Sideline Stories: Rachel Martin, Forward Motion Events

I have played some sort of sport as far back as I can remember.  I remember fondly my elementary school spring softball season, waiting to see what team I would be placed on. Was it the Wolves team that had a winning streak last season? Would it be the Blue Jays team? It didn’t really matter, because it meant you I would be able to get outside with my friends, run around, and forget about the pressure of life.

I participated in sports during each season throughout high school. It’s fun to think back to the humid summer double sessions of field hockey, the frigid start gates on ski team, and the crisp air of spring softball fields. I loved to play, but even more than that, I loved being on a team.

Community is what I love the most.  I love creating events for people to come together for a cause.  Whether that cause is a non-profit, or the personal goal someone will set to challenge themselves, I absolutely, completely, 100% LOVE community building.

Being the owner/race director for The Pumpkinman Triathlon Festival has allowed me to create what I love most about sports…an opportunity for people to set goals, take the journey of reaching for that goal, and watching them reach that goal as they cross one of my finish lines. Nothing beats the huge smile of pride someone has as they finish a race and are beaming as a result of their accomplishment. Some of my favorite moments are those where we are cheering in the last finisher. They’ve worked so hard for so long. It’s just awesome!

The only other thing I love more than community building (work wise, of course!) is personal development. Every athlete will go on a journey when they sign up for an event.  Starting from the moment of registration, to every day when they go out and train, they are becoming stronger, building grit, persistence and endurance. The personal path of growth is so much more than physical. My history with endurance sports has for sure has helped me get through this current pandemic of COVID-19.

Running has been my therapy and has helped me to just keep going…to keep putting one foot in front of the other.  I have kept this mantra daily as I have had to shift all of my events into virtual for 2020.  I could have cancelled, yet knew people needed something positive to rally behind. Something to keep them accountable, something to look forward to. Our charity partners needed funding now more than ever. I wasn’t going to let them down.

Sports have taught me to be a team player, always do my best, keep going when the going gets tough, put community over competition, and never, ever give up.

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Forward Motion Events contribute to the following nonprofit organizations: