July 28, 2008
Matt Hill and Stephanie Tait
Run For One Planet
Today was a day in history for me
My morning started by running 6k
3k with Matt Hill and Stephanie Tait
3K back to camp
It was an unforgettable experience
Spine chilling
All of us at YLCC were honoured to have these two guests spend two nights with us
They participated in camp, ate meals with us, presented to us
I cannot believe what I witnessed
What I just saw
Who I just spoke to
I cannot believe they were at our camp
Here to inspire
Here to motivate
Dedicated to making a difference
So dedicated that they made me think of what I wasn’t doing
What I could be doing
What I should be doing
Why haven’t I been
So much more each of us can do
It was a dream, a thought, a what if
A conversation between two people
A dream
It started December 2006, the commitment
Commitment to reach for what others thought was unreachable
Each day they were a little bit closer
Closer to changing the world
Making our world a better place
They day it all started was May 4, 2008
A dream made into reality
It is so easy for us to accept our faults, easier to make excuses
Easy to blame others for our lack of persistence for our lack of dedication
So hard to change our ways
How do you change your mentality if you have never found the reason to
They gave us a reason
They gave us the knowledge and the desire to change
They have a desire like no other
A desire to change the planet
One step at a time
Their dream is a reality
Their living dream is to raise $1 million dollars while reaching 1 million people to inspire environmental action
One step at a time, one day at a time
One person at a time
They have each committed to running one marathon a day
That is 42km each
I marathon a day with only the required non-run days
Imagine running a marathon each day
Imagine running 42km/day
Imagine the time and energy that would take
Matt and Stephanie average a 12-14 hour running day
80% of us cannot commit to an hour at the gym
50% of us cannot get out of bed on time
They not only did this for one day, they are doing it for one year
They will total 17,700km in a year
They will do this do change the planet
Sacrificing everything they ever knew
Giving up all the conveniences that we take for granted
Renting out their homes, leaving behind their jobs
They have done all of this to make a legacy
To initiate change
I have never felt so empowered
Never felt so motivated
I was honoured to spend time with Matt and Stephanie
Ask them questions
Feel their spirit
Absorb their aurora
There isn’t anything else that they would rather be doing
They didn’t have one negative thing to say
Not one complaint
So content
So humble
If you saw them on the street, not running, you wouldn’t believe that they were doing this
You would never know
They would approach you
Get to know who you are
What you were doing, where you were going
They have a genuine care and concern for the human species
They are compassionate
With that also comes their passion for the environment
For change
For a better world
They do not preach, they do not convince
They simply tell you what they believe
What they feel
How they are motivated
And, you want to change
You want to take that extra step forward
You absorb their aurora
You want to make the world a better place
You want to help change the planet
Not only because they are doing this amazing life altering “planet changing initiative”
But because you can feel what they believe
I feel empowered
Motivated
I cannot wait to start change
They helped me put my life in perspective
If they can run 12-14 hours in one day, why can I not get up and run 5K
I know I can do it, I have, I am just too dam lazy to keep it up
Why can I not change my life
Why can I not better my life
Why can I not stick to the schedule I want to stick to
Run when I should be running
Journal when I should be journaling
Why can I not commit to more than myself
More than just my environment
Why can I not go bigger
I am learning that they small things make the biggest differences
Each step forward is still a step ahead
Each small deposit is still a gain in interest
Showering with the door open and the light off
Lighting candles at night instead of turning on my light
Reducing my water usage
Getting rid of plastic bags all together
Using my own water re-usable water bottle
Why haven’t I done this
Laziness
Pure and utter laziness
These two individuals have committed to running for a whole year – 17,700km and I cannot drag my ass out of bed on time in the morning.
I cannot carry my groceries out of the store without using the plastic they so kindly provide for me
Of all the things within my control why would I not want to change them
Why would I not better myself and the planet in which we live
Why wouldn’t you?
Do you have a reason?
I encourage you to see their video
Their reason
See their inspiration and just imagine if for one day you had to put your foot in their shoes
Their running shoes
Just imagine
If you can’t fathom running 14 hours a day, 42 km each, living and sleeping on the road for a whole year then see how you can help
www.runforoneplanet.com
See what they are doing, where they have been, where they are headed
If this does not empower you to commit to changing one thing then you will never commit to change
All you will ever commit to will be excuses
They have no return
You will never get any kind of investment out of an excuse
Excuses only hinder your forward movement
I would like to thank Matt and Stephanie
Thank you for inspiring me, motivating me and encouraging me to bring change into my life
Thank you for making the reason so easy
So simple
So powerful
I will see you at your welcome home party
You have touched our lives
And I am a better person because of it
Much love
Say hi to Vanilla
Angela Cacciavillani