What It Takes

Many who watch the Olympics (including myself) will turn on their televisions and be inspired in various ways over the course of these next three weeks. Sports will take on an entirely new meaning and seeing will truly turn into believing, as many “wow” moments will take place each and every hour of every day of competition.  I have been able to sit down just for a few hours these last couple of days and become enthralled with road cycling, swimming, beach volleyball and women’s gymnastics, and watch as if I have played these sports and know these competitors personally. I have never played or excelled at any of the sports I just listed, but the Olympics has that magic that makes one feel connected to something so far away from the realm of possibility that the feeling of Christmas or a birthday can be multiplied exponentially when a member of Team USA succeeds.

NBC spotlights so many different athletes during the Olympics, giving us some insight on training, their personal lives and their team in Rio. Watching, reading articles and listening to interviews can only do so much into allowing that mirage between a normal person and an elite athlete to occur. I consider myself to be an elite runner, but when I watch these Olympic sports, even I wonder what these athletes have done to get to this ultimate level in their respective sports. Bridging the gap between this so-called unknown is what drives me every day. Simplifying the process of success is quite difficult, and understanding what it takes to be "elite" is still daunting and confusing--even to someone like myself. When the goal so much larger than yourself, it is often hard to fathom what it really takes to achieve it.

So, I challenge you and remind myself as we watch these 31^st Olympic Games in Rio, to remember the sacrifice of time, talent and treasure these spectacular athletes have taken to reach this point in their career that is a window so small one would do anything to make it last forever. The good news is, no one can ever take away the accomplishment of qualifying for the Olympic Games--no matter how they fare in competition.

I continue to delve into my own mind, and strive to find ways to push my body to find what it takes for me—Matt Elliott—to be what I need (and want) to be as an athlete. Looking back on my past, I hope for a future that exceeds my expectations in ways I cannot even imagine. Onwards and Upwards! Make today better than yesterday. Go Team USA!

And, on a personal note, we rescued an American Bulldog puppy this weekend. Her name is Faith and she is amazing! I did not realize I would enjoy having a dog so much--nor did I believe an animal could be so sweet. 

New Beginnings

This summer has been very rejuvenating for me. I have found my love for running again, spent more time serving at RunningWorks than ever before and witnessed our high school cross-country athletes at Charlotte Country Day School put in more miles and training than any summer season prior to now. 

Time is such a gift. Normally, I would be fine-tuning training in order to prepare for some of the outdoor season’s most pivotal races. However, my outward focus this summer has helped me fuel my inward joy for running once again. I have been training, building miles, adding workouts, weightlifting, meeting folks for runs, sleeping better, eating healthier and feeling energized since the beginning of June. National Running Day on June 1st was a real spark for me, and as daunting as starting from Ground Zero at any task in life can be—I am grateful I was able to find myself and my running again in these last eight weeks.

School is about to begin anew in the Fall, and I am happy to announce a partnership that will allow me to become a teacher once again at an institution I love and respect exponentially. The Palmetto School, where I once taught, has allowed RunningWorks to take over their Physical Education program this upcoming school year. RW will be on campus two days a week working with a K-2^nd grade class and a 3^rd-8^th grade class each time we meet. Being a P.E. teacher was how I started my teaching career, and I cannot thank Dr. Wilson and his staff for allowing myself and the RW Team to come on board and be a part of this family once again in a different way than our prior involvement.

The Charlotte Country Day School Cross-Country team has been practicing for the last seven weeks in an unofficial capacity. I have enjoyed being a part of our five practices each week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday runs and Tuesday, Thursday weightlifting sessions. Our team has been traveling, attending camps and working various summer jobs, but I am thankful for those athletes who have come out and put “money in the bank” for our upcoming cross-country season. We leave for our inaugural team camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains this coming Friday followed by official team practices beginning on Monday, August 1st; and, our first race is on Saturday, August 20th with a 2-mile preview event at Myers Park High School. 

Personally, I don’t have any races on tap these next few months, but will definitely be running some local races this Fall here in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area that I will announce very soon. I am excited to begin working with my coaches in an organized capacity in the very near future and I am elated that my body is responding to the training I have been able to complete and be consistent with these last two months.

Thank you all for your patience. I haven’t given you much to cheer about athletically this last year; however, I hope you have kept abreast of the many success stories in the Charlotte community that are worth more applause than anything I could accomplish on the track.

