Team AllEars® Running Blog

Note from Michelle and Mike: From time to time we will be highlighting the stories of members of Team All Ears, a wonderful group of individuals, who have agreed to raise money for Deb Wills' Avon Breast Cancer Fund by running Disney races in January 2010.

When I first started to run six years ago, I was just bringing home our first born son from the hospital and realized that if I wanted to be able to enjoy my kids for many years and be able to keep up with them. Running had always been something I had enjoyed. As a natural introvert and a person of reflection I had always just enjoyed my time on the road thinking and reflecting about life.

Since that time I have lost about 75 pounds and many are not able to recognize me out at family gatherings.

I ran my first Disney marathon in January 2007 and ran again in 2008. Since then my reason and motivation for running has changed quite a bit. I still enjoy my time alone on the road and am motivated to stay healthy for my kids, but I remember crossing the finish line on my first marathon ands suddenly had an empty feeling. Was it the first marathon blues? I thought: "Is this it? Is this why I run? Is it for a medal?"

There was not an immediate answer to that. It became something I began to think about on my runs. I began to reflect on the idea of why I was out there running. I began to search for those answers and they would come.

Running always came natural for me. I began to think about running for purpose. I decided then that my running had to be about others.

Deb Wills and All Ears has done so much for my family to help enjoy the magic of Disney. When I heard about the opportunity to help Deb to raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness I jumped at the opportunity.

Since that decision, "running on empty" has been a thing of the past. Being a part of something bigger and running for a purpose is what motivates me day in and day out. Knowing that at the end of the race that the impact can be something more than a medal is very satisfying.

To say that I love Disney is to say that there is a little water in the ocean. Disney was the location of my first marathon and always my favorite. There is a feeling that I get in Disney that no other race has ever been able to replicate. It is not just the celebration and the crowd and all of the extra stuff but the idea of running through the place that has given me and my family the chance to create so many magical memories is worth every step.

I am very excited to be a part of Team AllEars and look forward to running as a part of our team in January.