I am linking up with Deb Runs today to join in on my first Wednesday Word link up. This week’s word INITIATIVE.
Initiative:
~An introductory act or step
~Readiness & ability in initiating an action
~Leadership, Forcefulness
Reverse time about 2 1/2 years ago…I was a solo runner.
Yes-hard to even remember at this point. I would go out on my runs alone a few times a week and see other moms running the same routes I ran. Who were they? Where did they live? Were they also training for the same runs I was training for? I had absolutely no idea how to approach them and find out.
As my runs became longer, I looked for running groups or programs to join and couldn’t find any in my town that seemed right for me. A few of the running stores had group runs in the evenings. As a mom, evenings are hard for me and we really value the nightly family dinners. As a stay at home mom, I do most of my working out and running while the kids are off at school so I can be with them in the evenings.
I heard about a Moms Run This Town group a few towns over at set out to check it out. They were having a happy hour and my daughter actually talked me into going. After meeting their chapter leader and talking with her for about 5 minutes, I surprised myself by taking the initiative to start my own chapter of MRTT. This was so out of my comfort zone!
The next morning, full of zeal and excitement, I created a FB page for our group and started hanging up fliers in Starbucks and libraries. Back in February of 2013 this is what my first group run looked like:
Yup me and 2 other people. I was so nervous to start running in a group with people I’d never met before. Sarah, on the left, was one of my first members and is now a co-Chapter Leader and a very close friend.
Fast forward 2 1/2 years, we now have over 550 running moms in our group and our runs now look like this:
We’ve branched out into other fitness pursuits:
My new members have become some of my closest friends and our get togethers now look like this:
You have heard me gush about my MRTT many times before. As cliche as it sounds, that one initiative really changed my life and I am so glad that I did it! I treasure the all of the friendships I’ve made with my MRTT crew the past few years.
So great! You never know what something can turn into! From marathons to Ironman to even my blog…I feel like you just have to jump in (take initiative!) and see where it takes you!
Yes absolutely true! It was fun to think about it.
Wow what an incredible and inspiring story! It really shows you can do anything once you put things in motion.
Thanks! You sure can
AHHHH thats me! It has been awesome being a part of this chapter of your life! I can’t and don’t want to imagine what my life would be like if you hadn’t taken initiative.
oh thanks friend! I could go on and on about my MRTT love as I know you could as well. It’s amazing how it has changed my life and how many incredible friends I’ve made through running. Thanks for coming along for the ride 🙂
This is such an inspirational story! I also run solo but would love to find a group like yours!
Oh Julie you have to!! Right now go find one 🙂
That is so awesome. i don’t think that I knew that you were the mastermind behind the whole thing! But that is so awesome!
Thanks so much! It’s a national organization but I did start our chapter and it changed my life for sure.
You never know what can happen if you don’t take that leap of faith! What a great example!
Thanks and so true!
Wow, I am definitely impressed by your initiative!
Many years ago, I was part of a small desktop publishing/graphic design group. We decided to put on a conference. And it was a great success! And a lot of fun!
Thanks! Putting together a successful conference is really rewarding as well. Have a great day!
Deborah, it is awesome you took the initiative to do this! Wow, look how your chapter has grown. You should be very proud! You inspire me!
ah thanks! Really I am so thankful to all of my members bc they really have changed my life.
I always enjoy your posts and I know that MRRT makes a huge difference for a lot of wonderful mamas out there!
Thanks and I really hope that my members get as much out of it as I do.
So awesome!! Great inspirational story! Initiative can definitely change lives. I think it was from one of your posts last year that got me to join MRTT in my area and it has led me to meet some really cool moms. Thanks Deborah!
Oh that just makes my heart melt! #MRTTLove
Wow Deborah, I think I remember you starting up MRTT! Way to go! You are inspiring many.
Thanks so much Michele! I am still amazed by how much we have grown.
I think it’s so amazing that you have such a great group of women to have fun with and lean on for support!
I know I am so lucky!
This makes me so happy to read! I’ve heard some of your story before, but I really love how brave you were! I can’t believe how quickly your group has grown. What a fantastic way to connect! I need to find something like this in my area!!
