The 4 Deserts Challenge: A Mission

So here's the low down right now. I have given myself a goal, a mission, or whatever you want to call it. Alot of guys in the military have families, much like myself. And with the "Global War on Terror" ,or whatever people in the D.C. or the media are calling it, in full swing. many of those fathers and husbands, wives and mothers are unfortunate enough to lose their lives serving our country. Being a soldier who has been lucky enough to come home from 2 tours in Iraq I feel like there is something that I could do to give back. I have read articles about people such as David Goggins who have used their abilities to raise money for various charities that help military families who have lost some one. I love to run more than I love any other activity I take part in and, if I can use that to help some one out I think it would be selfish of me no to do so.

A few weeks ago I got an e-mail at work that was giving soldiers the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon to help raise money for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. I would have been the first person to sign up if I wasn't going to be deployed when Boston was taking place. That got the seed planted and me thinking," What can I do?" So over the next few weeks I have been thinking of ways that I could raise some money and do something for my brothers and sister in arms who didn't make it home.

Well, last night I was reading an article about the 4 Deserts Challenge and, how it's one of the hardest events alot of people have ever taken part in. My wife doesn't particularly like the idea but, she's being supportive of it. The only one of the runs that I will be home for is the Sahara event. Which I guess is just as good as any of the other ones. It's a desert right? I think all of them will be tough for different reasons, outside of the heat.

The race takes place in October and is a 6 stage, 155 mile foot race through the Sahara desert in Egypt. Alot of people might say that's crazy or you're an idiot but, I never claimed to be a smart man. (Look at the title of the blog people)

So, for the next however long it takes I have one big goal when it comes to running. One big thing that I will be training for. 155 miles of pain and suffering is a small when compared to what other people have lost. I think that something like this is worth doing. Also I am looking for a partner to share in my maddness. If anyone reads this, no matter where you are, and would like to team up with me to do this run leave me a comment and I'll get back to you.

Might not be too many takers on that one.