Running Helps to Keep Me Going in the Right Direction

I am honored to be a member of Team Chances NYC 2012, and to be training with an incredible organization for this year's ING New York City Marathon! 

After struggling for years after college with a very unhealthy lifestyle.I drank too much alcohol, smoked cigarettes, ate whatever I wanted, and lived a sedentary lifestyle. I had always been an active person in the past, but spent many unhealthy years packing on the pounds and being terrible to my body. In March 2011, I started hiking the beautiful mountains around Phoenix, and the pounds started to fall off. I was eating better, not drinking alcohol, not smoking, and best of all, finally enjoying being active again! Hiking led to trail running, which led to me signing up for my first 5K in November, 2011. From there, I was addicted! So I took my addiction and ran with it, no pun intended! I ran in my first 10K and 12K that winter, and finished my first half-marathon this past May!! I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to train with Susan Loken for the 2012 ING NYC Marathon,  and raise money for Chances for Children AZ in the process! I hope that by giving these children the opportunity to be active while they are young, it will instill in them the desire to continue being healthy and active into adulthood. I know that running is not only good for my body, but it helps keep me healthy mentally, as well.  Here is more about Chances for Children AZ:

Chances for Children-AZ is a not-for-profit organization that is committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle and wellbeing for children, their parents, and all members of the community by providing fitness training, nutrition programs, and educational services.

Chances for Children was founded on the belief that in life, everyone deserves the chance for opportunity. Research shows that diet and exercise promote a balanced well-being, resulting in positive life achievements.

The TEAM Chances marathon/half marathon training team is responsible for making new opportunities for children in our community through their fundraising efforts. Every successful TEAM Chances participant provides four children in our community the opportunity to participate in year long fitness and running program. The results speak for themselves! Look at the impact that we made last year:

• 3983 race entries
• 1810 runners
• 1400 pairs of shoes purchased
• More than 40,000 miles run
• 200 pedometers purchased
• 200 fitness journals used
• 313 Summer swim passes purchased
• 911 two-week sessions of swimming lessons purchased

Thank you humbly for your consideration in helping me raise money for this amazing cause! I have committed to raise $5000 by November for Chances for Children. Your contributions* will help thousands of children have the opportunity to do something they would've been deprived of. Maybe someday, they can chase their dream like I am doing right now by training for the race of a lifetime!

*If you live in AZ, your contribution is a dollar for dollar tax credit NOT just a deduction!