• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • about
  • Pug Partners
  • contact/pr
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Runs With Pugs

ok, the pugs don't run, but we do

  • race reports
  • Travel
  • Recipes
  • Link Ups
  • instagram Landing Page

The Latest

a much more relaxed week

5 sources of mental clutter

my spring race plans

You are here: Home / Uncategorized / who do i run for?

who do i run for?

October 3, 2013      20 Comments

Actually, that should probably be “for whom do I run?” Those dangling participles are always so irritating.

But that’s not the point.

The point is, something pretty awesome happened, to give even more meaning to my running.

I’ve told the story of what got me started on this running journey, and how I got hooked and keep filling my race calendar.

But this past weekend, I got matched with a very special running buddy, named Z. And Z is one more big reason that I’m going to keep going, as long as I’m able.

I was matched with Z through a group called Who I Run 4. The premise?

“We all have friends who say “run some for me” because they don’t WANT to run… what about those who physically CAN’T run?…”

The purpose of the website is to match runners and other athletes with people who are unable to run or participate in physical activities. Runners and their buddies share stories and pictures, encouraging each other and providing support along the way.

I signed up for a match sometime back in August. While it did take about six weeks to get my match email, I wasn’t that impatient – it meant that there were a lot of people in line, which leads to more awareness for Who I Run 4 and more honorary matches getting runners. All good in my book.

The wait was worth it. Z is awesome and I am so excited to be running in honor of him.

Z lives with his family approximately 1,202 miles away from us. That’s pretty far. Since we were matched, I’ve logged about 13 miles, so only 1,189 to go!

Z is seven years old. He was born at 28 weeks at 2 lbs 13 oz and 14.25 inches long and spent two months in the NICU. He has cerebral palsy, and cannot sit up, crawl or walk and needs assistance with eating. However, he is super smart and funny. He loves the color purple, and singing and the Chicago Cubs. He has a special tricycle that he can ride with his mom’s help, and he loves ice cream (whoo hoo!). He sounds truly amazing, and is clearly a hard working and determined little boy!

I am honored and privileged to be able to dedicate my miles to Z. And I hope that he’s just as excited to have me running for him.

Saturday’s big race is for you, buddy!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristen @ Medium Roast says

    October 3, 2013 at 12:52 pm

    That’s so wonderful! What a great organization 🙂

    Also, the grammar nazi in me approves of your first sentence – hehe.
    Kristen @ Medium Roast recently posted…How I Make the Perfect Cup of Coffee.My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 3, 2013 at 2:41 pm

      LOL! We shall shake our fists at participles together!

      Reply
  2. Tammy says

    October 3, 2013 at 2:10 pm

    Awesome Jenn!!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 3, 2013 at 3:45 pm

      Thanks, girl!

      Reply
  3. Diana says

    October 3, 2013 at 6:20 pm

    Yay! So excited that you were matched! =) Z is lucky to have you!
    Diana recently posted…The Heat Is OnMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Rachel @ Undercover Diva: A Sitcom says

    October 3, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    I have a running buddy, too! One of the main reasons for me signing up for ToT is that the beneficiary is Autism Speaks. I do a lot of work with children with special needs, so of course I had to sign up! There was no question.
    Rachel @ Undercover Diva: A Sitcom recently posted…Goals Check-in: September RecapMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 4, 2013 at 12:11 am

      That’s awesome!

      Reply
  5. Anne @ CandyCrazedrun.wordpress.com says

    October 3, 2013 at 11:26 pm

    How amazing and inspiring! When I really just CANNOT find the motivation to run, I check myself and think about those people who CANT run. I know that they would give so much to have the ability to run, and it helps put my funk in perspective.
    What a wonderful organization!
    Anne @ CandyCrazedrun.wordpress.com recently posted…Happy Birthday to All of Us!My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 8, 2013 at 1:53 pm

      It really is!
      runswithpugs recently posted…tower of terror 10 miler: expo & checking inMy Profile

      Reply
  6. Meghan says

    October 4, 2013 at 8:10 pm

    I’ve been following your blog as I have been working on becoming a runner myself over the last couple of months. I love the idea of being matched through Who I Run 4.
    Good luck at the Tower of Terror this weekend!! You will be great! Have fun!

