Run On: A Fight for Our Right to Run
Running has been an integral part of my life since I was fourteen. It was a recovery tool for what could have been a fatal eating disorder. It helped overcome heartbreak. I gained clarity on who I was when my parents divorced thanks to the sport. It supported my college field hockey career. It has been vital in major decision making. It has guided me to do the right thing in every facet of my life.
Running has helped me keep going and run onward no matter the obstacle ahead.
Every step, every mile, and every marathon represents different measurements of progress in my professional and personal life. Running makes me a better mom, wife, coach and human. It humbles me, keeps me in check, and motivates me to stay focused.
I don't know much about the personal life of Eliza Fletcher. I don't know much about the stresses Ashling Murphy experienced in her life. I don't know much about what survivior Kelly Herron has worked to overcome. What I do know is that running was their Rx to everything hard.
It reminded them that they can do hard things. This is why we are all curently so mad.
Running is our release.
It's our form of flow.
It's our form of meditation.
It's our form of self-love.
It's our formula for being the best we can possibly be, on and off the streets.
I've been running and working in the dynamic wellness industry for long enough to know that some folks see the number of marathons I have run, and think my running is superior to theirs.
What is often unseen is how I feel the same way about those athletes chasing the Olympic Qualifying Trial time. Those with an OTQ are seeking to medal. Those who have medaled compare themself the the top .001% in the world. We naturally segregate ourselves based where we feel we belong. It's human nature.
When news such as Eliza Fletcher's death breaks, we ultimately recognize that no matter how many miles we log or how fast we go or how many races we have under our belt, or how many medals we've earned, we all belong in this sport and we all run for the same reason. That reason becomes threated when one of us is taken. We all feel the loss because we understand that Eliza could have been any one of us.
The solution to stopping the following, abducting and killing of those women on the run likely lies in alot of money and time investing in mental health and socioeconomic equality. I won't pretend I am qualified or capable of being the pioneer behind those efforts, aside from regularly volunteering with Back on My Feet (will share more on my time with this organization another time).
What I can do is organize the space for all of us runners to gain the tools to be less vulnerably viewed, more prepared, and less scared. It is then, we will all be capable of living to our full potential, and use running as the radest Rx that exists.
Come Run On and fight for our #righttorun on September 22nd at Upswell Dynamic Wellness.
We have scholarships available. Please email courtney@roxburyroots.com
5:30pm | Optional 5K
6:00pm | Self-Defense Class with Shannon Hiromasa