MCVET’s Members of the Month:  Terrell and Sean  

Terrell's BOMF Ink

Terrell has been a member since day one, and in all of the time he has spent with BoMF, he says that “it’s not about one moment for me that stands out, it’s about all the moments and the genuine friendships built from those moments. Special shout out to Jenn, Maggie and Geoff – all of them have been so good to me.” He says that his biggest challenge is overcoming his shortcomings.  Being injured and having to make the hard call to stop a run or pull out of a race is one of the hardest things he’s ever had to do.  Terrell became an alumni in 2011 when began taking classed and moved into his own place.  His goal for the next three months is to focus on settling into his apartment making it cozy, and of course, finish the Frozen Finger 5 Miler. 

Somewhere along that 5 Miler course, Terrell claims he’ll be thinking about “Where I am in life at the moment and all the steps I’ve taken along the way. Most of the time that gets me thinking about how much BoMF played a role in those steps.” 

“Terrell S. has been a member of been a member of Team MCVET since Back on My Feet first circled up in March of 2009 and despite  moving on from MCVET, becoming an alumni, and starting school and work, his commitment to this team and its members, both old and new has never wavered.  He literally wears his commitment on his sleeve! Terrell’s support for his teammates has been on full display on numerous notable occasions these past few months. At the Baltimore Running Festival, Terrell was forced to drop out of his own half-marathon race as a result of a calf injury, but rather than call it a day or let his disappointment get the best of him, he instead hobbled straight back to the finish line where he stood out as the most enthusiastic and loudest spectator, cheering each of his BoMF teammates in. Then again at last week’s Celtic Solstice, Terrell wasn’t registered for the race, but somehow managed to show up on course to accompany Sean for his return to racing after his accident last summer. Terrell truly is an incredible friend, supporter and teammate to all of us on Team MCVET.” – Peter, MCVET Team Leader 

Sean and Team

“Sean, a member of Team MCVET since the Baltimore chapter first launched, has always given himself to Back on My Feet’s mission and members, whether serving as a race coordinator, refereeing Wipe Out, capturing the crowd’s attention with his “Shoutin’” or being there for a teammate when they needed it. Over the course of the past two plus years, he’s become a true friend to everyone who has laced up their sneakers to run with BoMF Baltimore. Sean had planned to run his second marathon this past fall at the Marine Corps Marathon, but in July, these training plans and his life were tragically altered when he was struck by a car while out on training run one evening.

This accident left him hospitalized for months and facing a long and arduous road to recovery that entailed multiple surgeries and extensive physical rehabilitation. “There was major trauma and damage to my left leg, thoracic vertebrae (near my spinal column), and left shoulder,” Sean recalls. “I could not walk, use my left arm, was wearing a spinal brace and was not fully cognizant for a period of time.  Mentally and physically, I was damaged. The outpouring not only from  MCVET but the rest of the teams has moved me to tears many times. For me, at that point, being “Back On My Feet” was a literal goal as my left leg had suffered enough damage that I could not walk for a significant period of time and knowing that I had the whole BOMF Baltimore community behind me was a huge help and and an enormous comfort to me. Just the chance to look around my hospital room and see the cards (SO many cards), the food, the photographs, and the little gifts, all of which reassured me and gave me the strength to know I could make it and succeed, to one day go back to running, that there was large group rooting for me and encouraging me.” Several teammates even used their own races to fundraise on his behalf.

Continuing with his physical therapy and light-impact cross training, Sean plans to continue furthering his recovery and moving closer to resuming to run. Sean says his goals is to be able to participate in the MCVET 5k or 10k in May. Continuing to be optimistic, Sean says, “If I manage to exceed my physical therapist’s expectations I may be able to do the Bruckenthal 5k.  I hope to attend the Valentine’s run and I will be at the Nippy Nikia as part of the race committee.”

Despite the seriousness of his injuries, Sean remained committed to running again and although I never doubted his strength or resolve, I have to admit I had reservations when he told me that he planned to take the starting line at the Celtic Solstice 5 Miler in December. Sure enough though, on the morning of December 17^th, not even six months after his accident, Sean circled up before the race with the rest of his Back on My Feet teammates who were running the race. Joined on course by his girlfriend and a growing contingent of Back on My Feet teammates, Sean [speed!] walked his way through the hilly five miles and crossed the finish line. The strength and perseverance Sean demonstrated through his recovery has been truly inspiring to each and every one of us who knows him and we look forward to lining up at more and more races beside him in 2012.” – Peter, MCVET Team Leader 

Team Helping Up Mission’s Members of the Month:  Stefan and Misha 

Stefan and Misha

Stefan B., who joined BoMF in July 2011 and has logged more than 100 miles, says his best moment so far was “being a part of the Baltimore Running Festival. It was a great run.” While his biggest challenge is dealing with injury/pain in his foot, Stefan is ready to lace up his shoes for the Frozen Finger 5-Miler on January 7. His goal for the next three months is to complete his GED, and while running, Stefan says, “I think about the future.  I want to stay open, humble and focused.” 

Says Rob Carfagno, team leader: “Stefan likes to come out and have fun with his teammates.  You can usually find him joking around with the team and keeping the mood light.  Seeing him dance and have fun at the BASH was one of the highlights of the night!  He has battled through some foot pain in recent months, but still does what he needs to in order to improve his running and better himself in many ways.” 