I would like to thank my sponsors for their consistent support encouraging me off of the couch and onto the roads and track. I could not do what I do without you--especially in this past year of injury and trial:

• Brooks Running for continued support since 2009 in all   ways
• In the Arena Team for supporting my every need 
• Generation UCAN for being a part of what goes into my body   EVERY SINGLE DAY
• EC3D Compression for being a part of my daily pre and post    workout routine
• Strength Tape for giving my foot the extra support it needs to     be 100% once again
• Celanese Chiropractic for keeping my body in line

·      And, ALL of you—Onwards and Upwards!!

Top 5 Moments of the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials

It has been bittersweet watching every single moment of the 2016 Track and Field Olympic Trials, mostly because I was hoping to be towing the line there until sidelined by surgery about a year ago. On the flip side, I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing my peers and friends succeed, flourish and compete at every level. Even those who did not qualify, showed what true competition looks like and made this Trials amazing and inspiring. The good news is that I am training every day again, and I will be racing with my colleagues very soon...

Here are my top five moments from these past ten days. They may be different from yours, and I kind of hope they are. That is what makes Track and Field so special! Enjoy.

1.  Bernard LAGAT (5000m) and Brenda MARTINEZ (1500m)! I just couldn’t decide who was better at overcoming obstacles and being mentally tough.
2. Charles Jock makes Men’s 800m team with 3^rd place finish. I got to know Charles in the Summer of 2013 in Leuven, Belgium, when we were roommates for a short time as we traveled and competed with our agency—Total Sports US. Charles is a phenomenal athlete, running 1:44 in college as NCAA champion in 2012 and making the World Championships team in 2011. For the last four years, however, he has had several lackluster seasons and fallen short of his goals. We don’t talk much anymore, but I hope he knows that I am a huge fan and I am ecstatic to see him achieve Olympic status. There is no one better dressed in the sport or who carries himself with more class than Charles.
3. Stephanie Garcia comes up 150m short of making Women’s Steeplechase Olympic team. I am not sure if I have ever seen any athlete race harder than Stephanie did in the final of this year’s Women’s Steeplechase. I have known Stephanie since 2012 and have followed her development and rise to stardom. She is one of the few women in this country with three Olympic “A” Standard times and is not scared to mix it up at the front of any big race. I was heartbroken to see her fall over the last barrier, but I hope she knows she can hold her head high because she left everything on Hayward field. Well done, Stephanie!
4. Kate Grace wins Women’s 800m run title. I don’t know Kate at all. But, all I know is that she is a total bad-ass. I followed her season closely and knew, as did most who follow this sport, that she would bring the heat at this Trials. And did she ever, winning perhaps one of the most dramatic races to ever take place on United States soil.
5. Ben Blankenship makes his first US team. I met Ben in 2013 and I have always been scared of him. He is one of the most authentic souls in the sport of Track and Field and also one of the most talented (as you have seen this week at the Trials). He has been fun to watch these last two seasons as he has run some fantastic races to come up just short at Nationals or World Champ qualifiers. Not this time! Congrats Ben, and I look forward to seeing you soon. (Written at 5:55pm EST with the final being run at 8:20pm EST).

Run Happy--Regardless

National Running Day, on June 1st, was a huge success for the RunningWorks team. As a group, we totaled 590-miles over 12 hours and had 85 people run at least one-mile to support our cause of raising awareness for homelessness and poverty here in the Carolinas. We would like to express many thanks to all who came to run and walk with us. I have been involved with the sport of running in an organized fashion for 18 years now, and I can safely say that June 1^st was a day that I will always remember for changing and challenging me in ways that I never thought possible. I ran 26-miles throughout the day, which happened to be on the one-year anniversary of my foot surgery, with a RunningWorks team member named Josh. Josh is very new to the sport of running. He is 21-years-old and came to the program as a blank slate to the running world. I have been on several three-mile runs with him and completed several 5k races with Josh by my side, but I never thought I would say that we would have run the marathon distance together. He just wanted to keep going. He didn’t want to stop until our time was finished for the day. He got outside of his comfort zone like no one I have witnessed (and albeit paid for it the next few days as did I), and we learned more about ourselves and each other that day than ever before. Running was our greatest teacher, and looking back now it has always been my greatest confidant, refuge and strength throughout life. Running taught us all that day, as well as the city of Charlotte. We were able to connect and talk with so many who were wondering—why were we still out on the streets running?!

