Rising Hearts September Blog Updates
Hi Everyone! We are getting ready to welcome in the fall! We are ready for all things pumpkin and cold! Maybe even, Pumpkin Spice? How about you? We have some new race reflections for you, new races coming up to get involved in, merch price mark downs, ways to support the need in Gaza, update below about the Watch Fire and its impact on the San Carlos Apache Tribe, our film updates, efforts to support or donate to, and a podcast spotlight, hosted by one of our Running With Purpose Athlete Advocates, Nicol Hodges.
Reminder, we have 4 Indigenous runners at the 2024 New York City Marathon this year, scroll down, learn more! Donate to Kali and Jordan’s efforts for a meaningful program that will hopefully make an impact for families and loved ones needing financial support.
WATCH FIRE! SAN CARLOS APACHE TRIBE
Recently, the San Carlos Apache Tribe has been impacted by the Watch Fire. With over 80 homes taken, and people displaced and support direly needed. Rising Hearts has been able to help through our connections and partnerships:
+ GU Energy Labs is donating Lemon Lime hydration tabs
+ Patagonia is donating gear to the community
+ On Running is donating over 400 items: shoes, socks, athleisure clothes
+ Hoka - our friend Mayra from CA, is donating Hoka shoes
+ Rising Hearts + Jordan: monetary donations, shipping out gently used baby clothes, men and women’s clothes, blankets, feminine products, and diapers
AREAS OF FOCUS: Updates
We are prioritizing our Running With Purpose Athlete Advocate Collective through our own fundraising and partnerships, to support our athletes in their running and advocacy.
Our Running On Native Lands Initiative is in constant growth. The toolkit is almost done with some notable updates, potential new partners that we are in communications with, and we have created a more formalized process in becoming a partner. We have upcoming opportunities to screen our Know To Run series along with our Going Beyond a Land Acknowledgement workshop, it allows us to meet more of community, help educate, and learn from community. So, we are looking forward to our annual virtual/in person Running On Native Lands community gatherings this month!
Rising Hearts Stories has been created under new production company Narrative Shift, centered, on community, environmental, racial and social justice efforts, important campaigns that shift the narrative, offer ways to inform, and help shine a light on the celebratory moments in community with our partners and ideas we help co-create! The official launch of this company, that founder, Jordan Marie Whetstone is helping to co-create and lead. Rising Hearts Stories, will have it’s own space on the website and on our own! We look forward to this opportunity and growth.
- Rising Hearts
Coming to Lenapehoking Lands!
Rising Hearts coming to Lenapehoking lands for the NYC Marathon!
We are excited to come to Lenapehoking Lands / New York City! Meet and welcome Goldstein Little Eagle (@glittleeagle ), Kali KO Mequinonoag Reis (@kali_ko_reis ), Yatika Starr Fields (@yatikafields ), and Jordan Marie Whetstone (@nativein_la ). We hope to do a couple local community activations outside of the official event opportunities, so stay tuned!
We are running with purpose and so excited to be getting to that start line with so many other Native runners from Native Strength Revolution, Native Women Running and many others participating that we may not know about.
To learn more about who we are, our why and purpose for coming together, visit www.risinghearts.org/rh-nycmarathon. Over the next month, we will be rolling out more spotlight content of our runners!
Tentative Schedule of Events:
+ 10/31: Meet and Greet, sign making, light refreshments /food, blessing of runners (all Indigenous running the Marathon, their friends/family, and allies) are welcome to join Rising Hearts and @urbanindigenouscollective | Time TBD
+ 11/1: Option 2 for meet and greet / blessing of runners with UIC before Opening Ceremonies!
+ 11/1: 4pm Parade of Nations | Opening Ceremonies for NYC Marathon (More details TBD)
+ 11/2: 12:30pm: Option 3 doe Meet and Greet / Blessing of Runners with UIC before Marathon Sunday!
+ 11/2: Collaborating with Native Strength Revolution to participate in their morning shakeout run and meditation session!
+ Organizing special CHEER SPOT on marathon route for all Indigenous runners and friends to see their family, loved ones and friends! Stay tuned.
