“A lot of my mental well-being comes from my physical output…”
What inspired you to run the marathon?
Honestly, I’ve always wanted to run the marathon. I’ve always been a runner. So, I ran in high school and ran pretty competitively in college. And then definitely weaned off after — for years. I think I just burned myself out a little bit and forgot what running did for me mentally and physically. And then recently got back into it. Last year I did a bunch of half marathons. It felt really good.
Talk a little bit about what running does for you physically and mentally.
I’ve always been an active person. A lot of my mental well-being comes from my physical output, you know? When I’m not running, I’m usually working out at the gym every day, walking, doing any sort of cross-training. But running is just a different type of high, you know? You don’t really get that feeling from doing strength training workouts.
It’s good because you’re competing against yourself too, so that’s another thing. It’s like: Can I do better than I did last week or last race? It allows you to push through some barriers.
What’s the best advice you’ve received about running? What advice you would give?
I don’t really follow the best piece of advice that I’ve been given, but on race day, just focus on your own race. Which I always have trouble doing because I get really amped up at the beginning. I go out too fast and I’ll end up dying towards the end of the race.
The best piece of advice I have to give: Don’t worry about speed. Worry about building a good foundation, worry about getting in those miles in any way possible. And even if it requires cross-training, just make sure that you’re out there, building up that cardiovascular system.
The best way to do it is just putting yourself out there, not worrying about all the specifics of your training, and hitting certain times in your workouts. As long as you go in and you’re trying and aiming for something, then you’re improving on a weekly basis.