 

Josh and I after his 5k PR at McAlpine Park this past Sunday.

I have struggled these last few months to find myself, to find that spark or mojo or whatever you want to call it. I thought that it was gone forever and that I would never learn to enjoy running again, much less train and compete at the highest level. Running fast can be overwhelming and the aspects of training that I need to complete day to day have paralyzed me this entire year thus far. The Olympics are this summer. Will you be there? I have been asked. How is your foot? I wish I have a dollar for every time I was asked that question. When is your next race? Is your training going well? All of these questions have come from a loving and caring place, and I thank all of you who have taken the time to reach out to me and check in and give encouragement. However, running has taught me so much more this last year as I have been able to get outside of myself and my selfish pursuit and see life and running at the rawest of levels. It has caused great fear and anxiety for me not training in a structured way, not having all of my meals 100% right and my schedule fit to a “T”, but I know I have still been doing what I have been called to do—run and help others with their running.

I have put together several solid weeks of training and will continue to build with a refined passion that I never thought would go away or be bigger that it was in my past. Running 3:36 for 1500m was great. Running sub four-minutes in the mile 11 times was cool. Finishing in the top four at a USA Championship twice was a blessing, but running at RunningWorks has changed my life and perspective more that any of those accomplishments combined.

I want to thank all of my supporters and sponsors for your patience this last year. It has not been pretty on the outside or inside for that matter, but I can promise you this—I still love to run. I have learned to love practices even if I am not running, to love racing even if I am not winning and running with people even if I am not in the best shape I can be. I have learned to just put on my shoes and go. To not stress about tomorrow or the next day, but to truly make today the best it can be. It was easy to say let’s make today better so that my tomorrow will be best when I was in peak shape. Now, I have learned to do that even when I am 15-pounds overweight and hurting all over. Life is a good. Running is good. I am good. Now, it is time to get my best back, and be better than I was ever was before. Onwards and Upwards!

I Run Because It Is Who I Am

As National Running Day fast approaches this coming Wednesday, June 1^st, it causes me to reflect on this past year and who I am as a runner. National Running Day falls on the first Wednesday of June each year, but this year is special because it marks exactly 365 days from the date of my foot surgery as well. Suffering my first serious injury has enabled me to grow a lot as a person—not just a runner. I always like to say that the “R” in running stands for “Relationships”, and having some downtime to reflect and invest in others has proven this beyond a shadow of a doubt for me. Running is not something I just do for myself. It is my life. Nearly having it taken away from me has made me love it even more. Giving the gift of running to others is one of the most rewarding things I have found in my life.

That being said, I am so excited about what we are doing with the RunningWorks team on Wednesday for National Running Day. In order to raise awareness for poverty in the Carolinas and beyond—as well as challenge the stigma associated with the homeless population, we are “setting up shop” on the busiest corner in uptown Charlotte, North Carolina (the corner of Trade and Tryon Streets) to run for 12 hours with our homeless groups, community partners and volunteers. At all times, someone will be running various one mile loops in matching RunningWorks shirts in a coordinated effort to draw attention to the misconceptions and realities involved with our heroic family. It has been amazing to see how much the community has rallied behind this effort and supported the idea we put together in a short amount of time. It has not been a competitive effort, but rather a collaborative one with all of the running stores, race companies and partners working together and becoming one.

Special Branded National Running Day Shirts for RunningWorks

 I would to challenge all of you to think about why it is you run. Use the hashtag #IRunBecause and #RWTeam for National Running Day, and be sure to follow our effort. If you live in the area, please feel free to come out and join us! We will be there from 6am-6pm before heading down to our regular Wednesday evening program at the NoDa Run Club, 2229 N. Davidson, for a family dinner. See the attached link to our website for more information.

http://www.runningworks.org/runningworks-to-celebrate-national-running-day-on-wednesday-june-1/

Running has helped to open my eyes to the world in which I live, and challenged me to see the bigger picture of life. I hope that the things you are passionate about in life do the same for you. I am grateful for the opportunity everyday to “get” to do something I love with the people I love the most. We never “have” to do anything. It is a gift. Running works. Onward!

Quotes to Live By

Here are just a few quotes that inspire me and keep me focused on why I live my life the way I do. Please feel free to comment and share some of your favorite or most meaningful quotes. I would love to learn what fuels your fire!

"The only easy day was yesterday." 

