STILL RUNNING WITH PURPOSE
With
our 5 year anniversary upon us, we decided to devote this E-NEWSLETTER
to the “heart” of Annie’s Locker, Running For Two. Years ago, a fellow
runner and friend who was battling cancer, asked for one simple thing.
“Please run for me until I can run again.” That small request from our
namesake Annie was the seed that later grew into Annie’s Locker. Running For Two is about entering a sacred time. A time to keep vigil, a
metaphorical candle burning for someone in need. Running for a friend
who is struggling can be a very powerful form of support. We have run
for many. We’ve seen a lot of miracles Running For Two and we hope you
do, too.
Shine On!
Carol Benthal-Bingley, Founder/President
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Annie’s Locker is
FIVE YEARS STRONG!
Please join us as we celebrate
this wonderful milestone for Annie’s Locker…
five years in operation!
As a thank you to our donors, volunteers,
supporters and recipients who inspire us to keep
doing what we’re doing, we’ll be providing
appetizers and a whole lot of gratitude.
Appetizers & Cash Bar
August 15 at 6:00pm
Pig Minds Brewing Co.
4080 Steele Dr., Machesney Park, Illinois
or on Facebook by August 8!
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Inspiring stories of
RUNNING FOR TWO
Running for Kung Fu Panda
- Kelly Galluzzo
Running For Two (RFT) had an extremely positive impact on Brian Drendel (fondly known by his fellow trail runners as Kung Fu Panda), during a rather sudden and unexpected turn in his life. Early in 2011 he began running for two reasons. First reason was as a way to support a good friend who wanted to complete her first 5K and second as the next step in a long-term life style change to improve his health and better manage his weight. Over a period of three years, Brian had lost a total of 55 pounds.
On November 25th, 2012, Brian set a PR in a half marathon race, obtaining his target of completing the race in less than 2 hours. He could not have been happier when he crossed the finish line, but had no idea how quickly that would change.
The very next day, on the afternoon of Monday, November 26th, Brian collapsed at his office and was hospitalized with what doctors found as a large non-cancerous polyp on his colon. After numerous complications with surgery and recovery, Brian returned home. During his hospital stay his friends were Running For Two. They were running for him! Brian says thanks to RFT, he is back and feeling better than ever.
• What did you know about the Running for Two (RFT) story before you had your health issues?
I knew very little about the initial RFT story at the time that I fell ill. Occasionally I would see someone with an orange bandana and would ask around. I only knew that it was to be running for someone who falls ill and can’t run. Since then, I have read the background story on the Annie’s Locker website and found it to be a whole lot more that I knew from just asking around on the trails.
• How did the story affect your life and running once you became ill?
The RFT story has impacted my life in significant ways. I went through some difficult times and at times the doctors had no idea what was wrong. RFT provided the inspiration and motivation that I needed to fight through my illness. Even when I got out of the hospital, my fight to recover and get back to running was not over. I needed to show all of those who were running and praying for me that I was going to be ok and get back to running at a level that I was before I became ill.
• What do you find most inspiring and motivating about RFT?
What is most inspiring is to know that you have the strength and prayers of your running community behind you. On the bad days I would draw on that strength to help battle through the hard times. From the very first day I was in the hospital I received the incredible support and prayers of all of my running friends. My new friends were Running for Two. They were running for me! I cannot express how much each prayer, get well card, text, visit, email, and mile run in my name meant to me. My running friends were changing their Facebook profile pictures to the Running For Two bandanas, and I had so many positive and supportive Facebook messages and posts. One Coyote friend even brought me a stack of magazines. Hidden inside of each magazine was a note containing special positive healing messages. On days that I was strong enough to read, I would read the magazines and look forward to finding my inspirational note. That was special to me.
“All of the prayers and Running For Two kindness worked. The above picture was taken on my first visit back to Rock Cut State Park. On that day, I was only able to walk. I am now healed, and have been running for months. It is time to be thankful for all of my amazing running friends and celebrate my health and the gift of life.” - Brian Drendel
• What is one thing you’d like to share with others about the RFT?
RFT shows how unselfish and kind in nature the human spirit can be. Until you are in the position of being so sick that you can’t function, there is no way to understand just how inspiring and how much strength you can draw from those around you dedicating their thoughts, prayers and miles to you.
July 2013 Update: Since the time that I originally wrote my Running For Two story, my recovery continued at a steady pace. It took over a month to
go from walking to my first running steps.
It then took another three months to get a running base established. I ran that 5K with my friend that started my running. I also ran a 10K trail race with my Coyote and Squirrel friends in Wisconsin. These were both very special events for me. My recovery is going so well, that I have signed up for the Fox Valley Marathon this fall! Thanks to Running For Two, I am back and feeling better than ever.
Finding Strength in the Miles
-Vaughn Ehrhardt
Northern Illinois Trail Runners Organization, DeKalb, IL.
