Before I kick things off by giving the wrong impression, every run I have participated in has been for a cause of some sort. The majority of races I have taken part in over the past year have been Trail Nerds events, some of which provide for local causes but ALL of which go towards the maintenance of the nature trails used by runners, cyclists, horseback riders and walkers. This is done with love, passion and environmental consciousness.
What I have not done is run in many of the events that are set up specifically to fund a cause. The Community Services League exists in various locations in the Greater Kansas City area which provides food, clothing, utility payment assistance, medication assistance, transportation, school supplies, tax preparation and various forms of housing assistance and housing-related counseling to needy area families. One of their offices is in the city I work in, Independence, Missouri, and the community mental health center where I work utilizes their services often for our clients. Additionally the church that I attend has supported them and their work over the years. So when I saw that they were hosting a 5K run/walk, their second annual, I was very excited to take part.
Saturday morning promised more Spring-like temperatures but also Spring-like rains. I initially had mixed feelings when I read that the race was to start at 8:00 a.m. vs. the 9:00 a.m. starts I am used to but one I arrived I was thrilled with the start time. To avoid the suspense: I just missed getting rained on!
The 5K event took place on the city streets around the historic Independence square. I’ve been down in this area to shop, eat and take part in fall festivals but have never been around in the early hours of the weekend when things are quiet and peaceful. It was great to look at the old buildings and the patches of green from areas that are starting to come alive with the change of seasons. The course took place on streets that almost perfectly alternated between slight inclines and slight declines which kept things moving fairly fast, and the last 3/10ths of a mile were pretty much all on a gentle downhill slope which made finishing strong that much easier.
I kept a good pace and felt very happy with my results. I finished in 26:12 for 8:27 miles. Nearly my best time. I hung around for awhile but figured that enough people finished before me that there was no way I was getting any award. I had plans to celebrate Easter and my dad’s birthday with the family and so I decided to leave before the clouds opened up, but then felt like I should really stay and as I was walking back they announced that they would give out the awards in ten minutes. I could live with that.
I partook of some of the post-race oranges and cheered runners and walkers through then continued that cheering as they handed out awards. The awards ceremony took on a frenetic pace as the rain finally started pouring down and was quite surprised to hear my name called as second place in my age group (40-49). I still run to compete against myself and to maintain and build on the fitness I have achieved over the last year, but I have not lost the desire to be competitive in the things I do and so doing well in these small unimportant ways brings with it a sense of satisfaction.
All in all it was a really fun event that benefits an agency that I believe in, that helps people that I am passionate about helping. I was thrilled to sit in church this Easter Sunday morning and hear the pastor talk about how we as a church body are going to be committing more resources to Community Services League this year. It was a wonderful bit of serendipity after yesterday’s run.
Way to go! I’m running my second 5K, my husband’s first, in a couple of weeks and I’m just hoping it’s not cold and rainy.
Congrats Carol (and to your hubby too, yay for him!) I will hope along with you that it is a sunny, cool day, perfect for running.
Well it sounds like it was a win-win-win-win-win type situation! Congrats on your second place, but even bigger congrats on continuing to make the time and effort to do something that adds so much to your life!
I thought so too, Debi. Very thrilled to be a part of it. Now I wish I could go to Haiti for the long run/orphange thing that I found out today is connected to the guy that runs the Trail Nerds club that I belong to. Maybe next time, too much coming up this May.
Great job, Carl. Nice to see a running post now and then, as well as all the great book and magazine posts. Balance is good, eh? Hope you didn’t get snowed on today!
Thanks Richard, and no, thank the Lord. The snow passed us by and we ended up with a sunny day in the mid 40’s, with increasing temps all week to mid 60’s by the end of the week. Spring is (maybe) finally here!
sounds like a great organization. and congrats on a satisfying run and the award.
Yes, they’ve been doing a lot of great stuff for a long time. Happy to support them. Gonna try to hook up with the staff there sometime soon to see about some working partnerships.
Nice Carl! Congratulations on the award. Your running journey has been really inspiring. So happy for you!
Thank you Jeremy, I do appreciate it.
Ok. Since everyone’s thinking it but won’t say it. How close did you come to finishing in first place ya slacker?
Less than a minute *he types sheepishly* and I kept telling myself that last mile that I really could push harder and I wouldn’t be suffering too much for it. But kudos to the guy who beat me!
That’s great Carl! And I think it’s great that you are supporting local charities. All of us can do our part to help those who need it. I hope you had a wonderful Easter.
It was very nice, hope yours was as well. I am looking forward to getting more involved with this group in the future.
Love that picture of you crossing the finish line. 😀 I never look that good by the end, haha!
Just the benefit of a cooler day! 🙂
Congratulations! Sounds like you had a great time (minus the rain ^-~)! That’s wonderful that your church will be giving more resources to the same charity as you ran for too. <3
Yes, that makes me feel good. I knew we already supported them but am thrilled we are taking a more active service stance going forward.
Well done Carl. It’s so good the way you’re not just staying with this but really enjoying it and I think that’s why it’s working so well for you – it doesn’t feel like a chore.
Congratulations.
Lynn 😀
Well I won’t lie, some days it definitely feels like a chore, but since I have a goal of looking and feeling a certain way that helps me keep this in mind every morning when I wake up and that helps motivate on the days when I feel like I would rather sleep in or spend an hour in the internet instead of an hour working out.
I appreciate the positive feedback! 🙂 I’m happy that this has become a part of my routine as I certainly feel a lot better and I enjoy eating so much more now that I am paying attention to what I eat and savoring the preparation of as well as the eating of the food.