We've been extremely lucky to work with Hellah on our first season of the
podcast. Each week Hellah would lay out the program for aspiring run streakers
that listen to our podcast all while maintaining his own streak and social media
content. He is a busy guy, but he still said yes to us. We are grateful.
This first season we focused on Achilles International. We heard many great
stories from athletes and guides who all LOVE running. Now we focus on Hellah
and how he started his journey in running and what really motivates him to run.
Spoiler alert! He is a selfless, kind, and unique person that we can all learn
from whether it is in running, or just in his outlook on life.
Thank you Hellah Sidibe for being uniquely you. Thank you for gracing us with
your presence as a trainer and guest on our first season of I Run BeCause.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/irunbecause/support

Hellah Sidibe - Train Hellah Good - Run Streaker

Annie Donnell is the leader of the St. Louis chapter of Achilles. Let's just say
she races in the 20-24 age group and is a force to be reckoned with. She started
running with the Nashville chapter (listen to Lizzy and Amy from the Nashville
chapter
[https://anchor.fm/irunbecause/episodes/Amy-Harris-and-Lizzy--Nashville---Achilles-International-ef82l2])
in 2017 when she was a sophomore. When she graduated from college and returned
to St. Louis it didn't take long for her to start up the new chapter.
Take a listen to Annie and how she has grown to 15 athletes and 40 guides and
growing! 
And don't forget, as usual, WHY she runs. 

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/irunbecause/support

Annie Donnell, St. Louis Chapter Leader, Achilles International

Michael Anderson joined Achilles [https://www.achillesinternational.org/] as the
Director of the NYC Chapter in May of 2017. 
Michael has competed in over 350 races in the U.S. and around the globe, has
completed eleven consecutive Boston Marathons and has run over 25 marathons
including five World Marathon Majors (Tokyo, Boston, Berlin, Chicago, and NYC). 
After running his first NYRR [https://www.nyrr.org/] race in 2000, Michael was
moved by the power of Achilles and has been an admirer ever since. He credits
the accomplishments of Achilles athletes as a factor in pushing himself on race
day and for toughing it out in the grueling final miles of each marathon he has
run. Before joining Achilles, he spent several years as an event manager and
freelance writer.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/irunbecause/support

Michael Anderson, NYC Chapter Leader, Achilles International

Welcome to Rebecca Lindenbaum who is a board member of Achilles International
and a guide as well. 
Many athletes will recognize Rebecca from her position at the NYC Marathon
finish line greeting them as they crossed the finish line. She recalls her first
year when 250 athletes plus their guides participated. It was an emotional
moment for her.
Running an organization like this requires members to be athletes, but also
requires guides. Additionally, there is a business aspect to running an
organization and it needs funds to operate.
When Rebecca first started getting involved with Achilles she went into their
office to learn why people weren't huge or giving more money. She decided that
day to host a fundraising event at her home. That was her start.
"When I think about Achilles, I have to just say,  it's the family. It's
everyone helping everyone. And no matter what kind of disability you have, or
don't have, everyone is really there for each other. So, I just feel like I need
to say that, because to Mary and Francesco, my weeks were so filled with such
incredible people in my life and it's just, it's just made my life so much
fuller."
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/irunbecause/support

Rebecca Lindenbaum, Guide and Board Member, Achilles International

Do you remember the big old walkman radios? That's when Maryellen started
running. Since the 90's Maryellen was running just to keep in shape. Around 2014
she found herself introduced to a women's running group in Ridgewood. She was
familiar with many of the other moms in the group and almost immediately began a
couch to 5k program and soon after her first half-marathon.
Over the years she has been involved in a few other groups and organizations
like Jersey Women Strong [https://www.jerseywomenstrong.com/], Girls on the Run
[https://www.girlsontherun.org/], and of course, Achilles International
[https://www.achillesinternational.org/].
"It makes me so happy. It brings me such joy and I, you know, really the running
is just the means of being connected to so many different people, which is
really,  when you think that the question for this podcast is,  why do I run? I
run because I love being connected to so many other people."
Listen to Maryellen tell the story of her many connections to the athlete's of
Achilles and all the other great programs she is associated with.
Let's not forget to mention that Maryellen is on a two year running streak! 
Program note: You can also start your run streak with us by listening to each
episode and following the prescription of our very own Hellah Sidibe. He has
been on a 3 plus year running streak.
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/irunbecause/support

