By Cheryl D. Hart
Darkness is not necessarily bad. Without the glare of light, we are free to run in peace — free from crowds, judgments and distractions. This window of time can be magical if along with our limited vision, we adjust our limited thinking.
That is why I came up with the idea of a pre-dawn walking/running program for women, designed for the purpose of enhancing self-confidence, self-esteem and health. For years I had considered the benefits and unlimited possibilities of such a program and the idea resurfaced while in a graduate school class (health and exercise psychology) with Dr. Leslee Fisher at the University of Tennessee. As I became more knowledgeable about the research-based arguments for exercise, coupled with 30 years of experience, I felt a strong calling to implement these theories and practices.
We have met every Monday, beginning in January at 6:30 a.m. at Seneca Park to run/walk, followed by coffee at Panera Bread at 7:30 a.m. For additional support, I've conducted a series of lectures on motivation and goal-setting, proper running form, injury prevention, designing training schedules, nutrition and self-concept and self-esteem.
Why darkness? Couldn't we just wait and run or walk together in the warmth of sunshine when we are officially awake?
Running out of the darkness and into the light has a symbolic quality. It is a reminder that no matter how dark the situation in life may seem, it's important to just find the strength to take the next step. The sun will come up again and life is there waiting to be embraced. Darkness hides any insecurity women might have about body image and allows free flowing thoughts and conversation with others with whom they share the road.
John “The Penguin” Bingham, a writer for Runners World Magazine, realized that darkness forced him to see only see what was illuminated by the narrow beam of his flashlight. Everything else outside that light is invisible.
He reflects, “I was tired from the day, tired from living, and all I could do is focus on the edges of the beam of light. I didn't have the strength to worry about things I couldn't see. If it didn't come into the light, it didn't matter.”
The lesson is that we spend so much of our life worrying about things that we can't see and often things that will never happen. While we are so preoccupied with concerns about what happened in the past and what might happen up ahead, we miss our life that awaits us in the here and now.
I always tell my clients to focus on just today, just the next hour, just the next step. There is a small but powerful book, written by Stormie Omartian, that I use for sessions that focuses on the spiritual dimension. Titled “Just Enough Light For the Step I'm On,” the book speaks of overcoming fear in times of darkness by trusting that God will provide just the light you need as you need it.
Susan Fenley fully understands the concept of having faith to run out of the darkness into the light. Now 45 years old, she has been a runner “since back in the day when we ran in Converse All Stars, Addias running shoes were a big deal and Jane Fonda was feeling the burn.”
In September 2006, Fenley was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Five days later she had a life-saving, but life-altering operation called a ‘whipple.' During the recovery, she also dealt with mononucleosis, hypo-thyroid, and a torn stomach muscle.
“Thanks to Cheryl Hart, 2 nd Wind Motivation, and the support and encouragement from the women runners in the running group, “Out of the Darkness and into the Light,” I am now a ‘runner' again,” says Fenley.
“Even though we begin in the dark, there is light in my heart. When the run moves from darkness into the light, the light comes flooding. And then I feel that I am experiencing my second chance at life again. I used to run for speed but now I run because I can. Running has always been an endorphin high, now it is also a spiritual high. I thank God that I am alive to run. A year ago, if someone had asked me to run in the dark on a Monday morning in sub-20 degree weather, I would have chuckled and declined. Now it is a privilege and an honor. I encourage all women to challenge themselves to get out of bed a couple of hours earlier one day a week to join us. Just because you can.”
In our kick-off meeting, I decided that we would nickname ourselves the “ITL” group, which stands for “It'll be alright.” We all have days of darkness in life, but this group is there to support one another through the dark days whether facing an empty nest, chemotherapy treatments, depression, menopause or divorce. And each time the sun rises, it is a reminder of how blessed we are for the gift of life and that together we'll get through this.
Kristen Armstrong wrote about the support she gained from her pre-dawn runs with her girlfriends, and how it helped her manage the physical and emotional stresses of her divorce from Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and the demands of raising small children. She claims that facing the darkness, the cold, and the challenges of tackling the next hill were empowering.
