The Reason I Run

By Tanya Lowry

Running was not ever “my thing”. I had no reason to put myself to that effort. It was a necessary evil in pursuit of sport in school, or a jump start to a get-more-healthy resolution that never stuck. But in 2010 that changed. I met an incredible woman who loved running more than anything, I think. The light in her eyes and the promise in her voice made the idea of going for a run with her irresistible. This was the first time I ever thought of running as something other than hateful. While I don’t remember loving my first miles with my new friend, the incredible runner woman, I did stick with it because of her infectious enthusiasm.

Over the course of the past ten years, I’ve experienced a number of running firsts. I remember my first pair of “running shoes”. They were $20 Nikes that I had purchased on clearance for casual wear. I ran in them because they were my most appropriate shoe choice at the time I began running, and I didn’t expect this running thing to stick, so I wasn’t going to buy new shoes! I vividly remember the emotion I experienced as I was in the last mile of my first ever 8-mile training run. I was in awe of what I had accomplished. I remember the agony and disappointment of the experience with my first ever half marathon event. I swore I would never do another one.. I remember the first time I took an injury, while training (for another half marathon, by the way).

There are a lot of other things I remember about running over the past decade. There have been too many races, distances, teams and events to count, and certainly hundreds of group runs in rain, snow, and hot, burning sun. There have been blisters, falls, ankle turns, and tight hamstrings. Selfies, snacks, and super early morning alarms also meander through my memories. When I pause to remember all of these things, it makes me smile. As meaningful as they all are to me, the shoes, socks, bibs, paces, and races can’t hold a candle to the main reason I have continued to run.

More than ten years after taking my first run, I have continued running because there’s nothing else I know of that’s more fulfilling. I don’t mean physically fulfilling, though I have developed an appreciation for the physical effects. What I mean is, I’ve found no other community that is more welcoming, sustaining and endearing than the running community. They invite you to run, miss you when you don’t run, want to hear what’s new with you, and generally, just care – about you. We get up early or stay out late to run with/for each other. We form teams and run races together. We are a family. Even if we met through random running encounters, we were akin, if only for one mile, one race, or one season. I’m so thankful for this community, which is so giving, loving, and caring.

Giving, loving, and caring are also the three words that I would use to describe a great running event. The Hamilton Thanksgiving Day 5k is all that. It has everything there is to love about running, as well as a cause that is the epitome of giving and caring. I have returned year after year to this race like a homecoming. This year, I want YOU to join us. Whether you consider yourself “a runner” or not, I want to personally invite you to experience the infinitely abundant comradery of running at my favorite event. Join me in support of teen mothers at the 2020 Hamilton Thanksgiving Day 5k for YoungLives. Let’s celebrate and promote each other, mothers, runners, families and friends together on Thanksgiving morning. And if we can catch her, I will introduce you to the absolutely incredible, enthusiastic, giving, loving, caring, runner woman, Doreen, who introduced me to a reason to run. <3

A Race to Make a Difference

By Chris Walker

I first heard about the Thanksgiving Day 5K for YoungLives last fall when my church announced they were sponsoring the race. I had never heard of YoungLives before, but I remember thinking what a great thing this was because of their connection to Young Life.

I started going to Young Life during my senior year of high school after a couple of my friends finally convinced me to check it out. Honestly, I went thinking I would just go once to get them off my back about it. I just wasn’t into religious stuff. But I experienced something completely different than I ever thought I would at my first Club meeting.

I was expecting something kind of lame like every other church youth experience I had ever had. But it was like I was at a party, and everyone there accepted me without any judgement about the way I looked or my popularity level. I think I made about 20 new friends that night. Even the leaders, were not just some adult trying to be cool.

There was an authenticity about it that made me want to come back the next week. To make a long story short, Young Life changed my life beginning with that night. I started going regularly and that summer, I went to Young Life Camp at Lake Champion where things got real between me and Jesus.

So when I first heard about YoungLives and how they want to do the same thing for teen moms, I couldn’t help but get excited about that. I was not able to participate in the race last year, but my opportunity to help was coming.

