Why I'm Running

I tell people running has been my most complicated relationship ever.  It has brought me tears of joy but also tears of defeat, and heartbreak.

I thank my sister for getting me into running.

I will never forget my first half marathon.  It was back when the Miami marathon was the ING.  I wore capri sweatpants, a hoodie, and a fanny pack around my waist.  I crawled through the finish line with a finish time of around 2:50. I called out from work the next day because I was in pain and had chaffing in areas, I did not realize you could chafe in.

I swore I would never run again, so I hung up my running shoes for a little bit.  I casually ran here and there. Then in 2004 life hit me hard.  I started to suffer from debilitating anxiety and panic attacks, and social anxiety.  I thought I was dying; I swore I had a brain tumor, and I was going to die any day.  I went to the doctor and found out, I was not dying, my mind was taking over.  My doctor offered to prescribe me medication, but I said no, I will find a way to beat this on my own.  Taking medication is a personal decision, which I fully respect, but I wanted to try to beat this on my own. 

I dusted off my running sneakers and fell in love with running.

In 2017, I suffered a bad injury, which did not allow me to run for months.  During that time, we lost our first dog.  The combination of not being able to run and the passing of Max took me to a very dark place.  After months of not running and healing physically and emotionally, I was back!  In 2018, I had my 1/2 marathon PR.

In 2020, I met my physical therapist, Dr. Sasha Torres, and she has been able to keep my injury free. 

I had been toying with doing a full marathon but did not know where to start.  My sister suggested I get a running coach.  BEST decision I made.  I had seen my running coach around for years. He would always tell me to come running with him and his crew. I am a solo runner, so I always ignored it.  My running coach has given me the guidance I need to be a successful runner. And I have been lucky to meet some amazing, encouraging, and motivating people along the way.