Lessons Learned From Running 13.1 Part II

I am picking up where I left off in part I sharing lessons I learned while participating in my first half marathon. You can read my first six lessons here. So let's carry on...

LESSON 7: Choose a race that has an unbelievably fun theme!

When I first read about the Diva Half Marathon and 5K, I thought it sounded like it would be fun. Tutus, tiaras, boas, and hunks... oh my! I must admit I do embrace more of my tomboy tendencies then I do the "girlie" side, but this race did sound like fun! I had already planned to travel to North Myrtle Beach with my mom, aunt, sister, and neice, it would definitely be a girls' weekend. I was the only one who would be participating in the race.

The atmosphere race morning was full of energy, very cheerful, and very PINK. Various running groups were meeting up together to take pictures and other runners were posing for solo pictures. You had men, women, and kids adorned in pink and in tutus as they made their way to their pacing areas. One man in a tutu announced that he was supporting his wife in the run as he made his way closer to the front. I was a loner, so I stood alone and just took in the surroundings until a runner approached me asking about my shirt and the breakdown of my miles. After that point I was in and out of conversations with varrious other runners in passing. I even happily took pictures for runners who did not have someone else to capture their starting moment. The music was bumping as runners conversed and returning divas greeted one another happily. Even though I knew absolutely no one else out there, I did not feel alone. The atmosphere was very friendly and welcoming.

The breakdown of my miles dedication for the 13.1 miles for my #miles4change fundraiser

After the playing of the national anthem, one runner came to me and said she was almost in tears after reading the miles dedications on the back of my race shirt. Throughout the run I received encouragement from runners regarding my motivation for running along with my dedication miles through passing conversations or a quick thumbs up. Again, the atmosphere was very fun and upbeat before, during, and after the run. Definitely do not be afraid to register as a solo runner in this event. You will not feel alone!

13.1 Here I Come!

As I prepare to take part in my first half-marathon, I have decided to dedicate my miles to help motivate me to finish as strong as possible. In 2013 it was an idea, in 2014 it was a goal, in 2015 it's about to be reality!

Here are my 13.1 Miles Dedication as I prepare to go #miles4change.

Get Over It!

This year marked year six of participating in the annual Cooper River Bridge Run. The run carries you from Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina over the beautiful Cooper River Bridge into downtown Charleston, South Carolina. I remember hearing about this run for years as I was growing up in Charleston and watching portions of it on television. It always looked exciting! Of course back then it went over the "newer" of the two older Cooper River Bridges. Nevertheless I thought it would be fun to participate, but the size of the crowd was very intimidating especially when they revealed how many finished, and after awhile it became a faded interest. That is until 2010, when my sister and her team at work signed up to participate and she invited me to take part with them. It was just like I thought it would be, absolutely invigorating and a whole lot of fun! Of course this invitation would open up the possibilities of running that has shifted me into the season I am in now! Amazing the difference one invitation in the right season can make!

A picture taken the Saturday before the run as I "practiced" with my family

 

First 5K Went A-Okay

This morning I kicked off my personal racing season for my fundraiser #miles4change at a local race in Goose Creek, South Carolina. It was the Crowfield Plantation 5K Run\Walk. This race was a trail run and marked my first time participating in a trail run. One of my coworkers told me about it last year, but that's when I was in excuse mode, not run mode. This year I jumped on the opportunity to participate in it and I'm glad I did.

My kick off tshirt for #miles4change

#Miles4Change June Check Up

I am amazed at how quickly summer is flying by! Unfortunately during the first week of June I had to contest with an injury to my left ankle. Which I insanely naively continued to run on, leading to issues with my right ankle. So I spent most of June with the R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) method in full rotation. I still have no clue what I did to injure my ankle. The only thing I can come up with is I must have rolled it after jogging up on the curb trying to avoid oncoming traffick.

My three essentials as I nursed my ankles back to health.

Human Trafficking Q & A

In order to help combat human trafficking we need to understand what it is and where it takes place. The more awareness we spread, the less we reinforce the mental block that makes us believe that it only occurs over there, but not here. So with this post we will take a look at some questions and answers about human trafficking.

What is human trafficking?

"Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings, mainly for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor." -(source The A21 Campaign )

What does human trafficking look like?

Some forms are:

Forced labor

Sexual exploitation

Child sex slavery/ Child sex tourism

Child soldiers

Baby harvesting/illegal adoptions

Sale of body parts

Where does human trafficking occur?

Human trafficking occurs in cities and towns around the world. This also includes here in the United States. Human trafficking is a global crisis , not just a third world issue, with approximately 27 million people enslaved. People are not commodity to be bought and sold, yet it's happening around the world and right here in our nation, possibly in our own neighborhoods.

