This photo was taken by CNN and can be found at CNN.com
Over 8 million children in Pakistan are suffering from hunger and thirst. They are homeless and they are at serious risk of diarrhea, cholera and other diseases. And the medical facilities are sorely limited so these otherwise minor ailments are now deadly.
During the last 10 days of Ramadan 2010 - from August 31 through September 9 - I am running at least 30 miles while fasting to raise relief funds through UNICEF.
On this page of my blog I will record my runs, share updates on what's happening in Pakistan, provide links to other resources and generally try to help raise awareness to the plight of these helpless children.
Please visit my fundraising website at FirstGiving.com and make a contribution to help the children.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Junaid M. Afeef
August 30, 2010
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Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - Day 1 of 10
Image of the day
Today's Running Goal: 3.5 miles
Today's Results: 4.26 miles!
I had a good run this evening after work. I started at about 5:30pm. It was on the treadmill. I was really motivated by the thought that running was, in some small measure, helping a good cause.
I am grateful for the support you all are giving to these children. Within 12 hours of posting the fundraising site you've contributed $325 for children's relief! Thank you.
By the last day of Ramadan together we will have raised $2500. That's a modest amount but every little bit helps. If you would like to donate to my Running for Relief fundraiser please visit my fundraising website.
And again, thank you!
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Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - Day 2 of 10
Image of the day
Today's Running Goal: 3.5 miles
Today's Results: 4.26 miles again (but it was harder to do than yesterday)
The run went well but I really felt it afterwards. Mainly, I felt very dizzy. Anyhow, its now about 9:10pm. I'm fine and will be heading off to Isha prayer in a bit.
As of this evening you - my dear friends and family from near and far - have contributed $505 to help these children. God Bless you for your generosity. Please take a moment and visit this gallery of photos from a U.K. newspaper. It's truly gut-wrenching to see what these children are faced with in Pakistan right at this moment.
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Thursday, September 2, 2010 - Day 3 of 10
Image of the day
Today's Goal: 3 miles
Today's Results: 1 mile
I had a previously scheduled Muslim Bar Association Iftaar after work this evening. I got home at 11:30pm. I squeezed in a 1 mile run. Although I'm solidly on track to hit 30 miles in the final 10 days of Ramadan, I'm going to step it up during the next 4 days.
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Friday, September 3, 2010
Image of the day
Today's Goal: 4 miles
Today's Results: 5.75 miles!
I was fired up today because I felt bad about the weak run yesterday. I'm definitely getting a bit light-headed at the end of these runs. I'm developing some blisters on my toes as well.
Right now I've completed 15.25 miles. We're into the Labor Day weekend so I have Monday off. If I can run 15 miles over the next 3 days then I'll be at my minimum miles with 3 days to spare. That'll be great because I do want to do more than 30 miles.
The images and the stories of these children are incredibly moving. Today, for example, when I was running, I was going faster and slower depending on my fatigue level. Around mile 3.5 I started visualizing the pictures I'm posting here and that propelled me to get up to 5.75 miles. Frankly, I could have kept going.
I'm also inspired by the generosity of my friends and family. Thank you all for supporting the children of Pakistan in their time of need!
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Saturday, September 4, 2010
Today's Image:
Today's Goal: 4 miles
Today's Results: 4.26 miles!
I had an good run today. The first 2 miles were a bit hard because my legs were tired from yesterday's run, but once I got past the 2 mile mark I felt a lot better.
The floods remain outside of the consciousness of Americans. Locally in Chicago the newspapers aren't covering the story. Fortunately, my friends are responding to the news and the photos when it's posted on this blog or on my Facebook Wall.
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Sunday, September 5, 2010
Today's Image:
Today's Goal: 3.00 miles
Today's Results: 3.5 miles
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Monday, September 6, 2010
Today's Image:
Today's Goal: Rest
My knees are aching. I need to take a day off. Insh'Allah I'm still on track to hit 30 miles. Frankly, there is no way I will not do it. I'll run the last of the 30 miles no matter what, but since I've got a bit of a cushion on my miles, I'm going to rest.
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Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Today's Image:
Today's Goal: 5.00 miles
Today's Results: 5.00 miles!
After today's 5 mile run I'm at 28 miles! I have two more days of fasting left. I intend to push myself over the next two days and go beyond the 30 mile minimum that I committed to when I started my "Running for Relief" campaign.
I'm glad I took yesterday off. I felt a lot better running today, although, now, about 1 hour later, my knees are achy again. I can't recall when I ran this much in this period of time. I've been running regularly but not quite as many miles.
It's selfish and self-serving, but the aches and pains are therapeutic. And I'm so truly grateful to all the friends and family who continue to inspire me with their generosity in giving donations for the children in Pakistan.
May God bless us with the will, the ability and the resources to help the children of Pakistan through these trying times. Ameen.
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Wednesday, September 8, 2010 (Day 9 of 10)
Today's Image:
Today's Goal: 4.00 miles
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