09.08.11 - ALONG THE MILES AND TRIALS

Friends and Family:

If this adventure that I am presently running were the distance of a single marathon (26.2 miles), I would presently be "hitting the wall"... just beyond Mile 19. But it isn't a single marathon; it is the equivalent of 30.5 marathons in 20 weeks... for the single cause of raising needed funds for one of my passionate charities, Children's Hospital. AND I AM IN NEED OF YOUR HELP.

As promised, I intend to finish 61 half marathon race-pace training runs and races in 20 weeks to honor local Fargoan baseball legend Roger Maris' 50-year-old feat and, again, to raise $6100 in needed funds for Children's Hospital. More specifically, I am running to raise these funds for my brave Patient Partner of three years, E.J. Spellman, and children just like him.

As I stated above, I am 14+ weeks down the road and 43 half marathons completed (3 per week)... and I feel like I am "hitting the wall." In endurance sports such as marathoning, "hitting the wall" or "the bonk" describes a condition caused by the depletion of glycogen stores in the liver and muscles, which manifests itself by sudden fatigue and loss of energy. Not to worry, I am physically fine and motivated. I've raised the minimum amount of $1500 for Children's Hospital two months ago, but mentally I now feel like I have tapped out all my avenues to raise the remaining $1984 of my $6100 goal. AND THIS IS WHERE I NEED YOUR HELP. Please read on below...

If only a handful of persons who read this email that I have sent out send me a simple amount of $6.10 (326 persons total), I will easily surpass my personal goal of $6100. Will you please help me? All I'm asking for is these two things from you:

1. Donate any amount - 1 penny to 10,000 pennies - to this worthy cause. Amounts under $10 can be mailed to me at: Lee Hoedl, 6155 16th Street South, Fargo, ND 58104 (Checks made out to Children's Hospital). Amounts $10 and over can be mailed to me or made online by going to my secured charity runner's donation site at https://howtohelp.childrenshospital.org/newyork/pfp/?ID=HL0057 And, in advance, thank you so much for your support at any level - like loaves and fishes, it adds up and is blessed by the Almighty.
2. Consider donating a simple amount of $6.10 (it was the amount chosen to reflect the symetry of Maris' single season home run record and the total goal of $6100). And then take one lunch break during the week of your donation to reflect on the individuals who I have prayerfully ran for since June (or a special person of your own) and take 15-30 minutes to go outside for a walk/jog and offer them up in prayer.

I guarantee that your donation and prayer will diminish any tiredness you may feel in your daily life. And then, if you are so daring, continue to take 15-30 minutes each week until November, go for a walk/jog, and remember those who may need a few extra prayers and support. A light and grateful heart is so healthy for each of us.

Each of my 61 half marathons have and will be dedicated to an individual, family and/or cause; and through each 13.1-mile journey I will offer up those individuals, families and causes in prayer. If you have a loved one, friend or cause that you would like me offer up in prayer during a run/race, please feel free to email me at leehoedl@yahoo.com. It remains my firm belief that we are all in this together... all along our miles and trials.

In advance, thank you for your consideration of a donation and on behalf of the Children's Hospital, my Patient Partner E.J. Spellman, and my four wonderful children, thank you so much! It is your generosity and the generosity of so many others that new treatments and cures are discovered every day to allow every child the opportunity to realize the full potential in their own individual life.

Children's Hospital Boston is a 392-bed comprehensive center for pediatric health care. As one of the largest pediatric medical centers in the United States, Children's offers a complete range of health care services for children from birth through 21 years of age. Children's is also home to the world's largest research enterprise based at a pediatric medical center. Since 1869, their discoveries have benefited both children and adults.

MEDALS4METTLE

I will be donating all earned half-marathon medals to a Medals 4 Mettle; a non-profit organization that facilitates the gifting of marathon, half marathon, and triathlon finishers’ medals. Runners from around the world give their hard earned medals to Medals4Mettle. The organization's worldwide network of physicians and volunteers then awards these medals, attached to a Medals4Mettle ribbon, to children and adults fighting debilitating illnesses who might not be able to run a race, but are in a race of their own just to continue to live their life. PLEASE JOIN ME IN THIS JOURNEY WITH YOUR POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.