What was I thinking?
I’ve asked myself this question many times since deciding to run – or at least attempt to run – a half marathon in every state. It’s been almost two years since I took off on this lofty goal, and let me tell you something:
This hasn’t been easy.
It’s not even the running part that has been problematic. It’s the LOGISTICS of this goal that have been the real nightmare. Getting to different states…on a weekend that has a race…getting the time off…not as easy to coordinate as I thought it might be! But somehow, I’ve been able to whittle 10 states off the list.
So far, I’ve tackled (in order):
- Rhode Island
- New Hampshire
- Connecticut
- Maine
- Florida
- Alabama
- Kentucky
- Kansas
- Wisconsin
- California
10 down, 40 to go.
What was I thinking?
I was thinking I was grateful for my health and mobility. I was thinking I wanted to challenge myself. I was thinking that challenge could somehow be used as a springboard to make an impact in my community.
With that in mind, during each wave of 10 races, I’m going to partner with a local charity in the St. Louis area to provide awareness and support to organizations doing some incredible work in my community.
For the first 10 races, I chose to highlight The Mike Kelley Foundation, which was built in honor of my friend we lost too soon. The foundation takes the money they receive every year and puts it towards hosting a baseball camp in our hometown, free of charge. It’s a wonderful event, and I’ll continue to pour into them and aid in their mission any way I can.
As we enter ‘Phase 2,’ or races 11-20, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be teaming up with The Little Bit Foundation. I first heard about this organization through a friend who is involved, and she couldn’t praise their work enough. You may have heard about them when former St. Louis Ram Chris Long made Little Bit the St. Louis beneficiary when he donated his entire yearly salary to various charities from cities he had played in professionally.
What Little Bit does is so special, because you can see the impact they are making in real time. To sum it up, Little Bit partners with various schools in the St. Louis area, and provides thousands of underserved children with the basic tools they need to help them in school. So many of these kids are dealing with issues most of us can’t even fathom, all before they head to school every day. Little Bit breaks down these barriers, hopefully placing kids in a better position to learn, thus increasing their chances to improve their situations.
When I first toured the Little Bit headquarters and warehouses, it was a shock to the system. In addition to books and backpacks, these kids are in need of socks, coats, underwear and much more. One station was placing toiletries in a bag, and I asked: “What’s that for?” They explained to me that some kids are moving from home to home so often, they need to carry hygiene products with them, in case they need to get ready for school in a foreign place, such as a gas station bathroom. Think about that for a second. Can you imagine a child having to brush their teeth in a gas station bathroom, because they didn’t have another option? And then that same child is expected to go to school and learn? I can’t. So I left, cried in my car, and vowed to do what I could to help.
Step 1 was volunteering. I went with members of Little Bit to a school they service, and handed out coats, gloves and hats (among other things) to kids in need. There was one boy in particular I helped with a coat. The joy I saw on his face as he tried on his new coat was something I’ll never forget. He didn’t have a proper coat until he got this one. It was roughly 18 degrees outside that day. We then went to try on hats and gloves, and he stopped to smell one of the hats. He asked me if it was new, I confirmed it was, and he told me he’s never had a new hat before. Talk about seeing service in action. Think of the ripple effect with just this one child. Having the means to stay warm is one less thing he has to think about, worry about. One more thing that may free his mind to learn.
I’ve been in these classrooms. I’ve seen up close and personal the work that is being done because of the exceptional people at Little Bit. Which leads me to Step 2. If you can’t donate your time, please consider donating some money. If do you find it in your heart to give, please click here.
As I head to Jackson, Mississippi for Race #11, when the ‘what were you thinking’ question inevitably pops into my head (usually around mile 9), I’ll remember the community I love, and the organizations I’m trying to help.
Thank you for reading this, and thank you for your continued support!
xoxo,
Michelle