Coach Greg Adamson

"Whether you think you can or you can't--you're right."

Meredith Dolhare

"The only day of the week that doesn't exist is someday."

"Workouts aren't meant to show how fast you are, they prepare you to run fast." 

Coach Scott Simmons

Proverbs 3: 5-6 (NIV)

5: Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

6: in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your pathsstraight. 

Colossians 3:17 (NIV)

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

"I learned English by watching movies and listening to the radio." 

My coach Ruud Van Thienen (who is from Belgium), M.D and Ph.D in Exercise Physiology

"You only have one chance to make a first impression."--Aaron Kersey

"I quit school because of recess, I don't play."

Dad

"I love you more than you will ever know."

Mom

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt

Now let us get the conversation started!

The Competitive Edge

My Inspiration for "bringing it" to everything

If there is one thing I know for sure, it is that if you have a truly competitive spirit, it never leaves you. Even though I have been injured and struggling to get back to my prior level of racing, training and competing, I have been witness to others attempting to find their edge in addition to enjoying various sports where I have seen mine emerge with a vengeance at key times. This gives me hope that I will be able to really “bring it” when I am back in my favorite oval—track nation.

When coaching at the high school level, it is all about learning and having fun, but also so important to be able to find that extra gear within—especially at championship meets or to qualify for them. The “competitive gear” needs to match the “fun gear”, and if you find the balance between those two elements of running then the pressure that comes will be welcome. The mind wills the body to perform outside of yourself and possibly even current fitness—almost like pure adrenaline. For example, at 2013 USA Nationals, I ran a 51.1-second last 400m to finish in 4^th place in a star-studded field, but I had not run a 51-second 400m in any workout or meet all year—even in an 800m! The body will find a way if the mind is trained to compete.

My dad doing all the things he loves...BEST

I was blessed to grow up watching one of the best athletes I have ever seen “bring it” time and again in every sport imaginable—football, basketball, baseball, golf, bowling, ping pong, tennis, name it. I’m speaking of my Dad. He was the quarterback at Furman University for four years, and is still the biggest stud I know. He scored 52 points in a high school basketball game, batted over .500 for a season in baseball, can throw a football more than 60 yards, bowled 250, shot 35 on nine holes, and ran 400m in 55-seconds at 6’3”/220lbs just to give a frame of reference. To quote him, “he quit school because of recess because he does not play.” Even now, he beats me at almost everything because he refuses to lose. It doesn’t matter if I am beating him for 90 percent of the duration of whatever game we are playing (even Scrabble or Horse)—at the last minute he is clutch. Just this weekend, he won the Captain’s Choice Golf Tournament for the Furman Football Alumni Association at 62-years-old. That is the competitive edge I wish for every single person reading this and think about each time I walk onto the track. He even beat cancer.

My first golf outing in years with my best friend from college, his dad and my dad

The influence of my Dad throughout the years has helped me through this tough time of transition from surgery, as I have not been competing in MY sport right now. However, I have enjoyed playing a few others like basketball and golf—things I had not really done in years. Frankly, I didn’t expect much. Yet, like my Dad (and because of him), when I needed to find that extra gear at the end, to change the fun gear to the competitive one, it happened seamlessly. It gave me confidence and made the entire outing much more enjoyable! I know I’ll have it in the last 400m of my races, and I am looking forward to proving that. The best part of playing other sports is exercising that competitive muscle during clutch times—the feeling of pressure, the adrenaline, the knowing when to step up and take a shot, to take a chance. There is nothing quite like it. Experience playing anything helps hone this skill. Just ask my Dad.

With the best parents ever--and of course my dad had to beat us to the top

Above and Beyond

Sporting our navy L.L. Bean Jackets and camouflage Trucker Hats Post the Elizabeth 8k in uptown Charlotte last month

I have had the privilege of being connected to many great sponsors since I started running at the post-collegiate level in 2009. Each are unique in their own way, but the ones that are the most dear to my heart are those with a "we" not "me" focus. L.L. Bean is the definition of what this type of sponsor embodies. They sought out In the Arena for what we stand for and in turn have given us athletes as well as our community service partners opportunities to be outfitted in professional athletic and outdoor gear. The RunningWorks team has had a Christmas-like experience as L.L. Bean provided our team with 22 rain jackets and 20 hats.

