Thanksgiving Day brought our second annual REST Thanksgiving Family Dinner!  We had a wonderful time as residential members, volunteers, and families came together for a Thanksgiving feast!  While there were only about 30 of us, we had enough food for 50!  Some energetic party goers even threw around a football – a Thanksgiving tradition.  Our dinner proved that we have a family at Team REST and not just a running group.

The 2nd Annual Back on My Feet Thanksgiving Feaster 5k was great fun and we had a beautiful day to take a little run along the lakefront.  We decided to start the morning out with a little 3-mile pre-5k warm-up run for those of us who are training for the January ½ marathon.  So a group of about 10 Lawson House and Team REST runners set out on a nice little run through the Gold Coast.  While for most of us, this 6-mile day was no big deal, it was Manny and Maria’s longest distance EVER!!  Big congrats to both of them for doing such an amazing job with their training run.  It was a huge accomplishment made even bigger by the fact that it was completely and totally spontaneous.

This month’s Orientation 2.0 was a wonderful chance to hear the stories of some of the BoMF residential members.  Team REST was well represented by Robin who shared not just his journey but also his gratitude for the contribution the team has made to his life.  He did an amazing job and we continue to be impressed with his dedication, drive and determination.

Congratulations to Team Coach, Jim Kelly, for completing the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon.  While the race presented more challenges than Jim expected, he completed the distance with as much positive energy as he could muster.  Nice Job, Jim!!!  Team REST is really proud of you!!

While in Indy, Debbie had the opportunity to meet some of the members of the Indianapolis BoMF teams.  They are every bit as wonderful as our guys and they were really excited about Saturday’s race.  They had 5 guys complete the marathon and one of them finished with a sub-three…you read it right!  WooHoo Indy guys, you rocked it out! Read more…

Kyle McMillan, Shrell Sims, James Boyd

Kyle McMillan is one of the original members of the Back on My Feet Indianapolis Progress House team! He is very dedicated to the team and has remained at 90% attendance or better for nine months! He has successfully moved out of Progress House and is currently very excited about his new job. We are very proud of Kyle and look forward to seeing his progress as he moves forward in a positive direction.

Shoe size: 8.5

Favorite post run food: Pancakes, Eggs over easy, Sausage patties

Favorite beverage: Minute Maid Fruit Punch

Favorite race: Back on My Feet 42K Relay

Favorite music: PHISH……and sometimes a little Taylor Swift!

Favorite Quote: “Whatever you do, take care of your shoes” –Trey Anastasio

Favorite athlete: Nolan Ryan

Bucket list items to cross off soon: Skydive, Half Relay Race

LH: What brought you to where you are today?

KM: Never giving up and the desire to change.  I’ve encountered many trials and tribulations in my life like most people.  For years my life was leading down a path of destruction.  Having willpower and determination combined with the help of others, I finally turned my life around “running” towards a positive and rewarding future.

LH: What have you overcome in the last 8 months?

KM: I got laid off from a job I really liked but I persevered through it and within a couple of days was hired on a much more rewarding job mentally and monetarily.

LH: Why did you choose to get involved with BoMF and what has it meant to you:

KM: Being relatively early in my recovery, I was eager to find ways to spend my time positively and be held accountable. In BoMF I found both as well as a wonderful fellowship of friends.  Having never ran and woken up early in my life, it was a challenge.  Through the support of BoMF members, I stuck with the program and my health and outlook on life continued to improve.  Now, I am upset if life ever gets in the way of me running in the morning.  Eight months ago I could have never imagined that.  BoMF has become more to me than just a running program.

LH: All time favorite BoMF memory?

KM: My experience at the Back on my Feet 42k relay; dressing up with my friends and team members.  My team was titled “The Firm” and our costumes were dress slacks, dress shirts, and ties.  Although our team didn’t win anything, running in that type of outfit was something I will never forget.  Also crossing the finish line of the last leg of the relay with my exhausted dog in my arms will always put a smile on my face.

LH: Why are you still running today?

KM: The first reason would be commitment.  People count on me to show up three days a week just as much as I count on them to be there and support me.  The second reason is the enjoyment I get from the experience.  It’s definitely not just the running for me.  It’s getting to wake up in the morning and enjoy the day starting with what have become close friends of mine.

