One Run For Boston -- Why We're Running This Once-In-A-Lifetime Relay Event

In this uncertain world, there is one constant that you can count on this summer. You might be at a cookout, swimming, at work, watching a drive-in movie, or even sleeping. No matter what you are doing, at any time between now and June 30, you can stop and say to yourself, "Right now, at this very  minute, one of more than a thousand runners is making his or her way across the United States clutching a lighted torch that says 'One Run For Boston.' " 

The design concept of the baton, created by UK artist Jon Parlby, is based on a lily flower, representing a symbol of strength, hope, and solidarity for the One Run runners and Boston.

 On June 6, One Run For Boston, the first-ever cross-country relay, began near Los Angeles. The brainchild of three Brits, the nonstop relay is scheduled to conclude June 30 at the Boston Marathon finish line. The relay covers more than  3,000 miles and is raising money for those most affected by the April 15 bombings at the Boston Marathon. The relay spans 14 states, and runners from the United States and beyond are running day and night to get the baton to the finish line. There are 319 stages, and each stage varies in length from as few as 5 miles to about 12. The stages can consist of one solo runner, a smaller cadre of up to 25 runners, or be a big group stage in which up to 500 runners can participate at once. It is up to each runner to decide, plan, and navigate the exact route they will take between the specified start and finish points for their stage.  

I'm pleased, honored, and humbled to let you know that the Sole Sisters and Coach B are in charge of Ohio Stage 237 -- E. Livingston Ave. outside of Columbus to Etna, Ohio. We have a 7.5 mile stretch that we have to map out and not screw up.  I can tell you now that I did have a mild freak-out session when I learned that the person who was originally taking command of our stage had dropped out, leaving me to plan the path -- from nearly three hours away. I've never been to Reynoldsburg/Pataskala, Ohio, yet here I am studying maps and charts and satellite images to make sure our little part of the 3,000 miles doesn't cause the whole relay to be thrown off track. As of right now, 22 other people are welcome to come and join us (after you donate your $50 relay fee) -- we are scheduled to step off at 9:45 a.m. on June 25. The location is near the Parkview Presbyterian Church in Reynoldsburg, Ohio (6969 E. Livingston Ave.). If you'd like join us, either leave a message in the comment section if you need more information, or just sign up for our stage at onerunforboston.org and we'll see you there.

The bombings at the Boston Marathon finish line affected me deeply, and more viscerally than any other tragic news story has since Sept. 11, 2001. I have been involved in newspaper journalism since my college days, starting around 1998. Usually, I can withstand the daily barrage of fatal car accidents, missing child cases, domestic violence incidents, and overseas terror attacks that I have to read about every single day. I guess you could say I've become hardened to it, as both a defense mechanism and as a result of overexposure. This, for me, was quite different. Coach B and I had woken up early on Marathon Monday to watch the start of the marathon, eat breakfast in bed, and take in the spectacle of the elite men and women running at their unearthly speeds. 

Rita Jeptoo and Lelisa Desisa Benti were the women's and men's champions of the 2013 Boston Marathon, finishing well ahead of the bombings.

At this time, the Glass City Marathon was about two weeks away, and Sole Sister M and I were still dreaming about qualifying for Boston 2014. For me, it was a quiet goal and I hadn't told anyone outside of our small training circle. But I dreamt of it, and was wishing for it, and every step I took was in the hopes that I would be good enough to make my qualifying time at GCM. That Marathon Monday, Coach B and I watched the conclusion of the men's and women's elites, then went back to sleep so we would be rested for work that night. I woke up around 1 or so, then hopped in the shower. When I came out, I turned on CNN like I usually do to get caught up on the news world. I heard the report of explosions before I saw them. At first I thought it was probably some car bomb in Iraq or something similar, which I'm unfortunately pretty inured to. And then I looked at the TV. And saw -- wait a second, that looks like a race course; that looks like a scene I am intimately familiar with. That looks like a finish line. I had the flash of realization: that is no desert outpost -- that is BOSTON.  That is what I'm working for, that is my goal, I was just watching this earlier this morning -- Oh, my God, what is happening here? 

I started crying, and I honestly couldn't stop. My runner friends and I texted back and forth: Have you seen what's happening? Do we know anyone there? What happened? Who's responsible? How many are hurt? People have died? Oh, my God. Just hours later, I was in the newsroom, facing reading and laying out stories about the bombing and selecting photos to illustrate all that had happened on Boylston Street. It was honestly one of the hardest days I've ever had at work -- mercifully at one point my boss saw how upset I was and sent me outside for air so I could try to gather myself.  It was like that to some degree every day up to and beyond that Friday when the bombing suspect was finally apprehended, which gave some measure of closure though the thought of both the victims still hospitalized and the fact that this storied running tradition was marred by a senseless act of violence was enough to make my blood boil. 

