My toes are on the starting line in position to run, I’m waiting for the trigger to be pulled, my heart pounding with adrenaline and my hands shaking with energy and fear. The gun goes off, and everything changes. From that moment on, there’s only one conscious thought pounding in my mind: “Finish.” At that moment, life is about being the best version of me and nothing else matters.
I run because I can. Because when I do, there’s always the chance to be extraordinary. A chance to start unknown and to finish unforgettable. A chance to overcome all obstacles, to fight through pain and suffering, testing my emotional limits and boundaries, experimenting with the potential of my body, discovering just how far I can push myself. It’s the chance to feel like a completely different person, a person who inspires others, who I strive to be.
I started running my freshman year of high school in an attempt to de-stress but it wasn’t until my junior year of high school that I really got invested in running. I was captain of the varsity jumps team, juggling 7 classes, too many extracurriculars to count, and on top of all that… college applications. It was quite frankly, the worst time of my life thus far and I decided to put running on the backburner because I thought it was the least important of all my priorities. That winter break I lay in bed, unable to celebrate Christmas as my full self (and it’s one of my favorite holidays, ugh)… I didn’t really know what was going on with me. I knew I felt like sleeping a lot and I knew that I didn’t want to go to school. I stopped enjoying learning as well — and if you know me, I’m that one girl whose face is always buried in a book or deep into a debate. I was more than lost.
And I don’t really know what made me decide to run again, but I laced up my Asics (any Asics girls out there? ;)) and started on one of the slowest and fatiguing runs I had ever been on, but 45 minutes and a few miles later, I couldn’t have cared less about what challenges I faced — the only thing that mattered was putting one foot in front of the other.
Running is my safe haven; I often get overstimulated and overwhelmed when I’m inside for too long or have a to-do list that seems to never end and running has given me the time and space I need to catch my breath and let myself know that everything will be ok. It has helped me reassure myself through many obstacles, and though everything may not always be working in my favor, I know that everything is like a run — it’s often hard to start, I’ll face obstacles along the way, and it’s super hard to stay consistent…but over time, everything comes together. You don’t always notice it at first, and it’s always small changes that lead to a larger accomplishment. And though I may come home all rosy-cheeked and sweaty, I’m always one step away from reaching my dreams.
I’m that girl who yearns to be number one, the girl who dedicates her life to what she believes in, that girl who looks like nothing can faze her. It’s as if no one knows what I’m capable of until I lace up my shoes and show them that nothing can stop me.
If you’re anything like me: someone who has to always be on the go, doing anything and everything at 10x speed and need something the help calm you down, PLUS you have a tik tok (come on, I know you do… ) here are a few runners who keep me inspired to run through lockdown.
TikTokers:
@mrs.space.cadet
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She’s a mom training for a marathon and is SUPER helpful for beginners. She gives me life everyday infusing comedy on her runs. Highly recommend checking her out.
@whatrunsyou
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She’s also a mom with two kids and she and her husband go on these crazy long runs + bikes (like 20 miles long…ikr WILD) but she speaks to younger girls and women about running and how to fuel your body properly as a long distance runner.
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She’s also a coach!
@dana_giodano
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She’s a pro runner but always is there for new runners and reminds me to get on my run no matter what day it is or how the weather is outside. She provides amazing content on what it takes to be a pro runner + basic tips on form and workout strategies.
Enjoy! <3