LH: Anything else to the reader?

KM: Make sure your shoes fit the first time.

Dave Sims, Eric Arnold, David Jose

Meet our new team leader for team Progress House- David Jose! David has faithfully been running with the team for 9 months now and we are truly grateful for his support on so many levels. He embraces the mission of Back on My Feet and understands the true importance of meaningful relationship building. Learn a little bit more about why we are so thankful to have such an amazing person on our team:

Shoe Size: 11

Favorite Post Run Food: Chocolate milk (Traders Point Creamery)

Favorite Race you’ve ever done: Mount Desert Island Marathon (Bar Harbor, Maine) and New York Marathon

Favorite Music: Whatever I’m listening to (especially jazz, classical, folk/rock)

Favorite Athlete: Current – Michael Phelps; Historical – Roberto Clemente; Runner – Bill Rodgers; Role Model as a High School Athlete – Arthur Ashe

Bucket List Item you plan to cross off soon: Marathon in France

Family Life: Wife – Mimi (married for 36 years; she worked 20 years as research biochemist and past 11 years as hospice chaplain); Son – Matthew (28 years old; urban farmer in Indianapolis with 5 year old son, Ian); Son – Evan (23 years old; graduate student in art at Univ. of California – Davis)

How many years have you been running and why did you start: I started running in 1979 while living in Boston. Two other law school classmates and I watched the Boston Marathon (at Heartbreak Hill) and we challenged each other to run the following year. I ran in the 1980 Boston Marathon with one of my classmates, who died 5 years later from the cancer that Lance Armstrong survived. That friend is part of the reason I keep running, and why I wear a yellow Livestrong bracelet. I’ve run in about 15 Boston Marathons, and throughout the race (and especially at Heartbreak Hill) I always remember that friend and how we helped each other train and complete that first time.

Why do you run today: For my general physical fitness, stress relief, and mental health, and to raise money. Running has also been a great way to visit different neighborhoods and new cities when traveling.

What do you like to do for fun: Play with my grandson (who’s becoming a good runner), watch movies, attend plays, read, and eat.

Why did you choose to get involved with BoMF: I have always seen running as a metaphor for many things in life, so BoMF’s goals and its use of running captured my imagination. I have also been aware of Progress House for many years, so it seemed like a good match.

What has BoMF meant to you: It has confirmed the transformative impact that can occur from individual effort in conjunction with mutual support for a shared goal. It has also meant that I need to get to bed earlier on certain nights of the week if I want to stay awake at my desk in the afternoon.

All-time Favorite BoMF memory: Many, but here are two – First, running the Carmel Half Marathon with Rob McEntire and Christel Avenhall-Harding. Second, watching Beth, Laurie and Nancy’s ponytails swing back and forth in perfect rhythm during a Saturday morning run.

Words of Wisdom: One foot in front of the other (but watch where you’re going)

 It’s hard to believe that Back on My Feet Atlanta made its debut less than a month ago and here we are preparing for our first 5k! We are more than 80 Non-Residential Members strong and already looking to welcome new Residential Members. Atlanta has supported us well! 

We’re sending a huge thank you to Phidippides, our running store partner. They hosted a shoe-fitting for our Residential Members on November 10^th and the energy in the store was electric! You can see more photos from the shoe fitting here. Phidippides has also allowed us to host Non-Res orientations at their facility which has helped Back on My Feet Atlanta reach a significant number of potential volunteers in a short period of time. If you’d like to attend our next orientation, fill out this request form.

The energy from the shoe-fitting carried over to our amazing Inaugural Run that Friday morning, 11.11.11. More than 120 people showed up at 5:30 a.m. to see Back on My Feet Atlanta in action! Following the run, more than 300 people enjoyed breakfast at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta. We all listened intently as Anne Mahlum and her father gave heartwarming and emotional speeches that had people pulling out tissues and eager to help this organization reach its potential. The launch ended with hugs, smiles and generous donations. We are so grateful to our sponsors for making this possible—AAA Parking, Accenture, AT&T, Bimbo Bakeries, Cintas, Coca-Cola, Comcast, Cox Enterprises, Franklin Covey, Marriott International, Mongtag & Caldwell, Phidippides, Prommis Solutions, Southern Company and Sun Trust.

