Rising before the sun, in my opinion, isn’t for the faint of heart.

Adding in a multi-mile run, seasonal temperatures and weather elements to that same scenario, and on a regular basis mind you, takes the perseverance of a devoted runner.  And one that encourages others to do the same, all while supporting them in the midst of their personal struggles and challenges, well that is more along the lines of a compassionate and dedicated mentor.

Tammy Wiley started running as a means of getting in shape a little more than twenty years ago.

“I had a trainer who encouraged me to run a little, then walk a little, on short distances.  Before long, I just started running instead of walking.”

After running for about a year, her short distance sprints turned into longer stretches when her daily run had grown to over six miles. That’s when she decided to run her first race.

“I knew nothing about running or races! At that first race they offered a 5k and a 10k. When I finally got up enough nerve to get out of the car, I signed up for the 10k race because, well, I had been running six miles.

“So, I got in line to run, and I’m running the route, and when I got to the 5k turn around, where the 10k people kept going straight, I decided to just turn around at the 5k mark!”  She laughs hysterically.

“And I told the race people, ‘ I decided not to run the 10k today…’   I had no idea!” She jokes.

Since then, Tammy has certainly learned the ropes of both races and running. She’s participated in several half and full marathons, traveling as far as Baltimore, New York City and The Outer Banks to do so.

She explained to me the intense running involved in training for marathons and the long hours it takes each day. I, being completely serious, asked if she stopped for lunch and snack breaks along the way, to which she burst out laughing. Clearly, I have a lot to learn about running myself.

One November, several years ago, Tammy was unable to run The Drumstick Dash, The Roanoke Rescue Mission’s annual 5k fundraiser, due to having a recent foot surgery.

“I knew I was going to have to start all over again running after my foot surgery recovery. I knew there were some people who lived there at The Rescue Mission, so I thought, well maybe some of the girls who live there might want to run in the evenings with me.”

This prompted Tammy to visit The Roanoke Rescue Mission.

“I just stopped by there one day, and I spoke to the girl at the reception desk and told her that I was wondering if any of the girls that lived there at The Mission would want to come out and run with me and possibly train for the next year’s The Drumstick Dash.”

Tammy was connected with the volunteer program coordinator. He mentioned that he thought a running group would be perfect for their participants of The Rescue Mission’s drug and alcohol recovery program.

“I knew The Mission had housing, but I had no idea they had a  recovery program!”

The Rescue Mission’s recovery team met, and agreed. Within months the running group was formed.

“We started March 25^th2010. I had the guys and the girls, and had about 15 in the first group. We actually ran The Dogwood Festival race that year.” (A month later.)

For the past eight and a half years, two mornings a week, before dawn and before most of us have the coffee perking, Tammy Wiley meets with The Way Forward Recovery Program participants as they run or walk up to three miles during their hour together.

The running group is an optional class for the recovery participants, but once signed up, they are held accountable if classes are missed.

Showing up two mornings a week before daylight hours isn’t all that Tammy does for the group.  She explains that one of her biggest concerns are when participants first start and don’t have the proper running gear, most importantly, supportive shoes.

Tammy would personally make sure each of her runners had a new pair of proper running footwear. Fleet Feet of Roanoke became involved and partnered with her providing inserts, socks, and now takes care of all the shoes as well.

Tammy’s volunteer hours with her employer Allstate, also qualify the group for a yearly grant.

Along with Fleet Feet and Star City Striders, many other members of the running community and her friends have also stepped up to help her with the group. From filling in for her while on vacation, to helping out with race entry fees and other running gear, Tammy has found support within her inner circle, and she is so grateful for it.

In return, Tammy and the running group insist on paying it forward.  The group frequently volunteers at race events, serving at water stops and as course marshals.

The running group has also been known to catch a Salem Red Sox game together, or enjoy a parkway bike ride on their days off.

Tammy admits she becomes attached to her runners and develops lifelong friendships. She says she’s sad to see them go, but proud of them as they graduate from the recovery program and often stays in touch with them after.

It’s clear, the running group holds a very special place in Tammy’s heart. She opened up with me about the loss of two young family members who, both under the age of 21 years old, passed away due to drug overdoses.

“In the beginning, I got into this thinking, ‘Well maybe those girls would want to go running with me and train.’

“But after I got into it, I thought, ‘You know, maybe God put me here because I could help someone else’s family member by providing this experience for them.’

“Even if they get the new shoes and they leave after a while, I don’t care. I just hope that they will look back on this experience as a positive in their life.”

And they have. Tammy says that many past participants have thanked her years later, telling her just how much their time spent in the running group meant to them during their recovery period.

“You know, at first you think you’re doing something like this to help somebody else, but then they become a blessing to you.”

Tammy laughs, “One of the guys told me one time, he said, ‘I’ve never run before in my life! Unless I was running from the police!’”

She pulls up a picture on her phone from eight years ago of the very first running group and their first race together. Tammy points out each runner’s name and proudly tells me about past group members and what they are doing now, including one recovery graduate that now serves as a recovery coach for The Mission, the same program that once helped him.

“They are such a blessing. You know, they are trying so hard and they want to turn their lives around, and just to see the accomplishments that they make, and seeing them so happy because they’ve been able to complete a race…”

Tammy pauses to smile,

“The excitement that they get from that… well, it just makes me so happy for them!”

Tammy and The Rescue Mission Running Group plan to run in their 8th Drumstick Dash, together, on Thanksgiving morning.

“Helping hurting people in Jesus’ name.”

~The Roanoke Rescue Mission