It all starts here...

So I embarked on the road often travel, but seldom conquered recently. I decided a few things: a) I can be an asset to someone else; b) I'm faster than I seem to portray; and as such... c) I am going to run a Marathon and raise money for a very worthy charity.

I will be racing in the Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival on 16Oct10. My race will benefit the Special Operations Warrior Foundation.

About SOWF:
The Special Operations Warrior Foundation mission is devoted to providing a college education to every child who has lost a parent while serving in Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps Special Operations during an operational or training mission. The forces covered by the Foundation are some 50,000 military special operations and support personnel stationed in units throughout the United States and overseas bases.

The Warrior Foundation is currently committed to providing scholarship grants, not loans, to more than 760 children. These children survive over 600 Special Operations personnel who gave their lives in patriotic service to their country, including those who died fighting our nation's war against terrorism as part of "Operation Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan and the Philippines as well as "Operation Iraqi Freedom." To date, 143 children of fallen special operations warriors have graduated from college.

The Special Operations Warrior Foundation also provides immediate financial assistance to special operations personnel severely wounded in the global war on terror. Once notified of a special operations soldier, airman, sailor or Marine hospitalized with a severe injury, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation immediately sends funds to the service member (or his/her designated recipient) so the family and loved ones can immediately travel to be bedside.

To date, the Special Operations Warrior Foundation has provided over $700,000 to wounded special operations personnel.

About me:
I separated from the US Navy with an Honorable Discharge after 10 years of active service. I have served on many fronts and in many capacities. I have spent time Europe, South America and the Middle East. Some of the best years of my life were the years I spent in the company of Soldier, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. Especially those service members that comprise the US Special Operations Community. I have never met a higher caliber person, than a Special Operator! I have served in various support roles to the Special Operations Community, and I continue to be impressed with how we take care of our own.

"In the 30 years I've been a runner I've run more than 150,000 miles. Still, some of the hardest steps I take are those first few getting out the door for daily runs."

Bill Rodgers' Lifetime Running Plan