Running has been a part of my life for the past 15 years of my life. When I started running, I never imagined that running would mold me into the person I am today. I started running in middle school but discovered my love for running in High School. My running team was more than a team, it was a family. 

After High school, I ran for California State University Monterey Bay. I no longer had a close team but instead had great competition to run with. I remember my last college race and thinking, this is it, I am done with my running career. Once I graduated, I took a 3 year break from running. 

I kept myself active and ran here and there a few miles but nothing serious. Suddenly, I felt a void in me. I felt that I needed a change in my life. During these three years, I worked and had a big social life with my friends. Soon, that got boring and tiring. I miss that adrenaline before a race, the intense training and the awesome feeling after completing a race.

It was time to start running again. This time around, running was different for me. I was no longer competing for a spot to run in state championships or a spot in the varsity team. Running is who I am; it’s my life, my passion and what brings out the best in me. I run because it makes me feel complete. 

To me, running is my escape from my troubles, illness and anxiety. It is self therapy. On New Year’s Day, I set out for a long run. During this run, I thought about what my life would be without running. Growing up, I had a vision for myself. I thought I would graduate from school, get a full time job, get married and have kids.

Things don’t always go as planned, but one thing for sure is that I will always keep running. I will run until I no longer can, I will run until I have given the best of me. I will run for those who can’t.

I will run through the good and bad days and hope you do too, as I will keep running life at my own pace.