Fitmark Ambassador Amanda Kelly describes how working out for a cause has more than one effect
I live and work out by a mantra. We all have one whether we know it or not. Run For Something You Stand For, really started when I was living in Florida after college. Living in a new city, trying to make new friends and establish a sense of self, I knew that a great way to connect with others who shared my interests in philanthropy was to sign up for charity races. Florida is a great place to run as you can find a dozen 5k races within a 20 mile radius on any given weekend of the year. So I signed up and laced up. Growing up in a family where we were taught at an early age to give back, I was hooked after my first race- the people, the mission, the endorphins!
I had participated in a few road races up in my home state of Massachusetts, but very sporadically and it usually took a lot of nudging. Charity WALKS with my family, friends and community I could handle and loved being a part of. I was a sprinter in high school and college so the idea of having to run more than one lap around a track was horrifying! But I knew that if I was running for a charity, I was giving back by stepping out of my comfort zone and pushing myself.
Fast forward 3 years, I’m back in Mass and have taken my philanthropic goals to a new level but I’m busier than ever: working full-time, finishing up my MBA and just married! My husband and I decided amongst all the craziness of wedding planning that we didn’t want to forget how important service was to us. So we decided to challenge ourselves and set out to train for out first 1/2 marathon with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training Program. We chose LLS because my youngest sister was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma at age 11 and is now a 7 yr survivor! She’s my hero and we wanted to do something to help raise funds and awareness for an organization that helped patients like her and families like mine.
Raising funds and awareness for childhood cancer is a cause I stand for. And I am not a medical professional so I give back by running.
One 1/2 marathon wasn’t enough. I’ve completed four 1/2 marathons and 2 marathons in the last 10 months. I now mentor other runner. I have found my passion- Running. But this post isn’t about just running, that’s how I move. How to you move? And what moves you? Running for a cure for cancer is how and why I move, but everyone has their story; everyone has their talents.
Every step we take to honor and support someone else is a step in the right direction. Our steps can in turn better ourselves, but the end goal is to be part of something bigger than ourselves.
I run for something I stand for. What moves you?
Stay fit,
Amanda Kelly
Fitmark Ambassador 2013
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