…Fitness for a Cause…
Photo Credit: @run2heal
For just a moment I would like for you to take a run in someone else’s shoes…
Tonight when you lay comfortably in bed, in the morning when you get to hit the snooze button and snuggle close to your loved ones and furry family members, and during the day when you are enjoying your comfy work chair and Starbucks Latte you should take a moment to embrace those simple comforts that you are getting to enjoy because not everyone is able to do so. Christian Griffith is a person that is not able to enjoy life’s simple comforts right now because he is running… and running… and running. He has gotten up out of his bed (which is in a RV), refueled with some food, tied up his sneakers and hit the pavement (or gravel road) each and every day. He breaks up his days by running 15-20 miles twice a day.
This journey started in March of 2018. He plans to keep running until he has run across America to help raise awareness and to encourage, inspire, and motivate individuals who have been affected by child abuse. He started his journey in New York City and in August he will conclude his run in California. You can read more about his journey by CLICKING HERE.
I did have the pleasure of getting to join Christian on a portion of his journey in Iowa.
I am not sure if you or anyone can understand the magnitude of what kind of event this is and how tedious and difficult it may be. Every day, Christian wakes up (away from his girlfriend Lindsay and his new baby girl Kai) and has to mentally get motivated to run.
He has to run no matter how hot or cold the temperature out side may be. He has to run regardless if it is raining, snowing, windy, or just plain hot. He has to run even if his feet and legs hurt. He has to run even if he is tired. He made a pledge to run across America. So each day he wakes up and runs! A lot of the miles he has done alone and on back roads, gravel roads, and sometimes even grass lands.
I realized exactly how mentally and physically tough this kind of event was when I found myself in the middle of Iowa’s rolling hills. I was semi lost on a small winding county road (because Christian was running in front of me and I was not 100% sure if I knew where he was) that was turning into gravel with the sun beaming down on me, and I was all alone. I did not have any music or people to preoccupy me. I had the chance to get lost in my thoughts (and in the Iowa rolling hills) for 15 miles. That is when it really hit home for me. It was at that moment that I was able to truly understand the sacrifice and dedication that this kind of event takes to endure. It was at that moment I grew a stronger appreciation for what Christian was doing and why he was doing it.
Why am I sharing this with you? Because I want to give people a different perspective on what Christian is doing. I want people to understand how difficult it is to be completely selfless and to dedicate months of his life to fight for a cause that is close to his heart. So yes, if you have any extra spare money I urge you to donate it to Christians cause and his efforts to help people all across our country who need help with the inner mental demons that were created when they were abused.
You can donate to Christian via clicking HERE
Also, feel free to follow his journey on social media via CLICKING HERE and CLICKING HERE
I also write this to encourage people to find a cause that they can fight for! I try my best to find local and national charities to do work for each year. My current favorite charity is The Pink Fund.
I am a huge fan and advocate of giving back to the community. I love to find organizations and people that are needing help and doing what I can to help (no matter how big or small that help may be).
So again, while you sit comfortably reading this there are people out there pushing their bodies to the limit and making sacrifices to help being awareness and raise money for causes they believe in. What to do you believe in and are you willing to put yourself (your time, money, and resources) to help that cause?
Keep running Christian! So close to the finish line! So proud and lucky to know someone like you (and Lindsey and baby Kai!). See you guys SOON!
