The Face of Prevention: A Guest Post by Jade Keller

Hi everyone! My name is Jade. Jo so very graciously invited me to do a guest post about my experiences working with The SOLD Project to combat human trafficking. First, I want to thank her for the opportunity to share some of my experiences. Also, I just want to thank you all for your interest in combating this terrible injustice and for your efforts to help support Love 146 and the other organizations with which they’re partnered.

When we talk about the millions of children trafficked, our eyes glaze over because we can’t comprehend the numbers and we can’t comprehend the truth of each life and what each child goes through in the trajectory of their lives. Our organization focuses on prevention for a lot of reasons like “stop it before it happens.” But the truth is, for these kids, trafficking doesn’t begin with abduction or the first time they’re forced. It doesn’t even begin with the initial deceit. It begins long before that.

In northern Thailand, one of the principle causes of trafficking is poverty, where kids are lured to the big city with promises of well-paying jobs and money to support their families. The kids we identify as being at-risk all come from impoverished circumstances, and most have other hurdles: alcoholic or drug-addicted parents, abusive homes, etc. I can’t tell you every kid’s story. But I will tell you one.

I’ll call him Nong.

He came to the resource center,one of the new children in need of a scholarship, polite, humble, and shy. He didn’t speak any English, so my usual ice-breaker (a game of Hangman) wouldn’t work. So I invited him to draw with me, an activity I found I could do with the kids that transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries. His face lit up at the invitation and he immediately set out to draw pictures of his favorite football players, then copying covers of children’s magazines. By the time the other kids arrived, we were wrist-deep in pencil markings and eraser sheddings.

Later, he would hop on a bike and play with the other kids, while I heard his story. It began with his mother,who had been raped and contracted HIV from the rapist. She didn’t know she was HIV-positive until six months into her pregnancy, and so passed the disease onto her baby Nong. She managed to marry another man, and when she told him she had HIV, he said he didn’t care. He said he loved her, and that he would die with her. They had a second child together, a daughter. Due to precautions, this time, she was able to have this daughter without passing HIV on to her. But they were incredibly poor. So when she couldn’t afford to send both her children to school, she chose to give the money and the education to her daughter, the one who wasn’t sick.

And so, a terrible twist of fate, an impossible decision, and here this little boy is. His mother died six years ago, and now he lives with his grandmother. With most of the kids, my concern is figuring ways to encourage them to stay in school. With this kid, it was gift for him to be able to go to school at all.

We were able to secure a scholarship for him, so that at the age of 13, he has the chance to go to school for the first time. He glows with the innocent excitement of getting his first school uniform. As we gave him a ride home after English lessons on Saturday, we asked him if he enjoyed his time there. He nodded shyly. We asked if he wanted to come again. His face split open in a wide grin and his nod was vigorous.

His smile is one I never forgot.

So the issue of prevention is not just about making sure kids never fall into the awful fate of sexual slavery. It’s about giving them a chance for life they might not otherwise have. This child, Nong, who otherwise might never have gone to school, was on a path where his lack of education would have left him no skills to sell, only his body. We can’t save him from his disease, but we hope we can give him a chance for a richer and fuller life for the days he has here with us.

When you run, know you’re running for kids like Nong too.  

I blog at Tasting Grace (http://jadekeller.com). If you’re interested to learn more about the issue or to hear about my experiences on the ground, please join me there for the week of March 5-9. I’ll be doing a series of posts highlighting some of things I’ve learned since I got here. Hope you’ll join me there!

Her first half marathon: a guest post by Rebekah

I'm delighted to share with you today a guest post by my lovely friend Rebekah. She just completed her first half marathon a couple of weeks ago, running in support of Love146. I hope you'll find her story both encouraging and inspirational, just as I did. Thanks, Rebekah!

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I did it!

I ran 13.1 miles and lived to tell about it!

In fact, I ran 13.1 miles in considerably less time than I expected to. My goal was simply to finish. Other goals included not meeting any paramedics along the way, not getting picked up by the pace car and, most importantly, to bring attention to a cause.

Joanne challenged us to run and spread the word about Love146. I have and am continuing to do so. Though I wasn't able to wear my shirt – temps were too hot for the long-sleeves – I have and do wear it when I'm running around town and I've placed donation envelopes at my husband's office.