Even the mayor of Charlotte, Jennifer Roberts, loved our L.L. Bean gear

RunningWorks has programs and activities that take place outside virtually 100% of the time. We have team gear for our runners that covers the basics like shirts, shorts, shoes and socks, but these items provided by L.L. Bean will help our athletes train and perform at an even higher level. We've raced at and volunteered for many an event where it is pouring down rain, so these hooded, waterproof jackets will be invaluable. 

The RunningWorks Team and I cannot thank L.L. Bean enough for going above and beyond with their partnership with In the Arena. Countless lives have been touched by your generosity. Men, women, teenagers and children all over the Charlotte region thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Onwards and Upwards!

THANK YOU,  L.L. BEAN!

The Forgotten Community Part 2: So Much More Than Running

In my previous blog, the main goal was to give a general overview of what I've learned about homelessness and a tidbit of how “running works” here in Charlotte, North Carolina. However, it is what takes place in Charlotte seven days a week that allows for the pieces of our RunningWorks puzzle to be shed in full light. Seeing is truly believing, and if you or someone you know live in and around the Charlotte area please realize that you always have an open invitation to come run with us at one of our weekly programs outlined at www.runningworks.org. Hopefully, now I can give you even further details regarding the true nature of why RunningWorks was created and why it has been dubbed Charlotte’s “mobile emergency unit”.

The mission of RunningWorks is to empower individuals and families to break the cycles of abuse, neglect, poverty and homelessness one stride at a time. Our main goal in challenging these issues is to instill and share life with each of our program participants so that they can learn to accrue many of the values running has taught all of us: discipline, confidence, teamwork and self-respect to name a few. In doing so, RunningWorks has given many individuals hope by providing familial support—just like the one many of us had the privilege to grow up with every single day. The family atmosphere created at our programs and beyond is what defines the jobs of our Executive Director, three full-time staff members and myself each week. Sure, we have five programs here in Charlotte, two in Salisbury and two in Rock Hill going on Monday through Friday with 15-20 races taking place each weekend throughout the year, but many of our efforts reach far beyond the realm of our three plus mile runs (and walks) in addition to 45-minute post-run life-skill sessions. Sometimes, we even call it "WalkingWorks" when attempting to inspire a new participant that he or she is capable of more than anyone ever gave them credit for.

RunningWorks touches the lives of more than 75 individuals ages 4-60 plus each week. The goal of working with this wide a spectrum is to combat the cycle of homelessness we see in our programs. Many of our adult neighbors were in the government system for much of their lives growing up. Many of our teenagers are approaching the termination of their foster care resources and many of our children do not currently live in a home with their parents. Sharing life through running has created an atmosphere where we can form relationships with this wide age range because every one can learn to love to run (or walk as I did for several months post surgery last Fall). The endorphins released through running has allowed opportunities for our participants to tell their stories and share their deepest needs in life with every volunteer and fellow program member. This is why we run. This is why RunningWorks succeeds. Our neighbors’ stories are the backbone of this organization and running has been the catalyst for change with the homeless and marginalized populations here in the Charlotte area since its inception in the spring of 2012. People want to be loved. People want someone to listen to them. People need someone to have their back in life. Running has allowed a love like I have never experienced to spread from one program at the Urban Ministry Center that met on Tuesdays and Fridays with our Executive Director, Meredith Dolhare, manning the ship solo for the first two and a half years (alongside incredible volunteer support)--to five programs across the Charlotte area meeting Monday through Friday. Gratefully, more growth is expected in 2016 with our partner Hope Haven in Charlotte and Transitions in Columbia, South Carolina.

RunningWorks has helped fund a roller coaster of life events for our neighbors. Here is a list of some major life needs met by RunningWorks that I have witnessed since I came aboard in April of 2015:

•       Total Funeral Cost paid for a deceased RW team member
•       Immigration Status achieved for a team member from                 Liberia
•       Weekly, Monthly, and Yearly transportation for 75% of             adult program participants
•       Child care (personally) for days and weeks at a time
•       Mental health and hospital visits
•       Monthly rent paid in full
•       Continuing education courses 
•       Substance abuse counseling classes
•       Emergent housing on need basis
•       Job connections for short and long term employment
•       Job readiness skills and clothing for work
•       Court and lawyer fees paid in full
•       Prescription costs covered
•       Range of medical support (physical therapy, chiropractic           care, dental care)
•       Even animal care for one of our participant's dogs

    Also, standard at all our programs, each participant is outfitted in RW athletic shirts and given a new pair of socks as well as gently worn or brand new running shoes for the run. Multiple meals are also provided each week after programs and group meals are provided before and after each race. RW provides water and granola bars daily at each program as well as laundry service for many of our participants.