Thanks and I hope you do. It’s a nationwide group so maybe there is one near you. You might have to start your own too
I love this! I knew you ran with MRTT but I didn’t realize that you’d started the chapter. It’s so fulfilling when you step outside your comfort zone and the payoff is so huge!
Absolutely! I love my mamas and I know you do too
This is so great! I love how your group has really blossomed. A gal here tried to start a MRTT group, but we had another co-ed running group that started around the same time and that one really took off. Most of us migrated to that one. I think either way, as long as it gets people out running & meeting other runners, it’s still a win win!
It is for sure but I find there is something especially nice about a moms group
Wow, the group has certainly grown quite a bit since your first group run back in 2013!
I know it’s crazy!
This is awesome and so inspiring!!! I really, really want to start a chapter here but I feel like I need more time to do so. It would be nice to have other mother runners around- I am starting to get lonely by myself especially on my long runs 😛
That’s exactly how I felt. You know they are out there you just need to connect them. Happy to help in any way I can
This post really nails it, Deb. Your feelings mirror those of so many in our MRTT group. We are so fortunate that you took the initiative which led to so many opportunities for friendship, improved fitness and personal growth. I thank you from the bottom of my heart! 🙂
Thanks friend! Everyone always thanks me for how MRTT has changed their lives but it’s really MRTT that has changed mine
Wow! I am starting a kids run club at my sons elementary school and thought of doing a program for the moms so we could run a 5k together. I thought I was a little crazy and not quite sure how to organize it but you gave me hope that it might work. I call myself a serial entrepeneur, I love starting things and then passing on to people much more capable than I to grow it. I love the small, start-up stage of dreaming ideas and seeing what happens! Congrats on yours 🙂
Oh you have to do it! Check to see if there is an MRTT group near you
this is so amazing!! congrats on your accomplishments with MRTT.
This reminds me of when i was in university, i started a fitness bootcamp at my business school. i posted about it for weeks, and when the day finally came the only people who showed up were the girls on my rugby team (none of which were in business). I was so disappointed but by the end of the year, i had over 60 different people continually coming. and the bootcamp still runs today, 2 years after i graduated!!! such a fantastic feeling.
I love it when it all just comes together! You never know until you try right?
I feel like taking the plunge and starting my blog was a small step that I am super proud of! I love running with other people. How do you get MRTT going in your area? I would love to learn about this.
That is a big step too! I am happy to help you with mrtt. First start with checking out the national site momsrunthistown.com
from 2 to 500 in 2 years is absolutely amazing growth!
It’s been such an amazing experience! Thanks
I love this post! Your pride in MRTT really shows through. That is awesome! My most recent act… Well, even though I said I would never do it because I do not have the time… I stepped up took the initiative to chair the steering committee for our local chapter of Crop Hunger Walk. We had no leader and I was worried that if I didn’t step up and make the first step by planning a meeting, the walk would fall apart. Everyone has their duties from last year so it’s not hard but now it all lands in my lap. I am already treasurer and my husband is in charge of all the signage…Why not run it all, right? LOL My next step will have to be heading a meeting with all the church recruiters. Public speaking is not my forte even if it’s just a dozen people I am talking too. Sadly, I just found out the district that neighbors us will not have a walk this year ( after a 30+ year run!). The chair person retired and no one would step up to take it over. I just hope this isn’t our fate in the coming years too.
That’s great that you stepped up and took it over. I am sure you will figure out how to make it a great event. Thanks I really do love my MRTT
I loved reading this so much! I am a stay at home mom as well, and while I love my job more than anything, it can be very isolating at times. I am not currently running right now, but hope to be in the near future. I think something like this would be an amazing way to have the support and motivation of team. Way to go on making this happen in your community!
oh absolutely I hope you check out the national website to see if there is one near you. Momsrunthistown.com
That’s amazing! We are trying to grow our group runs here and I never thought about posting fliers in Starbucks. Yay for new tips!
oh yea it works! When school starts you can post there too.Good luck 🙂
So wonderful to see like-minded people encourage each other in such a positive and rewarding way. Fantastic you took the leap to begin the outreach. By the way, I posted my oatmeal link to your meatless monday linkup with a backlink but it kept saying there was none. I sent it in anyway 🙂 Cheers for doing the link-up!
thanks and I will take a look at the in links and see if I can get it to work over here. Just let me know if there is a problem again sometimes it happens.
