Jeff Goes to the Fair

The question I have gotten asked the most over the last several years is some variation of “how do you run a hundred miles?” My two go to answers are, “I don’t” and “one step at a time.” I’ve grown to love movement over the last several years and it has become part of my daily DNA. I’ve learned that movement is not as much about the distance, speed, or the time as it is about just the movement itself. I’ve adopted the mantra of one of my doctors, “Movement is medicine.” This past year, movement was where I found my solace when the world around me changed. It’s likely how I managed to keep my sanity. This might not have been entirely what the good doctor means by the motto, but he’s not wrong.

To occupy my time during the beginning of the pandemic last spring, I set some lofty goals because I felt like it was a great way to pass the time. I ended up blowing right past the physically-based ones and averaged just more than 8.5 miles of intentional movement a day over a four-month period. A couple of those days, I went for more than 50k. All the hard work allowed me to beat my previous 100-mile time by almost 7 hours at last year’s edition of the Endless Mile. Unfortunately, I left some of my reach goals still on the table at the conclusion of the race. Since then, I’ve celebrated my victories and doubled down on some of my goals. Unlike years past, I did not hibernate this winter. I kept on moving to get ready for my next race.

The Endless Mile, 2020 (Cute Dog did not do the whole 105 miles)

On May 10th, I’ll attempt to step my game up another level as I will participate in my longest race yet: 3 Days at the Fair in New Jersey. However, there is one small caveat; I will not be doing the 3-day option. I will be doing the 6-day option instead. Another motto I’ve adopted is “Go big or don’t go at all.” I figured the best way to enjoy a vacation is by doing the same one-mile loop over and over again…for 144 hours. Before you ask, I’ve put a lot of thought and preparation into this process. In fact, this is my third stab at a longer multiday event. The last two were cancelled because of the pandemic. Looks like the third time is a charm for me, and I’m very much looking forward to the challenge.

Now that I’ve gotten your attention, I’m doing something different with this long event opportunity. Instead of focusing on personal goals, I’m dedicating the event to fundraising and spreading awareness to a local non-profit that I hold near and dear to me: Shelby Emergency Assistance (SEA). At SEA, the goal is to provide necessities (food, housing, utilities and medical care) to people in crisis and to help them achieve self-sufficiency. SEA does things a little differently. They go the extra mile to help clients establish budgets, seek educational goals, find better occupational opportunities, and make financial plans so they will feel more empowered and engaged within their community.

The range of people SEA reaches in their community is utterly expansive. It may be someone stopping to pick up school supplies for someone else in need or providing an Easter basket for their children. It could be providing resources to someone needing surgery or healthcare supplies or helping someone without power. It might be providing support for the homeless or for working parents who have had to stay home due to COVID or families who have babies in the NICU. No matter the circumstances, everyone is greeted and given the chance to talk with a social worker about themselves, their family, resources, advancement, and so much more!

My goal is to fundraise at least $10 for every kilometer I plan to cover during my “6 Days at the Fair” for Shelby Emergency Assistance. I aim to go at least 500 kilometers (roughly 311 miles). That equates to $5000. There is no guarantee that I will make that distance. A lot of things can go wrong when you are doing anything distance related, but you can bet my nasty, swelling feet that I’ll keep moving until I can’t!

To make things interesting, a couple of friends came up with the idea of “donating for Jeff to run for you (so you don’t have to!)” and different levels of giving. So, I’m going to run with it…or maybe just walk! For $50, I’ll run/walk that 5k that you’ve put off. For $100, I’ll do the 10K. To keep things simple, $200 for the half marathon and $500 for the 50k. Of course, these are just suggested levels to spice things up, and any donation is greatly appreciated. I don’t think I will have the time or the capacity to write about this journey while I’m in it. Instead, I intend to do shout outs and videos along the way thanking those who give to Shelby Emergency Assistance through this fundraising campaign. You will get a firsthand look at my journey through this process. I hope you will join me in it by helping me fundraise for my great friends at Shelby Emergency Assistance.