So… what have we done since the launch? We’ve been running, of course! Team Trinity, Team Gateway and Team Salvation Army are all making amazing progress. Residential Members and Non-Residential Members alike are helping each other achieve their goals. We’ve run in the pouring rain and the freezing cold—nothing stops our momentum. We’ve progressed quickly from one mile runs to two miles runs. Saturday distance runs, here we come!

In addition to our three weekday runs, these teams are preparing for their first 5k! On December 17^th, come join us at the Peachtree Corners 5k. Whether you register to run or just stop by to cheer us on, your presence is always appreciated. Later that day, all of our Residential and Non-Residential Members will gather together for our holiday social at Stone Mountain Park. Last one up the mountain is a rotten egg!We’re also gearing up for our first charity partner run, the MLK Day 5K on January 16, 2012. The event director for the race is not only providing entries for our Residential Members to run, but he is also donating a portion of the proceeds to Back on My Feet Atlanta. You can register for the race online and be sure to select team Back on My Feet.

And if you haven’t already, sign up to join us for our weekday morning runs. There is no greater joy than starting your day with a hug and running with people who support you in all you do. See you in the morning!

As the holidays approach, the weeks go by faster and faster and our schedules begin to feel rather full (much like us!). A benefit to having 5:45 am runs is that we can still fit an hour of “me-time” into our days. Time where we can socialize, get some exercise and decompress before everyone else’s day begins. I’m not surprised that our Lawson House team has kept up attendance as we dive into another Holiday season, since it’s probably the most quiet our minds will be for the rest of the day. True, it takes a few added layers and we seem to get through our pre-run meetings a bit more quickly, but the enthusiasm of new members and new distances keep us going. We kicked off the season with our 2nd Annual Feaster 5K, joining the other Chicago teams for a Lakefront race before digging into a home-cooked potluck!  Next up on our race calendar is the Santa Hustle 5K on Saturday, December 3rd at Montrose Harbor, followed by a longer distance race in January: the F^3 Lakefront Half Marathon. Winter is notoriously tough on runners, especially in Chicago, but with encouragement from the rest of the Lawson House Machine I know we will continue to see solid turnouts for our weekday runs. Read more…

As the holiday season came into full-swing, our teams stayed on top of their running, racing  and celebrating! We have a few rock-stars to shine the spotlight on today for our November Members of the Month!

Emery House

Resident member: James S. interviewed for a promotion at his job, and made plans to start training for the DC Rock ‘n’ Roll half-marathon March 2012!

Non-resident member: Bina S. acts as social coordinator and running buddy! She’s always there, always positive, and helped out a lot with the Thanksgiving day dinner.

*****

Blair House

Resident member: Tyron D. has been consistent with our Blair house team, trekking into the runs on his bike every morning!

Non-resident member: Mary H. wins this month for her dedication. Shes been running regularly  in the evenings with Antione AND at the regular morning runs. And she just finished her first marathon. Congrats, Mary!

*****

Clean & Sober Streets (CSS)

Resident member: Rachelle J. has made significant progress with her running. She completed her first 5-K with sub-8-minute miles – Congrats, Rachelle! She has a great attitude and has been helpful in motivating newer members as well. She’s truly taking a leadership role, after only being in the program for a few months.

Non-resident member: Maggie F. joined us at  CSS from the Georgetown University running club, and has been a great motivator for the team!

Thanks to all of our members, runners and team leaders!

Sharon Davis marched determinedly into my office exclaiming, “Alright, Stephanie, what are we talking about today?”  It’s a trait I admire about Sharon: straight-forward.  She has a plan, she will achieve it, so there’s no room for small talk or maneuvering around uncomfortable conversation topics.

“According to my notes,” I matched her let’s-get-down-to-business attitude, “We need to finalize your resume, follow-up about the jobs you applied to recently, and discuss how we’re going to continue your job search.”  But everything was done, done, done!  Sharon’s can-do spirit not only marched herself into my office, but had carried her around town to different programs and job openings, so that everything on our agenda was completed before she had set foot through my door.

That left us with plenty of time to talk about her past and experience with Back on My Feet’s N Street Village Team.  “My history,” she began, “I’m a substance abuse user and I used for many years, over 30 years.”  Sharon was able to control her addiction for 5 years, but ultimately, the demands of work, school, and raising 6 kids on her own overwhelmed her and she returned to the habit.

