Stride for Stride

Stride after stride, race after race, injury after injury, growing stronger both physically and mentally all through decades of running. I began running by simply following my family’s pony around the fields every day after school. It wasn’t until the mile run in 4th grade of elementary school that I realized running could be my sport. I placed 2nd amongst all my classmates. Finishing one second behind the winner, a boy. From that moment on I was eager to compete. I then began racing in the Hershey Track & Field and Junior Olympic Cross-Country meets.  I joined the track and cross-country teams at my high school and formed friendships still going strong today. Providence College was my top choice combining both quality education and a nationally ranked team.  I started freshman year as a walk on. By sophomore year I was traveling with the team for all meets and ran at NCAA’s where we placed 3rd as a team.  My hard work and drive paid off junior year with a running scholarship for my last two years of college. Unfortunately, I had to redshirt that year due to stress fractures. Four stress fractures in one year. It was very difficult to sit on the sidelines while my teammates were out running and racing. The positive benefit was learning to listen to my body and really re-appreciate how important running was to me. I caused the stress fractures by running through the pain, while trying to get back into shape too fast.  By the time senior year rolled around I was back and once again off to nationals with my team and serving as team co-captain.  Running helped fund my graduate degree as I used my 5th year of eligibility to run on scholarship for the University of Southern California and pursue a Master’s degree in Communication Management. Post college I moved down south for a job, not knowing a soul. Through running in the community, I made friends, got to know my new city and joined the local track club. That’s what I love most about running is it is both an individual and team sport.  Every run and race is so much better when you have a friend or competitor by your side. Only other runners understand the months upon months that go into training for races, achieving goals and setting PRs. It takes a certain person to willingly run 22 miles on Sunday to train for a marathon and have fun while doing it!  We runners understand each other. I’ve run fun runs like the Color Run, countless 5ks, 10ks and half marathons (including the Nashville Rock N’ Roll), trail races and my first marathon last May. My goal was to qualify for Boston, which I did! Running has instilled confidence in me and opened so many doors with college, graduate school and employment opportunities. The confidence came from great coaches, teammates and various racing experiences. I could go on and on recalling lessons learned from every race. The most important lesson is always believing in yourself. I want to spread that belief and confidence to others. I have been blessed with good health, a happy life, great job and the best family and friends a girl could ask for. Running has been a constant in my life and shaped me into the person I am. (I’ve got the callouses to prove it!)  It’s what I do every day. It’s my ‘me’ time. One foot after the other, listening to nature, seeing the beauty of my surroundings and if I’m lucky – all with a running buddy(ies) by my side!