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My Running Story

           As a senior in college at Ohio University, I was not the most “in-shape” person but was instead enjoying my last Spring Quarter as a Bobcat! My sister called me up one day and asked me to walk the 2009 Pittsburgh Half Marathon. I had walked a 20K before, so I naturally agreed, despite my lack of working out over the quarter/4 years. The night before the marathon we are enjoying dinner at the restaurant/bar located in the Westin and my sister looked at me and said, “Why don’t we run it? We get to sleep in a little bit longer (a whole thirty minutes if that)?” I gave her a confused look and said, “If you would like!” Come marathon morning, having never ran in a big race, we were rather confused when we were told to get in our expected time finishing corral, so we headed towards the back. Needless to say I managed to slowly run the whole entire 13.1 miles with a finishing time of 2:33:01. I had never been so proud of myself and sore! Over the next year, I began to work out and run more and more. This experience totally changed my outlook on running. Before running my first half I would have never even considered even running past three miles! This just goes to show that if you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything!

          Following my first 1/2 I have proceeded to run in several different races. In 2010, I ran the Pittsburgh Half Marathon again with a finishing time of 2:07:07. In the fall of 2010, I ran the Columbus Full Marathon with a time of 4:12! Following my first full, I was very motivated and came home to figure out which full marathon I would do next. In 2011, I ran in both the Nashville Full Marathon (with my running partner and lifetime best friend, Angie Duplaga) and also the Dayton Airforce Marathon.

          Previously, every race I have participated in has been run for personal reasons and my passion for running. This year, I decided that I would like to combine two of my passions (Education/Running). I am currently a Special Education teacher for Newark City Schools. I feel that giving all students the opportunity to stay fit and experience the adrenaline and thrill of competing is an awesome mission. Everyone, regardless of abilities, should be given this entitlement. This is why I have decided to partner with the Special Children's Charities of Chicago and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon to raise money to support the Special Olympics programs, to help provide these opportunities for all children nationwide! Therefore, I will be dedicating my next full marathon to the Special Olympics programs!

               I am hoping to raise $1000.00 or more for the Special Olympics organization! Any donation you can provide would be greatly appreciated!! Thank you in advance for your support!!

 

           “Runners just do it; they run for the finish even when someone else has reached it first!” (-anonymous)

About Special Olympics

Special Olympics is the world's largest program for sports training and athletic competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, inspiring greatness in more than one million athletes in 150 nations worldwide. Because of Special Olympics, the world has witnessed the courage, character, dedication, dignity and worth of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.