Misha, who joined BoMF as a non-residential member in September 2011, says that her best moment “reoccurs every time my teammates subtly remind me with their actions that before I ran with them, I had no idea what I was missing by not being part of a team. From the hugs my very first morning, to being at the mile 22 water stop during BRF and screaming for BoMF, from dancing with my posse at the BASH, to every time a teammate runs at a slower pace for me, from my first morning run after nursing a sprained ankle, to being escorted in for my timed mile even though I was last to finish, from hearing about every time a teammate gets a PR, to the high fives after finishing, from being pushed to further distances, to being the one holding everyone’s stuff.  There are so many awesome moments, that unfortunately for them, any time someone asks me how my running is going, they are treated to a 15 minute rave about Team HUM.” 

Misha traveled to Australia to visit family for the holiday and while she was planning to attempt the Frozen Finger, she won’t be back in time.  She says, “Team HUM is going to have to settle for a regular Wednesday run as my next race! I hope they remember who I am!” 

Says Rob Carfagno, team leader: “Misha has made a big impact on our team in the short time since she joined!  She has supported at a few races and is one of the most enthusiastic people out there!  Misha enjoys joking around with teammates and she can usually be found in the middle of a circle of laughter each morning (and her voice can usually be heard above everyone else!).  In addition to making people laugh, she also shows great compassion and friendship to her teammates and is one of those people who you know you can count on for anything. Misha understands the true meaning of Back on My Feet and has been a great addition to our team.” 

Christopher’s Place’s Members of the Month:  Jerome and Sadie 

Jerome

Jerome E., who joined Team Christopher’s Place in September 2011, has already logged more than 180 miles and says that his best moment to date was winning the 5k race. He was very surprised and felt very proud to have accomplished the win. While he finds Baltimore hill running challenging, Jerome likes to take risks and meet challenges head-on. One of Jerome’s goals for the next few months is to complete a half, or possibly a full, marathon. While running, Jerome thinks about, “my mother and my child, they are my inspirations right now.” 

Jerome’s last race was the Celtic Solstice. “It was great. I felt better at the end than at my previous race.” He is currently gearing up for the Frozen Finger 5 Miler. 

Sadie

Sadie S. joined Back on My Feet in August 2010 and says, “It is really hard to pick just one favorite moment. I loved our birthday run last year because there was this huge snake of people running through the harbor and I thought how amazing it was to be part of something so grand.  Tons of people from different backgrounds and places doing different things from 9-5, but all focused on one goal at 5:30 a.m.” 

When asked to say something that most people don’t know about her, Sadie says, “I’m really afraid of the dark.” So, it’s good that she has lots of teammates to protect her on those dark, early morning runs. “Johnathan R. made me practice running and talking at the same time, so I’m a chatterbox.” 

Sadie’s last race was the Baltimore Running Festival half marathon. “I didn’t make the time I wanted, but I finished. I still haven’t gotten that ‘itch’ to do another, or to do a full.  Sorry to disappoint all you nutty runners!” Sadie’s next run with the BoMF crew will likely be the Nikia relay. 

When asked what she would tell someone considering joining Team Christopher’s Place, Sadie says, “You will undoubtedly change someone’s life, but joining will undoubtedly change yours too.” And, her advice for a brand new runner? “Starting is the hardest part. It gets better and easier and more fun.”

December has always been one of the busiest and most exciting months for all of Back on My Feet Baltimore and 2011 certainly was no exception. The month kicked off with Baltimore Bash, a truly wonderful evening hosted by the Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards where friends, members and supporters of Back on My Feet Baltimore came together to reflect and celebrate the past year’s feats and accomplishments. Highlighted by a great group of speakers and a silent auction that featured a personal training session with Ray Lewis and his trainer Monte Sanders, the night was a huge success for Back on My Feet and helped raise more than $50,000 for our chapter!

As the month continued, there were plenty more plenty more reasons to celebrate both with the holidays and with a bevy of personal milestones and accomplishments in our members’ lives.

Team MCVET welcomed several new members to the roster this month including three new residential members: Chris M., Jason L., and Walter L., as well as two newborn Team MCVET’ers! Congratulations to Maya and her husband Ian on the birth of their daughter and alumni Darryl M and his wife Keta on the birth of their first child! We wish them all the best and expect to see them out running with us soon!

Team Christopher’s Place has also been growing at a rapid pace with nine new residential members joining the roster this month alone! Meanwhile, George and Jerome both graduated from their second phase at Christopher’s Place and Kani is already employed! In addition, all-star CP team member Dom, fresh on the heels of completing his first marathon at the Baltimore Running Festival has committed to and signed up for the D.C. Rock n’ Roll Marathon in March and has already started training!

Team Helping Up Mission welcomed two new teammates, Frank P. and Dre D., to the team while also celebrating Eric B. and Dave H.’s graduations and stalwart Back on My Feet’er Barry B. celebrated his third year of sobriety!

Some longtime Back on My Feet Baltimore members are transitioning into new roles as Jordyn will take over for Sadie as Christopher Place’s new team leader, Sarah steps into Fast Dan’s (bright orange!) shoes as team leader for Team Baltimore Station, and Henry T. passes the MCVET team captainship to Tim R.

