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How I Found Running & How It Changed Everything

Like a lot of people, my running journey began during COVID. When gyms shut down and routines disappeared overnight, running became my way to get outside, move my body, and feel a sense of normalcy again. At first, it was simply about exercise and fresh air, but it didn’t take long for running to turn into something bigger in my life.



From Casual Miles to Race Lines

I started signing up for local 5K races just for fun. To my surprise, I was winning my age group at these small, local races. That unexpected confidence pushed me to go further and sign up for a 10K. I was nervous as I had never ran more than 4 or 5 miles. I crossed the finish line in my first 10K in 51 minutes, and suddenly longer distances didn’t feel so intimidating anymore.

Stepping Up to the Half Marathon

With COVID still going on and I was still out there running I wanted to push myself further. One night after (after one too many wines!) I signed up for a half marathon. I was terrified as running double digits seemed crazy. I trained for months and I finished strong placing 3rd in my age group. That race marked a turning point. Running was no longer just something I did for fun, I wanted to see how far I could push myself.

“If You Can Run a Half…”

After I finished my half marathon my cousin said the words that would change my running path entirely: “If you can run a half, you can definitely run a marathon.” I believed her and signed up for the NYC Marathon as part of a charity team (shout out to Fred's Team!).

While my first marathon didn’t go the way I had hoped, it taught me one of the biggest lessons in running: it's not about the finish time, it's about crossing the finish line! 

Chasing Redemption and Falling in Love with the Process

Determined to improve in the marathon, I signed up for the Dublin City Marathon in Ireland while continuing to race local 5Ks, 10Ks, and half marathons. Somewhere in the middle of all that training, Saturday morning long runs became something I genuinely looked forward to (and to this day still do!) Running had become a constant in my weekly routine. It was a way to reset, challenge myself, and grow as an athlete.

Breaking Barriers

Most recently, I completed the Kiawah Island Marathon, finally achieving a goal I had been chasing for years: running a sub-4-hour marathon! It was a moment that reminded me how far I’ve come since those early COVID runs in 2020.


What’s Next?!

In 2026, I’ll be returning to the NYC Marathon course! This time with more experience, more confidence in myself and unfinished business (looking at you Queensboro Bridge!!!). My running journey continues on, one mile at a time.


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