What kind of people get involved/caught up in human trafficking ?

People just like us! Victims come from various backgrounds, ethnic groups, and economic statuses. The age range spans from young kids to adults, from runaways to people who are tricked by the lure of great potential job opportunities. Even parents who sell their child/children for financial gain.

Some of the pimps/traffickers may start off as love interests who groom their victims for exploitation. Scouting everywhere from local shopping centers to social networking sites for potential victims. Others may portray themselves as reputable businessmen/women, trusted family members, or other authoritative figures in the victim's life. They also do not fit a particular stereotype other than being people who are manipulative and abusive to their victims for the sake of profit.

I don't pay for sex, so I am in no way a part of the demand that fuels human trafficking! What does this issue have to do with me?

We always want to know and understand our connection to any topic, unfortunately we are connected to human trafficking more than we realize! Many of the goods we buy are created by workers who are not protected by fair labor standards. They work long hours for low pay, under inhumane conditions, and some are even threatened physical harm for not meeting a quota. Some local places we patronize may profit from forced labor as well. Which is why we must be aware of where goods/services are coming from and make sure companies and organizations are responsible for the methods they use to produce products they manufacture and sell to us, or services they provide.

With each story we need to see people, not statistics. Whether it's sexual exploitation or forced labor, people are not commodity on either side of the spectrum, to be bought or sold. The bottom line is people matter. Being spectators in this issue, or other injustices, is no longer an option! Once we know more, we must do more.

 

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Crowdrise Rocks

I received the most amazing email today from Crowdrise! Crowdrise is the fundraising platform I chose to use to collect donations for #miles4change.

Not only did they provide me with the platform to raise funds, but they invested in my cause! Can you say AWESOME?!?!

Why #Miles4Change?

I've explained in my earlier post, "Run For Life", the events that occurred that made human trafficking stand out to me and really catch my attention. Even when I share this with family and friends, I still get a questionable look or asked why human trafficking? I'm going to share why I chose this cause how this cause chose me.

I have always been concerned about two major injustices in this world, the ill treatment of women and the historical issue of slavery. From the Bible to issues in our society, the treatment of women as "second class citizens", of varying degrees in the United States and abroad bothered me. I saw conflicts constantly In the Bible where the men who were heralded as great men of God had multiple wives and/or harems. I just couldn't get past that fact, and the whole "that was common back then" didn't make it better. An issue I had currently was how it's acceptable for males to sleep around without being labeled, but females are described using every loose terminology known to man. I never understood the double standard in many things and could careless about having someone attempt to explain it to me. If it wasn't good for the goose, then the gander needed to back away from it too. Not to mention how our culture uses sex as a form of liberation, crams it down our kids throats in sitcoms, movies, music, etc., then are horrified when they regurgitate what we've allowed them to gluttonously consume. But I digress...

#Miles4Change May Check Up

I said I would use this blog spot to update my fitness goals achievements periodically. So I'll start with May's progress. One thing we know that has to happen in order to be a better runner, is you have to run! So in May, one of the most stressful times of the school year, I decided to step outside of my comfort zone and get out there and RUN! Remember I did my 10K with little no training in April and have been approaching a few races like that for years. Well, no more!

My racing wings! Top pic with Asics and wings in Mt. Pleasant at the start. Bottom pic with one wing missing at the finish! I placed the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline number on both sides of my headpiece.

#Miles4Change Update

So its been four months since I decreed my goal for my fundraiser #miles4change. Here's an update on what has occurred:

I was supposed to run a 5K a month leading up to the 37th Annual Cooper River Bridge Run 10K taking place in historical Charleston, SC. Well, I did not participate in running any 5Ks, but did run/walk the Bridge Run on April 5, 2014 and received my first three donations towards the fundraiser.

I was amazed at how "wings" on my feet and head started so many conversations during the Bridge Run.

To date, #miles4change has collected enough donations to help two survivors, one survivor for one year and a second survivor for 6 months through the A21 Campaign's monthly partnership plan. As more donations come in, I am more determined to get serious about training and preparing for races. As I continue to read updates and articles, I realize that this cause is worth pushing beyond my comfort zone.

Miles 4 Change

In 2009 I read a story about human trafficking that moved me to tears and prayers. In 2012 I was moved to run, but felt more comfortable looking for organizations that fought human trafficking. This helped me to focus on contacting legislators regarding the cause and finding out more information. A good thing, but not the only thing I was called to do. In 2013 I was moved to run for the cause, but created all kinds of excuses to justify my shrinking back. For 2014 I am ready to jump back on the wagon and pick up where I left off.

A message from the A21 Campaign