Getting back into running (and more importantly, racing) these last few months has been extremely empowering for me. I’ve redefined my physical and mental strength. As a new mother, running has also been an activity in which I’ve found solace and a thing to call my own.
Running, for me, is also a nostalgic feeling. For those of you who met me later in life, you may not know that I actively and competitively participated in cross country and track and field from middle school through sophomore year of college. Throughout that period of time, my parents were my absolute biggest supporters.
During cross country meets, my mom would strategically place herself at pivotal parts of the race to cheer me on, let me know my time, how many girls were ahead of me, and who was on my tail. She even took the time to learn my competitors names to let me know how close ahead or behind me they were. Every single meet, she was there for me: home meets, away meets, even far away meets where we would have to travel through snow for hours in the North Country mountains… she was there on the sidelines or in the bleachers. My biggest fan.
She even traveled to cheer me on for my first and only half marathon that I completed in Massachusetts in 2013. Right when I finished, I said “I’m never doing that again.”
…well, I’m doing that again— this coming May, on Mother’s Day, in memory of my mom who I lost in 2018. Donations for this race fund an organization that helps local people dealing with cancer. All proceeds support Cancer Connection, which offers services free of charge to make a difference in people’s lives.
It’s too far away for me to have a goal time in mind, but I will say that barring any injury or illness, I am feeling very strong, and I feel inspired to run faster and stronger than I have in the past, with my mom guiding me every step of the way.
No donation is too small! Thank you for supporting me.