Special Announcement - You Are Loved Community Grant Program for loved ones and families:
Kali and Jordan have something more special and intentional to share, and will need your help in reaching their goal!
UPCOMING RUNS
Rising Hearts will be hosting the 2024 4TH Annual #EveryChildMatters 5k Remembrance Run on #OrangeShirtDay
SEPTEMBER 27TH - SEPTEMBER 30TH
Remembering and honoring the thousands of Indigenous children stolen from their families and homelands, forced into Boarding and Residential Schools, and the survivors, and descendants.
Since May 2021, over 12k Indigenous children and bodies have been unearthed from these schools. This is a heartbreaking reality across Indigenous communities as families fight for their return home, for justice for families, and for opportunities to support survivors and build a future that is bright and thriving for our next generations. We will have our Rising Hearts #RunningForJustice virtual team when you sign up.
We will be donating to Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition and Indian Residential School Survivors Society!
FILM SCREENINGS
Join The Loft Cinema on Thursday, September 5th for a special event in honor of International Day of Indigenous Women, organized by our Indigenous Film Committee (loftifc) and co-presented by Alianza Indigenas in Fronteras! We will be screening the short documentary films, Run To Be Visible and Elite Heart: Callie Vinson, and we will have a special performance by Danza Mexica Mexicayotl!
We will also have shoes to give away, courtesy of Rising Hearts, while supplies lasts!
Run To Be Visible, A documentary released by Patagonia, follows U Arizona postdoc Lydia Jennings as she completes a 50-mile run honoring Indigenous scientist of the past, present and future.
Elite Heart Features Callie Vinson, who once weighted 377lbs and put her health first and is now training to compete in a 100 mile trail race while promoting body positivity, representation, accessibility, diversity and inclusivity.
For Tickets visit loftcinema.org
Know To Run: Yatika is touring with The Trail Running Film Festival!
Get Tickets here: https://trailfilmfest.com/tour/
September 27th, CABLE, WISCONSIN
November 7th REDWOOD CITY, CALIFORNIA
PERMANENT CEASE FIRE
All eyes on Rafah, Sudan, Congo, Yemen, and on so many communities experiencing genocide, injustice, displacement, by an oppressor. And we have so much to learn as an organization, as individuals, as we continue to learn more about frontline communities harmed by the dangerous roots of colonialism. We may not always get it right, but we appreciate those we follow and those that share resources with us, as we do our best to signal boost them across our platforms as often as we can. Many feel lost, don’t know what to do, and we believe coming into this space of advocacy, needs to happen on your own. We must first care, and many do, must become aware and educated as much as we can, participate in actions, donate, and more. We don’t judge or think less of you or define what that looks like. We are seeing this across the virtual spaces so much, creating tension, criticism for it not being done the right way, which happens all the time and never finding the right way depending on who is criticizing. We have to foster a community of support and a sense of safety, especially for people who are new to advocacy spaces.
Humanity is in grave danger - we have to save it.
Here are some links below that that we have collected for you as starting points or continuous support. We will do our best to keep adding to them.
+ Permanent Cease Fire in Gaza
+ Call your representatives
+ We are taxpayers, our money is funding this genocide
+ Donate to aid / support those on the ground / families
+ Divest from pathways fueling and funding this genocide
+ Get out and vote
WEAR THE HEART WORK
RUN REFLECTIONS
Running with Purpose Athlete Advocate, Megan Driving Hawk
Walking in Ceremony: A Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism Reflection, part 1
IG: @MDrivingHawk00
My pregnancy athleticism experiences are like the children I birthed…although created in the same environment, they were very different.
My first pregnancy & early weeks of postpartum shifted the way I saw running and any movement my son and I did across the land. I started to prioritize community with others who ran with purpose & became mindful of leading by example for my family, community and colleagues rather than making PRs and finishing on the podium. I stopped running very early in my first trimester because I was nauseous. By the time I felt better in the second trimester I was too far removed from a regular running routine to keep balance in my new body shape and keep my pelvic floor healthy. I was following The Pregnant Athlete Training Program so I was practicing safe movements for my mind & body but I missed running. It was hard to watch other pregnant runners continue their running journey. I started to doubt whether I should call myself a runner if I wasn’t running while pregnant.
