With...You (Part 2)

Just over a month now until I run the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. Training continues to go well and I have enjoyed writing about it and memories of past running experiences over the past few months. I  want to keep out in front of myself, and my friends, family and readers why I am doing this and how you can be involved.

I am not ok with the fact that there are more slaves in the world today (over 30 million) than at any other time in human history. In fact, I find it flat out astonishing and unacceptable. All over the world there are human beings working and living as slaves in industries we support with our purchases every day.

It's one thing to point at the sex trade. We'd expect it to be corrupt.

But, chances are, you're wearing jeans, drinking coffee or eating chocolate that was brought to you, in some way, by slave labor.

Sometimes it's argued that, while companies like Levi's pay their workers in Durango, Mexico (where my jeans were made) a minuscule hourly wage while working them 12+ hours/day and withholding overtime pay - those wages are only low by U.S. standards. They're actually very good for the people earning them and hardly constitute slavery. No point in arguing semantics.

However, the 30 million does not include such practices. It is limited to people like the children working on West African cacao plantations who bring us thing like Reese's cups after being trafficked across borders to provide free labor for their masters.

So - on May 6, I am running the Flying Pig Marathon to raise awareness and, hopefully $ to help combat this atrocity. My goal is to take 30 minutes off my previous marathon time of 3:59:38.

If you are not ok with the existence of slavery either, I invite you to visit the Not For Sale Campaign's donation page and sponsor me by making either a 1 time donation or signing up for monthly donations. If you make a 1 time donation, I suggest making a $(?) donation per minute I reduce my time.

If you choose to support my effort, I'd love to hear from you either in a comment here or on Facebook.

One other way you can help me: In the next couple of weeks I'll be putting together my playlist for the run. I'd love to include songs you suggest so that, as I run, I can think of you and be grateful for your friendship and support. Please send suggestions either as a comment here or on Facebook. 

Thanks!!