Apollo's First 8k

Busy Saturday.  After cultural Fiesta Asia and working on getting my contractor prepped to install a new concrete floor for my bathroom, I was all pumped up to support DC Capital Striders, Back on My Feet and High Cloud with their annual 8K.  Since Apollo wanted to get some fresh air, I decided to bring him along.  Little did I expect him to be the star of the show.

Apollo loves children

Adriana (High Cloud) with Apollo

Apollo w/ Hudson

I came to volunteer, but after due to the great attendance and plethora of volunteers, I decided to take Apollo out for his first 8K.  I knew he would enjoy it since Apollo loves to go out on a spin on my road bike.

Rick Amernick with Apollo

Autumn w/ Apollo

Back on my Feet Runs National Marathon

I am excited about running into friends from Back on my Feet (BOMF) during the National Marathon two weeks ago. In a sense BOMF and RUNIN share many similar values.

Back on My Feet gives the homeless a second chance to regain control of their lives. The program's mission also exemplifies several of Runin DC's core values. The first of these is "reflecting on relationships" or seeing how we are all connected. Back on My Feet is not a handout; it is about partnerships and seeing ourselves in others. While running and training, the homeless and the trainers support and challenge each other to strive higher.

Back on My Feet is also about "understanding" or empathizing with people--no matter how different they may appear at first glance.

The neat thing about running is that it is a great equalizer. When we're running hard up a hill, it doesn't matter what socioeconomic status you come from. You are working extremely hard -- rich, middle class, or poor -- all of us have to climb the same hill and have to rely on our God-given strengths and stamina to do it.


The next value is "negotiation," which is exemplified by Back on My Feet's emphasis on goal setting. Participants of the program--both trainers and homeless runners--make a commitment to themselves and each other. This is an especially meaningful decision for the runners, who examine their current lot in life and ultimately know that they can do better.

Their response is to commit to running a few miles each day as early as 6am. The "innovation" value is illustrated in the uniqueness of the idea itself. Back on My Feet shows that love for humankind and strength of spirit has endless applications.

Finally, RUNIN is about "Navigation." Likewise Back on My Feet helps the homeless strive to finish the run, train for the next race and aspire to get back on their feet and become both customers and contributors to this great social running continuum.

Who's Picking Up Your Trash? DC Trash Runners and Raising Awareness

"When we're running hard up a hill, it doesn't matter what socioeconomic status you come from."

I had the unique opportunity to run with Donna, Anastasia, Darnell and new friends as we picked up trash along the historic H Street corridor.


Back on My Feet gives the homeless a second chance to regain control of their lives. The program's mission also exemplifies several of Runin DC's core values. The first of these is "reflecting on relationships" or seeing how we are all connected. Back on My Feet is not a handout; it is about partnerships and seeing ourselves in others. While running and training, the homeless and the trainers support and challenge each other to strive higher.

Back on My Feet is also about "understanding" or empathizing with people--no matter how different they may appear at first glance.

DC Capital Striders 8K with Back on my Feet

Last week, the Nation's largest running group, the DC Capital Striders held the 2nd annual 8K run in the Capital Crescent Trail.  The race raised $3000 for Haiti Relief efforts.


What was really neat about this race was that there were 18 runners from Back on My Feet.  BOMF gives the homeless a second chance to regain control of their lives. 


Back on My Feet is not a handout; it is about partnerships and seeing ourselves in others. While running and training, the homeless and the trainers support and challenge each other to strive higher.  I am motivated and inspired.  They, the men from BOMF, are helping me further understand, negotiate, innovate so that I can better navigate life: RUNIN DC.


Please read the November 2009 post on BOMF coming to DC.

Runin in unison with Back on My Feet

Reflecting

I am still excited about running into friends and fans of Back on my Feet (BOMF) during the mega-fun Marine Corps Marathon two weeks ago. They spoke to me about the great features of this inspirational and purposeful program. In a sense BOMF and RUNIN share many similar principles and values.

Understanding
Back on My Feet gives the homeless a second chance to regain control of their lives. The program's mission also exemplifies several of Runin DC's core values. The first of these is "reflecting on relationships" or seeing how we are all connected. Back on My Feet is not a handout; it is about partnerships and seeing ourselves in others. While running and training, the homeless and the trainers support and challenge each other to strive higher.

Back on My Feet is also about "understanding" or empathizing with people--no matter how different they may appear at first glance.

The neat thing about running is that it is a great equalizer. When we're running hard up a hill, it doesn't matter what socioeconomic status you come from. You are working extremely hard -- rich, middle class, or poor -- all of us have to climb the same hill and have to rely on our God-given strengths and stamina to do it.

Negotiating

The next value is "negotiation," which is exemplified by Back on My Feet's emphasis on goal setting. Participants of the program--both trainers and homeless runners--make a commitment to themselves and each other. This is an especially meaningful decision for the runners, who examine their current lot in life and ultimately know that they can do better.

Innovating and Inspiring

Their response is to commit to running a few miles each day as early as 6am. The "innovation" value is illustrated in the uniqueness of the idea itself. Back on My Feet shows that love for humankind and strength of spirit has endless applications.

Navigating

Finally, RUNIN is about "Navigation." Likewise Back on My Feet will help the homeless strive to finish the run, train for the next race and aspire to get back on their feet and become both customers and contributors to this great social running continuum.

Talking Back on My Feet

Back on My Feet is Coming Soon

I had the pleasure to meet Anne Mahlum, Lauren Williams, Autumn Campbell and the wonderful staff during the Back on My Feet inaugural social at the Union Pub on Thursday. And during the run, I had the fortune to run into Rick Amernick of DC Capital Striders and Maria de la Torre talk about the great features of this inspirational and purposeful program that encourages everyone to run together, regardless of race, education or socioeconomic status.