Those of you who know me know that I can be opinionated.

I don’t do a particular race that raises money for “awareness” of a disease for a variety of reasons. It’s a long story, but I started to become jaded when I got a press release asking me to promote special colored extension cords for disease awareness. Don’t get me wrong, I am a strong supporter of research and cures (and fundraising), but how is buying an extension cord going to do anything?

My other issue is that more women die of heart disease than anything else. And heart disease can be prevented by simple life changes involving diet and exercise. I see morbidly obese Americans everywhere. What are we doing to make people aware of this very preventable disease? And on top of that, less research dollars go to studying women than men. Is that fair?

Well I had to a chance to put my money where my mouth is this week. This Sunday Ohio State’s Ross Heart Hospital is hosting a race called One Lucky Buckeye. The proceeds of this race go to fighting heart disease in women! The race supports the American Heart Association, Go Red for Women, and Women Heart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease. How can I NOT enter this race!

And the race is just for women, with the exception of one man — the one lucky Buckeye.

There are three distances available: 2 miles, 4 miles and 8 miles.

When registering, I asked if there is a walking division. The woman helping me said, “Yes, there is a 2-mile walk.” I laughed and said I meant is there a walking division for the 8 miles. There isn’t, but that’s OK.

I’m excited about entering a race that supports a cause I believe in and encourage all of you to do the same.

The sad thing is, when I registered Thursday, I was assigned bib number 611. I wish this race would draw the kind of crowds so many other fundraising races do.

 

 

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