December, of course, marks the holiday season, and Back on My Feet soaked up the holiday spirit with teams planning evening runs through the Miracle on 34^th Street, cookie bakes, and of course the annual holiday party and Celtic Solstice 5 miler! The holiday party was highlighted by crock pots, ugly yet festive sweaters dug out from our grandmothers’ closets, and the joy of being able to come together as a chapter to celebrate and thank each other for our commitment to Back on My Feet.  During the evening’s events, the member of the year award winners were announced to the cheers of their teammates. Mike B., from Helping Up Mission, was recognized as the Residential Member of the Year while Diane was awarded the Non-residential Member of the Year award. Congratulations to Mike and Diane, and thank you both for the hard work and time you have given to BoMF and its members over the course of the past of the year to make this such a memorable program for all of us.

Celtic Solstice Circle

Well-fueled on oatmeal, holiday cookies, pasta and chili dishes, BoMF Baltimore came out in full force for the Celtic Solstice 5 Miler in Druid Hill Park the next morning. Alumni, res, non-res and family members were all well represented among the field of more than 3,000 runners. While the day saw several PRs, first time racers, and Santa Claus costumes, it was highlighted by the return of our dear friend and teammate Sean F., of Team MCVET to the starting line. Sean was struck by a car while running on his own one night in July and after months in the hospital and physical therapy, took the starting line alongside his teammates at the morning’s race. His strength and resolve in getting there the past few months has captivated and inspired all of us and truly demonstrated that through hard work, grit and teamwork, no obstacle is too great. Sean continued to pick up more teammates as he made his way through the course, finishing alongside a huge pack of caroling and cheering teammates.

As we move into a new year, we are thankful for all the great memories and accomplishments that 2011 brought us and look forward to another great year in 2012.

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!

Back on My Feet at the BRF

October for American Rescue Workers (ARW) was an amazing and exciting time. As the temperatures started to dip, our spirits stayed high! Patrick instilled Fun Fridays to keep that momentum going. No matter if it was Crazy Hat Fun Friday or Favorite Sports Team Fun Friday, Team ARW got up ready for fun on the run!

The Baltimore Running Festival had a lot of firsts for the team – with many members running their first marathon or half marathon. Floyd sped through the finish line at 2:15 – very impressive for his first half marathon! Quentin teamed up with three guys from Christopher’s Place to run a relay – beating the rest of his team’s splits! Finally, Harold PR’d from Nikia’s Nippy Nor’easter 5k with a time of 36:06. Alumni Darius ran a really strong half too! Thanks to Harold, Kevin, and the rest of Team ARW for helping at the Mile 22 water stop – we never could have run those last couple miles without your tasty beverages!

In other very exciting Team ARW news, Kevin A. was inducted as a Back on My Feet Baltimore Alumni. Current Alumni Darius was on hand to present Kevin with his monumental award along with a few touching words. We are so proud of Kevin as he moves his life forward with a great big smile on his face! Stay cool Kevin!

October was a big month for team Baltimore Station. At long last, October 15^th brought the Baltimore Running Festival – the pinnacle of many impressive training efforts. We had two residential members participate in the half marathon, Len L. with a time of 1:53:16, and Gary A. with a time of 2:41:33. It was Gary’s first half marathon, and Len pointed out that he had run another half more than 20 years ago only a couple minutes faster. As he put it, age has not slowed him down very much! We also fielded a marathon relay team, with three of the four spots taken up by Baltimore Station members. Kenny M., Sam M., and George H. each ran a leg of approximately 6.5 miles. Another runner from Philadelphia joined them to fill out the team. Eight of our non-residential members joined the party as well, many running the half marathon.

Team Christopher’s Place also had a great showing at the Baltimore Running Festival with more than 15 non-residential members running, and almost all of our residential members participating as well! Kani, George, and James all ran the 5k, while Jerome, Solomon, Abdullah, and Steven raced in the relay! Brian cut 30 minutes off his marathon time and Dominique completed his first marathon and crossed the finish line with the support of team Christopher’s Place and other Back on My Feet Baltimore runners. If you haven’t seen this video yet, chronicling his journey, you have to check it out! Even Tony and Ricky, alumni, came out to cheer us all on, and several Christopher’s Place teammates manned the BoMF water stop. It was a day many of us will never forget.

In other news, many of our members are also are looking forward to the Tuerk House 5k on November 5^th to cut time off of their previous races.

Finally, Team Christopher’s Place is happy to report that Erick got a job working for the MTA and Michael got a new job in the kitchen at the NSA. We’re also very excited to celebrate the alumni induction of Johnathan and Brian this month.

October was also a great month for Team Helping Up Mission Baltimore (THUMB)!  Many of our teammates ran in the Baltimore Running Festival, with several running a distance for the first time. It was quite a celebration with all five Baltimore teams as well as Philly and D.C. in attendance.  Here is a recap of the time for the members who ran:  5k – Eric L. 34:50, Stefan B. 28:49, and Bryant J. 30:07.  Relay (approx. 7 miles) – Eric B.  1:07:00. Half Marathon – Nicko R. 2:05:13, Tim B. 1:58:25, Steven W. 3:11:53, and Dave H. 2:11:10. Marathon – Barry B. 4:44:54 and Mike B. 3:46:52. We are so proud of all our runners!

