Let's get writing

Running was an activity I dreaded all throughout my younger years – in gym class, physical fitness tests, and sometimes end-of-year celebrations. I was never a runner, and I thought maybe I would never be a runner, and that was fine with me.

Then, the COVID-19 pandemic shut everything down, and I needed to find a way to stay active. I picked up running in the Arizona heat of spring into summer, which may have objectively been one of the worst times. I ran roughly 2 miles a day, 5 days a week during the lockdown, but every run felt horrible – I would end up with heavy breathing, pain in my feet, and an entirely sore body no matter what.

So, I gave up on running for a while, especially once the gyms started opening back up. I traded steps for weights and focused on building back the muscle I lost. But eventually, my walks would get longer, my patience with weight lifting got shorter, and I decided I wanted to pick running back up.

In the beginning of 2023, I made it my goal to complete the 9+1 with NYRR, and one of those races had to be a half marathon. I started with a virtual 5k, signed up for two more 4-mile runs in February, and the rest is (recent) history. Now, I have a half marathon under my belt, and I’m actively prepping for my first marathon ever. And this begins the countdown to the NYC TCS 2024 Marathon!