In my second pregnancy I decided to be a bit more mindful about seeing myself in ceremony. That meant a handful of non-movement related actions like being mindful of how much information, tv, news, or books with gore and violence I took in and how I participated in conversations about pregnancy & birth. Movement related actions meant following the same pregnancy training program that I followed with my first but also making space and having gratitude for the things that made me feel better physically and mentally. For me this was a slow gratitude walk. Not running. I truly saw myself as walking in ceremony this time; honoring where I was and letting go of guilt that I was not running through pregnancy.
My second pregnancy also went by faster than the first because this time I already had a 4 year old to keep up with. As the spring weather faded, my belly grew bigger and the days grew longer & hotter here in the desert. By mid June I wasn’t able to take our son on our morning walks or hikes like I had done for the last 4 years. My husband made our back yard comfortable and interesting enough that we substituted morning walks for backyard mornings. By mid July I was watching him play outside from inside at the kitchen table. I felt and still feel guilty about this. Honoring where I was at the end of my pregnancy meant shifting our routine. Although I knew this phase was only temporary, it was the start of my new journey into balancing two little human beings. How do I give them each what they need AND fill my own cup AND teach them to be in kinship with the lands AND keep up with all my other parental responsibilities AND…And…and…?
I am venturing into 3 weeks postpartum as I write this. It feels as though I have exited one world and am entering another…postpartum and beyond.
Running With Purpose Athlete Advocate, Phil Shin!
On Saturday, August 3, 2024, I finished the Pride of the Valley 5K in Baldwin Park, California. After spending the past year running on trails and pursuing ultra distances, it was a little terrifying to line up for a fast 5K.
This race had some great meaning to me as I wanted to not only PR the distance but I also wanted to attempt to be the first known liver transplant recipient to break 20 minutes in the 5K. I’ve researched the internet for any other liver transplant recipients to reach this milestone and found no evidence. Since my liver transplant nearly five years ago I’ve pursued challenges to help me push my own limits despite the challenges of living with transplant. Additionally I’m grateful for the opportunity to use my running to raise awareness for rare cancers and organ donation as well as to hopefully inspire other transplant recipients to try hard things.
I crossed the finish line in 19:58 and could not have been more stoked with the outcome. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done but am grateful to everyone who’s supported me and trained with me to reach this goal. I’m excited for new challenges ahead with the Running with Purpose team!
Running With Purpose Athlete Advocate, Jinghuan Liu Tervalon!
Hi friends,
I want to share my substack account with you all! Please subscribe for free running blogs. Excited to share this with RWP community and further!
Congratulations to Daryl Murphy!!! Our fellow Running With Purpose Athlete Advocate and inspiration, got married this weekend AND was honored and recognized in Columbus, Ohio, for the Mahogany Columbus Most Influential Men Award!
In 2020, Daryl committed to running a 5k a day through Miles For Justice, a silent protest to raise awareness on inequalities in society. He has yet to break that streak! He ran for George Floyd, Brianna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and so many taken by police violence and racial injustice. We all were witness to it in 2020 and since then, so much advocacy, community building, awareness and education has continued to build a better, intersectional future. Daryl founded Miles For Justice, an initiative fundraise and support those needing it in the fight for justice. Daryl is also a Nike Run Coach and helps encourage people to lace up, get moving, and reclaim their health and wellness. If you’re in the Columbus OH area and want to join in the community fun and activities, Tuesdays at 6pm at Nike Easton (run or walk) - all paces and bodies welcome!
Rising Hearts will be making a donation through this virtual run to Native Wellness Institute, Urban Indigenous Collective and Rising Hearts.
VIRTUAL INFORMATION:
+ Date: October 11-14, 2024
+ Distances: 5k, 10k, Half Marathon, Trifecta
+ Stickers to purchase!
+ Donate an entry!
