It’s been here since the beginning of mankind. The earliest sport of survival. Yet running nowadays has evolved from a necessity to a euphoric addictive pastime. It is a surge of inspiration and movement, and a way of life for millions around the world. It makes me wonder what fuels a person’s passion behind this sport.

A Few AWESOME Benefits of Running!

• Pumps up your Health for LIFE
• Relieves Stress
• An Effective Weight Loss Avenue
• Social Benefits- whether you join a team, club, or simply run with friends, running is a fun, healthy way to meet and spend time with others!
• Improves Motivation/Time Management
• Cause Running– Always opportunities to run for a cause.
• Boosts Energy and Confidence
• FREE!
• A great way to boost endorphins aka happiness
• Easy (To start; This sport can be as ambitious as you make it.)
• Goal Oriented
• Family Friendly
• ANYTIME. ANYWHERE.

I still get the pre-race jitters every time I approach the starting line. My stomach is churning, I’m filled with anxiety (and often times I’m freezing cold) and yet I know I’m not going anywhere. I’m intimidated, yes. But the euphoria of accomplishment and exhaustion is like nothing else. And it waits for me patiently at the finish line. With this thought, I forget about my surrounding competition, find my inner strength, absorb the road ahead of me, and anticipate the fire of the starting gun.

Embrace the butterflies. Those are your dreams pushing to be free and your inner will reminding you that you can do it.

To help discover the true “spirit” of running, I watched videos of creative ads from the top running shoe companies in the country, as well as a runner’s inspirational story about running in college. ☼

\”Why Do I Run?\” on Youtube

Have a beautiful and safe weekend! Tune in next Tuesday and Thursday for my next blogs featuring our own Red Cross Road Warriors and the benefits of running!

“We’re What Happens Next.”

On a cold, late-fall afternoon in New York City, three families lost everything they owned to multi-unit apartment fire.  As they stood on the street, watching their homes, their belongings and priceless keepsakes burn, American Red Cross of Greater New York volunteer Jennie Smith rushed to the scene to help.  A young firefighter turned to Jennie and said, “Isn’t that sad?  I wonder what will happen to them.”  Jennie replied, “We’re what happens next.”

Most people know the Red Cross for its response to the larger disasters—the hurricanes, floods and wildfires that grab the headlines—but the Red Cross must be ready for every disaster, regardless of its size or the media attention it attracts.

Click here to watch the video of the amazing works behind Red Cross! ☼

How do we prepare for the unpredictable?  How do we ensure that we can care for individuals, families and communities when something unexpected happens?  How do we keep responding when, on average, a disaster strikes every 8 minutes?

We rely on our donors, our volunteers and our partners.  We rely on you.  Be part of the answer.

As the nation’s largest, independent, nonprofit humanitarian organization, the Red Cross is there, every day, helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.  No other entity provides our depth of services to communities in the United States and around the world.

You can make a difference in your neighborhood and in communities everywhere.

All it takes is all you got. –Marc Davis

 

I swear that day before the race was THE longest day of my life. Waiting… I felt sick and didn’t want to eat anything. It was the night before the MSU Sprint Triathlon (my first) and I was absolutely terrified.  I was convinced that everyone at our dinner table was even crazier than I was – their biggest worries were which pasta bowl to order. But of course, this was their forte – they were the Grand Valley Triathlon Club. They had been training for this for months—some had been doing triathlons for years.  It was their drug, “The best thrill of your life”… I kept thinking that I didn’t belong here, that I didn’t have what it took.

Before we left dinner, a member of the team pulled me aside and told me that anyone can be an athlete. All it took was commitment, perseverance, and a leap of faith on my part. What was holding me back was that I didn’t believe in myself. Now at the time I thought he was muy loco! Taking the plunge into something you never thought you could do is the SCARIEST decision.  But I knew there was no turning back now – I was going to do it.  What I would come to realize was that it was totally worth it.

Completing my first triathlon, I now know why they call them “the longest day.” It was the most demanding physical and mental challenge I had willingly put myself through to date. Though I had my goal on a certain time, I knew that I had accomplished what I had come to do that day simply by taking my place at the starting line. Like his heart in the Grinch Stole Christmas, my confidence “grew three sizes that day”.  I had learned to believe in myself.

People can accomplish remarkable things if they simply dare to move!

So I am moving.  Coming from a beginning runner a year ago, I now have my sights set on THE BIGGEST race in Grand Rapids – the Fifth Third River Bank Run.  As a member of the team for the American Red Cross – I’ve decided I am going to push myself to run the 10K this May.  And I know now that there’s nothing to lose but self doubt.

So world – I challenge you.  Join me.  Take the plunge. Because it’s totally worth it, I promise you.

And all it takes is all you got.

Stay tuned for Melanie’s next blog on 11-8!