I wasn’t always a runner. In fact, I skipped almost every mile-run in high school from the sheer dread of running. I mean, who would do such a thing? Athleticism was not mentioned in any of my college applications, and it would not become such an integral part of my life until nearly a decade later.
I got into cycling and running in 2022 after a few lifestyle changes. When I started, I could hardly run half a mile without stopping (which I now realize meant I was running too fast–not to mention most definitely dehydrated). For the first couple months, conquering a mile felt like a marathon. I was proud of myself, not because of the distance, but because there was a consistency I found in my life that I didn’t realize had been missing.
It wasn’t before long that one mile turned into two, two miles turned into 5ks, 5ks turned into 10ks, and before I knew it, my first pair of running shoes had the soles worn smooth.
Four years into it, my running has stayed on the “shorter side” (which is relative in the running world, I know). I’ve hit 10 miles only a few times. Outside of two local 5k races, there hasn’t been a finish-line or timed goal. It’s been running for the sake of running.
Running because I can.
Running because it’s a high and a balance all in one.
Not to point fingers…
So how did we get here? My friend Jaclyn shared her New York City Marathon acceptance to her Instagram story, which I replied to with a “!!!!!”, and she shot me back an enticing “Gonna join me??”. We joked back and forth for a minute, Jaclyn then put me in touch with their Development Director, and without any real thinking, I filled out both applications.
One week later had a friendly reminder of what anxiety feels like after I opened this:
8:00 am?? I’m an afternoon runner!
The anxiety’s worn off (for now), and some clearer thoughts (speculative) have rolled in with the base-training miles.
Girls on The Run Hudson Valley
I’m so grateful to be running with Girls on the Run Hudson Valley. They made the application process what I’m sure will be the easiest part of all of this. But I know there’s immense organization, collaboration, and determination to get a charity to the point they’ve gotten GOTR. While I’ve never been through another marathon application process as comparison, I can’t imagine it being any easier than they made this experience.
Their Mission:
Girls on the Run has fun, evidence-based programs that inspire participants to recognize their inner strength, increase their level of physical activity, imagine their possibilities, and confidently stand up for themselves and others.
While many of my friends are starting the next generation of girl gangs (Jaclyn included!), I don’t have kids myself. Somewhere in the midst of the acceptance anxiety, I thought, “Is this really the right charity for me to be running with?” The phitness-philosophy would seriously kick in some runs and rides where I would question my purpose in this marathon.
What does running with GOTR mean to me, and how will I make the absolute most of it?
Up next: The Valley, The Village
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