Last year I set some goals for myself and this race was a big one. The Atlanta Track Club posed a question on Facebook today: “As a runner, it is so important to set goals. Let us know what you're ultimate running goal is, whether it's a certain distance, race, or PR. And press "Like" if you are confident that one day you will achieve it!” My answer was: “The best part about running is that you can always set a new goal! PR, log so many miles in a year/lifetime, longer distance, etc.. Running is for movers and shakers, baby! I set and met my half-marathon goal last month which I thought was my ultimate goal. Time for a new goal!”
I have an added motivation to running now. But it's not just about measurable goals. Running is for my physical, mental and emotional health, for my future, for an example and to see these same things happen for the millions of people currently living in slavery. Physical, mental and emotional health. Freedom.

You can do it, y'all! I know you're training. If you've never done something this big before you're thinking, “Holy crap! That's a long way!” And it is. But I did it and so can you.
I didn't start running consistently until January of last year. This time last year I could barely run a mile and a half without being really winded. I definitely wasn't running faster than 4 miles an hour. After running for 3 months I participated in a 5k race and finished in 31:30 and a year later I've run a half-marathon.

And just like you can finish this race (whichever it might be), you can be a part of something bigger. One person at a time bringing awareness about an incredible injustice, a horrible reality, and supporting change.

In which we are all winners, but only one person gets the free tee shirt

We have a winner! The Run for their Lives tech tee goes to Jo N.!! (A totally different Jo--not me--of course. And I promise the drawing was random and I wasn't showing name favoritism....) And really, I think you're ALL winners. You just don't all get a cool tee shirt like Jo does.

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Also? It's not too late to join us in the 146-mile challenge at Dailymile. A couple of rock star runners have already completed the challenge (give it up for Sue H.!), and a few have broken the 100 mile mark. But remember--this isn't about how quickly we can tally 146 miles. It's about getting there mindfully, with the abolitionist cause in mind, about giving some meaning to our training and encouraging each other along the way. So no matter whether you'll be walking, jogging or running, no matter how long it might take you to log 146 miles, I encourage you to join in!

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We're just a month away now from the DC Rock n Roll Marathon & Half Marathon and the Los Gatos St. Patrick's Day Run! I'm equal parts excited about the race and paranoid about getting injured/sick given my less than stellar track record. It's funny because on my very rough "editorial calendar" for this blog, (and by "editorial calendar"  I mean the sticky note that's no longer sticky where I scribbled some ideas back in 2011), I had jotted down the topics of injury prevention and staying healthy. And now I feel as if writing about those subjects would be akin to asking the universe to flood my house with wintery germs and my running path with big ol' rocks on which to trip and otherwise torment my joints.

So if it's okay with you all, I'll just ask you for YOUR tips on staying healthy and injury-free during training. Do you have any for me? Leave 'em in the comments so we can all benefit from your sage advice. Or, if you have questions, leave those too, and I'll do my best to answer.

Get in Gear: Part II

Remember that one time, about five hundred days ago, when I promised to "write more soon" about getting in gear? Yeah, so I guess "soon" is a relative term. To the hundreds of you out there who were holding your breath waiting for the next installment of The Average Jo's Guide to Running, take a deep breath in, then exhale, releasing all the toxins of bitterness and resentment toward me for making you hold your breath for two weeks.

Anyway, let's talk some more about gear, shall we?

App-tly Equipped

Whether you're looking to start running, keep running, or rant about how you hate running, yes, there's an app for that. Thousands of them, I'd guess. I've highlighted below a few of the apps I've found useful.

• Electric Miles (Free): Whether you're using Dailymile to track your mileage, to participate in the 146 mile challenge, or to connect with other athletes and runners, you might be looking for an easy way to enter your mileage on your phone. Well, look no further. Electric Miles is an app that allows you to log in to your Dailymile account and add workouts easily from your phone. The functionality is more limited than the Dailymile website, but I find it helpful for logging my workouts right after I complete them. (Because by the time I get home and in a place where I can sit down to log a workout, I've generally forgotten the details of my distance and paces.)

• RunKeeper (Free): I downloaded this app a year ago, but admittedly haven't used it much as I prefer to run without my phone. For the price, I suppose I'm still getting my money's worth. RunKeeper will track your route, time and distance with GPS, and allows you to store your workouts within the app.

• Runner's PaceCalc (Free): I probably should be embarrassed by how much I love this app. Because it's a calculator. I'm assuming the cool kids love apps like Angry Birds or Shazam, but definitely not calculators. I mostly use this app to obsess over how fast I might be able to run a 10k if I ran it at the same pace I just ran a 1600m rep. Or what the minute per mile pace would be to qualify for Boston in my age bracket. (Never mind that I've never run a marathon, nor am I signed up to run one, nor do I have any hope of qualifying for Boston if I spend more time daydreaming with a calculator than I do actually running.)

