Bottle Water Myths / Save Your Money and Save a Life

From the perspective of someone who survived my childhood by actually drinking tap water during the summer rather than bottled water, you might want to watch the ABC 20/20 video by clicking here.

Try saving your money for two weeks by drinking tap water instead of bottled water or soft drinks, and donate that two weeks savings to provide clean water for the people of Kalimani. You will be healthier. You will save money and save a life by providing clean water to people who need it desperately.

Thanks for your consideration.

"There are two types of people in this world, the givers and the takers. The takers eat better but the givers sleep better. - Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude"

A Little Change Makes A Big Difference

This project started with funding of $5.41. This was change I had picked up on the road while running. Thanks to the generous response by so many caring people, it appears we are now going to be able to provide clean water for more than the 4,000 people originally expected.

This is not about one person doing a big thing. It is about the powerful impact that many caring people can have by doing a small thing. The goal is to have 500 people donate $10 or $0.10 per mile for the 100-mile race I am running. That $10 (the cost of a movie ticket or less than some people spend on soft drinks in a week) can save a life. $1 will provide clean water for one person in Africa for a year. Most people have never been really thirsty; not like the people of Kalimani who have to walk miles every day to drink dirty water, risking disease, in order to survive. Babies die every 15 seconds in Africa due to the lack of clean water and sanitary conditions. Your donation will change that., which is something you can feel good about also.

People have given $10 and much larger amounts. Every dollar is appreciated and will go to save a life. These people who are so desperately in need, appreciate your consideration to donate to help provide this basic human need of clean water. Picasso once said, "Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together." The small acts by the people who provide assistance in the project, will save lives, which is GREAT thing.

Thank you for helping.

A Tip of the Hat to A True Olympic Champion and Supporter

I am thrilled that one of the greatest Olympic runners, Dave Wottle, and his gracious wife have recently provided financial support to the Road to Change project.

First and foremost, thanks for the people of Kalimani who will benefit by receiving clean water.

Secondly, Dave has inspired countless runners with his amazing gold-medal performance in the 1972 Olympic games. I remember watching the race where he was wearing his famous golf cap, which is now in U.S. Track and Field Hall of Fame, coming from the back of the field to out kick the Kenyan runners, which is unheard of today. Dave's win in the 800m is one of the most inspiring runs I have ever seen. You can see the video of his classic win here . You don't have to be a runner to appreciate this gutsy performance. Dave won by running his race. There is a runner's saying that " You don't have to have the lead if you have the courage to come from behind." Dave's was one courageous run.

Thank you for the support for the people of Kalimani and for being a great inspiration for runners.

One Cup to Save a Life

Are you looking for a very simple way to save a life? The next time you order a beverage in a 16 oz. cup, save the cup and then fill it up with your loose change. By donating the amount of change that fits in one of those cups to the Road to Change project, you will provide water to save a life.

To give you some idea of how important water is to each of us, did you know that water accounts for a large percentage of what makes each of us “human”? The average 150lb. adult body contains 40 to 50 quarts of water. Almost 2/3rds of our body is “water weight” (depending upon the percentage of muscle and fat).

Blood is 83% water
Muscles are 75% water
The brain is 74% water
Bone is 22% water.

Please consider making a $10 donation to provide this basic human need for the people of Kalimani.

When the well is dry, we know the worth of water. – Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanac 1746

Warm Run and a Guide to Ultrarunning

Today was another warm long run. It helps me to keep in perspective on a run in 90 degree heat, that the forecast in Baghdad, Iraq this week where our soldiers must do their job wearing 40-80 pounds of gear, is for high temperatures between 109 and 113 degrees.

For anyone interested in pursuing ultramarathons, a friend shared with me a great book, A Step Beyond: A Definitive Guide to Ultrarunning. It has some terrific background, training tips and race descriptions for ultras.

The response to this project by so many caring people has continued to be amazing. We are off to a fantastic start and I believe we will be able to provide even more clean water for the people who so desperately need it. This is all made possible thanks to your generous support.

My minister, Dr. Eli Morris, made a great point this weekend by saying, "You don't make a lasting impact by what you make but what you give." Through a donation of just $10, I choose to believe there will be someone who is provided clean water and a new life through your support of this project, that will make a real impact. Someone who otherwise, would not have survived. There are very few places where you can get that type of return on $10.

The following classic says a lot about not only the way we compete but also how we need to guide our lives with others in mind:

"When the One Great Scorer comes to write against your name, He marks, not that you won or lost, but how you played the game. - Grantland Rice"

Have a great week.