But, she admitted matter-of-factly, “I eventually tired of myself.”

She used that to motivate her to find help.  “I addressed my past and went to jail for a few months.”  When she was released, she wanted to continue her recovery and developing her spirituality, since she was wary of the path where her addiction led.  Eventually she connected with N Street Village:  “Since being there, 4 months total, it hasn’t been bad.  Doing meetings and groups has helped me sit still and take a look at myself.”

As soon as she became eligible to join the Back on My Feet running team, she signed up!  “Back on My Feet has given me back my confidence and self-worth.  Even in the shelter those things were lost and long forgotten.  Had I not gone through recovery I probably wouldn’t have discovered those things.”

Sharon’s confidence is immediately evident when you meet her.  She stands tall, meets your gaze, and engages in honest conversation without fear.  The determination she has demonstrated to me in the time I’ve known her makes me convinced that she will meet her goals.  After all, how many people can walk into a meeting with the agenda already completed and ready to tackle the next challenge?  Sharon truly takes her life in her own hands and is working to achieve something greater for herself daily.  “I have goals that I’m going to meet.  I plan on going to school and becoming employable again.”

Before she leaves my office to attend the next meeting, apply for the next job, or seek out a new program, she says,   “Thank you for pretty much getting me ‘back on my feet.’”  Keep going, Sharon!  We’re right behind you!

Ramona knows how to give a hug. Ramona also knows how to work hard. A hug from Ramona makes you feel like the center of the world, which is just encouraging to drive you to keep up with her.

Since Ramona has started with Back on My Feet she has set many goals for herself. She is interested in enrolling in the Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC) housekeeping training. Ramona has been working on the first step in this process by going to GED classes every week. Outside of her professional goals Ramona is focused on her miles. Every mile that Ramona adds to her total is progress forward. She is about to hit 50 miles and recently completed a 5k with Running for Answers.

Ramona helping a teammate attach a bib

Ramona is not easily deterred from the route she has planned out for herself. As the weather changed she got a case of bronchitis that put her in the hospital. Ramona is no stranger to being in the hospital as survivor of breast cancer. With two years in remission Ramona says she is very thankful for the time she has now. She has struggled with cancer as well as her own personal struggles, but you wouldn’t know it talking with her on our chilly morning runs. Her smile beams and she swells with pride talking about her family.

When asked what would she want other people to know about her or Back on My Feet she said, “There is no reason you shouldn’t go for your goals”. Ramona has encountered a lot tough times, but giving up never seems to be an option for her.

American Rescue Worker’s Members of the Month:  Floyd and Alex

Alex and Floyd

Floyd S. joined Back on My Feet as a residential member in February 2011 and so far, both his biggest challenge and his favorite moment have been running and finishing the Baltimore Running Festival half marathon. To date, Floyd has logged an impressive 323 miles, and his goals for the next few months are even more impressive, as he aims to “complete school, find work, and run a full marathon.” Floyd says he loves running because “I am at peace when running and my mind is clear.” His advice for new runners is to “stay focused and committed.”

Alex P. joined Back on My Feet as a non-residential member in September and says his best moment so far was “doing the 5k at the Baltimore Running Festival. It was my first race and I would not have been able to do it without Back on My Feet.” While running, Alex thinks about food and the scenery around him, and his favorite post-race food is a giant plate of pasta with Parmesan cheese. Yum! Alex’s next race with the Back on My Feet crew is the Celtic Solstice Five Miler on December 17. Over the next few months, Alex wants to “increase my distances so I can run a half marathon in the spring.” His best advice for new runners is “get a good pair of shoes!”

Christopher’s Place Members of the Month:  George and Paul

George

George joined Back on My Feet as a residential member in September and has 50 miles under his belt. His biggest challenge is keeping his breath while running, and his favorite moment so far is the Baltimore Running Festival. His goal for the next three months is to work up to running five miles, and his advice for new runners is “don’t give up.”

Paul

Paul H. joined Christopher’s Place as a non-residential member in February 2011, and says he can’t point to one moment as his favorite. “It’s the people.” What does he think about while running? “Sometimes life stuff. Sometimes running stuff. I enjoy running alone, with a running partner, or in a group.” When discussing his favorite post-race meal, Paul says he loves both “healthy earthy-crunchy stuff as well as red meat, fat and grease. Balance is the goal.” Wise words, Paul!