Not only did Eric L. run the 5k at the Baltimore Running Festival this month, on October 7^th he graduated from Helping Up Mission. Congrats, Eric! Steven W. celebrated 250 miles with the team and ran his first half marathon while Mike B. passed 500 miles and completed his first marathon!

Team MCVET also had an exciting October. Alumni member Carlos entered the Baltimore County Fire Department. Residential members Tim, Ja-Aura, and Jay all ran their first half marathons at the Baltimore Running Festival, while Kevin and Henry ran the 5k. Alums Greg and Arnold ran the half marathon at BRF and also ran the Marine Corps Marathon on Oct 30 (the third marathon for both of them). Greg was inducted into alumni status on October 27^th. Finally, non residential member Ricky O. left for a year-long deployment with his Airborne Unit in Kuwait. Our thoughts are with him and we are looking forward to running with him when he returns!

American Rescue Worker’s Members of the Month:  Quentin and Jocelyn

Quentin and Jocelyn

Quentin L. joined Back on My Feet as a residential member in March 2011 and has more than 90 miles under his belt. He says his biggest challenge while running is finishing, but he had no problem finishing his leg of the Baltimore Running Festival Relay, which he accomplished in a quick 49 minutes. His advice for new runners is to “be determined!” Quentin likes to refuel after a race with bananas, and his next race with Back on My Feet will be the Tuerk House 5k on November 5^th. Good luck Quentin!

Jocelyn S. joined Back on My Feet as a non-residential member in August and says her favorite moment so far was her first run “because everyone was so welcoming.” She jokes that her biggest challenge while running is “keeping my tonails” as well as making it up hills at the end of a long run. While running, she thinks about the finish line and how happy she will be to cross it again. Jocelyn’s goal for the next three months is to finish the Annapolis Half Marathon on November 19^th in 1:55. Her next race with BOMF will be the Zoo Zoom the next day on November 20^th.

Team Helping Up Mission’s Members of the Month: Eric and Phil

Eric L.

Eric L. joined the team as a residential member in April 2011 and has since logged more than 127 miles. He says his best memory is “the Baltimore Running Festival! It was great having the big group out there and the positive energy from all the Back on My Feet participants was amazing!” Eric says his biggest challenge while running is getting out of his head (you’re not alone there, Eric! Such a common runner challenge!), and his goal for the next three months is to stay focused and keep the enthusiasm. While running, Eric often thinks about how he can use his experience to help others.

“I first met Eric in the group circle as he attached the adjective ‘Effervescent’ to his first name,” says Lauren Shimek, THUMB teammate. “I quickly discovered an enthusiastic running buddy who is passionate about life, learning, and self-betterment. We’ve logged many early morning miles together, and I’ve watched Eric progress over time from a Seed of Hope to a Graduate of the Helping Up Mission. He has worked through a challenging year of recovery with steadfast dedication and the courage to share his personal experiences with others. I am so proud of Eric and look forward to seeing him as a role model for others.”

Eric’s next race will be the Tuerk House 5k on November 5^th.  His advice for a brand new runner? “Never give up and you’ll get stronger every day.”

Phil Strikes a Pose

Phil B. joined Team Helping Up Mission as a non-residential member in January 2011, and his best moments include “training with Nicko and watching Mike Bennett’s flowing locks blow in the wind.” While running, Phil often thinks about what’s for breakfast, as well as whom he will connect with that day. His next race with Back on My Feet will likely be the Celtic Solstice in December.

“Phil has been a great addition to our team,” says Rob Carfango, team leader. “He has a fun and relaxed attitude and gets along with everyone. He likes to joke around with his teammates and he has gone out of his way to run with many different people since joining the team. He comes out early to help support our teammates for longer runs and varies his pace to meet the needs of others. He is a true team player and I appreciate all that he does for our team!”

Team Christopher’s Place Member of the Month: Amy

Amy N.

Amy N. has been a non residential member since the very beginning of Team Christopher’s Place! She says that seeing her teammates along the course and on the sidelines cheering during her recent half marathon run at the Baltimore Running Festival is her best moment so far: “I never could have done it without my team!”

While running, she thinks about the hills she has to climb, but when asked what she would tell someone who is considering joining Back on My Feet, she says, “Just do it! 5:30 a.m. never looked so good. I promise you, you won’t regret it. Meredith Tyler from THUMB gave me that same advice two years ago when I was afraid of how early we ran. She was right!”

Amy’s next race with Back on My Feet will be the Tuerk House 5k. Her advice for a brand new runner is to “pace yourself and don’t start too quickly. Try to find someone who runs at your pace.”

Fun fact about Amy: She studied and worked in Thailand for four years and can speak Thai. But her favorite post-race meal is a good old American breakfast of eggs and toast.

MCVET’s Members of the Month: Kevin and Dave

Kevin R.

Kevin R.’s best moment to date with Back on my Feet was finished the Baltimore Running Festival 5k. “The amount of people lining the streets and cheering was unbelievable,” he says.

Kevin notes that his biggest challenge in running is hills. “There are a lot of hills in Baltimore.” (You got that right, Kevin!) While running, he thinks about distance: “How far I’m going, how far along I am, and how many miles I’ve run.”

