The 2018 Run the Bluegrass - A Run For Respect

Running the Bluegrass for Respect
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Because Respect is Indeed Golden

Last summer my buddy Tracey Outlaw introduced me to Pontiac Township High School teacher Laura Baumgardner and some of her special needs students. After spending some time with these students it was clear to me what they needed most, and what they were fighting for, was respect. 

For the past 6 years, Laura and her students have put on the Run for Respect 5K in Pontiac as a way to spread the word to end the word. ​The word they are fighting to end? Retarded. The word they long to replace it with? Respect. 

​The theme for this year's race is:  Respect is Golden. 
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In this year's official Run for Respect race video, the students implore us - let's all follow the golden rule. Let's do to others like you want them to do to you. After my good friends and I shared some Starbucks Coffee time with Laura and a few of her students in Chicago last year, I found myself sadly wondering - why on earth do these kids have to fight for respect? They're beautiful, kind, thoughtful and fun. I'm telling you, coffee breaks don't get any more enjoyable than the one I had with them.

We all know why they have to fight for respect, though, don't we. They have to fight because they are different. They talk and look and think differently. I hope that's a frustrating answer to accept. It is for me. Because the reality is, I'm different. I talk and look and think differently than every single person reading this. Yet, I can't think of one single time in my life, based on those differences alone, that I've had to fight for respect. 

Why do we get so hung up on differences? A friend of mine recently shared that we are all the same kind of different. I'd never heard that. It wowed me because wouldn't that be great. If we saw our differences as something we shared, like the love of a sports team or a favorite burger joint, instead of something we analyze to determine how we're supposed to engage with one another. 

Next weekend, several of my friends and I will be running a half marathon in Lexington, Kentucky -The Run the Bluegrass. It will be our honor to help Laura and her students spread the word to end the word. Many of us will wear the bib below on our backs as a show of support and to encourage others to do the same. Those Lexington hills are a real battle, my friends know that, but we're going to battle those hills for respect. Because we believe: respect is golden. 
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You can help spread the word to end the word too

Sign up and run the virtual 5K from now until May 1, 2018. The cost is $20. The 5th Annual Run For Respect VIRTUAL 5K RUN is being held in conjunction with the 6th Annual Run For Respect 5K at Pontiac Township High School in Pontiac, Illinois which will be held on April 21. All proceeds from the Run For Respect benefit Illinois Special Olympics and Pontiac Township High School’s Peers In Action programs.

Click
 
Here

To Register
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Online

*When registering, please join the "Megsmiles Runs for Respect" group

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My Birthday Run - A 27 Mile Run for Respect

Last year on my birthday, April 27th, I ran 53 laps around a 1/4 mile track to celebrate turning 53 years old. All year I've been trying to figure out this year's birthday run. I wanted it to be more challenging. I wanted to get a little more creative with it. Then God placed this story of Laura and her kids on my heart, and I suddenly knew the answer to the birthday run challenge. 

On April 21st, the day Laura and her kids are running their 5K in Pontiac, and the day many others will run it virtually, I will run my 5K.  And - I'll add a little bit of distance to make it my longest run ever. This year instead of honoring my age I'll honor my date. The 27th. To celebrate my birthday and to do everything I can to spread the word to end the word, on April 21st I'm going to run 27 miles. 

So for my birthday this year, I'm not asking you to run 27 miles with me. Just get out there and run a 5K for respect. Shoot, you don't even have to run it - walk it. Just support Laura and her students. Let them know we hate the idea they have to fight for respect, but as long as they do have to fight for it, we're going to be right there fighting by their sides!

Register for the 5K virtual run here. 
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The Official Spread the Word to End the Word Video - 2018