26.2 miles

"This world is full of love, we still have hope." - Zero 7, This World (Simple Things) From my apartment in Canoga Park, California to the exit for Los Angeles International Airport is 23.5 miles. On December 14th of this year, I will run that distance plus 2.7 more miles. 26.2 miles. In my head it seemed impossible when I decided I was going to take this on about a month ago. It still seems incredibly daunting, a feat that I would have never imagined attempting 3 years ago or 3 months ago. The reason I'm running this marathon? Because I'm raising money for AIDS Project Los Angeles. APLA is the leading provider of AIDS services for Southern California. When I raise $3,000, APLA will fly me to Honolulu Hawaii, put me up in a hotel for the weekend and wish me luck. Then I will run 26.2 miles. I'm not a runner. I don't jog. I've never even really enjoyed the activity but I'm doing this. Why? Because the only reason the shows I work for have any cultural merit is because a young man died from AIDS complications but spent much of his last year with our cameras in his face. I'm doing this because Magic Johnson is living with the disease and not only living with it but thriving. I'm doing this because I know people living with the disease that aren't thriving. They are struggling. I don't want them to struggle anymore than they have to. I'm also doing this for me. Accomplishment, discipline, focus, pushing myself to the limit. All of it. I have a tendency to shy away from challenges. I have a tendency to succumb to fear. I'm giving that outlook on life a holiday. And quite simply, I have two legs, my health, and my life. There are many who do not, so why wouldn't I do this? But I would like your help. My fund raising goal is $5,000. Which seems like a crazy goal but if I get 200 people to donate a dollar a mile (26 dollars), APLA would have $4200.00, those dealing with HIV and AIDS in Los Angeles would have some serious assistance, and I would just have 26.2 miles to complete to honor your belief in me. What do ya say? You can make a donation right here on my AIDS Marathon Fundraising page. If you do so by September 3rd, I will promote any link you want right here on this site until I've completed the marathon. And you will have my undying gratitude. And, I'm sure, the gratitude of lots of others who won't know your or my name.