It would be impossible to describe the “mobile emergency unit” that RunningWorks has become in a few blogs, but my hope is that you will see the vast nature of what this organization takes on each and every day of the week. I have never witnessed or been a part of anything like it and would be remiss to say that RW is one of its kind here in the United States. Please be on the lookout for one of our upcoming races, particularly our next event in Charlotte, Saturday, April 30 at 8am—2016 Charlotte Skyline Run--a 5k in uptown. Come out and support us, and if you are compelled, please give of your time and treasure seven days a week, 365 days a year. Onwards and Upwards! 

The Forgotten Community, Part 1

Running has taught me so many invaluable lessons and taken me places I never would gone in life without this amazing sport. Being a mentor and ambassador for In the Arena is no exception, and in fact, one of the things I am most grateful for as I learn more about the real world each and every day within my own community. Working with RunningWorks and the homeless men, women, young adults and children we serve has opened my eyes and my heart to the invisible and misunderstood people our society disregards on a minute-to-minute basis not just here in America, but everywhere.

As I have mentioned before, my preconceived notions of the homeless were consistent with those of 99% of the American population: 1) Homeless people live under bridges and typically have brown paper bags, 2) Most of them panhandle, 3) They are lazy, dangerous and are not very smart, 4) They do not want to work and that is why they are homeless, jobless and destitute. Mind you, this was without any real experience with a single homeless person and all because of the way society and the media portrays them. Boy, do we have it wrong!

 Of course, as with anything, one can find a homeless man or woman under a bridge with alcohol in a paper bag—and, you will see them panhandling on street corners all over America. However, those examples are not the real cross-section of homelessness here in the United States. The men, women and young adults who find their way to the RunningWorks program are seeking a better way of life. They are resourceful, intelligent, resilient and witty. Most have had some major life event causing them to lose everything, which is called “situational homelessness”—and from that point, it is very difficult to get all of the pieces back in place for jobs, housing, immigration, healthcare, familial issues, etc. Some have minor mental health issues as a result of childhood trauma often due to abandonment and/or abuse by their parents or from growing up within the government system. Sure, we do have some team members who are “chronically homeless”, which means they have a disability such as a major mental illness or substance abuse issues in addition to long-term homelessness as a result of not being able to put all of the pieces together. The point is, rather than sitting under a bridge with a paper bag or panhandling on a street corner, these brave individuals have sought out something better and found their way to RunningWorks several days a week—a place where they can be heard, loved and embraced as part of a family and team.

This has been a real eye-opener for me. Not only does our team function as a family and spend an incredible amount of time together sharing a life, we make an effort to give back each and every week within the community. Our homeless group has volunteered more than 1000 hours—a huge part of our mission is to give away whatever riches we have, material or spiritual, in order to keep them. It is a lesson for everyone involved to get outside of ourselves and “show up” for others—someone always has it worse. We volunteer at races on the weekends in order to earn entries rather than asking for handouts. Since most of our team did not grow up blessed with a traditional family, we make an effort to have “family-style meals” following races and special events several times a month. At first, this is even uncomfortable for some team members—learning manners, eating in restaurants, ordering from a menu, and stepping outside their safe zone altogether, which is great!

 Following every run at each of the five RunningWorks programs in North and South Carolina, we execute a life skill together. This is not so much one of us “teaching” or “preaching” AT them—it is so much more. It is the group coming together as one and learning a new way of life by sharing what is happening on the street (or in the shelter/group home) day-to-day. For the first time, these men, women and children have an opportunity to communicate their deepest and innermost feelings without the fear of cross talk or judgment. That is a big time rule at RunningWorks as we are attempting to instill some of the core values all of us get from running: self-respect, respect for others, confidence, teamwork and discipline. Each day, I am grateful for the way I was raised and for the fact that my parents taught me these important values from a young age. Listening to the childhood stories of my new RW family has made me even more committed to helping them find these things within themselves slowly but surely. The more disciplined they are, the more they “show up”, the more they volunteer and have life experiences including crossing finish line after finish line at longer and longer races, the more the values will come. It is so rewarding to witness.

