[Ahem] A few moments of your time, please.

Short Version:
I decided to run a marathon. I'll be linking up with the World Wildlife Fund of Germany. Why Germany? Because the race is in Berlin. For those of you with busy schedules, I'll cut to the chase: It's time to find out if I know at least 95 people who each have $10 with which they're willing to part in support of this charity. If you can spare it, please do so before you log off. You'll feel better. I'll feel better. For that matter, so will the rhinocerussesess, hippopottomussessess, heffalumps, stripey tiggers, pander burrs, and other endangered creatures. To join the team, the commitment is 700 Euros (currently about $950 here in 'Merica). I'm covering my race entry fee and all other expenses related to the trip. Your donation goes to WWF Deutschland. In advance, I thank you.

Medium Version Add-on:
I do believe in the cause of the WWF and when the opportunity presented itself to join their charity efforts I had to take it. For more on their history, visit WorldWildlife.org.

Truthfully, I'll also be doing this for my cause: my own physical rehabilitation. I've had it in the back of my head to tack a marathon onto the TTDBID List (that's Things To Do Before I Die ... aka Bucket List). Why? Simply: Because I can. Like many of you, I don't want a life of regret or to look back later and wish I had done something when I could. Marathons don't sound like much fun to many of you. Until recently, they didn't sound like much fun to me either. But it was on the List and I'm not aging in reverse!

As many of you know, I had a bad ankle injury in 2013 (fracture and dislocation resulting in surgery that included placing a small hardware store down there). As a life-long athlete, that's hard to take. I've been hurt before, but not like this (and not at this age!), so the rehab has been on-going. In order to continue to strengthen the joint, break up the scar tissue, and regain flexibility, I spent hours crutch walking my dog, Camo; in the gym with ankle weights, rubber bands, and balance exercises; then on to the treadmill and streets. Jeez Louise, friends, I even took up yoga! It's awesome, by the way; I completely recommend it (picture my gawky self in a "Warrior 2" pose!).

So I figured I'd knock out my 10th and final Peachtree Road Race (World's Largest 10k), which I did on July 4 in a personal-best time. Next month (August 24), I'll participate in the inaugural Hotlanta Half, a half marathon starting and ending practically at my front door. I've never run a distance of more than 10k, so 21k will be a good challenge.

But the cherry on top will be the Berlin Marathon on September 28. Berlin is regarded as one of the World Marathon Majors (with Boston, London, Chicago, and New York City). It is regarded as the fastest in the world, with SIX World Records set there. Will I promise a victory? Yes! For the fastest runner ... who will NOT be me. Sorry.

I'm doing this to do it. To finish. Because I choose to. Because I can. Last year I couldn't. Sometimes that changes perspective and enhances motivation.

Long Version Add-on:
I was unaware what my capability would be once I took my rehab up a notch. When I realized I could handle some of the "ground pound," I started to look to do more. Yes, it is still painful. I am still aware of *every* step I take. The bruising remains chronic. But to me this will be worth it.

So I started to look to keep my training going and knock out a marathon before the end of 2014. Well, most everywhere I looked was sold out. New York, Chicago, Berlin. There were some other choices along the way, but I was already looking into a trip to Germany. I have friends in Berlin who happen to have just welcomed their first two children into the world. After a visit there, I thought I'd head down to celebrate Oktoberfest in Munich - another TTDBID list-maker - that would practically coincide with my birthday. As I looked into it, I did some Euro-math and found out a marathon isn't just 26.2 miles ... it's 42k and 42k for 42bday had a nice ring to it. I'll knock the race out early in the trip, then it's: Eins, Zwei, Drei, PROST!

But to do this in Berlin - also nearly the 25th Anniversary of Reunification - I had to find a charity partner that had spaces, and a cause I would support and proudly ask for pledges to help. There were a few, and I believe I found a pretty good one in WWF Deutschland.

The Grand Finale (and Re-Asking!):
I really think that WWF Deutschland are doing a great job and I have decided to raise funds to help them perform their work. I would greatly appreciate if you could help me in my fundraising efforts by making a donation to WWF Deutschland or bringing awareness around my fundraising efforts. There are no small donations.

If you are able to, also please consider sharing this on Facebook, forwarding the link in an email or in some way letting others know. Also for that, I thank you.

So there it is. I hope asking for $10 is not too much, and I am grateful for anything you are able to give in support of WWF Deutchland. Again, if you can spare it, please do so while it is still on your mind.

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On behalf of my tiger, my care-giver, Camo, thank you for your help!
Todd