Says Peter, MCVET’s team leader: “Kevin was one of the original members of Team MCVET when the Baltimore chapter launched in March of ’09 and it’s been great getting to know and run with him ever since. Although rarely one for many words, Kevin quietly demonstrates his commitment to his own self-improvement each and every day by the way he goes about taking on his responsibilities, whether it’s coming out every morning, working a long day of carwash at MCVET, or pursuing his welding training. Despite the unassuming fashion with which he goes about his business, Kevin’s progress has not gone unnoticed by his teammates who have taken note of his ever improving outlook and hard work.”

Dave W.

Dave W. joined the MCVET team as a non-residential member on February 14, 2011. His best moment so far was running the MCVET 5k: “I came in thinking about myself and what times I would run.  However when talking to another non-res (Jenn) about running times, she reminded me that it wasn’t about times, it was about being part of the team.  Just then Wayne came up to me and asked to run together with him. We had such a fantastic time talking, laughing, and complaining the whole way that I couldn’t tell you what our times were. At that moment I knew I was part of a true Team and that has stuck with me to this day.”

When asked what his biggest challenge has been, Dave says, “Day 3 when I couldn’t finish 2 miles?  No, actually running the Baltimore Running Festival half marathon.  It was actually two challenges. The first was the actual run and the second was running as a FundRunner for Back on My Feet. I had never asked anyone for money before, but as a FundRunner, I asked friends, family, and colleagues to sponsor me. I had no idea how that would play out.  The other issue is that I have problems with stiffness in my legs (one of the reasons I started running again oddly enough) and I didn’t know how I would do running 13 miles. Well I exceeded my fundraising goals and completed the half (though I would like to forget about miles 10 and 11).” Dave’s next race will be the Tuerk 5k.

Says Peter, MCVET’s team leader: “When Dave first started running with MCVET, he told me that the last time he had gone for a run was six years prior in a half marathon in Alaska and that he was wearing the same shoes that he had during that race. I think he started off with a mile that day and his return to running was gradual, but each day he came out to put in his miles with the team. As the month went on, his miles increased as did the relationships he was building with his new teammates. This past month, Dave returned to the 13.1 mile distance, finishing the half at the BRF and has grown into a true friend and example for his teammates, helping several of our residential members through their own training. He’s become not just a runner on his own again, but a teammate, mentor, and friend for all of us at Team MCVET.”

Congratulations to all our Members of the Month!

Greg has never been at a loss for nicknames.  As a youngster, and the smallest and thinnest of his 4 brothers and 3 sisters, his family nicknamed him Po’ boy.  Since he’s been living in Maryland, he is better known as Alabama, or Road Runner.  Whatever you call him though, you can’t help but respect the man, and the story behind the name.

Despite his unsuspecting alias, he grew up as the dependable one in the family.  His family always went to him, relied on him and expected the most out of him; that was until he started running with the wrong crowd in high school.  His reputable name quickly became associated with fighting, cussing, skipping school and eventually dropping out of the 12^th grade.  When he decided to skip school with a classmate one day, they both found themselves in a recruiter’s office and by days end, he had joined the army.  When he returned from his tour in Germany, he spend the next 21 years in a cycle of prison, parole, probation, community service and jail.  It was a cycle so pervasive that the “security” and non-violence that prison offered was no longer a threat.

His family tried hard to support him.  While looking after his 2 year old daughter was certainly a noble act of love, but it was during a visit with his sister in North Carolina where he witnessed perhaps  the most memorable gesture.  She brought him to an AA meeting where he met a woman who was living in SRO at MCVET.  His sister not only suggested he think about going to MCVET, but after the meeting drove Greg around the rougher parts of her town, threatening that he’d be living on the streets like them if he didn’t turn things around.  Greg’s response was, “I’d walk back to Alabama barefoot before I’d live like that.”

Before he even had a chance to argue, Greg’s family had called MCVET and arranged for his arrival.  Despite intake being on Tuesdays, his family collected his belongings and bought him a one way bus ticket for that Sunday afternoon.  His brother handed him $10 in case he needed anything, and only after the fact did Greg find out that his brother followed the bus right out of town to be sure Greg didn’t hop off along the way.

Greg maintains that the plan he formulated on that long bus ride was to get clean long enough to get a job and make enough money to return to Leighton, AL where he could resume his former way of life.  “I didn’t expect to do all this,” he says today.

Those first few weeks were riddled with excuses as to why he needed to go back to Alabama, but once he realized he wouldn’t be leaving MCVET anytime soon, he settled in for the long haul.  His first platoon morning chores brought him outside where he’d see these runners circling up every day.  He’d never been on a team before, and resolved to join as soon as he was time eligible.

Those early days were marked by the encouragement he garnered from each step he took and each teammate who supported him.  It quickly became apparent that Greg had a knack for long distance running.  He set his sights on the half marathon which he fondly remembers not so much because he finished, but because his teammate Cheyanne was there to run it with him, and don him with his favorite nickname, Road Runner.

Since then, Greg has run and completed countless races with grace and dexterity, and in some very respectable times.  But when he recounts his successes since arriving at MCVET, or joining Back on My Feet, he doesn’t list them terms of PR’s, trophies or number of marathons he’s completed.  Greg affectionately attributes his success to the teammates who have helped him achieve every step he’s earned along the way.