Paul’s last race was the Gobble Gobble 4-miler and his next race with the Back on My Feet crew is the Celtic Solstice Five Miler. When asked what he would tell someone considering joining Christopher’s Place, he says, “be prepared to meet the best people in the world!” He also encourages new runners to “keep asking around. Don’t be shy. Find someone in your comfort zone. They are everywhere and you will be surprised how easy they are to find. We are also very welcoming! People who are into running plus people who are into Back on My Feet = just what you are looking for. Glad you found us!”

MCVET Members of the Month: Duane, Laurin and Charlotte

Duane

Duane joined MCVET as a non-residential member in October, and he says his best moment so far was finishing his first race – the Tuerk House 5k. While running, Duane thinks about his goals in life. His next planned race is the Celtic Solstice Five Miler, and his goals for the next three months include “getting in shape for the BIG marathon.”

Laurin and Charlotte

Laurin W. and Charlotte H. joined MCVET as non-residential members in November 2009, and they say: “It’s hard to synthesize what we love about Back on My Feet into one moment. The best thing for us has been the inspiration we have gained from the MCVET runners – it’s been so much fun to watch them meet and exceed their goals over the past two years. No matter how we’re feeling before our Friday morning run, we always feel great afterwards, and we attribute that to the ‘pump up effect’ of our teammates. The moments right before our run, when we circle up and say the Serenity Prayer, are some of the most meaningful of the week for us.”

When asked what they think about while running, they say, “We love to run together, and we’re both total chatterboxes when we’re out there! We talk about everything – it’s a great time to plan, remember, dream, vent, etc. This sounds a little corny, but we often talk about how lucky we are to have the lives we do. We have friends like one another and we can do what we love (run!) – these are such blessings! When we run alone, we both think a lot about life, and we find that we get some of our best ideas while running – Laurin has had many inspirations for her fiction stories during her runs and sometimes Charlotte solves the civil engineering problems of the world while pounding the pavement.”

Laurin and Charlotte ran the marathon at the Baltimore Running Festival in October – the first marathon for both. “We trained together, doing all of our long runs in the heat of the Baltimore summer. The first twenty miler was probably one of the hardest runs either of us has ever done. By the time we were finishing our last loop, it was broiling and we were mentally and physically exhausted. We usually have no trouble keeping a steady stream of conversation going for several hours at a time out on the road, but it was pretty silent for those last few miles. It was such a great payoff in the end, though! We both had good marathons and it was so special to share the experience with each other and many of our BOMF teammates.”

Laurin and Charlotte will graduate from college in May 2012. Both will run the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Race this spring and are looking forward to seeing many teammates there.

Team Helping Up Mission Baltimore Members of the Month: Bill, Jason and Meredith

Bill

Bill B. is a residential member with THUMB who says his best moment was “all the support at the Tuerk House 5k.” His goal for the next three months is to lose 20 pounds, and his next planned event with Back on My Feet is the Celtic Solstice Five Miler.

“Seeing Bill’s excitement in the Tuerk House 5k was really awesome!  You could see that he really wanted to be out there with the team and the smile on his face when he made his final kick toward the finish line was great.  Bill’s making progress with his running and also in other aspects of his life. He also recently graduated from Helping Up Mission. Bill has been a great teammate and I am excited to see him enjoy his running so much,” says Rob Carfagno, team leader.

Meredith and Jason

Jason and Meredith T., non-residential members, are busy “holding on to our title as BOMF’s coolest couple – by whatever means necessary” and they think about “world domination” while running.  But they also find time to run a lot of races and provide a great deal of support to their BOMF teammates.

“Jason and Meredith bring a lot of energy and spirit to the team.  They have been on the team since the beginning and still come out and show support for their teammates. They engage people in conversation and always bring a lot of laughs everywhere they go!  I see them running with different teammates all of the time and they truly understand what it means at Back on My Feet that ‘No on runs alone!’ Whether it’s a regular Back on My Feet run or an official race, they go out of their way to make sure they give support to those who need it,” says Rob Carfagno, team leader.