•  Couch to 5k ($2.99): I haven't actually used this app myself, but I've heard nothing but great things. If you're thinking about doing the C25K program, this app might be just what you need to help you get started and stay on track. 

I know I haven't even scratched the surface on all of the apps out there for runners of all levels. If you have an app you've found useful, please share it with us in the comments below!

{More on gear to come soon...ish. We still need to cover winter gear--preferably before winter is over--and talk more about hydration belts. And if there's any other gear you're curious about that we haven't talked about yet, leave me a question in the comments below, and I'll be sure to address it.}

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Don't forget--the Run for their Lives tee-shirt give-away is underway! Your donation to Love146 in any amount--no matter how small or large--enters you to win. So click on over and help us make a difference in the battle against child sex slavery and exploitation. Thank you so much!

It has everything to do with us

When my husband mentioned Human Trafficking Awareness Day to a colleague, she furrowed her brow, raised a skeptical brow. "Well, I've never heard of that."
Exactly the point of having an awareness day, don't you think?


We can't go a mile without seeing a pink ribbon. We're aware as we've ever been about breast cancer. We can add a dollar to a department store purchase to fund diabetes research and education. We can join a campaign to prevent childhood obesity. And if we're really feeling politically active, we can rally together in a walk or run or march for life or for choice. 

But when we talk about the innocent, vulnerable babies already born, the children who face not the risk of obesity and high blood sugar, but a life of captivity and serial rape, we get blank stares. We get "Come on, how bad can it really be?" And, "It's a problem overseas, but that has nothing to do with us."

No, my friends. It has everything to do with us.

I used to roll my eyes when non-profit organizations would include "raising awareness" as part of their primary mission. It seemed like a fancy way to justify the existence of one more marketing person on payroll without really getting anything done. But I'm starting to see how difficult progress is in the absence of awareness. No one cares about fixing a problem they don't know exists.

So let's keep talking about it. Let's keep reading about it, sharing about it, looking it in the face, no matter how uncomfortable it makes us.

This Huffington Post article by Corban Addison is a good place to start:

Reality check: There are more slaves in the world today than were taken from Africa in the four centuries of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade--over 27 million. Of those, two million are children exploited in the commercial sex trade.

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If you wish to give directly to the fight against child sex slavery and exploitation, we've set up a donation site with Love146. Over the next two weeks, your donation, no matter how small or large, will also earn you an entry to win a Run for their Lives long-sleeved tech tee!

Thank you again for your continued efforts to spread the word about the issue of modern day slavery and our efforts to abolish it.

Get in Gear

Now that we've covered a bit about training plans, let's talk about the gear you need to to help you get off on the right foot. 

It's a run, not a runway.  
Let's just establish this upfront. This ain't no fashion show. Sure, we all dream of gliding down the trail in a perfectly styled mix of Sporty Spice meets Nike ad. But Honey, if that dream doesn't die by the first mile, you can bet the third mile will do it in when you get a literal taste of what I like to call the Active Lifestyle Facial--the road-tested beauty formula of snot meets sweat. Let's just say this. If you still look pretty when you're finished, you didn't do it right. 

A spring in your step.
I can't stress this enough: Professionally fitted running shoes are a must. I know it's fun to be matchy-matchy, especially when you have to spend the equivalent of a week's grocery budget on one stinkin' pair of shoes, but don't be tempted to select your shoes based on color or style or what's available in the clearance section at TJ Maxx. Instead, concern yourself with finding the right fit, including the proper amount of support to address pronation. Experts at your local running store can analyze your gait and help you find the perfect shoes to support your stride.

Running shoes generally need to be replaced every 300-500 miles, depending on the type of miles you've logged. I like to keep track of my miles on Dailymile so I always have an accurate count and don't have to rely on my fuzzy mathematical memory. 

Music in your ears.
I know many of you out there are purists. You could run for miles just listening to the birds, the sound of the wind in the trees, the cars honking at you to get out of the blanketedy-blank way, and the sound of me whooshing past you as my new favorite running tune propels me forward. But for the rest of us normal folk who need a bit of music to beat the boredom and keep the pace, there are some great options for MP3 players and earbuds designed to stay put. My personal favorite (and I've been through a few) is this one--as it incorporates my old school Shuffle with wireless headphones that won't fall off even after I reach speeds of 50 mph. (Because that totally happens. All the time.) 

