In college, I got up most mornings between the hours of 5AM and 6AM in order to get to practice. I ran cross country and track, and those early morning hours were the best time to put in the miles. I didn’t dictate the practice schedule; I sat my alarm, crawled out of bed, and got myself to the car because that’s what time my coach said we would run. There were ten plus other girls that did the same. We rose from our cozy beds, groggily got dressed, and made our way across town because we were part of team and that’s what was expected of us. There was no debate in the morning about whether or not I would go run. There was no figuring out what time. And there was most certainly no question about whether or not I would skip. My reason for early rising to put in the miles was my team.
I graduated nearly a year ago, in May 2017. Shortly after my last cross country season I started training for my first marathon. My reason for dragging myself out of bed became a will to achieve something on my bucket list. I had previous college teammates training for the same goal; we would share plans and talk about our progress. I ran further and further and felt stronger and stronger.
I was also running to support the kids of St. Jude. I fundraised and my friends and family blew me away with their support.
That marathon was one of my very proudest moments. It gave me a connection to the sport and the people that had been such an important part of my past 10 years. That whole day after the race I was simultaneously miserable and elated. Never before had I been so physically exhausted. I had also never been so relieved. I stumbled around on jello legs, ate a lot of food, and shared my thoughts on the race with my support team.
Then, for a month, I decided I could do whatever I wanted. I took some time off to rest. I didn’t rise with the sun and certainly not before it. One month turned into two. Then three.
Now I’m wondering how I ever found the motivation to pull myself from the bed, slip into running clothes, and shuffle out the door. I hug my pillow longer and resist opening my eyes. I have no accountability and no race date. I’m lacking a reason.
A few months ago I was given an opportunity. I was asked to join the volunteer committee for Springfield’s St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer. I jumped at the chance. I was already so impressed with the organization and the work they do. It was exciting to think of how I could contribute to the cause. I thought of ways for the company I work for to be more involved, ways to help build our team, and how I can encourage other teams.
I did not, however, start training. I run here and there. I ride occasionally. I am not at all consistent.
I don’t know what happened. I do know what needs to happen. I need to be reminded of why this is important to me. I don’t just run to stay in shape (that’s a plus). I don’t run because my friends do (that just makes it easier). I don’t run so I can eat more sugar (though I certainly use it as an excuse to do so).
I run because it reminds me of my weaknesses and shows me that I can overcome them. I run because it makes me stronger, emotionally as much as physically. And I run because it allows me to be a part of something so much bigger than myself. That thing used to be a team; a family that labored, struggled, and grew with me. Now, that thing will be a cause I can support each day, with each mile, and each step.
I don’t have any illusions about suddenly getting back into a training routine or about having a team full of people that just love to run. I do think that if I constantly remind myself of my reason, and remind others of their reason, that we can make an impact. We can achieve healthier lifestyles, discipline ourselves, and raise money for kids fighting a much harder battle than we are. We can be a part of something bigger than ourselves.
If you lack the motivation to get training, or you just kind of fell off track, or even if you’re killing it in your fitness goals and just think you’d be a great motivator for the team, we’d love to have you join us.
You can sign up to run with us, make your own team, or donate to remind us that we’re running for a reason.
To sign up: St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer
To donate: Gearhead Outfitters Team for St. Jude
*I’d love to hear your feedback on what you’re training for right now and how you stay motivated; what’s your reason? Comment below!