If there was one thing I was dead certain of, it was that these terrorists had picked the wrong subset of people to target. If you  think a runner, especially a distance runner, is going to be intimidated or back down, I'm sorry but you are very, very wrong.  Just a few days out from our marathon, we dried our tears. We redoubled our efforts. We dedicated our running to those who no longer could. We felt a fire in our bellies. We raised money. We raised awareness. We toed the start line at the Glass City Marathon. We swallowed down the lump in our throats during the moment of silence. We celebrated the starting gun. We ran our asses off. We hugged at the finish line. We screamed out with joy that we were going to Boston, baby.  

There aren't many things you can be sure of in this world, but there are two I am counting on right now. One, there will be a runner from now until June 30 making his or her way to Boston -- making a triumph out of a tragedy. And two, that third Monday in April, you will count me in Hopkinton among the thousands massed at small Massachusetts town -- ready to reclaim a storied marathon that is poised to come back, Boston Stronger. 

Be kind to yourself. Be kind to each other. -- V. 

CELEBRATION TIME!! National Running Day is Wednesday, June 5

Wednesday, June 5 is a holiday. No banks will close, mail will still be delivered, and if your trash is normally picked up on a Wednesday, you won't experience an interruption in service. No banquet is planned, and probably no presents will be exchanged. What is it, exactly, that we are celebrating, then? Well, if you didn't know, the first Wednesday in June is National Running Day, and has been for going on five years now. 

In 2009, some of the nation's top running groups came together and started National Running Day. These groups included the Atlanta Track Club, Twin Cities In Motion, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, the Boston Athletic Association, Chicago Area Runners Association, Competitor Group, Chevron Houston Marathon Little Rock Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, New York Road Runners, Oregon Track Club, Running USA, and USA Track & Field. The specific purpose of the day is to get people inspired to go running in many different ways such as becoming committing to a new training plan or just by heading out on to run with a group of friends who share the same passion.

If this is the first you are hearing about it, don't feel bad -- I myself didn't know until I spotted a flyer a month or so ago inviting people to register for I RUN ... National Running Day 4.09 Mile. Initially, I was just excited that there was going to be a run on a Wednesday night, one of my usual days off from work. Then, curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to know just why there is a National Running Day and when it began. What are the traditions? Do we leave our running shoes outside our doors the night before and hope that we wake to them filled with Shot Bloks and GU? Do we leave Honey Stinger Waffles and coconut water out for a svelte St. Nick (Nick Symmonds, perhaps) who runs from house to house, eschewing the aid of magic reindeer? 

While you COULD choose to do any of those things, National Running Day is an event that encourages community unity through running as well as just providing a day when runners can express their passion for the sport. Group runs are planned across the country, as are some events where runners help out charities. There are more than 200 runs and events planned in cities across the United States and Canada in 2013. 

Locally, the Toledo Roadrunners Club is holding the I RUN ... National Running Day 4.09 Mile race/run/walk Wednesday night. The event will be at Fossil Park in Sylvania (5675 Centennial Road), with registration opening at 5:30 and the race/run/walk kicking off at 6:45.  If you haven't pre-registered, the race-day fee is $10 (and sorry, but you've missed out on the shirt).  The course is described at an accurate 4.09 mile course within Fossil and Sylvan Prairie parks, with miles marked and one water stop. Awards will be given to the overall and masters males and females. The 1st 250 finishers will receive an "I RUN ... National Running Day Finisher -- REMEMBER BOSTON" car magnet. Any money made by the race will be sent as a donation to onefundboston.org. Sports drink, water, and fruit will be available at the end.  This sounds like a great way to come out and celebrate your love of running while making and hanging with friends in the process. I know I'm really looking forward to it. 

How cool is it that runners have their own holiday? You don't hear of Happy Football Players Day, or Merry Lacrosse Week -- that would just be weird. But it seems totally fitting that runners have their own holiday -- we are kind of a wacky, weird collection of people, and I think we deserve to be celebrated and to celebrate our sport, our passion, our way of life. If you can't make it to the local event, there are still ways you can keep the spirit of the holiday alive. The National Running Day web site suggests: 

1. Declare your passion: People run for millions of reasons and we want to know yours! Head to www.runningday.org and let the nation know why you run, be it raising money for charity, keeping your waistline in check, or getting to that bagel at the 5K finish line.
2. Bring a “runway” to work: Swap your loafers and heels for sneakers and you’ll be dressed to the nines for National Running Day. Your feet will thank you for it, and it will be that much easier to step out for a short jog during lunch or on your way home from work.
3. Morph your friends into running fiends: Friends don’t let friends just walk on National Running Day! Invite a pal or two — the more the merrier — to hit the road with you. They’ll be hooked in no time!
4. Change “Happy Hour” to “Running Hour”: Shake things up by adding a run to your post-work plans. Head out at 5 p.m. with some co-workers and relax over miles instead of cocktails.
5. Strike new ground: Seize the day and take the road you’ve never traveled. Who knows? You might find a new favorite running path to spice up your summer.
6. Give the gift of running: Donate to organizations that use running to make a difference in people’s lives like Back on my Feet or Achilles International. backonmyfeet.org   achillesinternational.org
7. Making running run in the family: They have your eyes, but what about your endurance? Leave the bikes and baseball bats in the garage and run around the neighborhood with the kids. Keep things interesting with a short race to see who is the fastest.
8. Choose a running resolution: Kick off a new fitness goal on National Running Day. It can be anything, including adding five minutes to your next run, running a new distance or signing up for a road race.
9. Take advantage of the great outdoors: Running outside beats spending all your time on the treadmill. Step out the front door and away from the gym to take in a bit of nature during your afternoon run.
10. Treat yourself like a champion: Set yourself up for success by indulging in your favorite post-run snack, sporting your lucky T-shirt or helping your feet to a new pair of sneakers.

