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With my 45th birthday coming up in October I have decided to run my 2nd marathon. The first was five years ago in 2008, the year that I began transitioning to a vegan diet.
I should be point out that running for long distances is not my natural propensity! I only tentatively started running ten years ago, after having recently quit smoking and living a pretty much sedentary lifestyle for several years.
Living on a whole foods plant-based diet has given me the nutritional support to be more energetic. Living in line with my values by not knowingly contributing to the pain and suffering of others has allowed me to live more authentically, and therefore more happily.
In truth, it has been nothing short of liberating! At the same time, I have also become painfully aware of the plight of animals used for "food" production, in addition to various other industries.
From ChooseVeg.ca: " Each year on today’s factory farms, over 700 million animals are confined in windowless sheds, tiny barren crates, and filthy wire cages. The vast majority of these animals are mutilated without painkillers, denied veterinary care, and ultimately slaughtered. Sadly, they have little to no legal protections. Simply put, life for them is a hell you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy."
While the overwhelming majority of “food” animals live and die in misery and deprivation, a lucky few have escaped their cruel fates after being rescued by animal advocates."
To that end, I want to make this event more meaningful by raising money for Cedar Row Farm Sanctuary, a family run haven for rescued farm animals, near Stratford, Ontario. Hundreds of farm animals, including goats, pigs, sheep, donkeys, chickens, cows and ducks have been rescued since the sanctuary began operating in 1999. The Sanctuary was founded and is cared for by the Poole Family (Siobhan, Pete and their two kids Cicada and Patrick). The Poole’s rely on donations to cover the financial needs of the sanctuary.
Last November I participated in a work visit there and attended their open house in June. It was wonderful to experience first hand the individual personalities of the animals who make their home there, including Gabe the talkative goose, Charlie the sweet steer, Plucky the shy turkey, and the adorable pig Joaquin among many others. Visit cedarrow.org for more details on individual animals' stories.
In the recent article "Farm Sanctuaries Teach Us What Farms Can't", Robert Grillo (freefromharm.org) states "On a sanctuary, animals are individuals who, like human beings, have intrinsic value and who have no expectations placed on them. The owners are replaced by guardians who provide a caring environment that empowers them with the confidence to more authentically express their true selves. People can walk away from sanctuaries often with a “breakthrough” understanding. They recognize that these individuals are vastly more expressive, more sophisticated than their repressed counterparts on farms. They see much of themselves in these animals. They realize that the stereotypes they’ve come to believe all of their lives are based on prejudice".
After having started my training in May, gradually increasing my distance from week to week, I am feeling confident I will be ready for the 42km distance on October 20th (although I am a little nervous!).
If you are able to make a donation to support me in this endeavor, you will be helping out a great organization. Every dollar counts, so any amount you can spare will be warmly welcomed. Tax receipts will be issued by Animal Outreach. Thanks!
P.S. As a special incentive, the first 5 people to donate $100 or more will receive a massage therapy gift certificate for a 1-hour hot stone massage (value of $85) at my clinic in Guelph. I am an RMT who has been practicing for 15 years.
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