How Running with a New Purpose Improved My Life
And it’s all due to one incredible little boy ❤
Everyone has a different reason for getting into the running game. Except for the cost of marathon entry fees, running is a fairly inexpensive way to exercise.
What Type of Runners are There?
I started running in 2014 and have since concluded that there are basically 5 types of runners.
- The Casual Runner — has no interest in running in a marathon or any other type of competition. Enjoys running for health, fun, and hopefully sun when they can get out of the house and off of the treadmill.
- The Slow Runner — enjoys running for health and fun like the casual runner, but also feels drawn to running in half- or full-marathons. This runner is always near or at the back of the running pack during the marathon and is fine with the excitement and satisfaction of merely finishing the race.
- The Competitive Runner — this is the runner that may not always win the race, but pushes themselves to train like they will win someday because “what is the point if you don’t win?” Training and keeping track of their running stats, eating habits, CrossFit training, and stretching are all important habits to the competitive runner.
- The Next Level Elite Runner — these are the runners that most other runners hate to love because they excel at everything. And they make it look easy! Yes, they train hard and push themselves, but some athletes seem to have that “it” factor.
- The Nature-Only Runners — there are a couple different types of runners that fall under this category, but they all prefer to only run outside. There are the trail runners, barefoot runners, the long-distance or ultra-runners, and the “social” runners (runners who gather with friends to run while socializing).
My Reason for Running Went Next-Level Up
When I first started running in 2014, I was definitely a casual runner. I enjoyed being outside, running early in the mornings before the days got too warm.
One day I was perusing different running groups on Facebook, and I discovered a private group named “I Run 4 Michael.” Intrigued, I requested to join this group. I was approved within an hour.
We Run for Those Who Can’t — the tagline for I Run 4 Michael Group
This amazing group of (now) almost 40,000 members started by a gentleman named Timothy Boyle. On his website WhoIRun4.com, Tim tells the story of how he came up with the idea:
In 2013 there was a man who had quit smoking and started putting on the weight associated with quitting. He was looking for inspiration to run. He found it in a kindhearted man by the name of Michael Wasserman.
Wasserman is a 58-year-old legend in his own right, he is confined to a wheelchair and has Down syndrome. Tim Boyle, the ex-smoker, decided that he was going to start running to lose the extra poundage but couldn’t muster the inspiration to run. So, he decided to run for Michael. He dedicated all his miles to his buddy. That’s where it all began.
Seven years, 40,000 people, and 17,000 matches later, I Run 4 is still going strong! It has been heralded by Facebook as one of their most inspirational groups. Watch the video below and see just how this group has changed lives!
Who I Run 4 Video — here is the link to his video.
He started this group to match runners with disabled or ill individuals (children and adults alike), so the runner can dedicate their workouts to their buddy. Now there are runners, walkers, cyclists, hikers, pretty much any exercise you can imagine are members of I Run 4.
My Journey
I signed up, along with thousands of others, and after a 6-month wait I was finally matched with my buddy!
This is my buddy Emerson ❤
He has Down Syndrome and he is autistic. When he was born, he had severe issues with his heart and had to have heart surgery when he was a small infant.
After having Emerson assigned to me as a buddy, my reasons for running totally changed!
Emerson was still learning how to walk. Every mile I ran from that moment on was dedicated to him. This is when I became part of the next level runner — the slow runner. He is the reason I started running in half-marathons.
Each time I crossed the finish line, I would check online and see a supportive picture that Emerson’s mom posted for me. It always kept me super motivated!
Gratitude
I stopped running about 2 years ago after some health issues. I am not in touch with Emerson and his family as often as I was when I ran. Fortunately, we are still friends on Facebook, and I get to watch Emerson grow and flourish.
I will be eternally grateful to Tim Boyle for creating the I run 4 Michael Group and matching me with Emerson. My running and my life were forever changed by the strength and determination of this little boy.
I hope someday soon to get back into running, and when I do all of those runs will be dedicated to my little buddy Emerson!
If anyone is interested in signing up to be a part of the I Run 4 Michael Group, go to Tim’s website WhoIRun4.com. This goes for runners or for anyone who wants to be a buddy or has a child they would like to be a buddy for a runner. This is an exceptional group of loving, supportive people! I encourage you to check it out and have your life changed forever too.