+ Donate instead of register
+ Download digital BIB
+ Create a virtual team or join one
+ Beneficiaries: Native Wellness Institute, Urban Indigenous Collective, and Rising Hearts
2024 Take The Lead Retreat
Take The Lead is the first-ever running-industry retreat centering the experience of women and femme of color with the mission to validate, support, and lead change they want to see in the running industry. Take The Lead was co-founded in 2022 by Alison Mariella Désir and Martha M. Garcia.
Take the Lead is returning in 2024 with the continued mission to provide women and femme of color who work in the running industry with career development programming, community building, and mentorship opportunities that center our experiences and identities.
This retreat is put on for us and by us. We know that by coming together, connecting in a safe space, and centering our experiences, we can lead the change we want to see in the running industry.
This retreat is Women and Femme of Color focused, but all are welcome.
See FAQ here, past retreat agendas here, testimonials here, and past event photos here.
RUN FOR RISING HEARTS
Thanks to the 11 runners we have, turning their passion into purpose! Using running to fundraise for Rising Hearts! Here’s a chance to support our heart work through a different means - running! We hope to find 9 more runners for 2024.
2024 RACES YOU CAN SELECT AND FUNDRAISE FOR RISING HEARTS (THERE ARE MORE RACES OUTSIDE OF THE ONES BELOW YOU CAN SELECT):
Orca Half Marathon:
https://runsignup.com/Race/WA/Anacortes/OrcaHalf
When: September 14-15, 2024
Distances: Half Marathon
13.1 Fundraising Commitment: $1,000
Mount Rushmore Half Marathon:
When: September 21, 2024
Time: 6:30am (rolling times)
https://www.vacationraces.com/half-marathons/mount-rushmore/
13.1 Half Marathon Fundraising Commitment: $1,000
Lake Powell Half Marathon:
When: October 12th
Time: 8am
https://www.vacationraces.com/half-marathons/lake-powell/
13.1 Fundraising Commitment: $1,000
WANT TO RACE FOR RISING HEARTS OUTSIDE OF THESE WE HAVE SELECTED?
Not seeing a race you want to run in this list? Check out all of the Wander Project events and choose the “Your Choice” option. They will reach out to learn more about your charity of choice and once you let them know that you’ll be running for Rising Hearts, they will make sure your funds come to support our mission!”
Athletes who want to support Rising Hearts for a race that is not listed, can sign up for any of the events on The Wander Project calendar: https://www.wanderproject.org/event-partners/ and pick 'Your Choice' for charity and then fill out the form to indicate they want to support Rising Hearts: (FAQ page here: https://www.wanderproject.org/athletes/frequently-asked-questions/)
Javalina 100M and 100k:
When: October 26-27, 2024
Time: 6am and 7am
Where: Fort McDowell AZ
https://runsignup.com/Race/AZ/FortMcdowell/JavelinaJundredCharityBib
100M Fundraising Commitment: $3,000
100k Fundraising Commitment: $2,000
Shenandoah Half Marathon:
When: September 14, 2024
Time: 7AM
Start: Luray VA (starts at Lake Arrowhead Park)
End: Hawksbill Recreation Park (Stanley, VA
https://www.vacationraces.com/half-marathons/shenandoah/
13.1 Fundraising Commitment: $1,000
Joshua Tree Half
When: November 2, 2024
Time: 6pm
https://www.vacationraces.com/half-marathons/joshua-tree/
13.1 Fundraising Commitment: $1,000
NOTE: A few 2025 races are available as well!
PODCAST SPOTLIGHTS
Hey, it’s your girl Nicol, and welcome to The Riser's Hub!
IT'S HERE... SEASON 3
New Episode Alert: The Risers Hub Podcast
Special Guest and Ambassador: Carolyne Ouya Program Manager at Futures Without Violence!
Are you experiencing "change" in your life?discussing In our latest episode, I’m diving into the transformative power of change with the amazing Carolyne Ouya—mental health advocate, marathoner, and future counseling psychologist. We’re discussing how change impacts your mind, body, and soul, and sharing actionable tips to help you navigate life’s transitions with confidence and grace. If you're on a journey to wellness, empowerment, and self-improvement, this is the episode you don't want to miss. Tune-in and rise with us!