tl;dr I'm doing the 10k Run for the Zoo 2023 and if you donate, I'll tell the animal of your choosing how cool you are
Hiya folks! I'm Shelby (if you've somehow found this and don't know me).
I spent my life hating running until I got a wild nudge to try out a 5k. Defying all my expectations, not only did I finish it, but I had a half decent time for a beginner, and even more surprisingly? I loved it. I've had a bit of time off after that run but the itch has come back and I want to give a bigger race a shot. Can I do 10k? Probably, but who knows?! When I looked for 10k races in the city that wouldn't murder me in the summer heat, I found the Run for the Zoo, and it was fate.
The Lincoln Park Zoo has been a staple of my Chicago experience. I've gone for classes in college, gone on dates there, marveled at the Zoolights many years in a row, and cried over the sloth even more often. It was a special place for my husband too, and for many of my friends. I love this space, this beautiful slice of nature and conservation in the middle of the city available for free to anyone who wants to visit. What a joy that I get to support this place while also trying out a new challenge!
I'd love to have folks help me along this journey. It's motivation for me to not punk out and it supports one of the gems in this city I love. And I wasn't kidding, if you donate, I will happily whisper to the animal of your choosing that you are extremely cool and interesting and pretty. Supporting conservation and education work is already awesome enough, supporting my harebrained scheme to keep running is even more awesome, but add on top of that knowing a penguin thinks you're rad? Perfection.
Follow my training and general life shenanigans at @shelby_fawn. Let me know you donated for a digital high five, and share this fundraiser so the reach can expand! Heck yeah!
