It seems pretty much everyone involved in running knows of Team In Training and their mission to fund the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and its research. Those involved in adventure racing can’t help but know of the Wounded Warrior Project. And beyond those, there are dozens of other training/fundraising groups entering into races.
But I never found one that I was passionate about. Oh, they all were laudable and their missions are important, but it never pushed that button in me that says “I need to support this personally”. Not until I was browsing another 2 year old back issue of Competitor magazine.
Enter Team ASPCA.
Those that know me are aware that I am an absolute dog person. The greatest gift my wife ever got me was my beagle, Leo.
Work hard, play hard
But even beyond my own pets, nothing sets me off faster than someone being cruel to their animals. Animal cruelty pushes my buttons easier than cruelty to humans – I figure people can always make the choice to leave, but a dog is wholly dependent on its person.
The mission of the ASPCA is one that I can support and back without reservation. I feel like I could fundraise for Team ASPCA tied to a race and feel like I was doing it for more than just an entry slot in a marathon. This is where I can make a stand and feel morally satisfied with what I am doing.
I have absolutely no idea which event I would tie my fundraising to for Team ASPCA – NYC Marathon, Disney Marathon? It would be a 2015 race, so there is no rush, and I am waiting to hear back from them in any event.
But barring something completely unforeseen, I think I have found my charity training team. I am going to the dogs, and I couldn’t be happier.