 There is a major misconception that this program is just running club, and all we need are shoe donations. It is so much more. I have been shocked at all of the things RunningWorks does on day-to-day basis, and I know for sure some of our team would not be alive today without the far-reaching resources, love and care provided from their new family of choice. Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Forgotten Community where I will give some amazing individual examples of resiliency and the power of running working in our team’s lives. Onward and Upward.

Track Nation

It never ceases to amaze me how much I love track. I can’t seem to get enough of it—whether I am running myself, coaching young kids or watching it on the television or computer. No joke, I could be immersed in it all day—and I most often am. It is my preferred “place of business and pleasure”.

Noah Dolhare leading the pack in my Brooks kit!

 Yesterday was no exception. Following working the kitchen at Charlotte’s Urban Ministry Center all morning and through lunch feeding the homeless population we serve through RunningWorks (total blast), we drove to Winston Salem, North Carolina, to watch my girlfriend Meredith’s 10^th grade son Noah Dolhare run at one of my favorite indoor tracks in the country, JDL Fast Track. He was slated to run the 3000 in his second college meet ever with some pretty awesome schools represented: NC State, Duke, Queens, Washington and Lee, Clemson, to name a few. This could have been a daunting task for a young man, but Noah approached it like the hardworking champ that he is—he knew he had prepared to run a new PR and called on me for whatever coaching needs he had. Noah is a very coachable and cerebral athlete who listens intently to race tactics and needs a calm voice of reason pre race so he does not get too “into his own head”. Personally, I really enjoy working with him and he reminds me how much I cherish this sport because he loves it so.

Noah hit the track borrowing my new Brooks Elite kit and looked baller! Even though I could tell he did not feel stellar, he fought through the grind and hit the exact time he was shooting for: 8:55.69 and a PR for the third time in three consecutive races. As they say and is especially true in track, you get out what you put in. Watching Noah grow into the sport and learn how to become mentally tough at this age has taught me a lot, and endeared me to this punishing sport even more. Seeing young kids, my passion, figure out what it took me so long to find is inspiring and I am so happy to be a small part of their future.

We headed home excited to watch the recorded Millrose Games. No, really. We got home after being at JDL Fast Track for five hours, and watched another two hours of track. One of the coolest things was seeing my good friend and former training partner Betsy Saina win the women’s 5k in 14:57. She looked the best I have ever seen her, and once again, I was inspired. I want what she has, and I will sacrifice to get it again.

Betsy edging out Molly Huddle at the Millrose Games. PC: Star Gazette

 Track Nation will never leave these bones. It is a part of me. What a special sport we have found. I only wish everyone knew how amazing it really is. If we keep doing our part, more men, women and children will find their way to the special circle.

Onwards and Upwards.

Running Works

RW Team at Super Bowl 4 Miler in front of Bank of America Stadium

            Race season has begun for RunningWorks! The past two weekends have been nothing short of exciting as we begin a jam-packed schedule of 2016 racing with our homeless young men, women and children through various non-profit affiliate partners and magnanimous race directors. Not just being the charitable beneficiary, but also taking part in these events is the lifeblood of our organization because it enables our group to feel the discipline of training, confidence of competing, sense of belonging of teamwork, accountability of volunteering and self-respect of finishing each and every time. As the charitable beneficiary, we are able to raise much-needed funds to expand programming, help with schooling, stable and emergency housing, assist with medical issues, purchase equipment and provide opportunities to the team as they arise. However, most of our funding comes from individual donors and contributions made via grant.*

RW Group at Winter Flight 8k/5k in Salisbury, NC

            In the first race, we partnered with our affiliate in Salisbury, North Carolina, where we started a program nearly one year ago at Rowan Helping Ministries (RHM). RHM is a beautiful, 165-bed shelter about an hour away from Charlotte, and the Winter Flight 8k/5k benefitted their programming, which in turn helps RunningWorks. We were happy to support this awesome race and race director David Freeze, who allowed us to load up 15 of our Charlotte RW team to take part in their special day. These days are always about so much more than racing as we volunteer before and after the event helping set up and take down barriers, pick up trash, and put away tables. The best part of the day is the family-style meal we celebrate post-race all sitting together at a huge table in a restaurant. In Salisbury, little Alli ran her second 5k ever on a really hilly course and I had the pleasure of being her pacer with another volunteer and friend Jaime McDonald. It got a little dicey sometimes, but being a kindergarten teacher as well as a coach has taught me great patience as well as the ability to be firm when necessary. She finished in 48 minutes! Her big brother Alex, who is seven-years-old, ran his eleventh race with our founder, Meredith Dolhare, and finished second amongst all of our RW Team 5k participants in an incredible 34 minutes. No joke, this course was hard.

