Looking for a reason to set your alarm for a pre-work workout, lace up those dusty sneakers, and hit your favorite running route? Look no further, because an extraordinary young woman, Olympic athlete, mother, wife, small business owner and former student of mine, @emdreiss, has organized a November Challenge guaranteed to get you exercising with purpose, just when getting out of bed might be a hard fought trial after the Take US Backwards Bro election. She’s created, out of her own stage 4 cancer diagnosis, a plan to keep us all moving forward, and by doing so, uniting hundreds of people who refuse to let the impossible stay impossible.

Trust me, I do not wish to insinuate that there are many reasons to rejoice right now, but if those who are facing dire difficulties can face the dawn, who am I to sleep in? Thankfully, getting up early enough to see the mist rise from the pool before diving in, makes for a great today. 25 yards x 50 translates into a pile of meters, and that’s all this challenge needs.

Chasing around my grandson is another kind of aerobic and certainly one that makes me smile. His meters count too, whether his are in the stroller or not. This week, often not. If you have a little buddy following you around enter them too and double your meters.

We spend a bunch of time on the tennis court, not actually playing tennis, but there are loads of balls flying about, and even an occasional racket in the air and lots of throwing at the net. In this fenced-in space this guy runs with total abandon, reminding me that joy is as easy as watching a ball bounce under a big blue sky. Fostering hope is always a better choice.

Biking to the beach is made only richer by bringing the whole Beat Stomach Cancer community along for the ride. Did I mention how easy it is to log your movement? It is, for real– and probably your iPhone can help. Your involvement will translate to: 1. moral support for Emily; and 2. thanks to a generous donor, financial support to the following organizations: No Stomach for Cancer, DeGregorio Family Foundation, and the Lamoille Area Cancer Network. This challenge is a win that will extend far from this small circle.

Translate your miles and reps to track your meters. Yes, even Nine Cent Girl is doing that math. Log in once on Sunday to record your totals. Share the challenge on the socials when you can too. Stomach Cancer needs awareness, and the brave woman who set up this challenge is banking on all of us to help spread the word. Let’s not let her down.

Log on to Beat Stomach Cancer for more details

Check out the progress chart on Instagram: @emdreiss