CSGM Board member Renee Scherck-Meyer ran the Whistlestop Marathon on Oct. 10 and raised $100 for Community Shares in the process.  Recently Renee shared her thoughts about this experience including her motivation for running her first marathon and why running for a cause is something that made this achievement all the more meaningful.

Reflecting on her first marathon experience, Renee said her strongest feeling after completing the race was, “a deep sense of accomplishment.  I was dedicated to my training and confident that I could finish.”  Previous to this marathon she had three years of running experience in small 5 and 10K races and had also competed in triathlons.  On Saturday mornings Renee runs with Badgerland Strider members with whom she credits inspiring her to run a marathon.  In addition, Renee said her husband, having completed five marathons, served as her ”primary motivation”.

When asked what running for a cause meant to her, Renee felt strongly that it was “absolutely critical to the run.”  Other runners, she thought, would also find that running to raise money for a nonprofit organization “enhances the [marathon] experience since you not only get the benefits of being healthy and achieving a personal fitness goal, but you also get the benefits of supporting your community through philanthropy.”

Renee also thanked her supporters.  “Knowing that there were friends of mine willing to support my run and support CSGM was very satisfying. I am pleased to know that I have great friends that care about me and care about issues that are important to me.”