New York Road Runners CEO Mary Wittenberg also notes that, “This year, runners told us they wanted to use National Running Day as a way to show support for the victims of the Boston bombings, so we’ve made special ribbons and bibs for events across the country. Runners can also donate to The One Fund Boston through the National Running Day website.”

So have fun and celebrate being a runner during National Running Day! Log those miles, smile those smiles. And remember: National Donut Day falls just two days later (always the first Friday in June), so run enough to make some room to celebrate that as well!  

Have fun out there, fellow runners!  -- Sole Sister V. 

Running for Good -- How Your Hobby Helps Others

Hi all, Sole Sister V here. After thinking about the reasons behind why I run, one thing stuck out, and I wanted to expand upon it here. I really like that I'm able to use my hobby, something I love to do and would do anyway, to help others.  

I'm proud to tell people I am a runner because I feel the running community in general is a caring, altruistic, and charitable bunch. If you ever needed proof, you can look to the outpouring of support given by runners in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing in April. Not only did runners quickly open their wallets to give to the One Fund Boston to aid those injured in the blasts, some even opened their veins as they streamed to hospitals to give blood immediately after the tragedy. As of early May, One Fund Boston had raised $29 million, with about $11 million coming from individual donors, and the rest from corporate giving, according to a May, 2013, article from The New Yorker. 

Runners, as a category, are prime candidates to be able to give back. According to U.S. Census Bureau research, 73 percent of runners polled by the American Community Survey between 2006-08 reported a household income of more than $75,000, above the U.S. median household income of $52,175. 

When runners dream ... 

There are myriad ways you can be a charitable runner. Perhaps the most common way is to participate in races that benefit causes. This is the case with most 5Ks out there. A portion of the proceeds from your race registration will aid the charity for which the 5K is organized -- no additional fund-raising on your part needed. Fill out the form, send in your money, show up, run, and leave knowing you helped someone while doing something you love, and probably would do anyway. Simple, right? If you feel passionately about a cause for which you're running, you can always look into raising additional money as well. I've done this for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5Ks that I've run, and it really makes me feel even more connected and invested in my race. 

Race for the Cure, Columbus

You can even turn your training runs into a charitable effort, with the help of a handy smart phone app. If you regularly run with your phone anyway, this is a no-brainer. The (totally free) app I use is RUN4GOOD from Saucony.  It works like this: Each month, an organization or cause is selected by Saucony to potentially receive aid. The RUN4GOOD community then must meet a challenge in order to trigger the donation. For example, in May, the Kenton County School District stands to receive a $10,000 donation if the R4G community runs 10,000 miles in the month. So, with the app installed on your phone, you would just select "START RUN" before you hit the road (or treadmill), and your miles are automatically logged. The app tracks your individual milestones, and also shows you how the entire community is doing, as well as the top individual efforts. R4G also gives you details about the organization that stands to receive the money. The program will always benefit efforts to reduce childhood obesity. According to R4G, "The Saucony Run For Good Foundation is committed to improving the lives of children by helping to prevent and reduce childhood obesity. We act to inform the public about its cause and prevention and provide funding to optimize the impact and success of community organizations that promote running and healthy lifestyle programs for youth." I'm sure there may be more app-based charity opportunities out there -- if you know of any good ones, let us know in the comments section.    sauconyrunforgood.com

A unique opportunity for runners to help out impoverished people is just coming online in late spring of 2013. I'm really excited to see how this is going to work. The organization KindRunner accepts your used, no-longer-wanted running shoes and turns them into "new" shoes for someone in need. This not only will help change the lives of countless shoeless people, allowing them to walk to jobs and prevent foot-borne diseases, but this also keeps your shoes from ending up in a landfill, where they can take 100 years to break down.  KindRunner pairs with the More Foundation Group, which asserts that keeping one pair of running shoes out of the landfill offsets 1 ton of carbon dioxide. One of KindRunner's other partners is Soles4Souls, which repurposes used shoes to give to those in need worldwide and also helps create micro-enterprises to generate income in impoverished areas. While you can already feel awesome knowing that you are helping out on two fronts HERE'S THE REALLY COOL PART: When you turn in your old shoes to KindRunner, they will issue you Kindness Cash Rewards that you can use toward the purchase of new shoes. I'm personally hoping that the Kindness Cash is good for gear as well as shoes, because I really like my local shoe stores!  kindrunner.com

So when I say, "be kind to yourself, and be kind to each other," I really mean it. You can be kind to yourself by pursuing something you love -- running -- while being kind to others by giving back. It doesn't matter what place you come in during a race -- being a charitable runner makes you a winner every time you hit the road.  

-- V.