Earlier this year, my wife told me that she gave my phone number to her friend at work who was going to pass it along to the team in charge of making the Thanksgiving 5K happen. She said that they might need some help with website stuff. Within a couple of weeks, I was meeting with Katie at True West Coffee and I was invited to take on the responsibilities of updating and maintaining the website for the race. I jumped at the opportunity, excited to help out any way that I could. I am honored to serve this team and provide the opportunity for teen moms to experience something similar to my own Young Life experience.

Run Local. Support Local

By Faye Meyer

From the beginning, the Hamilton Thanksgiving 5k has been about two things: gathering with the community and giving back to local teen moms through the ministry of Young Lives. Simply put, it’s an opportunity to run local and support local. Through the years, we’ve met some pretty incredible people: city officials, veteran volunteers, race participants both near and far, and business owners.

Joe Sackenheim is one of those people.

Joe grew up in Butler County, attended Miami University and moved to Hamilton shortly after graduation. He swam competitively while in college and spent a lot of his time outside the classroom cross training for his meets. “Swimming, running, weights and cycling were all used to enhance us as athletes,” Joe says. “After college, I just stuck with it.” Not only did Joe stick with it, he started training for triathlons. Most recently, he completed the Madison, Wisconsin Full Ironman in the fall of 2019. That’s a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bicycle ride and completed with a 26.22 marathon!

Joe’s dedication and work ethic carried over into his professional career as well. After working in the HVAC field for several years, he branched out and began his own business in 2006 – Miami Heating and Cooling. As a business owner and triathlete, Joe sees a lot of similarities between the two endeavors.

“With anything I do, I believe that preparation, hard work and consistency will lead to positive results. I have seen this work in my business and in my training and races.”

“I have always used exercise as a way to clear my mind and get a fresh perspective on life. Now, I use the time that I run and train to reflect on my week and try and prepare for the challenges I have ahead of me.”

We’re so thankful for Joe, his hard work and commitment to his community. As a two-year sponsor of the Hamilton Thanksgiving 5k race, Joe and his business are a part of what makes running and supporting local possible. This past year Joe and most of his family were able to run the race together. “I loved watching my sons compete against each other,” Joe recalls. It’s memories like these and local businesses like Miami Heating and Cooling that keep the Hamilton Thanksgiving 5k going strong from year to year.

Keep up the good work, Joe! We’ll be cheering for you in your next race.

The Virtual Power of Summer Camp

By Kamie Dixon

Summer Camp!! It is the highlight of the summer for many teens, and YoungLives teen moms are no exception!

YoungLives Summer Camp is touted as possibly “the best week of your life!” But due to the pandemic, in-person camping with hundreds of other teen moms, kiddos, mentors, and childcare helpers was put on hold out of loving care (and government mandates!).

Even with these challenges, we know that Christ can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine (Eph 3:20). So camp was reconfigured and rolled out as YoungLives Virtual Summer Camp 2020 – #YLVC2020. In July, camp t-shirts, camp bags stuffed with swag, treats and toiletries for 13 moms and 17 kids were personally delivered by mentors. Teen moms were paired with a “camp-mentor” and walked through a 5-day virtual camp experience, complete with entertainment and music, moving personal testimonies and a powerful bible message. #YLVC2020 is transforming the hearts of our teen moms here in Hamilton. Spending time with our teen moms at virtual camp was a gift, straight from the heart of God, who is not limited by pandemic, but powerfully at work in all things!

The sweet young mom I got to “camp with” summed up the #YLVC2020 experience best….

Who Tells Your Story?

By Kamie Dixon

Thanks to Disney Plus, I now have the soundtrack to Broadway’s Hamilton looping through my brain. On repeat these days is the song “Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story.” I find that fitting in an ominous and yet gloriously-divine way!

Who tells my story? My story was crafted way before I arrived in Cincinnati a year ago and joined YoungLives as the Area Coordinator. In fact, my story has several chapters that prepared me for this YoungLives coordinator position, a role (and an honor!) of loving and serving teen-moms and their kiddos. I recently came to Cincinnati from Athens, Ohio, where I served young moms at a pregnancy resource center. Going back even further, I was raised by a loving and nurturing mom and dad, both of whom were the child and grandchild (respectively) of a teen mom. This start to their stories has shaped mine. Although I don’t know first hand what it is like to be a teen mom, surprised by a pregnancy, I do know how a surprised start can finish victoriously.