From his running partner LL, his surrogate team at CP on Tuesday nights – Shannon, Kayla, Sue, Dom and Harvey, to his training coaches Peter and Audrey who have taught him so much about running, pacing, hills, breathing and becoming a better runner, to Abby who is constantly encouraging him in everything he does, to Karen, Nikia, Erin, Kim, Claire and Mike who were a big part of him passing his GED test, to Audrey, Peter and Abby supporting his job search, to Ricky connecting him with a suit for his interview, to Amy and Abby helping him decorate his new apartment, the number of people he credits with his big successes and the daily decisions to stay positive is endless.

Now an alum of the Back on My Feet program, living in his own place, armed with his GED and a team of devoted supporters behind him, Greg is employed in the Environmental Services department at the National Baltimore Aquarium and is applying to BCCC to start his college degree.   “I didn’t expect to be here,” he keeps repeating, “I didn’t expect to move into my own place, I didn’t expect to go to college, I didn’t expect any of this.”

As a leader on the team, and a strong, confident runner, Greg also finds ways to be able to give back to the team.  He enjoys his most recent and revered nickname, “Coach” earned through his mentorship to his teammates, most notably, Kayla.  Greg has paced her through two half-marathon PR’s, most recently at the Baltimore Running Festival where he too broke his personal record in 1:38:24.  Greg is set to run and has high hopes of PR’ing in the Marine Corps Marathon this Sunday.

For all you have achieved, all you’ve overcome to get to where you are, and all you have ahead of you po’ boy, Alabama, Road Runner, Coach, Greg, we wish you the best of luck.

Beep beep!

After a few runs with Back On My Feet, I found myself on a four-mile run early one morning and asked myself, “What am I doing? Really, why am I doing this?”

I wouldn’t consider myself a runner, I don’t particularly enjoy it, I have never challenged myself to run regularly in the past, and I’m unsure if I want to work toward a marathon in the future. As I ran with the group I saw many non-residential members who love to run. In fact, many are extremely active – diving into mountain biking, ultra-marathon racing, long-distance running, and  other activities. I also saw residential members who have trained for and completed marathons with Back On My Feet. I told myself, “the guy next to me has [struggled throughout his life with drinking and drug use]…If this guy is out here doing this, then I can do this too.”

However, sometimes I am still unsure if this group is for me. I didn’t join for the running, even though the majority of members are runners. I joined because I liked the message the organization presented as well as the accomplishments its members sought to attain, and I thought I could lose a few pounds by participating. On the surface, Back On My Feet appeared to be a positive program for those who need it most. Once I became more involved, however, I developed an entirely different perspective.

Back On My Feet’s mission states that the organization “promotes the self-sufficiency of those experiencing homelessness by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.”  My original perception was that Back on My Feet was suggesting that “help” travels in a one-way direction from non-residential members to residential members. With experience, though, I found this was far from accurate. Instead, Back on My Feet  builds a true communal support group among its members, residential and non-residential. Amid bodily pain, self-hesitancy toward running, and corresponding doubts about the program itself, my own experiences led me to re-evaluate why I ran with Back On My Feet.

When I first joined, I could not complete a full mile. Over the course of a few months I built up my stamina, endurance, and strength with the encouragement of other members; that kind encouragement was a new experience for me. Specifically, one morning I attempted to complete a four-mile run for the first time. On that day, Reed*, a fellow member (residential) and friend, became my cheerleader and assisted me in completing those four miles. Halfway through the four miles I wanted to give up, and he continually responded for the second two miles, “no, keep going, keep going…” I realized that day that I had been arrogant to believe I was helping him by participating in the program when indeed he was helping me as much, if not more. I’ve never had a cheerleader before: my parents were always supportive but never in the capacity that Reed imparted that day and that others have continually offered.

Reflecting on this experience and others, I reformed my understanding of Back On My Feet. I’d like to detail three of the most meaningful experiences I have had. First, and most personal, the cheerfully positive support I received while running, which may seem trivial, was previously absent from my life and atypical of the support I received from my immediate family. The people in Back On My Feet filled a gap in my life, a gap that has ties to familial bonds. Second, Back on My Feet taught me how to approach tasks and goals by taking one step at a time. That may seem cliched, but despite its unoriginality, it is a very useful metaphor in helping me achieve my own goals in my personal and professional endeavors.  Finally, the group established mutually constructed dependence, engagement, and camaraderie. Even though I do not enjoy running, I realize that not only am I doing something for myself, I am simultaneously doing something positive for others.

Bryan C. Clift is a current doctoral student at the University of Maryland School of Public Health in the Department of Kinesiology. The narratives and portraits about the experiences of Back On My Feet members were compiled using a descriptive ethnographic approach and resulted in a compelling and complex understanding of how Back On My Feet members’ cultural identities shape their experiences. Each representation herein is based on interviews with Back On My Feet members and over 100 hours of participant-observation. In addition to contributing toward academic publications these representations were constructed in part to advocate for Back On My Feet. Bryan can be contacted at bcclift@umd.edu.

*Name has been changed

Join us in congratulating our Baltimore Members of the Month!

Baltimore Station Member of the Month:  John

John B.

John B. joined Back on My Feet as a non-residential member in October 2009, and notes that “Winning Wipeout” is his favorite memory so far!