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 8, 2013 at 1:42 pm

      Awww, thank you! You should definitely sign up for a match! It’s a great motivator!

      Reply
  7. Nikki says

    October 6, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    Wow what an awesome thing to run for! Z is so lucky to have you! You are such an awesome athlete 🙂
    Nikki recently posted…Spirit WeekMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 8, 2013 at 1:41 pm

      Oh wow. No one has ever called me that before! <3 Thanks.

      Reply
  8. Debbie @ DebRuns says

    October 6, 2013 at 8:53 pm

    I love how “Who I Run 4” has matched so many runners with people who would love to run, but can’t! Good for you for participating!

    I hope Tower of Terror was a great experience for you! Can’t wait to read your recap!
    Debbie @ DebRuns recently posted…Fall Is The Time For… Racing!My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 8, 2013 at 1:39 pm

      It’s really a great organization.

      I’ve finally had a chance to process everything so I can write my recap. It was a really good experience.

      Reply
  9. Abby @ BackAtSquareZero says

    October 7, 2013 at 1:27 am

    How awesome. I love that you have another wonderful reason to run.
    Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…Crock Pot Chicken Salsa Verde ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 8, 2013 at 1:35 pm

      It definitely helps when my brain starts telling me that I can’t go anymore.

      Reply
  10. carolyn says

    October 7, 2013 at 6:54 pm

    Very cool! I hope the race went well, I’m sure Z is proud!
    Carolyn
    http://www.ccmcafeeperspective.com/
    carolyn recently posted…Easy Listening, Half Training, FFLinkUp!My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 8, 2013 at 1:34 pm

      I hope so 🙂

      Reply
  11. Andrea says

    October 18, 2013 at 2:57 am

    This is amazing! I just signed up! Thank you for making me aware of it!
    Andrea recently posted…September Villains Weekend–Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical ReviewMy Profile

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

well, hello there…

bio
Welcome to Runs With Pugs. My name is Jenn and this is the story of my love affair with running and finding myself through fitness. From C25K to marathon, from triathlon to SUP, from broken leg to the recovery journey... I'm sharing it all. I'm a wife and mother of one, living in NE Florida, in love with travel, adventure, and food. Oh. We have pugs and a hedgehog, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!
Follow on Bloglovin


Save 25% on your ROADiD order here

Pinterest

find what you’re looking for

recently

  • a much more relaxed week
  • 5 sources of mental clutter
  • my spring race plans
  • a week of exploring new things
  • 5 fitness superstitions

Facebook Likes

archives

Footer

disclaimer

I am not a doctor or medical professional, nor do I play one on the internet. This blog reflects my personal experiences on my own fitness and running journey, and the processes that work for me. Before you begin any exercise regiment, please consult your physician.
Happy Monday! I don’t know about you all, but y Happy Monday!

I don’t know about you all, but your girl is TIRED. It is so hard to roll out of bed some mornings. Ugh. 

I managed (finally) and banked six miles in some gross humidity. And now it’s time for some self care and then back to work.

Also. We have somehow acquired a pecan tree? Any tips on the growth and care of this would be greatly appreciated!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Sunday fun day! Just a short walk to start the da Sunday fun day!

Just a short walk to start the day and work out some stiffness. Some days, my ankle just doesn’t want to cooperate 🫤

I have been making graphics and content all day for a client, and now I’m about to do hair and makeup for a little event. Wheee! 

This week is going to be BUSY! There’s a lot of changes to the regular routines (nails, a digital learning day, after school and weekend programming) and I have a race on Saturday and bocce ball on Sunday! 