Our friend and running club member Brian Drendel’s supposed short hospital stay extended, then extended again, catching us all rather flat-footed in response. As the severity of Brian’s evolving condition became more apparent, we needed to spring into action. Annie’s Locker and the Running for Two program was a natural fit to adopt to our situation.
Remembering Rockford Road Runner, Armando Quinones’ crisis and the Running For Two reaction of his friends, we tailored our response to fit. Blending Google services, we set up an online forum where Running For Two contributors could donate their miles and encouragement to Brian. All responses dumped to a spreadsheet where a simple SUM command totaled the mileage. For ease of public viewing, the mileage totals were then posted back live on a website page set up to run our program. The added benefit to using Google services was that we could share the response spreadsheet with Brian so in the hospital, strength permitting, he could read and hopefully find strength in the outpouring of response. Our Running For Twotranslation can still be observed at: http://www.nitroruns.org/brian.
We are very happy and proud to have Brian back running among us, and thankful for the existence of Annie’s Locker and Running for Two.
These Wings I Wear
- Elizabeth Primrose
I ran the North Shore Half marathon June 2nd, 2013 . I ran the entire thing (no walking). That was a first. I PR’d, certainly because I didn’t walk and the temps were perfect. However, I did THINK about walking. I thought about it a lot, especially after mile 10, you know, the time when I should have been saying “only 3 more, cakewalk.” Then I looked at the orange Running for Two bandana in my hand. I said a silent prayer and asked for help. I asked for wings to get me through. I found an inner strength.
I may run 26.2 someday, I may not. There are times when I dig deep to find that inner strength to run 3 miles. In this case, I wanted to let those of you who knew Annie know that she completely surrounded me in that race. I know it. I felt it. I never met her...but she lives on in this group. Thanks for giving me wings.
Life is a Gift
- Anonymous
Ever since a friend opened her heart and shared the concept of Running For Two with me, my running has never been quite the same-it has been better! Running now has a purpose and reward much greater than a PR, a blue ribbon, or a fast time on a clock. Running is part of my life. Life is a gift.
The greatest gift is LOVE - And that is what Running For Two means to me!
START SOMETHING!
Start your own
RUNNING FOR TWO movement
for a friend who is struggling!
Running for Two has evolved since Annie's
first request. The orange bandana is a symbol of our strength in
numbers, and the power of collective positive energy and
prayers. A bright spot of hope in a dark time. We can't do anything to change a loved one's diagnosis, but that doesn't mean we are helpless. We can decide to DO something.
On your next run please offer up some good energy, a thought or a prayer for someone who is struggling.
Please consider Running For Two!
Be creative, make it your own and make a difference for someone in need.
Running For Two bandanas can be purchased for
$5 each or 25 for $100.
ANNIE’S LOCKER RACING SHIRTS
Because of the tremendous
success of shirt sales, we have decided to order more! They will be
available AUGUST 15th at our 5 year Celebration. Reserve your shirt
today before they are gone!
Color may vary depending on availability. Mens short sleeve sizes also available.
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ANGELS ON SITE!
“I
had an awesome experience and appreciate my friend Anna for telling me
about this organization. She runs with the Rockford Road Runners and
encouraged me to run and start living healthy when I was going through a hard time. I was new to this area with no job, four kids and depressed.
I believe running is giving me my life back and I just wanna keep
going. I did the Biggest Loser 5K - it was great time - 37 minutes couldn’t believe it.”
Felicia, Biggest Loser 5K race
scholarship recipient.
Annie's Angels were ON SITE at The Biggest Loser 5k and The Fourth Annual, Illinois Jets Youth Track and Field Invitational.
On
June 15th, Annie's Locker supplied race sponsorships and raised
awareness with dozens of winged angels on site at the Biggest Loser race
while more angels were handing out fitness gear to children and adults
in need at the Jets event.
Biggest Loser Run/Walk
June 15, 2024
The Power of 3! In a great group effort, the Rockford Road Runners, Rockford Wildcats and Annie’s Locker worked as a team bringing awareness to our cause. Dozens of winged runners enjoyed the day together supporting Annie’s Locker.
Special thanks to Chris Overton, Annie’s Locker supporter who approached us with the idea, then gathered a team to raise awareness. We are grateful for all the supporters and volunteers who joined the team for the Biggest Loser Run/Walk. The race had a great turn out and we were so glad to be a part of it!
Fourth Annual, Illinois Jets Youth Track and Field Invitational
June 15, 2024
Youth & families had a fun time at the Fourth Annual, Illinois Jets Youth Track and Field Invitational on June 15! Local organizations including Annie’s Locker introduced their youth and family summer programs and activities. Annie’s Locker gave out fitness gear at the event to those who were in need. Dozens of shirts, tanks & shorts were given to runners & parents!
Thank you for supporting Annie’s Locker!
Please consider helping us continue our work with Annie's Locker with a financial donation.
PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT ANNIE'S LOCKER, SHARE US ON FACEBOOK.