Says Baltimore Station team leader, “Fast” Dan Miranda: “John has been quite a consistent Wednesday runner with Baltimore Station for a while. I was completely overjoyed when he came to Wipeout 2011. I knew without a doubt our team would win the tug of war. This guy was the perfect person to be our anchor! Whenever our ‘lightweight’ members (myself included) don’t need to be on the tug of war line, it is a good thing. He certainly played a big role (yes, pun intended) in our victory!  But, besides pulling a rope with some suckers on the other end, he is also a great presence on the morning runs. He is willing to run with just about anyone, and is certainly not shy about pushing the pace a bit and getting people to run just a bit faster. He is talkative and his upbeat attitude goes a long way to getting our group going on those dark mornings!”

But while John definitely enjoys chatting it up with his teammates in the morning, he also uses his long run time to remember people he has lost. Says John: “It’s actually the main reason that I run with Back on My Feet. I volunteer in the memory of a good friend. Running gives me time to reflect.”

John recommends that brand new runners “find a time a day that you enjoy being outside. For me, it was always sunset, and the skyline. Experiencing that is when I first really started to enjoy running.”

John’s last race with Back on My Feet was the Marine Corps Marathon in 2009. He is planning to participate in the Ragnar Relay Run from Miami to Key West in January. He is focused on balancing his need for speed (“I’d like to get my mile pace for distance work under 7:30 minutes/mile) with the challenge of pacing himself (“I usually start off way too fast!”)

Christopher’s Place Members of the Month:  Steven and Diane

Steven F.

Steven F. joined Back on My Feet as a residential member on July 27^th and already has a lot of miles under his belt. But, the first one was special. Steven says that “finishing my first mile” has been his best moment since joining Back on my Feet. He enjoys chatting with his friends on runs and notes that the biggest challenge he faces is “trying to keep breathing steady enough to talk.” Steven is aiming to run a half marathon within the next few months, and will run in the Marathon Relay at the Baltimore Running Festival on October 15.  What advice would Steven give a brand new runner?  “Stick with it!”

Diane A.

Diane A. joined Back on My Feet as a non-residential member in October 2009 and has a hard time picking her best moment. “There are so many!  Being there when a team member finishes their first race, first year birthday run, the launch of the American Rescue Workers (ARF) chapter, the 2010 Baltimore Running Festival, the graduations, and of course, the hugs in the morning.”

Diane also notes one very special memory – when a member of her team gave her his 5-mile medal because he said she helped him get there. She cannot say enough about the impact the program has had on her life: “It is the most inspiring, emotional, rewarding experience I have ever had. I have met and become friends with the most amazing people! I consider them my family.”

For new runners, Diane suggests, “Don’t be too hard on yourself.  Progress takes time. Have patience.”

Diane’s last race was the Run to Remember on September 11^th, which she says was “a great race with some of my favorite people.”  Next up for Diane:  the Baltimore Running Festival half marathon on Oct. 15.

MCVET’s Members of the Month: Ja-Aura and Lauren

Ja-Aura H.

Ja-Aura H. joined MCVET as a residential member on July 3 and has loved every minute: “I love the nature of my open-hearted teammates. They hug often, and they hug like they mean it! I need those hugs, and I really learn from my team members’ giving nature. I follow that example.”

Ja-Aura is focused on college assessments and is looking forward to starting to take classes. “I am working on defeating my fear, to recognize that I am just as capable as others.”

Running has helped Ja-Aura with that confidence, though he jokes that his biggest challenge is pacing himself to slow down because, as he says, “I am not as young as I would like to think I am!”  But, of course, running helps keep us all young at heart, and Ja-Aura says, “When I’m running, I think about how I have always loved it. My teammates show up every week and everyone is so positive. That is an inspiration.”

Ja-Aura is gearing up for the Baltimore Running Festival half marathon on October 15^th.  Wish him luck!

Lauren L.

Lauren L. joined Back on My Feet as a non-residential member in May 2009. Her best moment to date? “Finishing the 2009 Baltimore Marathon. I think there’s something special about firsts, and sharing it with my mom, Arnold (my running Dad), and so many friends and fellow runners was great.”

Lauren is getting ready for the Baltimore Running Festival 5k, after which she will have run all the events of the BRF! She is also hoping to set a new PR at the Richmond Marathon in November.

What does Lauren think about while running? Breakfast, of course!  She likes to enjoy mixed strawberries, a chopped apple, a sliced banana, shredded coconut and nuts. Yum!

Team Helping Up Mission’s Members of the Month: Tim and Mary

Tim B.

Tim B. joined Team Helping Up Mission in July, and says, “there are too many great memories to choose just one.  It is a joy to be there every day with the team.”

Tim says that his biggest challenge in running is “finding the right pace and breathing.” And, keeping a steady pace is at the forefront in his life outside running, as well. His goals for the next three months include building upon success in his new job, managing his finances, making some big decisions, and of course, continuing to run.

Tim appreciates the camaraderie he has found at Back on my Feet, noting that while he runs, “I focus on the conversations I have with my running partners.” He is gearing up for the Baltimore Running Festival half marathon.

