I Could Have Slept In But Why Should You Care?

Something strange has happened to me. On a recent three-day holiday weekend, I had the opportunity to sleep in. But I didn’t. I attended a concert at the Hollywood Bowl Saturday and started early Sunday packing meals at our church for families in Haiti. I was looking forward to sleeping in on the holiday Monday when my wife told me our runners group was going out at 7 a.m. What would seem like an automatic "no" has become a much easier "yes" for me.

There was a time when just walking across a room was a challenge for me. A badly broken ankle from a motocross racing accident in my youth, requiring multiple surgeries and pins, became more problematic as I got older. Bone-on-bone pain with arthritis made trade shows, which I love, along with pretty much anything in life, a painful experience.

The solution was an ankle fusion, but instead I suffered for 10 years because I was scared to death of this procedure. Recently I celebrated my three-year post fusion anniversary and I’m in awe at what I am doing these days.

While running is not encouraged on a fused ankle, I can walk. My ankle actually feels good enough now to add some jogging to my walks. While it’s not a big deal for some, I’m doing more than five miles and have participated in a few 5Ks. These are fun and generally raise money for good causes.

Part of this whole running thing is the connection we make with others. At Expo East in Atlantic City, I was able to participate in the Howard Allan Blum 5K. Through my now PPAI-award winning website program FreePromoTips.com I was able to raise some awareness for this event and the charities it supports. At the Specialty Advertising Association of California (SAAC) Show, they had Run with the Ex-President, facilitated by SAAC ex-president, Craig Reece. Connections and business relationships are made though participating in these events.