Maryellen Branna - New Jersey, Achilles International

This week we welcome and spotlight Achilles International Chicago athlete, Jill
Certisomo.
Jill was born with Diplegic Cerebal Palsy which affects her right side mostly
and impacts her balance. 
In 2018, she discovered Achilles when she was surfing the internet looking for
races she could participate in.  She credits her experience with Achilles as one
of providing her with her comfort, fun, and safety.
"It's an amazing difference. I mean, I never thought any of this was possible.
Never once. So I always just kinda thought any race I did was always going to be
just me. You know, at the very back, and as slow as humanly possible because a
lot of times it was legit, me and a police escort, and God bless my friend cause
her smiling face with her two kids at the end going, 'you did it.'"
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/irunbecause/support

Jill Certisomo - Chicago, Achilles International

Joe and Christine stay close to home and speak to the one and only Joe
Sorbanelli. It's interesting to learn that a guy can start his running career by
running his first "marathon" on a treadmill at a gym while watching the NYC
Marathon on television. WAIT! WHAT?! 
Three years later Joe started the New Jersey chapter of Achilles International
in 2017. Join us as we listen to Joe's eternal optimism and "can do" spirit and
understand why he started the chapter and guides Achilles' athletes. 
In 2019 the New Jersey chapter held their first Hope and Possibilities race.
This year they are hosting the 2020 virtual race on September 13, 2020
[https://runsignup.com/Race/NJ/Englewood/AchillesNewJerseyHopeandPossibility4Miler]
sponsored by U-Haul.
Joe is such a great guy, and guide! In 2019 he was the recipient of the Achilles
International Guide of the Year award.
 
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/irunbecause/support

Joe Sorbanelli - New Jersey, Achilles International

James Gilliard is an Achilles athlete in Chicago, Illinois. James started
running about six years to show "school pride" at Rutgers University in New
Jersey. He has been losing his vision over time and is now legally blind and
requires guides to participate in triathlons and running events. That's right,
he is a triathlete too and the tales he tells can be harrowing for even a
sighted athlete let alone one that is legally blind.
Join us as we learn about James and take in his incredible spirit and
determination while training and participating in events. Learn how he is able
to train for these races and how he and his guides work together to complete
them.
And finally, WHY. Why does James run and race in triathlons?
--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/irunbecause/support

James Gilliard - Chicago, Achilles International

When it comes to this podcast talking about people's  why of running, it would
not be complete if we did not have Alan Kaufman on our show. His  story is one
that inspires moves and is at the heart of what Achilles International is about,
and really at the heart of what this podcast is seeking to find.
Alan started running in 1991 when he decided to run up the stairs to catch up to
his then pregnant wife who took the elevator and he was absolutely GASSED. Right
there and then he vowed to start running and do the NYC Marathon! As a result of
his commitment and journey to becoming a marathon runner he began to lose
weight. Kind of like the movie "Britney Runs a Marathon." 
He has run a marathon every year since then with exception of two years. When
Super Storm Sandy hit, and when he got sick.
Learn what happened in 2017 when his doctor told him, "Nope, not this year" and
his journey to turn from an Achilles guide to an Achilles athlete. 
Alan's spirit is strong, his personality is infectious, and his courage to
comeback in 2018!

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/irunbecause/support

Alan Kaufman, Queens, NY - Achilles International

"I spent all of 2019 rehabbing, and 2020 was supposed to be my comeback year."
Erin Spaulding is the President of the Achilles International Connecticut
chapter [https://www.achillesct.org/]. Erin joined the organization as an
athlete in 2012 after an accident caused a brain, neck, and shoulder industry.
You'll hear in this episode how Erin used her doctor's words, "you're never
going to run again" as motivation to get through therapy and rehab. 
In this episode you'll also hear: 
 * About Erin's accident and what challenges she faced as a result of the
   injuries
 * Erin's story on how her coach presented her with a "special" trophy that you
   have to hear. It is so touching in so many ways and heartwarming
 * How a van plays a central role in several key moments in Erin's history with
   the Achilles CT chapter
 * The Achilles International Connecticut chapter's road trip to participate in
   the NJ Hope and Possibility Run in 2019
 * The lessons learned in traveling through NJ traffic with guide dogs who have
   basic needs that have to be taken care of in transit
 * And of course, WHY she runs

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/irunbecause/support

Erin Spaulding, Connecticut - Achilles International

Willie Sanchez (@williesanchez) · Zencastr

Willie Sanchez (@williesanchez)

Welcome to "I Run Because." We all have a reason why we run. Each person has a unique purpose to answer their why. Your why moves you, your why gets you across the finish line, and your why can motivate others. I run because seeks to inspire others by exploring why of athletes who run for charitable organizations and causes. Your host, Joe Borchard, and his lovely cohost, Christine, seek to highlight the athletes and guides of the running club Achilles International. The podcast's producer is Willie Sanchez.