Distance running is a metaphor for life. Imagine running a full marathon. Your physical strength, built by training, gives you the energy to push through the course. You feel energized until about mile 13. You start feeling pain, but it is within your expectations. Then you hit the wall at mile 20. You feel like there is no more fuel left in your body and your legs feel like steel. You start hearing a voice, saying, “You can’t go any further. You did enough. Quit and rest!” For the last six miles, you fight with this evil voice.

But you also hear another voice, “No, no, don’t quit. You can do it. You have come this far and the goal is near.” This part of you miraculously pushes you to the finish line with a rewarding sensation. It is such a positive feeling of the sense of achievement and self-confidence.

This journey has given me strength and persistence, not only in running but also in many other aspects of my personal and professional life. I want to share this experience with struggling people and support them in achieving their goals.

Do you enjoy running? Have you run races before? Have you run for charitable causes? Have you ever thought that the distance running itself, and not just the money raised, can actually help many people?

For me, fundraising races seem to represent one-way communication; run and raise money, and the charitable cause will receive that money. But I also want to know about these struggling people and learn about the organizations and how they address and help people.

I thought, “If we love running for good reasons, why not run together with those people we are trying to help, if they are healthy enough?” One race last year, Run to Feed the Hungry, triggered me to put the idea into action. There is no reason that only people of a certain economic or social status can enjoy distance running. If there are people who find running worthwhile to try, it may change their life, as it has for so many other people around the world.

This is how One Step Forward was born. Founded by the author of this article, One Step Forward introduces the power and joy of distance running to disadvantaged people through organizing group runs.

On March 17, we inaugurated our first group run-and-walk with 20 residents of Clean & Sober in North Sacramento thanks to the tremendous support from its management and staff.

Founded in 1994 by Manny Diaz, Clean & Sober is a program that provides help to homeless and disadvantaged people who are determined to overcome their addiction to alcohol and drugs.

“Many residents suddenly gain weight when they stop using drugs and alcohol, and don’t feel good about it. They want to lose weight and be healthy,” said Dana Christy, Executive Director of Clean & Sober.

For this reason, a group running-and-walking program seems to be a good fit for their residents.

Prior to the orientation in the preceding week, I was nervous, not knowing what the residents would think about the idea of a group run. My concern disappeared the moment I stepped into their residential compound. There were already about 10 people waiting outside, smiling and exchanging greetings with me. “So you are the nature woman?”

I felt their curiosity and excitement about starting something new. The response from the participants has been encouraging. “I know that people were proud of themselves and are very excited to continue it in the future,” said Julie Sharp, a dedicated staff member of Clean & Sober.

They seem to enjoy the outdoors and the company of friends, along with running and walking as a physical activity. Some have shared with me their rich and colorful life stories with honesty and openness during our walks and runs. After years of problems and hardships, such as homelessness, addiction, injury and sickness, they are determined to move forward and establish a new life.

Into the third week, we started an eight-week progressive training with generous support from Fleet Feet Sacramento.

Lisa Riley, Training Director at Fleet Feet Sacramento, brings in over four years of coaching experience for beginning runners to One Step Forward.

"This is quite an inspiring group," she commented on her second day with the Clean & Sober group. "They are up and smiling at 7 a.m. I had only been there one day and they were hugging me and thanking me already. Their attitudes are awesome."

The training will culminate with No Excuses 5K, a race held on May 25 at William Land Park. Our goal is that members will complete running or walking a 5K, most of them for the first time.

With the recent surge of media exposure for Tent City, Sacramento’s homeless problem has attracted national attention. While the homeless and Tent City were in Sacramento for decades, most media coverage seems to focus on the recent economic downtown as a staggering cause of the increased homeless population.

The homeless problem intertwines with complex sets of problems such as drugs, addiction, disability and mental illness, besides the economic crisis. It requires a holistic and multi-faceted approach to address the problems.

One Step Forward hopes to make an impact on those disadvantaged populations who are striving to restore their lives by helping them gain strength, motivation, and the drive to overcome their problems.

Running does not directly solve problems. Running helps people fight their problems with their own efforts. Distance running is not just about fitness. It is a powerful tool to gain mental strength. One Step Forward aims to emphasize three key factors: a sense of accomplishment, a sense of community, and hope.

Imagine: You train and run a distance with a speed you would have never imagined you could. You run a mile today and run three miles next month. Soon you will do a 5K race, a 10K race, then a half marathon. Maybe you will want to try a full marathon some day.

This ongoing process of efforts and achievements will provide a sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem. It will give you the pride and motivation to achieve a further goal.

Running does not have to be an individual and lonely activity. At One Step Forward, we do it in a group where we can talk and encourage each other. It forms camaraderie and a support system for each group member. My conversations with the members demonstrate to me that they are eagerly seeking a gateway to community and society. Through the group run, we will build a strong sense of community.

A combination of these two, a sense of accomplishment and a sense of community gives us hope. With hope and confidence in our ability to drive ourselves to overcome challenges, be it recovery from addiction or gaining job skills, we can move forward one step at a time.

I am looking forward to running with the group for the next seven weeks and the challenge at the No Excuses 5K race. I hope to learn more about the members, strengthen the program, and expand it to new groups.

One Step Forward is supported by a small number of volunteers, in addition to our partners, Clean & Sober and Fleet Feet Sacramento.

If you are interested in knowing more about the program or joining us, please email us at run1stepforward@gmail.com.
For more information about Clean & Sober, please visit http://clean-and-sober.org/
For more information about Fleet Feet Sacramento, please visit http://www.fleetfeetsacramento.com/