Please sponsor me.
I'm walking to keep
Africa Alive!
Sponsor Tom Welsh
Proud Corporate Sponsors
Hello Friends & Sponsors:
My name is Tom Welsh, and I am not a runner. In fact, as a general rule the only “running” I do is to the donut shop (in my car) for apple fritters and chocolate cake donuts with rainbow sprinkles. I have a strong and long-standing preference for sedentary activities, like eating donuts while reading the morning newspaper.
Nor am I a very diligent or talented walker. While I am physically able to walk, I prefer not to. At least not to excess. My work as a lawyer tends to keep me firmly rooted in my desk chair in front of my computer. I have always felt happiest while sitting down. This position allows me to avoid any sudden or strenuous movements that might strain my ego or some other equally important muscle group. My absolute commitment to this soft lifestyle of “no running and minimal walking” has left me with the metabolism of a three-toed sloth and abdominal muscles to match.
Fortunately, I was blessed with some recessive gene that makes me appear to be relatively healthy and fit. I am tall, and I don’t carry my donut fat in any particular location. When I am dressed in loose fitting business attire, people tell me I look “fine.”
So, if I look “fine,” why change?
The short answer is: “Midlife Crisis.” As my kids are getting older and as I waft into middle age, I have come to realize that simply appearing to be in good health will not allow me to actually grow old enough to be able to bounce grandchildren on my knee. Looking “fine” won’t help me decrease the risk of premature death.
Having recently accepted that I actually want and need to change my lifestyle, the next step was to register for a fitness event that would motivate me to make the change—compel me to put down the donuts, kick off my flip flops (shower shoes), lace up some running shoes and hit the road. A half-marathon “walk” seemed like the right type of event to get me started on my new and hopefully longer life.
“But where could I find such an event?” The answer was obvious: “Accra, Ghana!” After all, it’s only a 20-hour flight from San Francisco, 1 layover and 8 time zones away, on a different continent. A logical choice.
Of course, my true reason for choosing to participate in the 2nd Annual Accra International Marathon (1/2 marathon walk) is to help raise money for The Longevity Project. I am currently providing services to Longevity Project Africa, a California (USA) nonprofit organization with a mission to raise funds for health, fitness and longevity programs in Ghana and other Sub-Sahara African countries.
The more I’ve learned about the health and fitness issues facing many Ghanaians, the more I’ve come to realize that these are also my issues. Life expectancy is determined by the lifestyle choices we make—and I’ve been making choices that threaten my own longevity. So my goal here is to raise $10,000 (or, with your kind help, much more) for The Longevity Project, while at the same time helping myself by making the life changes to extend my own life. I am ready. Are you willing to help?
Please help me and The Longevity Project by sponsoring me in any amount.
My sincere thanks for your help and support.
PS: I will update the information below periodically as I continue to train:
Date Weight
25 June 2008 235 pounds/107 kilograms
25 July 2008
225 pounds/102 kilograms
I’m making progress!!!!! I hope to be down to 210 when I hit Ghana (all I need is one good stomach flu)
9 September 2008 224
lbs/101.604 kg**
**I got my hair cut today, which seemed to be the difference from last month.