What is it?

There is something about running. It may be the sound of feet pushing forward in front of you. It could be the feeling of releasing stress of a long or maybe hard week. It very well could be the feeling of getting into better shape. Whatever it may be for you, I think that we could all agree on one thing: it's addicting. I think that there is one thing about running though that we could all agree on.

Let me preface this by saying that I am not a pro runner. Nor am I a great runner. I just enjoy all of the things mentioned before as well as a good challenge. During the St. George Marathon last October (my first marathon), I grew a lot as a person during the five and a half or so hours that I spent running. It was emotional. I don't know why. As I came around the last corner of that race and saw the people down the last stretch, I could have just stopped and bawled. I can't explain it. But I had a similar experience just this past weekend.

Something tough about getting the ONEfight organization going is that it is hard to get it going, get people excited about it, and move on from there. But I wish to share an experience with you. A few months ago, at work, I was asked if I wanted to run a 50 mile relay with a few other people. I said that I would. During the time of training the topic of what ONEfight was came up in discussion. I was so thrilled to hear that people that I was training to do this race with thought that it was a good idea and something that they believed in too. This added a new sense to our race. We weren't going down to just run. We were running for others. Each member of the team had a reason to run. I may not have known what that cause was, but you could tell by the determination that each individual had.

Something really special happened to us while we were there. 50 miles is a long way. It's a long time to spend with people. It is a lot of waiting in a car, and chatting about who knows what. You run your leg, and then you're back to the car. But something happens as you finish your leg. You are able to relate to what the person who had gone before experienced. You began to feel for them. As the race went on, the encouragement for each other began to increase. It was amazing. I felt a strong connection to those that were there. Even the other teams. I didn't know any of them, or probably wont see any of them again. But I think they felt it too. I know when I show up to work, and see those that were there running as part of our team, we will have a special bond that will last for a long time. I am grateful for that experience and the friendships that were made this past weekend. Thanks to all who made this happen.