Alli finishing her second 5k with me and Jaime McDonald

            We trained everyone throughout the week at the programs and kept them focused for our biggest event of the year, the Super Bowl 4 Miler this past Super Bowl Sunday in Charlotte—right in front of Bank of America stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers. Justin Ratike and Sisu Events put on this race for us—plus two others to benefit RunningWorks—and they are amazing advocates / friends for our cause. To put it simply, in its second year, the Super Run drew nearly 2000 people and will raise just around $10k for RunningWorks, which is phenomenal. We provide all of the volunteers, and we are grateful for the outpouring of support we had in this regard—about 50 volunteers showed up on race day. Our RW Team helps with set up and teardown in addition to trash at the end of the race even though most of them run the race as well. 

          

Alex in the masses at the Super Bowl Run

          Little Alex ran his longest race to date in cold conditions following being interviewed on our local NBC news affiliate; he never walked and ran 45 minutes on the dot. This week, I had the pleasure of pacing him with Meredith. I had never gotten to run with him in a race before and I am looking forward to seeing him tow the line in USATF Nationals one day! He really does have talent and great form, not to mention fortitude and competitive drive. He would see another little boy older than him and take off after him with a determined look on his face no matter how much he was hurting. Inspiration all over the place! Several of our men placed in their age groups for an all-around perfect day.

Meredith and Alex on NBC morning news pre race

            The only thing that could have gone better for Super Bowl Sunday was if my Carolina Panthers had shown up for their big day. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, has bad days out there. Unfortunately, ours came on the biggest day in American sports. It is a lesson to be learned in humility and preparation. My only hope is that it was actually heeded. Maturity and experience go a very long way not only in sports, but also in life. Congratulations to Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos for being true ballers. Onward and upwards!

RW Team volunteering with Kids Fun Run

       *If you would like to donate to RunningWorks, please visit our website at www.RunningWorks.org and click to donate at our secure PayPal site, or look for information on how to send checks. Any and all support is much needed and appreciated.     

Keep Pounding

Keeping warm at NFC Championship Game in my In the Arena / L.L. Bean down hoodie

After moving to Charlotte in May, I have had the privilege of having two professional high-profile professional sports teams quite literally in my own backyard: The Carolina Panthers and The Charlotte Hornets. I’ll be the first to admit that I really enjoy watching other professional athletes at the top of their games “throw down” live or on television showcasing God-given talent and nerves of steel. I love every part of it: watching the warm-up, seeing how coaches handle adversity, the interaction between opposing teams, witnessing how good (or bad) some players are under pressure, and the hype of big games.

That being said, the opportunity to attend yesterday’s NFC Championship Game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte was an experience second-to-none. Considering the winner received a bid to Super Bowl 50 (and I am a track guy), I couldn’t help but correlate it to being in the final heat at Olympic Trials in July vying for one of those three coveted spots. Each player was in pique condition and so psyched up for the game: trained, hydrated, rested, mentally prepared and focused; hours of tape on opponents had been watched by both teams. It all came down to who would “show up” more on Game Day.

FOX announcer booth getting the crowd hyped up

From the start, all of us Panther fans could tell our team was going for it. Just like in track, they went out hard and fast and did not look back. They took chances. They caused seven turnovers, Ted Ginn, Jr. crossed the entire width of the field from end-to-end in one route for six points while our quarterback Cam Newton scored two touchdowns by running the ball in himself—with one an actual front flip into the end zone. The Panthers have a goal of winning the Super Bowl—not just the NFC Championship, so to achieve this, they had to pummel their opponents yesterday. They were not content or complacent nor happy with just a win. They would have found a way to get it done no matter what! It inspired me.

The beautiful city of Charlotte with its snow post game

The Olympic Trials loom in July. The clock is ticking, but I do not want that to be a negative thing. My focus and resolve is true and I will be ready to achieve my bid to tow that line, Lord willing. Learning from these amazing powerhouse athletes at this level has given me just the kick in the bottom that I needed. See you on the track! Onward and upward.

We saw the Theodore Roosevelt In the Arena "Daring Greatly" quote on our walk to the game in uptown Charlotte