The main goal for this endeavor after all is to raise money and the more people who know about it, the more likely we'll achieve my fundraising goal of $5,000.

2012, the year of The 31 Initiative, is finally here!

Happy New Year!  I hope everyone had as wonderful of a holiday season as I did.  I am more excited than ever for 2012 and that excitement is primarily due to The 31 Initiative and the money I hope is raised for the Jay Holdgreve Endowment for Testicular Cancer Research!  Stay tuned for more frequent posts to this blog.

I've started scanning various running sites for March 2012 5k races.  So far, the list is rather sparse.  It is a little disheartening because I'm anxious to figure out my race schedule.  Hopefully, more races will begin to pop up in the next couple of weeks.

I'll leave you with a link to an inspiring YouTube video I recently discovered.  The overall message is perfect for the start of a new year and setting goals.  Oh, and it is accompanied by an awesome song too.  Enjoy!  My 120 Pound Journey

Early Thanks!

I want to personally thank everyone who has made a donation.  The early support is especially appreciated considering I'm still 3 1/2 months away from beginning this quest!

By the way, it is December, the season of giving, and the perfect opportunity to give to a worthy cause.  Click on the Jay Holdgreve Endowment for Testicular Cancer Research link to the left of this blog to find your worthy cause.  Donations are tax deductible and greatly appreciated.

I can't wait for March 2012!  Trust me, as we get closer to the start of The 31 Initiative, I will be blogging more frequently.  Until then...

What is The 31 Initiative? Here is the gist.

But first, a quote:

"They are able because they think they are able."  Virgil

OK, now back to the point of this blog:

• What is The 31 Initiative?  I plan on running 31 races for 31 straight weeks.
• What kind of races are you talking about?  A 5K which is 3.1 miles (get it?).
• Why do this?  I'm trying to raise money for a noble cause, the fight against testicular cancer.
• Why testicular cancer?  A friend of mine was afflicted by this disease.  Rather than sit back, he's paying it forward by starting a website, TCARE.org and an endowment.
• How can I donate money?  This link gives you all the details.
• How much should I give?  I'd love for each person to give at least $31 ($1/race) but no one would complain if you gave more.  Honestly, every dollar helps so ANY donation is appreciated.
• What is your charitable goal?  $3,100 would be appropriate but I'm aiming higher => $5,000.
• When does this Initiative start?  Due to Ohio's frosty January and February, I'll start running in March (I want to make sure there is a race available).  I'll let everyone know the exact date when it gets closer.
• What do you plan to blog about?  The race I participated in, my time (which will hopefully improve over this 31-race stretch), and any other tidbits I find interesting.
• How often will you post information?  At least weekly.
• What if you can't find a race in Ohio?  Then I'll go out of state.
• What makes you think you can do this tough guy?  Please see Virgil quote at the beginning.
• Anything else you want to add?  Yes, please spread the word via email, Facebook, Twitter, and any other form of social media out there.
• Are you finished?  We've only just begun.