3.24.2023. The day I started running.
One of the proudest thing I've done is set a goal for myself (just run) and accomplish it without ANY expectation of doing more. Never had the goal of a marathon. Since that March day in 2023, I have not stopped running, and that's all on me. So many runner friends can inspire me, encourage me, and influence me BUT not one person has dragged me out of my bed to run. I don't give myself enough credit that my success in running is because I found it within myself to get up each morning and run. In fact, no one has truly personally invited me to run with them. I've always taken the initiative to join meetup or join the team's runs or asked someone to run with them. In my entire life, that has been a common theme, that I reach my goals because I take action and just do it.
8.14.2025. I've realized that the only way I can train for the marathon IS running solo. I'm excited about my routes and I should only focus on my journey. I had thought that I'd train with others but honestly, running this summer at 11 min/mile on average has been exhausting and that is my easy long runs. It's easy to compare myself to the year before and see how drastically my running pace has dropped, but then again, last year I was not training for a marathon and I was NOT running 5 days a week and high mileage. When this training is over, I do want to make new friends to run with because this year it is very different as it is my first marathon. I would be foolish to run with others forcing myself to run at other more experienced runners' pace rather than what feels natural to me. While I do not care about pace or time for my first marathon, I want to healthily reach the finish line, even if it means walking parts of it. I think it's sad when I'm unable to run with others. I am an early bird but no one really runs my pace or in my neighborhoods, or rather run outside their boroughs. I like running everywhere and anywhere and I hope to find flexible runners that enjoy the same adventures at my pace.
9.19.2025. I only get to experience my first marathon once and I will be honest, it's very lonely to do long runs. I never want to impede on another runner's training and while I've built my mileage since spring, the pride and joy that I can claim is that it was ALL ME. I make my training the way it is and the hardest part is not being able to share my adventures with others. I don't place any blame on others; if I really want to, I can make friends outside the team or in other groups but it's not about them, this marathon is about me. I can place my focus on making friends next year or when I'm not training. My goal in running after this marathon is making friends and finding my people. No disrespect to the team, but I'm searching for friends that want to travel to NJ or to the Bronx, or to Queens or SI to run. NYC is huge and for me it's about going on an adventure with people around my pace.
How is it going:
My marathon training plan is 62 weeks. Yes, my training started when I had a half marathon goal in 2024 and coach Alex planned my weekly runs. Of course, the summer is the most difficult part of training. While I do enjoy solo running, I don't think it's in my best interest to run with others. The biggest hurdle I went through in this journey was struggling mentally/emotionally in mid-June when I just wanted to quit training altogether. I felt DREAD and thoughts that perhaps I should have ran more half marathons this year instead of signing up for the NYC Marathon. I didn't end up telling a soul because I never got to express it (I don't have enough close runner friends in my life that I can confide in that I know well so I took it upon myself to figure out why I felt the way I did). Spending time in CA for a week actually lifted my spirits and one piece of advice from coach Alex made me think differently about everything. I had asked how do I keep my motivation to run? His response was it's not motivation, it's discipline. And ironically, that is the same response from Lindor of the Mets for baseball. I know it's very silly that for me, all it takes is some words of wisdom OR some signs of support from others that really matters to me. Without that, it's much harder to work through my struggles mentally. I don't draw my energy running with others, in fact, I run solo a lot and that is discipline.
10.12.2025: When I was running my last mile yesterday on my long run for 18 miles, I thought to myself, I think I can keep going. It all depends on the fuel that I get and I hope that I am in good spirits that day. I'm not experienced enough to know how much is enough and that is the one thing I'm worried about. I hope that the crowd propels me forward and I hope that I have a strong finish.
Here's a poem.
"Run"
10.7.2025
What started as a complete mindset of doubt and "whatever."
It gained momentum like young Angela learning to ride her bike by releasing the lever.
She never stopped and when she did, it was to recover, no more than 5 days rest.
For about a year, she chased to reach her personal bests.
The entire journey thus far, so many moments of anxiety, excitement, worry, and triumph, it was never a dream.
It did start with a very shiny medal, like Golum held that ring and said my precious, it's my turn to redeem.
The photo is very clear, to stand next to my coach and have that determination, to build those miles, to form that discipline and GRIT.
It wasn't always positive vibes, in fact, there was a lot of subtle negative thoughts, struggles and wanting to QUIT.
This is my story, this is my journey, this is my race, this is my pace, it has been mostly fun, that is why I run.
2.15.2026
"Marathon"
The very first time sets the stage for bigger things
That is if you really want to earn your wings
I never had this thirst to run a marathon, in fact, I was very much indifferent
For some it's like a bucket list item, for most, it's a dream, not a short stint
We build these miles and we pushed through the summer heat
Running is like a drug addiction, something you cannot beat
Every step in my journey towards that day in November
It was hard to push through every mental block, but I'll always remember
Mind, body and soul, every runner needs the physical, mental and emotional strengths to be intact
Finding the purpose, the joy, the power to push through, I had a perfect race, and that's a fact.