Running Teamwork

This was a much-anticipated day in our local running community because our favorite specialty running store, Runners Roost, was scheduled to announce their newly selected running and triathlon teams for 2013. "The Roost" formed these teams several years ago, and they've since become very popular and many runners and triathletes from the Denver/Colorado Springs/Fort Collins area apply for a very limited number of slots on the various teams.  These teams encompass folks from our local elite runners like Kim Dobson and Heather Utrata, to little ol' me.  Yep, I'm looking forward to being a part of the running team for a second year.  I'm also very excited to hear that some of my Runners Edge of the Rockies friends will also be on the team for the first time this year--and know that it's well-deserved on their part!  It will also be great to see returning teammates and friends, and get to know other new teammates.  The Roost does a fantastic job with these teams, and I'd like to give a special shout out to Matt Smith, who coordinates it all. Not an easy job with a bunch of us type A personalities!

If you're a runner or have a runner in your life, you probably know that we tend to be just a wee bit independent, and can tend towards being loners.  That said, isn't it a bit ironic that we also love to be part of teams? We'll run miles and miles and miles solo, but then can't wait to go to an organized group run (that's not a race) to get in 5 or 6 miles together.  We'll gather with our teammates after a race--it never fails--and whether we had a great race or not so much, it always makes things even better.  

There's something about being on a team, whether that team is actually called a "team" or "training group"...We pursue our individual goals, but also encourage our teammates and are genuinely excited for them when they reach theirs--whether we did or not.  

Cheers to all my teammates for a 2013 full of PRs, course records, wins/AG group placing, injury-free training, and making new friends!   



Relentless Forward Motion, Ya'll...

Just Do Something

Welcome, everyone, to 2013.  

This isn't going to be yet another blog/tweet/facebook posting, etc. about resolutions.  You see, I'm not a resolution-making kind of gal, and never have been. What follows are just some things that I was reminded of this morning on my way out the door for my run.

There are two stories I'd like to share with you.

The first is something that happened when a group of folks, people of faith (not religious people), got together one weekend a few years ago.  They were really ordinary people...Some were people like you and me who went to work, took care of their household as best they could, and liked to enjoy Colorado on the weekends.  Some were people who were struggling to make ends meet, or having difficulty with something or someone else in their lives.  The point is, these folks weren't well-to-do at all.  

That particular weekend, when they got together, someone mentioned a real need that had become evident in another group of people who were halfway around the world--people who most of these folks had never met.  The simple question put out there was "if you want to and are able, would you help--however you can, in some small way?", and then they waited as whoever wanted to gave whatever they wanted to give.  

The next weekend, when the people got together, most of them (I think) had forgotten about whatever they'd given, if they had, that day.  Why?  Because most of them had just given something they might have had in their pocket that day.  Maybe some gave more, but no one was prepared when the need was voiced and they just did what they could.

To their amazement, they were told that the previous weekend, everyone had come together and given (are you ready for this?) almost $300,000 to help the other group of people.  In one weekend.  They each just did a little something, and it added up.

The second is from the National Mill Dog Rescue:
       "As 2012 ends and 2013 starts I've been thinking really hard about what I should say to all of you. Should I come up with resolutions, share more of my puppy mill stories, just wish everyone a Happy New Year. . . what?

Then . . . my mom got a call from a disabled, house-bound senior lady who had received a $10 increase in her disability check and wanted to try to make a difference & 'do something'. She has no family or friends, doesn't get out of the house much, but has 2 dogs she loves very much. She really wanted to start doing something and thought she could donate her small increase to help with the puppy mill situation. My mom talked to her for a long time and the lady started crying when my mom explained about how people can do lots of different things to help out, things that don't involve anything but time & heart. This sweet lady hadn't felt needed or wanted for a very long time - - but she desperately wanted to 'Do Something' about the puppy mill situation and now she is. So, in honor of that lady, my mission for 2013 is to share her message and maybe inspire people to 'Do Something'. I know I will. Here's to a promising 2013 if we all do!"

How often have we (I!) thought that we couldn't really make a difference because we couldn't give enough money/time/energy/etc?  How often have we waited on the moment when we could do something "big", forgetting that it's the little moments that add up to be significant?  

And this isn't necessarily about money. What if we each just did what we could...What if we each just did something...towards whatever came our way that day or that week?  We can apply this in so many different ways...

     ...encouraging someone with a hug and a smile
     ...getting up and getting moving for a little bit every day
     ...accepting that invite for coffee or a drink from someone you know but don't really know
     ...letting that store round your bill up to the nearest dollar so that the change goes to needy kids/dogs/cats
     ...sending someone you know a short private message on Facebook or email to let them know you've been thinking about them
     ...dropping off a few small treats to a friend who's sick at home
     ...offering to help before they ask
     ...and the list could go on...

I have to pause here and say thank you to friends who have made a difference in my day or week through some of the little things they've done...without going into detail here, I hope you know who you are.  If not, maybe I need to do something about that...

Sometimes, we may have the opportunity to make an impact or a difference in a "big" way.  More often than not, though, it's the small things that we do or say that will add up to be significant.

So...let's JUST DO SOMETHING. 





Relentless Forward Motion, Ya'll...