Category: marathon

Ryan’s marathon motivation: Inner strength and self-esteem

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Three years ago, Ryan ran her first NYC Marathon with the Run for Your Life team. In two days, she will be running her second. Returning to Odyssey House after a relapse earlier this year, Ryan is determined to make this time count. She sees this marathon as a symbol of her commitment to recovery and hopes her accomplishment will inspire others to challenge themselves.

Marathon runners recoveryRyan has worked hard to improve her health – quitting smoking, eating healthier – and has found strength in the support of her team. “We don’t leave people behind. We’re always checking on each other, even in the program, to make sure we’re taking care of ourselves, physically and mentally.” As a returning runner, Ryan has taken a leadership role on the team. “I have grown so much in the past year. I’m not just a teammate, I’m a positive role model. My teammates even nicknamed me Coach Stevens!”

The marathon team has been an integral part of Ryan’s recovery. “Running has given me the inner strength and self-esteem I need to be my best self. Training for the marathon has made me realize that I need to set goals for myself; reaching my running goals has inspired me to reach for greater opportunities in life,” she says.

As a result of her increased ambitions, Ryan enrolled in a CASAC-T (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee) program and plans to pursue a degree in social work and recreation therapy. “Run for Your Life has motivated me to stay connected and to be a positive mentor to others after treatment.”

To track Ryan’s progress throughout the marathon, download the official TCS NYC Marathon app and enter bib # 18957.

Team Odyssey House runs for recovery

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The feeling of accomplishment

 

Marathon runner
Kyle with COO John Tavolacci at the Poland Spring Kickoff race last week.

Nine months ago, if you’d asked Kyle, 30, if he’d be running the NYC Marathon, he would have laughed. Though he had been athletic his entire life, he was in a very different place then. That all changed when he came to Odyssey House.

Soon after entering treatment, Kyle joined WE R FIT!, our wellness program for clients, and became involved with our Run for Your Life team. Initially reluctant to get involved, he quickly found that he loves long distance running. “The feeling of accomplishment after a run – you can’t beat that,” he says. Kyle also discovered that it was benefiting more than just his physical health. “I have a history of anxiety and difficulty dealing with stress, and running helps me relax and cope in a healthier way.”

Training with the team has been a positive, motivating experience, keeping Kyle engaged in both running and treatment. In addition to marking his own successes, Kyle enjoys watching his teammates strive towards their goals. “It’s remarkable watching people progress as they commit to the program,” he says.

“Training with people who have marathon experience has been very helpful. I’m pretty excited to run, so I’m often tempted to run faster than I should at the start, but Andre and the mentors have helped me pace myself better.” On Sunday, Kyle will be running with a returning volunteer to guide him. He hopes to run an 8:30 mile, but in the end, it’s not how quickly he gets to the finish line that matters – only that he gets there.

“Why not give back?”

NYC marathon runner
Ainsley after his sixth NYC marathon in 2015.

When Ainsley, 29, entered Odyssey House in 2009, the only running he’d ever done was on the high school football field. By the time he’d completed treatment, he’d finished two marathons. This Sunday, Ainsley is about to run his seventh.

What keeps him coming back to train with the Run for Your Life team, five years after finishing treatment? “The excitement of watching people accomplish something this big is almost addictive!”

“I want to give people the same experience I had as a first-time marathoner,” he says. “It’s a great feeling to guide a new runner – showing them the ropes, supporting them on their journey. Andre and the team helped me so much, why not give back?”

Ainsley is running with Mike on Sunday and is looking forward to being by his side when he crosses his first marathon finish line. “I just want Mike to have fun – it’s not about speed or time, it’s about enjoying yourself and doing something you never thought you could or would ever do.”

Support Team Odyssey House!

On Sunday, November 6th, Kyle, Ainsley, and other 44 clients, staff, alumni, and volunteers will take on the NYC Marathon and they need your support. If you’re in NYC, stop by the Mile 19 Water Station (1st Ave between 115th-116th Streets) to hand out water to the marathon runners and cheer on our team! If you can’t make it but would like to support the team, please click here to make a donation.

Marathon team runs for recovery

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Completing the New York City marathon is no small accomplishment, especially for men and women who have been battling substance use disorders. This year’s marathon team was our largest ever: 45 Odyssey House residents, alumni, staff and supporters. In addition, more than 50 Odyssey House staff and clients cheered the runners on from the Mile 19 water station.

 

In the week leading up to the marathon, News 12 Bronx profiled the Odyssey House team. The segment offered a behind the scenes look into the treatment and training regimens of our runners and how running helped one of our residents beat the odds and change his life.
Odyssey House resident Timothy credits his participation in the Odyssey House marathon team with helping him through the treatment process. “I’ve been running from my problems for basically all my life and now it’s like I’m running towards a solution,” he said.
Congratulations to everyone who completed the 2013 Marathon and a big thank you to those of you who contributed to John Tavolacci’s fundraising campaign and helped him reach his goal!

Marathon runners race for recovery

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On Sunday, nearly 40 Odyssey House clients, graduates, staff members and volunteers participated in one of the country’s most grueling athletic competitions – the New York City Marathon. Everyone on the Odyssey House team completed the marathon, finishing between 3:27 – 6:35 hours. Running for Odyssey House for the first time were Karen and Kevin Fittinghoff, who raised more than $4,000 for our running program. The Odyssey House team received extra encouragement at the Mile 19 aid station, where staff and supporters have gathered for the last several years to hand out water and cheer on our team.
Karen and Kevin Fittinghoff and their daughter joined the Odyssey House marathon team for a pasta lunch the day before the marathon. From left, recreational coordinator Andre Matthews, Dylan Tavolacci, chief operating officer John Tavolacci, and the Fittinghoff family.

Meet us at mile 19!

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Join us at mile 19 to hand out water to the marathon runners and cheer on the Odyssey House Marathon Team! This year, we have 40 runners – including clients, graduates, staff and volunteers – who need your support. The water station is located between 115th-116th Streets & 1st Ave. You can catch the Odyssey House team running by between 1-4 pm.If you can’t make it but would like to support the team, please click here to make a donation.

Meet us at Mile 19

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This Sunday, please join us at the Mile 19 water station to cheer on the Odyssey House Marathon Team. We have 45 runners – including clients, graduates, staff and volunteers – who need your support! The water station is located between 116th-117th Streets & 1st Ave. You can catch the Odyssey House team running by between 1-4 pm. Hope to see you there!