I Run Because

We've been extremely lucky to work with Hellah on our first season of the podcast. Each week Hellah would lay out the program for aspiring run streakers that listen to our podcast all while maintaining his own streak and social media content. He is a busy guy, but he still said yes to us. We are grateful.

This first season we focused on Achilles International. We heard many great stories from athletes and guides who all LOVE running. Now we focus on Hellah and how he started his journey in running and what really motivates him to run. Spoiler alert! He is a selfless, kind, and unique person that we can all learn from whether it is in running, or just in his outlook on life.

Thank you Hellah Sidibe for being uniquely you. Thank you for gracing us with your presence as a trainer and guest on our first season of I Run BeCause.

Welcome to Rebecca Lindenbaum who is a board member of Achilles International and a guide as well. 

Many athletes will recognize Rebecca from her position at the NYC Marathon finish line greeting them as they crossed the finish line. She recalls her first year when 250 athletes plus their guides participated. It was an emotional moment for her.

Running an organization like this requires members to be athletes, but also requires guides. Additionally, there is a business aspect to running an organization and it needs funds to operate.

When Rebecca first started getting involved with Achilles she went into their office to learn why people weren't huge or giving more money. She decided that day to host a fundraising event at her home. That was her start.

"When I think about Achilles, I have to just say,  it's the family. It's everyone helping everyone. And no matter what kind of disability you have, or don't have, everyone is really there for each other. So, I just feel like I need to say that, because to Mary and Francesco, my weeks were so filled with such incredible people in my life and it's just, it's just made my life so much fuller."

This week we welcome and spotlight Achilles International Chicago athlete, Jill Certisomo.

Jill was born with Diplegic Cerebal Palsy which affects her right side mostly and impacts her balance. 

In 2018, she discovered Achilles when she was surfing the internet looking for races she could participate in.  She credits her experience with Achilles as one of providing her with her comfort, fun, and safety.

"It's an amazing difference. I mean, I never thought any of this was possible. Never once. So I always just kinda thought any race I did was always going to be just me. You know, at the very back, and as slow as humanly possible because a lot of times it was legit, me and a police escort, and God bless my friend cause her smiling face with her two kids at the end going, 'you did it.'"

James Gilliard is an Achilles athlete in Chicago, Illinois. James started running about six years to show "school pride" at Rutgers University in New Jersey. He has been losing his vision over time and is now legally blind and requires guides to participate in triathlons and running events. That's right, he is a triathlete too and the tales he tells can be harrowing for even a sighted athlete let alone one that is legally blind.

Join us as we learn about James and take in his incredible spirit and determination while training and participating in events. Learn how he is able to train for these races and how he and his guides work together to complete them.

And finally, WHY. Why does James run and race in triathlons?

When it comes to this podcast talking about people's  why of running, it would not be complete if we did not have Alan Kaufman on our show. His  story is one that inspires moves and is at the heart of what Achilles International is about, and really at the heart of what this podcast is seeking to find.

Alan started running in 1991 when he decided to run up the stairs to catch up to his then pregnant wife who took the elevator and he was absolutely GASSED. Right there and then he vowed to start running and do the NYC Marathon! As a result of his commitment and journey to becoming a marathon runner he began to lose weight. Kind of like the movie "Britney Runs a Marathon." 

He has run a marathon every year since then with exception of two years. When Super Storm Sandy hit, and when he got sick.

Learn what happened in 2017 when his doctor told him, "Nope, not this year" and his journey to turn from an Achilles guide to an Achilles athlete. 

Alan's spirit is strong, his personality is infectious, and his courage to comeback in 2018!

This dynamic duo from the Nashville chapter of Achilles International will have floored. Amy Harris is Sara Solomon's "Lizzy"'s mother and she is also the Co-Executive Director of the Nashville chapter of Achilles International. In 2012 they joined the organization when Sara wanted to join the adaptive running group. Sara has cerebal palsy and started running with the group using a reverse hand walker in 5Ks. She is now using a handcycle and recently completed her first half marathon.

Listen to this episode and share in the extraordinary stories they share about what running means to them and the community they serve.

Also, we continue the #runstreak #runeveryday challenge with social influencer Hellah Sidibe - trainhellahgood.com

It all started with an aha moment for John Sterling, and a phone call he made to the National Federation of the Blind of Nevada. On the other end of the line was Terri Rupp, the president of the organization. He shared his thoughts with her and she said "I'm in. Let's start tomorrow." Just like that, their first run and the beginning of Achilles International Las Vegas chapter was born.

The bond and partnership between John and Terri is strong. At times they share their emotional accomplishments, trials and tribulations while running, and strong ties of their running family. It's clear that Terri dreams big and she has some big races on her plan for the year including the Jackpot Ultra Running Festival's 72-hour race!

In this episode we continue the #runeveryday challenge with Hellah Sidibe. Hellah has been running every day for three years. If haven't started to build your running streak, take a listen to end of episode one to learn more about the challenge and get started today.

Declan is an athlete who runs with Leber Congenital Amaurosis. He is a member of the NY and NJ Achilles International chapters, and you'll be amazed to learn not only how he started running, but in fact WHY he runs. He recently ran his dream race and will no doubt continue to run many more dream races in the years to come.

Growing up as a teenager in the NYC school system he faced several challenges as a person with a vision impairment. Because of the bureaucracy Declan was forced to sue then Mayor Mike Bloomberg and the school's chancellor just to get access to one of their facilities.

This podcast was recorded in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic. We learn how has the lock down affected his ability to train for upcoming races, and how it has affected runners in NY.