Something! I want to write something good, anything, because I know that tomorrow, Thursday, September 4th, is the day readers of the Omaha World Herald (and shortly after that, readers of the Elkhorn Post Gazette, even closer to home!) will be directed to my blog. And the thing is, you all are important to me, just by virtue of coming from where I come from. You are my community, and that means a lot.
As you might imagine, I've written a lot about running here. (See all the archived posts, listed on the left side of the page- start at the oldest posts or click on 'About the Run and How to Help' for the first post, and background info) I spend a lot of time thinking about running. I spend a lot of time reading about running. And I really spend a lot of time running. Tonight I don't feel like writing about running, but I do feel like writing something for my community to read.
So, I'm going to say something about communities. Or rather, a couple of things.
I want to say something honest and personal first, about how much community means to me. There are many lovely things about being here in this city, but New York can be very lonely, especially for a good midwestern girl. : ) One thing I cannot deny about The Big Apple is that it has taught me a lot, including a lesson I count among the most important of my life. New York has made very apparent to me the importance of community, and as such, the support of my family, my friends, my friends of friends, and the various people with whom I, in some way or another, become connected to, is incredibly meaningful and inspiring to me. 139 miles of my run have been sponsored already, I have dozens of heartfelt notes, a few post run dinner offers from East Coasters, and even a few offers of company for a few miles! To say I am incredibly grateful and inspired is an understatement. I can think of nothing more important than the people with whom we share life, and I am honored to share this project.
And herein is the second thing I'd like to emphasize. The reason I believe so whole heartedly in Greg Mortenson's work with The Central Asia Institute is that it recognizes and acknowledges the importance of communities. I believe that recognizing and understanding this, the human element in all that we do, is very often the difference between success and failure.
It is after all, our propensity for change, either in the direction of progress or not so, that makes us alive, and our ability to think about and guide that change that makes us human. Alone we can only do so much, but together, as a community, we become strong and we can do what one person can not.
What if we could all be a community, and we made a choice, as a community, to combat ignorance and hatred? In the Long Run, what kind of world do we want to live in, and how can we make strides in getting there?
I do not fail to recognize that these are big questions. I do believe we should ask them. I also believe we must not paralyze ourselves with big-ness. It is the little things, one step at a time, one foot in front of the other. 33.90 a mile. If you can make this commitment, please consider making a donation.
[And...after all this seriousness, lest you get the idea that I'm always super-profound...I am including here a solicitation of the more light hearted variety. Send me music suggestions! In the next few weeks, I will be running fewer miles in order to let my body rest up some before I set out. I will, however, be busy with preparations of maps, sleeping arrangements, food, and...playlists! Suggestions please, either via email to thelongrun2008@gmail.com, or right here on the 'Comments' section of the blog! Inspire me! : )]
Love in action,
and a special shout-out to Omaha and the suburb formerly known as Elkhorn,
Kelsey
