Right Around the River Blog

The Perfect Motivation

Post Date: 10-21-2010

This year I prepared for the Rocketts Landing Run to the River 10K very much as I did last year. I trained the weeks prior, watched the weather reports the night before and woke up early race day to organize last minute items, such as a water bottle and sunscreen. I got to the Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC) thirty minutes early to make sure I had enough time to stretch and get a good position at the start of the race. As I was walking over to the starting line to get one last view of the course map, something caught my eye, and I decided to do something a little different from my usual pre-race routine.

What I saw was a NRC volunteer handing a bag of food to a young girl, who had just walked over from her house. With pantry items grasped closely to her chest, she walked back across the street and handed the oversized bundle to an elderly, fragile woman waiting patiently on her porch. The old woman could not contain her happiness and hugged the young girl with newfound strength. While I thought I was familiar with the all the valuable services the Center offers the children and teens in the Fulton Hill community, such as after school programs and pre-school, I had never witnessed the NRC's work in such a personal way. I wanted to learn and see more.

I glanced down at my watch. I had 20 minutes before the race, and instead of getting a "refresher" on the course, I decided to get a "refresher" on the NRC. I asked one of the NRC staff members if I could get a quick tour of the Center and hear more about their incredible neighborhood outreach. Blue Clements, the Center's Food Services Coordinator, was extremely helpful. She informed me that the Center was actually celebrating its five-year anniversary this year, and she was happy to share the developments and positive community changes that the Center has achieved in the past few years.

"This is such an amazing place, and I am so lucky tobe a part of an evolving community that has embraced and supported the opportunity to improve," smiled Blue. She briefly described the Center's after-school activities, such as cooking, tutoring, drama and dance classes, and guided me through a quick tour of the facility-operated, backyard garden that supplies the snacks and pantry items for the children and community (not to mention the after-race party). I was fascinated, and just about to ask one more question when Blue reminded me that the runners were beginning to line up.

I approached the starting line with a brand new outlook on the race. I felt more prepared to run than I had ever felt before. I knew exactly why I was running – for the NRC and the surrounding community. As the horn blew, I attacked the course and daunting hills with strength, ease and purpose. While I was rounding the corner along the riverfront in the middle of Rocketts Landing, I could not help but think about the children and volunteers. I felt different. I felt more motivated. As I crossed the finish line with Rocketts Landing residents, I knew I had accomplished my goal. I had not only beat my race time from last year, but I truly understood why being part of this Rocketts Landing event is so important - uniting people around a great cause.

Not only have I marked my calendar for the race next year (October 22, 2011, by the way), but I am looking forward to volunteering and remaining active in a community where people and positive outreach are a priority.