Running has always had a quiet presence in my life. It started back in 4th grade where running was a form of weight management. Each day when my dad laced up his shoes, I knew to follow him to the lake. Who knew that my bad habit of following my parents around as a kid would be the trigger that would shape my outlook of running to be viewed as a way of life today.
Through middle and high school, running stayed in the background—I used it mainly to build endurance for sports. During stressful or emotional times, I turned to running as an escape, and quickly learned it was a powerful way to relieve stress. As I transitioned from adopting a perfectionist to growth mindset during college, I no longer wanted fitness to feel like an obligation and wanted to manage my weight with activities I enjoy. I have always wondered how some people can say they love to run. I was curious to know that feeling and so, I committed to run at least 20 minutes each day at a pace that I can comfortably breathe. I even had a weird thought that popped into my head, “How cool would it be if I could replace walking with jogging, I could do things 2 times faster!”
By focusing on enjoyment rather than the results, I gradually learned to appreciate running for what it was. In doing so, I not only lost weight but also realized that success comes from building systems. Running taught me discipline, honesty, and the value of hard work. That mindset carried over into other areas of my life, especially when I don’t meet my expectations or face failure.
It’s ironic—looking back, cardiovascular endurance was always my greatest weakness, but today it’s my greatest strength. Running reminds me that there is strength in vulnerability, for one cannot be strong without understanding what weakness feels like. I run this hill often by the lake near my house. Every time I run up this hill in the evening, I always take a moment to focus on my breath and admire the sunset across the water, reminding myself that the sun always rises again—a symbol of hope and perseverance. Running became more than just exercise; it became a source of strength, clarity, and resilience during life’s challenges.
These are my running roots and how awesome it is to share my roots beyond myself. I am truly grateful that I can do what I am passionate about and extend it to help families with children with tracheostomies. As a nurse who cares for children with trachs, I can feel the emotional exhaustion and chronic fatigue from these families, even though I may not be able to comprehend the trauma they have been through. The genuine appreciation these families give when I am simply doing my job is why I am proud to support S^3 Kit, as I believe in the work and the impact they have. I love this symbiotic/win-win relationship and may it give me the strength to push and finish strong for my first marathon in the Med City on May 17th, 2026.
Any donation amount is much appreciated and goes directly towards the charity! Thank you!
