Good Morning!! This morning, I (Christina) would like to share with you a little bit about a running organization, called Back On My Feet, that I recently joined. Back On My Feet was originally founded in my neck of the woods…Philadelphia! yeah! In March 2009 a chapter was launched in Baltimore. So what is Back On My Feet you ask?? Back on My Feet is a nonprofit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of homeless populations by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.
BOMF uses running as a means to show individuals that they are capable of accomplishing anything…but that it’s not going to happen overnight…the organization’s program includes connections to BOMF’s job training and workforce development partners and offers assistance with education and housing expenses. This is not all for “free”, though..the members earn all of this through keeping up a good attitude, showing commitment through running and learning, having good teamwork, and showing respect to others.
I originally found about about BOMF through my friend Matt, who did an internship with them. The more and more I read about the organization, the more I felt like it was a perfect fit for me. As a biology major I spend a ton of time volunteering at hospitals and shadowing orthopedic surgeons, OBGYNs, etc. And while this is fun, I will not lie…sometimes it gets monotonous and boring. I feel that BOMF is something not only gives me a chance to become part of an awesome community of people, but also lets me do the one thing I love the most… RUN! 
On my first morning with BOMF, I wont lie…I was a little nervous! I did not know what to expect! But my nerves completely went away as all of the members immediately walked over to me, introduced themselves and gave me huge bear hugs. I ran three miles with one of the guys…he told me all about his life and I shared with him things about mine. He was a great guy and we had an awesome run together…he helped make me feel welcome to the group.
The rest of the guys are just as great. They are all training for something different… some are doing 5ks, others are doing 10ks and 10 milers, and others are going for the Baltimore half and full marathon in October! There is this one guy who is SUPER fast and we all think he is going to qualify for Boston…I hope so! So anyway… thats my story about Back on My Feet. So far, I LOVE running with them. I can not wait to continue my training with BOMF and to run some races with these guys!
P.S. If you are interested they also have chapters in Philadelphia, Boston, DC, Chicago and are soon opening one in Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta and Minneapolis!
QUESTION: Are you a part of BOMF? If not, are you a part of another running organization and/or charity??
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i think this is an AWESOME program. i have a friend who is doing this is philly. i could do the boston chapter one but it’s a little far to make a big commitment to. maybe if i move out of where i am now next year i’ll get involved
That’s so cool that you are doing this! Sounds like a great program and something you are really passionate about. Thanks for bringing it to our attention, I’m going to look into the Boston chapter
Great seeing you out there this morning Christina!
Which team are you on? Hope to see you at the Saturday run! Welcome to BOMF Baltimore!
hi jackie!! good seeing you this morning too
I am having a lot of fun so far…everyone is so nice! I am going home this weekend for a bike event but I hope to come to some of the longer saturday morning runs with you guys!
which team did you join? I love back on my feet. The store I work at, Charm City Run is one of their big sponsors and many of my coworkers are coaches and runners with them! I really need to make time for it!
oh you work there!? I have been meaning to check out that store (i hear they sell BOMF merchandise) I am on the st. christopher’s place team
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