Being Thankful

Greetings! As I am temporarily out of commission for health reasons (booo!), I thought I would take the time to write about being thankful. During the trying times of this holiday season, many of us are stretched thin in more ways than one. We brave the shopping malls to buy those last minute must-haves for Christmas, with many of us spending a month's worth of wages (sometimes more) on presents alone. THAT'S the best case scenario ... let me bring you down to reality for a bit!

Christmas (or whichever holiday you happen to celebrate during the holidays) is a time of reflection, a time best spent with family and other loved ones, a time not to ponder on what we DON'T have, but to be thankful for what we DO have in our lives! In a time when our society measures happiness by the amount of material possessions, many other families are struggling to put food on the table and keep a roof over their head! Even as I contemplate which group I happen to fall in, I still remind myself constantly that my life could be a lot worse, and I am eternally thankful!

However, there are still societies in the world that aren't so lucky, people whose daily mission in life is not to acquire more possessions, but to simply SURVIVE! Tanzania, the world's 4th poorest country, is one such place, yet the Tanzanian government is not able to provide health and education services to its people. The orphanages in Tanzania are able to operate because of the services that Peak 4 Poverty provides and donations from YOU, which is why I need your help!

As stated in a previous blog, I am running 800 miles from December 1st, 2011 to November 30th, 2012 to raise $10,000 for these kids, such as little Kondo (pictured above). I am running so that Kondo and other kids in Tanzania can have a fighting chance at having productive lives! So please, in leiu of gifts to friends, consider making a gift of life by donating on my blog!

Thank you, and God Bless!

Katherine

Why climb Mt. Kilimanjaro?

One question that I'm sure I will be asked several times in the coming months is "Why do you want to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and what does that have to do with raising money for AIDS orphans?" Both are very valid questions!

I first got the idea that I wanted to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro after seeing the MTV special "Summit On The Summit" a couple of years ago. A group got together to climb Africa's tallest peak to raise awareness for the need of clean water in Tanzania! With the amount of water that covers our earth, I was shocked to learn that less than 1% of that water is safe and available for human consumption! But in general, I was inspired by their story, that they got together for a purpose! I am doing the same thing!

If I raise enough funds, my mission to Tanzania in December of 2012 will be two-fold. I will have the opportunity to visit some of the orphanages that Peak 4 Poverty supports and to see first hand the fruits of my labor, so to speak. I will see where the money is going and how it is being put to good use. Afterwards, other Peak 4 Poverty climbers and I will embark on a harrowing mission - to conquer Africa's tallest mountain and to stand victorious at Uhuru Peak! Mt. Kilimanjaro is known for it's non-technical characteristics, meaning you don't need any special climbing gear, but hiking it is still far from easy. Avalanches, rockslides, and altitude sickness are just some of the hazards! It is a challenge that not everyone is able to take on, but it is an interesting challenge! For those that know me best, I rarely refuse an interesting challenge!

I would be honored to have your support so that I can embark on this rare opportunity and check of on my bucket list of life the chance to do something few would dare to do!

Thank you, and God Bless!

Katherine

World AIDS Day!

We're off and running!

Welcome to Day 1 of 365 of my Run 4 Red Ribbon project where I hope to raise much needed funds for AIDS orphans! It's almost symbolic that I should kick off my project on World AIDS Day! Our society is endeavoring to create a world that is AIDS-free by 2015, but another need will still exist! Today, there are approximately 25 million children in the world that have lost one or both parents to AIDS, the VAST majority of which are in sub-Saharan Africa! Yet this area is one that does not tend to receive goverment aid or assistance! This is a grave injustice, but you and I can help combat that! They money I am raising will go towards the educational and medical needs for these children so that they may grow up to live healthy lives!

Why I am running?

I am running 800 miles from today (December 1st, 2011) to November 30th, 2012 to raise $10,000 for Run 4 Red Ribbon and Peak 4 Poverty! I hope to be part of the Kilimanjaro expedition in December of 2012 so that I can have the chance to meet and work with the kids I've been raising money for as well as to conquer Kili herself! Conquering Africa's tallest peak will be the hardest thing I've ever done, but it will be nothing compared to an AIDS orphan's daily struggle to survive! I keep this in mind every time I take to my running (which I will do later tonight). I will be varying the number of miles I run each time as I coordinate the sessions with my strength training, core body, and upper body workouts! To help gauge my progress throughout the year, I plan to use my training to prepare for various races that will be taking place in the greater California Bay Area. My first race will be taking place on Saturday, March 17th of 2012, and if I raise $3,000 by that date, I will run with a FULL BEARD on! (I'm taking that marketing technique from a fellow R4RR runner, Jenna)!!!

So please spread the word, and take time to make a small gift to my campaign! Click the "chip in" button to the right of my blog and donate whatever you can! No gift is too small!

Thank you, and God Bless!

Katherine

I've had this saying for as long as I can remember:

            "If each of us on earth does our part to improve the lives of those around us, we truly would have world peace."

That saying has really stuck with me because my whole purpose in life has been to make a difference in the world and to help those who are unable to help themselves. Right now, you and I have the chance to make a difference in the lives of orphaned children in Africa who've lost their parents to AIDS, many of whom are infected themselves with this terrible disease. The money I hope to raise will go towards the educational, medical, and nutritional needs of these kids so they have a fighting chance to grow up and live healthy, productive lives and to contribute to society!

Though my primary activity will be running, I anticipate on taking part in a walk-a-thon here and there with coworkers; therefore, a small portion of my goal miles will be walked (which I plan to match by miles ran)! My initial goal is to be able to run 3 miles (just under 5K) in thirty minutes or less, like I used to be able to do in the Marines. As of right now, I am already close to that goal at 2.9 miles! I hope to run in my first 5K race in early May and possibly a 10K later in 2012. All this running will surely test me and show me what I'm truly made of! It is my sincerest wish that this journey will be just as inspiring to you as it will be for me!

Happy Running!