The ITL group's discipline and commitment to the program and each other has been tested. We have run in the dark, cold, rain, snow — and a combination of them all. The more adverse the weather, the more rewarding the run and I swear the coffee afterward seems more robust.
There is something empowering and rejuvenating about running into the dawn, and meeting for coffee afterwards, knowing that others are just getting out of bed and have missed the celebration of being fully alive — breathing in the cool morning air and the sunrise over the park.
The proof is in the words and lives of the women who embrace the day together:
“When I first read the ITL flyer, my immediate thought was, ‘I'm in,'” recalls Wanda Karia. “But then after more thoughtful consideration, I wondered what I was thinking — to get out of bed at 5 a.m. to drive over 10 miles to run in the freezing dark with people I don't know. I don't run in the dark and I don't like cold weather.”
She wondered about the danger, and considered the option of sleeping later and running on her warm, cozy treadmill in total control of everything in her environment. But she decided it was too late since she had already committed.
“I was only cold for about 10 minutes early into a run when it was about 5 degrees,” admits Karia, who instantly warmed to the idea. “The biggest problem that day was keeping pace with 10 pounds of extra clothing. This experience has been great for me in many ways. Our reflective gear and blinking head lights, while blinding to each other, make me feel safe and there are not many drivers in the park that early in the morning.
The heightened sense of awareness that comes with running in the dark is real. The early morning winter sounds and fresh air are amazing. Being out of my comfort zone has made me a stronger person and is so important that I plan my entire half-Ironman training schedule around Monday morning. I look forward to the post-run coffee, conversation, and even the pictures, though they are not flattering.”
Sue Bruner shares, “The first day out for our ITL group, I was hesitant, as it was raining and cold. But, because I had committed to friends, I hopped into the car and went. On the way, Cheryl Fischer called my cell phone and said with her best Cheryl Hart imitation ‘running in the rain will make you physically and mentally tough!' and I retorted ‘more like mentally deranged.' We laughed and laughed. Since then, I've discovered that I actually like running in the rain and am looking forward to more rainy workouts in the future. I've also learned not to ask myself if I'll workout but instead build exercise into my routine, just like brushing my teeth.”
Joan Kelly says, “Meeting you at the start of the group is what I would call synchronicity — coming into my life at a time when I was wishing for it. I have a new drive to ‘play with purpose' as you say. I have always exercised but not with the purpose and intensity that I hunger for now. You and the group have facilitated this and it's not just about the running. At other times during the day, I wonder what the group might be doing and feel their support and the beginnings of long term friendships. My husband is amazed at my new drive and though for the first time in our life together I am outrunning him, he is not jealous but proud of my accomplishments.”
Kelly continues that, “Just being a part of the group reminds me that there are others out there struggling with the same fears, self-doubts, and hard days and that I am not alone. Your lectures have taught me the importance of taking baby steps and celebrating those along the way. I love running in the dark. I feel that the park is mine and that I am sharing it only with those few around me. When the sun comes up I feel like I've gained some strength and there is no way that I can't conquer the rest of my week. Everything pales in comparison to running up that final hill with the sunrise at the top.”
My goal is to spread the light from Louisville and Knoxville and gradually establish a branch nationwide with the support of such sponsors as AXA Financial, Inc., Hammer Nutrition, Road I.D., Moxie, and a potential community based mini-grant.
Jane Marie Johns, administrative assistant in the sport studies department at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, who has never missed a Tuesday morning run at the track, shares, “I have learned that it is never too late to do something new. Walk, jog, or run at your own pace and don't compare yourself to anyone else. And lastly, take things one day at a time — one run or walk at a time.”
I encourage each of you to take the first step today. Take just one step and then the next; trusting that you will have just enough light for the step you're on and for the person beside you.
* The final two lectures of the series will be held at the St. Matthews Baptist Church on Grandview Avenue at 2 p.m. The Apri1 1 lecture is titled, “Nutrition for the Body and Soul,” and the April 15 lecture is titled “Passing the Torch and Where to Go from Here.”
