Sierra Blogging Post Archives

Running isn't just good for your body, it's good for your soul, too. Just ask Anne Mahlum, founder of Back On My Feet - a running club for homeless people in Philadelphia.

An avid runner, Mahlum says running is like therapy for her. And she figured if the sport could help her through tough times, it could do the same for other people. People who really needed it. People who were faced with incredible hardships every single day... those without homes. But instead of just thinking, Mahlum started doing and took the first steps toward fulfilling her vision.

She called around town asking for running shoes and gear donations. She got in touch with homeless shelters. Then she took the first nine runners out to run that first mile. Now, more than 54 runners from three different Philadelphia shelters and 250 volunteers have joined the organization.

The article on CNN states...

Runners greet each other with hugs and words of encouragement. While members say they've lost weight, quit smoking and have more energy, Mahlum believes they're also learning important life skills such as discipline and goal-setting that can help them get on the road to self-sufficiency.

The increased self-confidence and self-respect the runners have gained from running their collective 5,000 miles is leading some to employment and job training programs. No doubt more people will be helped as the shelter expands throughout Philadelphia and beyond.

"Running really is a metaphor for life," Malhum says. "There is always another mile. You just have to take it one step at a time."

One of her success stories, Mike Solomon, a former crack addict and shelter resident, is now employed, in school, and training for a marathon.

"Anne is helping people see the hero in themselves," he says.

It sounds like seeing that hero makes all the difference in the world.