Mix It Up

by Neissa on iGnite

During March I was invited to join a team for a philanthropic relay called Run To The Sun. The event was created to support and raise money for an Austin-based non-profit organization called Beyond Batten Disease Foundation. The founders, Charlotte and Craig Benson, are the parents of their precious nine year old daughter, Christiane, who, in 2008 was diagnosed with Batten’s Disease, an extremely rare, neurodegenerative genetic disorder whose first symptom is vision loss. Knowing the event was for a noble cause, I instantly knew it was something I wanted to participate in, however the specifics sounded down right brutal. Let me explain.

First, the event starts at Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg on a Saturday afternoon and ends at Mt. Bonnell on Sunday morning. Second, with eight team members, each are responsible for running two legs (as few as three miles and as many as eight). Third, eleven out of the sixteen legs are run in the dark. Forth, the terrain is extremely hilly. Fifth, in theory sleep is possible, but in reality, it doesn’t happen.

Despite the undesirable factors, I enthusiastically agreed to join the team simply because: it was something I had no business doing and second, it would stretch me way outside of my current physical and mental comfort zones, and outside of having a baby and becoming a parent, it had been a while since I had “mixed it up” and challenged myself in such a way. While I once considered myself a runner, I now rarely run the three mile loop at Town Lake. Furthermore, I never run hills, and with a busy toddler, a busy life and teaching 6:00 a.m. iGnite classes, losing a night of sleep was not a good idea. After all, I know that sleep is the fountain of youth, so again, there wasn’t one part of the relay that made logical sense, expect that it benefited a tremendous cause and wonderful family.

As a result of agreeing, two weekends ago I joined my team, “The Batten Butterflies”, along with twenty other teams, to hit the hilly pavement and do something that to most people seems ludicrous.

Without detailing the entire twenty-two hours, I’ll summarize by saying that I’ve never been so thankful to participate in a single event than having participated in the Run To The Sun. While it was extremely challenging and exhausting, it was incredibly exhilarating, hysterical, and fun! Yes, I had to run (and walk) up many hills against a strong wind, one of which was past a never ending sheep farm that smelled so disgusting that my teammates, who often drove alongside me, had to drive past me in an effort to avoid throw up. And yes, I had the last leg that while even in my neighborhood, I missed a turn which temporarily took me off course and increased my overall distance. However, despite the physical and mental fatigue, I would do it over and over again! In addition, I made new friendships with fabulous women and we now have a strong bond that we’ll always share, much like those created within iGnite.

After having experienced the bliss from the Run To The Sun, it reminded me how much my spirit needed to be entirely uncomfortable and set free. And while I need and love my current routine, it was liberating to “mix it up” and do something that was crazy and somewhat scary.

As adults, we are sometimes handcuffed to our routines due to life and our children’s schedules, and sometimes we are even handcuffed as a result of our limited mindsets, self-made boundaries and habits. However, this week I encourage you to “mix it up” and try an iGnite class, time, location or leader that you’ve never experienced before. If not, maybe you take the same classes but walk, run or swim a little faster, lift a little heavier, jump a little higher or stretch a little deeper. In addition, I encourage you to take the advice we often give our children which is, “you never know until you try.” For me, had it not been for participating in the Run To The Sun, I probably wouldn’t have been bitten by the running bug again, met new and endearing friends, and felt the sense of satisfaction that I had been longing for.

One of my favorite quotes is “life begins at the end of your comfort zone” therefore, I hope you’ll be inspired to mix it up and try something new by watching this week’s video, which showcases the Casis Elementary Team running in the Run To The Sun.