Both my grandmother and great grandmother found themselves pregnant as teens, not married, with the biological father deciding not to stay and parent. In an era when the secrecy and shame was unduly heavy, both were alone, facing emotional and physical hardship. In each case, another person came alongside to help carry the load, champion the gift of their child and cast a vision for a happy life. These precious people were used by God to craft their life story and “flip the script”! I now have the privilege of walking alongside teen moms, seeing how their life story can take a positive turn, and how their hardships can develop them into the masterpieces God created. Their children (and someday grandchildren, and great-grandchildren!) can put together families and serve others from a heart that understands how to come alongside and champion the next generation. I am living proof of the victorious plot twist of their story.

YoungLives offers God’s hope of the best story, via mentors, camp, monthly programs, and ultimately shared fun. It is a mission that involves and blesses many, from the moms and their babies to the 5K runners. God crafted His Son’s story to involve a teen mom and the ultimate victory. Jesus loves our YoungLives moms and kids. I love how Max Lucado puts it: “Your life (story) emerges from the greatest mind and kindest heart in the history of the universe: the mind and heart of God.”

I’m grateful God is the one who tells my story!

Running Through The Years

By Faye Meyer

Running and I have a long history. It started back in high school when I wanted to participate in team sports but never developed a knack for that eye-hand coordination thing. Running seemed to be an easy solution. All I had to do was put one foot in front of the other at a pace that was faster than walking, but not fast enough that I lost my lunch. I ran the 400 meter race, mostly because I wasn’t fast enough to be a sprinter and didn’t have the endurance to run much more than that. (For the record, you are supposed to sprint a 400.)

In the years that followed, I learned that while I wasn’t cut out to be a track star, running was something that I could do just about anywhere and it didn’t require much money to do it. It was a means to discovery, first with the new cities where I lived and then with the people I ran alongside. Running was also, as they say, “cheaper than therapy.” I’ve done a lot of praying, a lot of processing and a lot of learning over the miles.

Running has also become a way to connect with and serve my community. Years ago, my friend Katie Powers asked if I wanted to run a 5k through the neighborhood on Thanksgiving to support YoungLives. “Yes!!” was the immediate answer. Rick and I bundled up our boys, pulled out the double and single jogging strollers and joined what’s become a steadily growing tradition here in Hamilton.

As a family, we’ve had the joy of watching the race grow from year to year. It’s been amazing to see so many businesses, organizations and people from within Butler County and beyond come together to support the young women and children served by YoungLives. Our boys have grown right alongside the race, graduating from the strollers to running in the race themselves. stuffed race bags, marked the course and learned early on that community is not just something you’re a part of, it’s something you give back to as well.

I’m proud to be a part of the Hamilton Thanksgiving 5k. It’s given me an opportunity to take running to a different level, a meaningful one that impacts generations to come. Our family will be out there come November, cheering on the race participants and logging some miles of our own. We hope to see you there!

We’re in this together: The Hamilton Running Community

By Kristin Kwiat

In the midst of the coronavirus, we have all learned a new normal with social distancing, rationing toilet paper, making face masks, but most of all realizing that while we may be physically distanced from one another we are not alone.

This time has taught many of us the value of community and experiencing things together, like exercising, makes it even better. Running is so mental, so there are a lot of ways to rationalize not taking that first step, but meeting others for a run helps to keep that from happening. Knowing someone is waiting on you for a run helps ward off the temptation to roll back over and hit the snooze button, or skip a run all together. Talking with and getting to know other runners before, during and after a run broadens your running knowledge. Sharing stories, tips, routes, etc. all goes a long way in making the sport more interesting and enjoyable. People react differently when running in a group, some push themselves more, others are encouraged by the group even if they are a bit behind or have to stop early.

As a seasoned runner since 7th grade at Talawanda Middle School, Doreen Barrow shared that from the time she heard about the Boston Marathon, in high school, she had always wanted to qualify. Her first marathon experience was new to her and she had no idea what she was doing. She trained and ran it by herself and failed to qualify. A few years later two friends and she decided to give it another go, eventually they all qualified and ran Boston. Training for and going to a race with friends just makes the whole experience more fun. Running with a group showed Doreen it’s not always about what your watch says at the end of a run. Sometimes it’s okay to ignore the distance or pace indicator and just go by effort or enjoyment.