Holy wow thats wonderful! Hard work and initiative always pays off! You go girl! Have a great week
Thanks so much it is really rewarding for sure!
I know right? Isn’t this link up so much fun! I’m so glad you joined because I had never heard your story before about starting MRTT! You are such an inspiration to those of us who are still like your were several years ago. Running does help open you up because honestly if I only had my husband and children to talk about running too they would duct tape my mouth! NOT KIDDING!
oh yes LOL that’s one of the reasons that I started the group. Hope you find your own special group of friends through running too.
Aren’t you so happy that you took the initiative to start your MRTT chapter? I love that you daughter was the driving force behind how your chapter got started! 🙂
Thank you for linking up! It was great having you join in on the fun!
I am beyond thrilled! Thanks for the linkup
Great post and yes, such a wonderful initiative. Never know where such steps will take you but this one has taken you very far ! I love to hear about MRTT…. we don’t have one here. Maybe one day !
Well you just might have to start your own chapter too!
Such an inspirational story!! This is such a wonderful group for Moms and women in your community.
I know your daughter is super proud of you!!!
Aw thanks! It is a great group and I don’t know what I did before them!
This is so wonderful! I didn’t realize that you started your chapter. I would love to start something here and while I’m not a Mom I am moving into a new role with work where I have more flexible time in the day. Thanks for sharing =)
Oh you should start one!! Check the national page to see if there is one near you. momsrunthistown.com
Oh my gosh! I love this. You are such a great leader with MRTT and GOTR, and everything else you take the initiative to do. 😉
Thanks so much friend #MRTTLove
Wow this is amazing! My mom and I have thought about starting a running group in our town but I’m afraid of no one showing up lol. Mainly that only 1 person will show or something and then it’s awkward. I know, such an irrational fear. That’s amazing that you grew it to such a big group! You’ve kinda inspired me to re-think our running group idea 🙂
Oh at first I would just talk to myself on our FB page and our runs would be 1 or 2 people it took over a year to really meld together. I hope you do it!!
Congrats on the success of your chapter – 550 strong! I ran with a group yesterday, and I’ve struggled to take the initiative to really introduce myself and get to know the other young ladies. I know I have to step out of my comfort zone – I’ll have to keep at it!
I had to step out of my comfort zone too but when I did, it was great.
You keep tempting me with these MMRT stories! Can’t decide if I have enough time to pull off that type of project but it keeps pulling at me!
You would be great at it!! I would be happy to help you in any way I can.
This is so inspiring! It’s so cool that you took the initiative and now have a successful running group!
Thanks! I am so so glad that I did!
A long time ago, I decided to take a 6 week class at JMU to become a group fitness instrutor. I wasn’t taking it seriously, but it has turned into a HUGE part of my life. Taking initiative for myself paid off 🙂
Cool post, Deborah! Love seeing your journey with MRTT and GOTR.
Thanks! It’s funny how one little thing can change everything isn’t it!
inspiring story! Women power.
Thanks!
Your story is a sweet reminder to face our fears and go for it anyway. Isn’t it amazing that a single thought led to such a great and beneficial initiative? Props! 🙂
Thanks so much and yes I am so so glad that I too that step. Thanks for stopping by!
I’ve known Debbie since before she joined MRTT, so I have gotten to read a lot about it as she became more involved. I am so impressed with what a great group it is! Each chapter is so diverse and active. Kudos to you for taking the initiative to start one in your area – and look at what it has grown into. That is great!
Thanks so much that’s really nice! I know she loves her MRTT mama runners too.
What a fun idea for a link up! Taking the initiative can be the frist step to accomplishing amazing things.
Yes definitely true!
I knew you had started a running group, but I never knew how it happened. What a fun story, and it really is crazy awesome how some things turn out when you are willing to take the chance on it.
That is so cool, and wow that is an awesome group of running women you have gotten together, look at all the lives you’ve now changed.. Incredible!!!
Thanks so much! That one little thing has changed my life so much and I am so blessed to have them all in my life.