“Tim has worked very hard to improve his running since joining the team just a few months ago,” says Rob Carfango, team leader, Helping Up Mission. “He came in with a good foundation of running and has quickly increased his mileage as he trains for the Baltimore Running Festival Half Marathon.  He really enjoys his time with the team and you can find him running with many of our teammates no matter the pace.  Tim’s always smiling and looking for ways to make improvements in his running and life. He recently got a great new job and wants to do all that he can with the opportunities he has found. I know Tim will find a way to be successful in everything he wishes to achieve!”

Mary T.

Mary T. joined Team Helping Up Mission as a non-residential member in March 2011. Her favorite memory so far is “the Friday that all the teams ran through the inner harbor with Croix Sather who was on his ‘Dream Big Act Big’ run across the country. Seeing all of the teammates call out ‘Back on My Feet’ and words of encouragement as they passed on their different runs with the sun rising over the water was very inspiring. And then we ended with one of David Dutrow’s famous birthday cheesecakes – a great way to start the day.”

Getting to know the city has been a big benefit in her time with Back on My Feet. Mary says, “Usually, I’m getting to know whomever I’m running with and also taking in the different Baltimore neighborhoods; it’s amazing how much more you see when you are not in a car.”

Mary is getting ready for her first half marathon at the Baltimore Running Festival. “I definitely could not do it without the support of my awesome teammates.”

Says team leader, Rob Carfango: “Mary is a great teammate. She has made a big impact in a short time and continues to do more. She has been great in supporting the guys who are training for upcoming races at the Baltimore Running Festival while she is also training for the half. Several of these runs have started as early as 5 a.m. to accommodate her teammates’ pace and she is always out there with a smile. I have a feeling that as time goes on, Mary will continue to do more to help the team in any way she can.”

Baltimore’s September Team Updates

With September nearly behind us and fall in the air, Back on My Feet Baltimore is looking forward to the Baltimore Running Festival, a day where we runners get the city all to ourselves!

September started on a very interesting note with the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix Indy Car race in town for the first weekend. The downtown racing course split the city in half, but that did not stop our teams from getting in their Saturday long run. Though all five teams could not meet up as normal, we arranged two separate meeting points so no one would miss their miles. Now that is dedication!

On Sunday the 18^th, the chapter attended an Orioles game at Camden Yards.  Back on My Feet was recognized at the game.  Even though the Orioles were blown out by the Angels 11-2, the group had a great time.

On the weekend of the 23^rd, Back on My Feet (Baltimore and D.C.!) sent numerous teams of runners and volunteers to participate in the Ragnar Relay, a 200 mile relay race from Cumberland, MD to Washington, D.C. Two 12-person teams participated including “Team BoMF Bmore/DC,” and “We Are the BoMF.” Those not running helped out at relay exchange zones and even cooked up some pancakes at one of the rest stops.  Don’t let the term “volunteer” fool you; they worked just as hard as the runners did!

With that, here are some highlights from the teams:

Baltimore Station has been focusing on diligently getting its miles in for the Baltimore Running Festival. Len has been very consistent and looks nearly ready for his first half marathon. He even participated in the Ragnar Relay, running some of the hardest and longest legs of the race. Gary has had a tough time getting his long runs in on Saturday, but thanks to the dedication of Training Coach Susan and Social Coordinator Dana, the three of them have been doing their runs on Fridays. Gary should definitely be ready for his half marathon! Get those miles in any way you can!

Christopher’s Place welcomed four new residential members this month, most of whom are super speedy. In his third week of running, Jerome kicked out a 23 minute 3-miler. Like whoa. James and Solomon reached their 10 miles in record time and George is learning to love those hills.

Kani, Dom, Erick and Tony all joined others from Christopher’s Place and Back on My Feet Baltimore for the Oriole’s game on September 18th. We had a great time, despite the team’s loss.

Our non-residential members have been super busy this month! Both Claire and Brendan qualified for the Boston Marathon! Jordyn ran the Rock and Roll Philly half! Amy M. competed in a triathlon and beat her PR by more than 10 minutes. She says it’s all that training for the Baltimore Running Festival that helped her shave that huge chunk off! Amy U. walked 60 miles for Breast Cancer and Sadie walked 30 miles for the National MS Society. We’re all over the place!

MCVET is proud to announce that Greg “The Road Runner” S. passed his GED exam! This was a great display of teamwork and support, as fellow Back on My Feet teammates Karem B., Erin H., Claire C., Kim C. and Mike M. all worked together to help Greg with his studies. Congratulations Greg!

Team Helping Up Mission Baltimore (THUMB) welcomed two new residential teammates in September, David F. & Bryant J. David & Bryant have already logged a few miles with the team and are really enjoying themselves.

Moses J. and Nicko R. celebrated completing 250 miles with the team, while Barry B. just completed 2,000 miles since joining Back on My Feet in 2009!  Nicko R. is training for his first half marathon and Barry is training to complete another marathon.

On September 16th, our teammate and friend, Steven W., graduated from Helping up Mission and celebrated one year of sobriety. Steven is training for his first half marathon and has several great things going on in his life. We are all so proud of him. Congratulations Steven!

We are getting closer to the Baltimore Running Festival on October 15^th. THUMB will have many teammates running the races, with several running this event for the very first time. We are really excited for the day to arrive. We have logged many miles in preparation and it is sure to be a great celebration for many of our teammates!