One of Hamilton’s running communities Doreen recommends is the Fitton Family Running Club. At the running club’s first meeting ten years ago, she met her running buddies, Tanya Lowry and Laurie Kile, and they have been running together ever since! It’s a very low key, beginner to elite running group that meets once or twice a week. Even though they are called the Fitton Family Running group, they also have walkers in their group, as walking is just as beneficial as running as long as you get your heart rate up. All paces, distances and abilities are welcome to train together. Also, there are no fees and they have several annual runs throughout the year. Most of the time the routes include a variety of distances and you can always find someone who runs your pace. They train typically in Hamilton but have also ventured out to Oxford, Ross, Harrison, Trenton and beyond. Currently, they are in the midst of a 100 Mile challenge, where you complete your miles at your own pace to earn the club T-shirt for $15. To join, find the Facebook page, Fitton Family YMCA Running Club.

Another way Doreen has experienced being in community with running is coaching cross country with one of her favorite running experts and dedicated coaches, Steve Connaughton. Steve started to become a runner when he began coaching cross country in Hamilton 28 years ago. Coaching expanded Steve’s active lifestyle to running consistently and learning more about it. Doreen shared she admires Steve’s passion for running just for the pure joy of it. Through coaching, Doreen has learned a new level of enjoyment to her running. Steve has seen firsthand Doreen’s creative energy and enthusiasm with her adult running group carry over to her coaching as she gives purpose to runs and offers fresh and exciting ways to enjoy a run. They both believe it is the community and relationships that are formed that transcend the running itself.

Through Steve’s coaching experience with cross country, he has found it as an avenue to build community and a positive relationship with a young person. While running, kids are able to open up in conversations since it provides a safe space with a caring adult. Running provides a consistent time for regular conversations to check in with kids or to just listen, opportunities to share a laugh or a special moment, and a chance to share advice or a life experience. Being a runner is about committing to something and following through. When kids find that they can commit to something, such as running, they find it also applies to school work, relationships, family life, etc. Even though runners are competitive, running groups and races exude a positive energy running culture, in which runners cheer for others and mentally fight with themselves to run harder, faster, and longer. Although Steve does not enter a lot of races, he loves the community atmosphere and adrenaline races provide runners, spectators, volunteers, and community members. One of Steve’s coaching tips to his athletes is to find a running buddy who is just a little faster to run with and will challenge both runners to fight for a position toward the finish.

Steve encourages middle and high school students to try cross country as a great way to connect with other people. It is an easy way to meet new friends and develop a life-long habit. As an adult, running with others has similar benefits, such as keeping you motivated, adding accountability and nurturing some great relationships. For some, it may seem too official to join a club, but running clubs tend to be very fluid. The commitment is as big as you want to make it. It can be as simple as finding a buddy occasionally or on a more routine basis.

As we all start to venture outside of our houses and back into the community, here are some of Doreen’s and Steve’s favorite running spots around Hamilton. Amberly Drive is a place Doreen could run every day and never get tired of it. It’s a beautiful view coming down D Street in any season. The climb up via Hyde Park or Elizabeth makes the tree lined descent even inspiring. She also trained for the Boston Marathon by running the Butler County Donut Trail. On the other hand, Steve loves the neighborhood by Cleveland Ave, which has a lot of different loops, or the bike trail. Hamilton has no shortage of hills. The bike path is another alternative that provides a relatively flat run. There are also a lot of nice trails in the area to run or bike like Rentschler Forest, which is a great way to get the best of both worlds. You can start at many different locations for a variety of distances. Steve’s favorite run is running without a plan and seeing where he ends up as he lets his legs do the work.

Hearing the pitter patter of feet hit the earth when running with others or a pet, reminds you that you’re not alone. Having a common love for running with others teaches you to sometimes struggle sharing pain and success as a great way to form a lasting friendship! Through listening to stories and experience from other runners, you can become a better runner. Being a runner doesn’t mean you log a certain amount of miles, run a certain speed, race a certain amount of races or have specific gear. It just means that you put on your shoes and start moving. When we run or walk together, we are reminded that we are not alone, but are in it together. We are stronger and better together.