-Now Running On a Sidewalk Near You-
It’s my true tale of leisure jogging turned productive passion.
I started running in high school, not for a team, just on my own. I wasn’t the most athletic person and so my attempts at team sports weren’t exactly fun. I needed to be active and wanted something to pour myself into. At the time, I hated running; I hated even the thought of running. So naturally, that is what I chose to pour myself into. I believed that I could become one of those people who love, live and breathe running through determination and persistence. So, I began to run.
Now what occurred after that decision isn’t a Forrest Gump tale. I did eventually stop; in fact, I barely made it around my block. A lot of sweat, injuries and black toe nails prevailed. I made a few rules for myself when I began. To name some:
- Don’t compare myself to other runners. Do my best.
- Be consistent. Don’t make excuses if I don’t “feel” like running. Or, as Nike would say, Just Do It.
I have to admit that I have learned much from running, as I did grow to deeply love the sport, and would even go as far to say that it is one of my dearest friends. I enjoy taking time each day to unwind, brainstorm, pound out my problems. When I went off to college, I started increasing my distance until 7 miles became my norm, where it remains today.
I’ve recently had the bug to do something more with my running, reaching a plateau in the relationship. Though I’ve signed up for races before, I’ve never actually done one. Enter the Hall Steps Foundation via Ryan Hall, the fastest American born marathoner. The goal of the Hall Steps Foundation is to take small steps towards the marathon goal of ending poverty. He and his wife Sarah write,
“One of our heroes is Mother Theresa. Our favorite Mother Theresa quote is, “We can do no great things, just small things with great love.” Running a marathon can seem like a daunting task, as does ending poverty. But I’ve learned in my marathons that by taking one step after another, suddenly the challenging goal is now behind me. Out of this idea of “Small Steps, great love” emerged The Hall Steps Foundation.”
Internationally, the money raised through the foundation will go towards Clean Water (through World Vision), fighting Human Trafficking (through International Justice Mission), and funding a home in a Rescue Center in Kenya through Global Children’s Movement. The Hall Steps Foundation both partners with existing charities, and is in the process of creating its own initiatives within the United States. The Hall Steps Foundation has a vision of creating a Mentoring Running Program where volunteer mentors train with at risk youth with the goal of entering a race together. The training time provides the building blocks for a strong mentoring relationship. The Hall Steps Foundation is in the process of fundraising for this program, and hopes to build this initiative into one that other existing running programs can partner with nationwide.
With the Gasparilla Distance Classic at the end of February, I was looking for added motivation to run. I read that this year’s marathon is the last, though the ½ marathon will still take place. Now, raising money for a good cause can combine with this news to give my feet wings.
I better get training...
Sincerely,
Megan
follow my running adventure on www.twitter.com/megankorr
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