Get Your Run On!

May 1st will kick off the Tread on Trafficking campaign for Love146, and organization dedicated to bringing an end to child slavering and exploitation as well as providing aftercare to the lucky ones who have escaped. If you have not already heard about Love146 and the work they do, go check out their website www.love146.org and see for yourself what they're all about.

Tread on Trafficking takes place from May1st - June 30th. During this time I (and many other treaders) will be logging miles in any way we can to reach an established goal, mine is 325 miles. The idea is to get sponsors to donate a certain amount per mile, for example if you were to donate $.10/mile for me and I reach my goal of 325 miles, you would ultimately be donating $32.50. This can get a little confusing for some and also the not knowing exactly how much you will donate might deter some people, well never fear there is always a way! You can also make a one time contribution through my page (www.kristigstotpage.stayclassy.org). So, whether it be $5.00 or $25.00 or however much you are able, any little bit helps! And believe me, when the beginning of June rolls around it's a super awesome motivator to log in and see all the contributions made - it just pushes me to keep going for my goal.

For those of you who enjoy working out, want to start getting in shape, or just want to help this awesome organization, there's also a link on my page to Team Texas Love 146. This will direct you to the team site I created so we can work together in this fight. If you decide to join, you will set up your own page (similar to mine) that will be linked to the team site as well. We set our own mileage goals and workout on our own (unless you live near me and want to join me for runs!) and the team page just totals our contributions so our donations are made in the team name under each persons name. -- Hopefully that makes sense! I think being a team for something like this is a great way to stay motivated and spread the word even further than on person can do on their own. Once you sign-up, you receive a welcome packet via email and it has all kinds of good stuff for you to utilize like a mileage log, graphics for facebook or webpages, and posters to print and share with the community. I'm going to print a few of the posters and see about hanging them at the gym, since everyone is already working out there anyway! ;)

What's really awesome is that you don't HAVE to run to log your miles. Anything you can think of you can do: run, bike, swim, walk, row, etc. Whatever floats your boat! Last year a young girl logged her hours using a pogo stick - super creative! Another guy was on a paddle boat for 24 hours straight (I can't imagine the blisters, that's some dedication for sure). Basically what I'm getting at is don't be intimidated thinking you have to run a gazillion miles, because you most definitely do not. I hope I see some new names on Team Texas Love 146 soon!

You don't have to wait until May 1st to sign up or to start donating. So let's get to treading and get the word out there!

Don't forget stop by my page! http://www.kristigstotpage.stayclassy.org/

xoxo,
kris

Let's Get Started Treading!

As many of you know, I have joined the Love146 campaign and will participate in Tread on Trafficking this year - in FOUR days! That's right May 1st marks the kick off to Tread on Traffic. I have had several friends let's just say "pledge" to join the team, but as of yet have not. Okay guys, as much as I love to work out and LOVE my "me time" let's be honest here, team Texas Love146 needs some serious love! What am I saying? Don't make me stand alone, come join my wolf pack and help raise some money for some kids who really need it. I know not everyone enjoys running but the beauty of this is that you don't have to! Miles/hours can be logged through walking, running, swimming, biking, even dancing - that's right folks DANCING! The more creative you get with the miles the more fun you'll have doing it. Sooooo, CLICK HERE to join team Texas Love146! You wont regret it! ;)

Several people have voiced some questions which might be the reason some of you have yet to join team Texas Love146. The main question being "what's the entry fee?" - or some variation of that. Well, the answer is NOTHING! There is an option to make a donation in your name when you setup your page, but the key word there is optional. I would hope that we all make at least a small donation if we participate, but it's not mandatory, and definitely not required up front. For example, I skipped this option as well so I can see how much I raise and then make my own contribution at the end. Of course this is a personal decision.

Another question I've heard rather frequently is "Is the registration hard? Will it take a long time?" Again, the answer is NOPE! Registering for team Texas Love146 is easy peasy! Especially with the lovely link I provided you in the first paragraph. I spent about 45 minutes one afternoon going over the Love146 website, however, that was not simply registering. I basically read the entire site! A lot of you know, I'm kind of a nerd and wanted to read through the entire thing before (and again after) I committed to helping this cause. So, how long would it take a normal person to register? I say 10 minutes TOPS.

I've also been asked several times if you need to "have a child or be involved with children, ie. teachers etc.". I would have thought this to be obvious but alas we all see the world in different light. The answer is no, you do not need to be involved with children in anyway. Just have a heart and want the best for ALL children. Basically, you need to be a human being. As most people in my life know, my mother ran a home daycare so children have always been a part of my life. In college, I participated with March of Dimes and will probably always be involved in some children's charity or another.

I hope this clears up some questions and concerns you might have had regarding Tread on Trafficking. It's an amazing organization to help children that are abused in the worst ways imaginable. If you decide that joining team Texas Love146 isn't for you (believe me, I know not everyone enjoys working out!) please consider donating to my personal page. I know times are tough with the economy these days, but any little bit will help. Maybe just a couple bucks today and you pass on the Starbucks (or whatever brand you prefer) tomorrow!

For those amazing souls who want to make a per mile contribution, please send me an email and I will get you all set up on my log sheet. Annnnd for those of you who think the idea of a per mile donation is ludicrous, hear (read?) me out. Obviously, if you're filthy stinkin rich and want to contribute $5, $10, $20 a mile, BY ALL MEANS! But, for those normal folks out there like me, a $.10 or even $.5 a mile contribution would be awesome! I typically run 3-5 miles a day, 6 days a week. So we'll say 4/day for 8 weeks at $.10/mile = $22.40! What I'm saying is that a per mile donation isn't as scary as it sounds. PLUS, when people start contributing per mile it really pushes you to work out longer! :)

Again, PLEASE let me know if you have any questions! I'd rather be asked the same question a million times than have you forget the whole thing because you don't understand something.

Can't wait to get my Tread on with ya! ;)

xoxo,

Kris