Spokenya 7k Run, Spokane, Washington
I wasn’t going to write about it, but I keep thinking about it, so here I am.
Running is on my list of no-nos, which launched me into depression. I’ve started bicycling, hoping to find a happy replacement for running. But there’s no such thing. Nothing else gives you that runner’s high like running. That’s why it’s called runner’s high. Duh.
Running releases more than just sweat.
I have loosely had ideas about safely defying the instructions for no-impact sports or activities. It’s been one of the few instructions I have (mostly) followed simply because of the pain I experience. As I’ve observed conversations in my cancer support group and asked questions that my oncologist couldn’t comprehensively answer (like, WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I RUN?)I’ve accurately decided that no one knows. There are people out there who have succumbed to a life of misery because of cancer, and there are people out there with cancer who are smashing records and only ever giving it their best. I have fallen somewhere in the middle. It’s a gross place to be.
Additionally, Barbarian Scientist has gone from being the guy who stayed in bed and slept while I ran marathons to learning that he loves distance running. Watching him basically live my life in trail running shoes has had many moments of sorrow for me. That’s also a gross place to be.
So. I signed up for a running coach. It is a six-week program. She knows what I’m battling and is excited to help me learn my new body and find my new normal. It begins this week.
To start using some of this excitement I’m harboring about getting back into it, on my birthday a couple of weeks ago, Barbarian Scientist, his spawn, and I participated in Spokenya. It is a community fundraiser by Spring of Hope to support efforts to bring fresh water to Kenya. It is a 7(.2)k run in Spokane, Washington, with the last 200m being a bucket challenge. The bucket challenge is simply carrying a huge bucket of water on your head, similar to how Kenyans transport their water.
SOHI was founded in 2004 by native Kenyan, David Opap, who, being raised in the area, has an intimate first-hand knowledge of the region, culture, and challenges facing these people. Since its inception, SOHI has partnered with hard-working people in this rural Kenyan community empowering them to improve their living conditions. Our approach covers four areas of basic human needs.
What We Are Doing
Apart from Covid-19 Relief effort that we carrying, SOHI development work continued. In wake of Covid-19 pandemic, our communities were greatly affecting because lockdown imposed by the government. In society were people live on daily hand to mouth , it very important that there is free movement inorder to go to market to get food. SOHI was forced to come to aid to provide relief so that families could get food to eat. The relief was made possible through donations from Spokane community. SOHI continue to make impact through its four focus area. We have Education, Spiritual development, Economic empowerment and Clean water and sanitation.
SOHI’s work continue to bring hope and sustained transformation in that small corner of the world. This year Spokenya run registration fee will be used to accomplish our core mission which is to make water accessible to families. We will continue to make more water filters and distribute them to families that need them most. Over the year Spokenya run has been associated with providing clean, we will continue to champion that cause through the race.
springofhope.org
It was so much fun! It was incredible to be doing good in the world, to be part of running again, and to share it with my man-meat. I had zero expectations of myself, only to finish, which I knew I’d do because I could still hike for a long time. I found myself (slowly) running the easy parts and walking the inclines. It felt amazing. When I finished, I knew I was right that I could not give up running.
Maybe I won’t ever run far again. I know I’ll never run fast because that was never my jam. But I’m going to run what I can and honor whatever that looks like.