November was a great month for Back on My Feet Baltimore with good energy still lingering after the Baltimore Running Festival.  We kicked off the month at the Tuerk House 5k which is an annual race for us, and one at which we usually take home a few medals.  We met all expectations, with several residential and non-residential members placing not only in their division, but overall as well.

Later in the month we geared up for Sneaker Week and kicked off the promotion with a surprise flash mob at our morning run on the 14th.  The Baltimore Bash committee showed off their moves and gave everyone a sneak preview of how much fun the Bash will be.  Teams are continuing to compete to see who has the highest percentage of members attending and there will be a great showing of non-residential members this year.

The Philadelphia Marathon came and went this month and we had several non-residential members join the Philly crew to race.  We are winding down the marathon season and looking at darker, colder mornings for the foreseeable future, but people have already started talking about the D.C. Marathon and the Nikia Half so winter will be over before we know it.

In team news:

Team Baltimore Station (BSTAT) has been the scene for a lot of fast running, with the fall road racing season in full swing.  At the end of October, four of our non-residential members participated in the Marine Corps Marathon.  It was a cold day, but good for marathoning.  Erin M., Ben F., Chris L., and Christen V. all ran and did well!  A mere two weeks later, Ben also ran the Richmond Marathon.  We certainly had an impressive showing from our non-residential members.  On the5K front, three of our residential members ran the Tuerk House 5k, including Len L., Sam M., and George H.  It was a brisk morning, but once again, good for running races!  Having three of our residential members inducted into the Alumni Program left the team with more than a few open spots for new members. One of those spots was eagerly taken by Daniel B., who is off to a very, very fast start.  He is already doing three and four mile runs with ease.  He admits to struggling with the hills, but will be focusing on them to become a stronger runner!  BSTAT is also making sure to rally as many people as possible for the annual Bash.  We may not be the biggest team on the block, but we’ll represent with our professional dress and hot running sneakers!

Team Christopher’s Place has had a great month!  We saw Jerome win his age division at the Tuerk House 5k and he was joined by Ursula H. and Caroline S. as they placed in their divisions as well.  Erick was offered a full time position with the MTA and is gearing up to be very busy during the holiday season as people travel into the city for shopping.  Sarah O. and Kayla A. represented Team CP at the Philadelphia Marathon, which was Kayla’s first, and she also fund-raced for Back on My Feet.  Go Kayla!  November has definitely been a busy month, but we’re really looking forward to the Baltimore Bash and the Christmas Party in December.

Team Helping up Mission Baltimore (THUMB) enjoyed a fun month.  We thought things would slow down after the Baltimore Running Festival in October, but we had many great things carry us through this month.  First up was the Tuerk House 5k.  THUMB represented with Mike B. taking 3rd overall (20:45), Mike H. 4th overall (20:57) and Emily B. 3rd Female!  We had several more guys running:  Eric L. 36:25, Tim B. 23:28, Bill B. 35:09, Steven W. 35:10, Barry B. 24:55, Dave H. 26:16 and David F. 27:07.  Awesome job to all!  On November 17^th, THUMB attended Family Night at the National Aquarium in Baltimore.  Our teammate Charmaine S. was nice enough to invite our team and a group of more than 30 people attending.  The team had fun touring the aquarium, shopping in the gift shop for discounted gifts, and watching a 4D movie.

Team MCVET welcomed our newest residential member Duane to the team. Duane got busy racking up miles and ran his first race with the team at the Tuerk House 5k only a few short days later. Ja-Aura and Tim, having jumped into the racing world with a splash at the Baltimore Half, added the 5k distance to their resumes that day as well. Our own Lauren L. meanwhile took first place overall! In non-racing news, the team recognized Veterans Day by having all our residential members and non-residential veterans share their military experience with the rest of the team during the morning run on the 11^th.  We also kept Ricky in our thoughts, our non-residential member currently deployed in Kuwait, who sent us an email assuring us he’s still getting his runs in each and every morning before it gets too hot. Alumni member Arnold wasn’t able to join us during that morning’s run because he was already at work being interviewed by WBAL about his own experiences! We’re all excited for alumni-member Carlos to start training at the Fire Department Academy at the beginning of next month and alumni member Greg S. received a promotion at the Aquarium!