Why Do You Run?

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When I was little, I played tag with my neighbors, friends and my baby sister. It’s what you do when you’re a kid and it takes the least amount of debating when there’s a lot of kids who want to play.
I could run pretty fast back in the day. So as I entered my elementary years, I joined the track team. I ran in the 100 meter dash and I was usually leg three of the four member relay race. I still remember the jitters like it was yesterday over the fear of dropping the baton during a transfer. I never did. But not one race went by that I didn’t worry. 
One year, shortly before our heat was up, my team of girls decided to take a quick potty run; just wanted to keep nature from calling before we crossed the finish line. When I emerged from my stall, I noticed a scuffle on the floor between the two entrance doors of the restroom. A group of African-American girls were beating up on a tiny Blonde girl. And that blonde girl was one of my teammates. I panicked, and without asking questions, I jumped in with my arms, attempting to separate bodies and drag little Blondie out. That’s when what I didn’t see coming, came right at me. The accosting girls turned their fury on me. Next thing I knew I was cowered on the floor in fetal position, receiving kicks and blows and I’m pretty sure I lost a few strands off my head that day too. 
When they had their fill and finally walked away, I was embarrassed and hurting. Mustering myself off the floor when I was sure they were gone, I turned to my teammate and asked, “What was that about? Why were they beating the crap outta you?”
“I called them niggas.” 
“Oh.” Stupid me. If I had known, I would have thrown in a punch myself. I had no idea I was defending a racist. No wonder the girls were upset. 
In the end, the team of girls who attacked us got disqualified from the race. And we finished the day of events out without further injury, although I was left with a bitter taste in my mouth. I vowed to ask first before I fight for something or someone in the future.
Well, the future is here, and I’m running again. My hubby, the girls, myself and a slew of others are training for a 5K or half marathon that will occur on March 24th in Flushing Corona Park. This time, it’s clear what we’re fighting for. We named our team “For The Children,” because that is why we’re running. In support of World Vision’s ongoing mission to eradicate child poverty around the world, we’re running to help find child sponsors for the children of Rwanda and fund clean water projects in Africa. 
If you’ve never sponsored a child in your lifetime, now’s your chance. Did you know that when you sponsor a child for $35/month, you help provide medical care, education, clean water and nourishing food for the whole family? My husband and I love that World Vision’s focus is on children, and when we see our own children blossoming under the wealth of this country, we can’t help but want to share the blessings. Right now, we have eight kids. Four our own, and four  World Vision kids.
As a couple, hubby and I have two lifetime goals for working with World Vision. The first is to sponsor 100 children ourselves before the end of our lives. A second, slightly more complicated dream, took birth more recently. This March we’re running, but some time in the future, while our legs are still functioning, we plan to bike across the country, from New York to L.A. We plan to pedal over 3000 miles—For The Children! Yes, my hubby’s a fighter and dreamer. A dreamer and a fighter. I just hope I survive to write about it!
The words from The Lorax sum it up for us. 
When the Once-ler said, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing’s going to get better,” the movie reminds us that “If we don’t care, who will?”

So how about you? Why do you run? What do you care about enough to do something outside your comfort zone?

**IF you want to Sponsor a Child 
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5 thoughts on “Why Do You Run?”

  1. Hey Stephanie!

    Thanks for stopping by! I know it’s not very efficient in terms of burning calories, but I get most of my story ideas when I’m sleeping and dreaming! I wonder if I went running in my dreams…

    😉 – Raj

  2. Wow, Raj, the bike across country sounds amazing. That sounds like more of a book than a blog.
    I run for mojo, good humor and story ideas – it all awaits three miles into anywhere. At least that is where I find it.

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