Every runner is running for a purpose: to get in shape, to stay in shape, to lose weight, to compete, to spend time on their own or to spend time with other like minded people -- the list goes on and on! Personally, I fall into many of these categories.
Hi! I’m Caity, a Key Leader at lululemon Eaton Centre, and I am a distance runner.
Like many distance runners, that BIG race has been one of my goals for years – the marathon! Year after year I have pushed it back, telling myself it’s too far, I’m too scared, the training’s too intense, I can’t commit, I can’t do it, I’ll fail… trust me, I had a really great list of excuses.
While volunteering in Africa with GrassrootSoccer (a non-profit organization that uses soccer as a tool to educate youth on HIV/AIDS) I realized that if I was ever going to accomplish my goal of running a marathon I needed to run for something bigger than myself. In April 2010 I was presented an opportunity and immediately that list of excuses I had created just vanished and the choice was clear. I registered for the New York City Marathon on Nov. 7, 2010 with the GrassrootSoccer team.
Now, less than 1 week before my race I have been clocking around 70kms per week leading up to the marathon, including distance runs, speed work, and hill training in the sun, wind, and rain. I’ve pushed myself further than I ever imagined, I’ve exceeded all limits I thought I had, and I walk with a new bounce in every step. But the greatest surprise of all is the feeling of sheer gratitude at the end of every run (I am often moved to tears – seriously!). I am thankful for my family, my friends, my health, my job, the roof over my head and the food in my fridge.
So, what is my purpose? I am running for children. I am running for life. I am running to change the world.
What are you running for?
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You are an inspiration! Wish you were still in Ottawa so we could run together!!