Who else is ready to dive in?!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Easy is nice, but nothing great ever happens insid Easy is nice, but nothing great ever happens inside the comfort zone.

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids 

 #injuryRecovery #RunChat #Training #FitMom #RunnerMom #FitnessBlogger #RunnersOfInstagram #RunningBlogger #SRTT #FitAfter40#WomensRunningCommunity #RunningCommunity #GoalDigger #HoneyStingerHive #TeamRoadID #GoodrFlamboyance #BalegaImpi #LeagueOfgarmin #BeatYesterday #RunHappy #BDRAmbassador #RunJax
Even though I got up late, the weather was still c Even though I got up late, the weather was still cool enough to make my 5 miler tolerable. 

We are supposed to see temps in the 90s this weekend and I am 100% not about it!

I won’t be racing this weekend: instead I’ve got some work, some volunteering, and another event on Sunday. Looking forward to all of it!

Are you running long or racing this weekend? Tell me about it!

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
This Sunday, I hit up the #womenrunjacksonville ev This Sunday, I hit up the #womenrunjacksonville event at the @theglassfactory, presented by @yelpjacksonville and @market.and.mimosas!

Is it possible to be overwhelmed by so much amazing talent, creativity and awesome woman power? 

From the iconic “my phone eats first” tote to the gorgeous party wall lined with craft mimosas, to the silent disco headphones and all the vendors and food/drink samples! Swoon.

I shopped, ate, drank and chatted my way around the venue, and enjoyed every second of it. What a way to celebrate Women’s History Month, and all of the incredible female entrepreneurs, business owners and bosses in Jax and NE Florida!

Five stars. Would do again in a heartbeat!

#yougogirl #womenshistorymonth #girlpower #lovelocal #womanownedbusiness #smallbusiness #localbusiness #supportlocal #womenrunjax #yelpelite #yelpelitesquad #vendormarket #onlyinjax #thingstodojax #myphoneeatsfirst #firstcoastfavorites
35 minutes on the elliptical 👿 with a cool down 35 minutes on the elliptical 👿 with a cool down walk in the beautiful sunshine.

I am not a huge fan of gym equipment like the treadmill or the elliptical: I find it boring and often times awkward. That being said, I’m working through a training plan from @runsmartofficial and trusting the process.

Did you get your fitness inside or out today? How do you feel about the elliptical?

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Knock knock! Rolling through another Wednesday of Knock knock!

Rolling through another Wednesday of miles! It was not a great run (i got something in my contact and had to go home to flush it out!) but the company stellar as usual (@montarriba) and future me will say thank you for sticking it out.

I’ve got a busy day with some writing, a few emails and a trip to @danielle904beauty so stay tuned for that glow up!

How is your Wednesday? How are you rolling?

#running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Could they be any cuter? @lunanleonidas #pug #p Could they be any cuter?

@lunanleonidas 

#pug #pugpuppies
Let’s talk about balance. Balance is an area wh Let’s talk about balance.

Balance is an area where I sometimes struggle, physically and emotionally. It can be a challenge to fit in all the things I want and all the things I need. I don’t always love doing the mundane or tedious tasks that ultimately lead to the foundations of the things I am more passionate about.

I am taking a little more time to build on the basics, and find my balance. It’s going to lead to a healthier and happier me.

How do you find your balance? Do you struggle with the basics? 

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids
Sometimes, the weather is too beautiful not to run Sometimes, the weather is too beautiful not to run.

I worked through some cardio under the blue skies and in the fresh air and then came home to @runsmartofficial’s base building boot camp. 

There was A LOT of focus on balance and feet and ankles, as well as ground work in the form of different planks and push-ups. 

The movements were small but effective and my legs are certainly burning! It’s going to get harder as we go, but I’m excited to spend more time on my stability and form, to see if it makes me stronger and more efficient over time.

What was on your workout calendar today?

#Running #streakingwiththecoolkids

Copyright © 2023 · Wordpress Theme by Hello Yay!