Time on your side. 
For as little as $10, you can find a sports watch with a clock and a timer. If you plan to run outdoors, this accessory is essential for keeping track of your pace, not to mention ensuring you make it back before the kids get off the bus or your lunch break ends. You don't need a fancy dancy GPS watch to get started (though that would be fun and those are wicked cool). Just strap on a plastic Timex, click over to chrono mode, and run like the wind.

Speaking of time, it's seems I've run out of it. I promise to write more soon, to include info on getting app-tly equipped, winter wear and hydration belts.


Any questions about gear so far? How's your training going so far? Please comment with your questions or share what gear, shoes, etc., you've found to work well for you.  Thanks!


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Don't forget, our Love146 donation site is up and running! Click over to make a donation or to set up your personal donation site if you've chosen to run a race with us. Also, there is still plenty of time to join in on the challenge at DailyMile!

More on training plans: All about Hal

I'm delighted to share a post here today written by my lovely friend Sharone, a kindred spirit and fellow average Jo runner.  Sharone provides a great introduction to perhaps the most popular and average-Jo-friendly of all the training plans, the Hal Higdon Plan. Please read on to learn how this training plan has enabled her to eat cheeseburgers run longer distances!

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I backed into running against my will. My friend Kelsey convinced me to do a sprint triathlon, and once I pushed past the initial wanting to die stage that was my first few weeks of training, I realized that I kind of loved running. It was the most satisfying of the three sports, and it was the most efficient use of my workout time. Not to mention that it requires me to have more discipline and determination (confirmed) than skill (questionable). And it’s something I’ve come back to over and over in the four years since, especially for races.

Since the triathlon, I’ve run irregularly, usually 3 to 5 miles at a time. I’ve also done a few 5Ks. I never come anywhere near winning. I’m middle of the pack, happy to have lately worked my mile time to just around 10 minutes—and that’s one of the things I love most about running. Besides the fact that it keeps me in cheeseburgers (not an exaggeration), running offers a challenge to work harder and a chance to see measurable results. The Go Green St. Patrick’s Day Run will be my first half-marathon, and I’m really nervous terrified excited about it for that reason: it will be hard, and at the end I’ll be really proud of myself.

I’ve told you my running life story as a build-up to telling you why I chose Hal Higdon’s novice half-marathon training plan for this race. As Jo mentioned, the Hal program is based on the principle that gradually increasing total weekly mileage over twelve weeks will give runners the training they need to run longer races. Before I started Hal, I’d been working through a run-walk-run program that I loved, but as I came into the home stretch for the race, I wanted more experience running longer distances without stopping. Also, I know quite a few people who have used Hal and swear by him.

Maybe most importantly for me, I went with Hal because I found a way to make the training so easy that I barely have to think about it. I don’t have kids, but I’m writing a dissertation and working multiple jobs, so I need a program that doesn’t require a lot of mental exertion. Enter BluefinSoftware’s Hal Higdon’s Novice Half Marathon iPhones app. I’ve used their Ease into 5K and Bridge to 10K run-walk-run training programs and loved them, and this app is even better. It’s super easy to use. It tells you what distance to run or how much cross-training to do on which day. 

You can use audio from iTunes, Pandora, or any other music app you like, tap the go button, and it will tell you when to start running and when to stop. And it keeps track of your time, distance, and routes for all your workouts and puts them into pretty charts so you can see your progress (one of my favorite parts). 

I love charts, and I love progress, so for me it’s perfect. It’s a little expensive for an app ($9.99), but if you can swing the money, I think it’s worth it.

So. The nitty gritty. Here’s how Hal’s plan works:

Each week of training consists of three running days, two easy cross-training days of 30-60 minutes each, and two rest days. Hal suggests running 2-3 miles on one of the cross-training days, which affects the total weekly mileage. He also suggests incorporating stretching and strength training somewhere into the week. But really, the plan’s very flexible.

* If you run the suggested races, Hal recommends rest for the two days prior to the race.

I’m a few weeks into Hal and I’m pretty happy so far. I’ve found that the suggested cross and strength training has made a huge difference in my running: better speed, energy, stamina, the whole deal. I like to combine the cross and strength/stretching by doing yoga or pilates, which are great because they give special attention to the joints that are getting the most strain. I feel stronger and more confident, and my mile times are coming down. All of these things make me really happy.

That’s probably the biggest thing I’m learning from all of this. The combination of Hal and the Bluefin app and the distances and cross-training really works for me, and it motivates me to train just as much as the 13.1 mile race I’m staring down in nine weeks.

What have you found that works for you? Hal Higdon? Some combination of plans? What do you do to make training as easy as possible?