I was never really athletic growing up. On the morning of September 11th, I was working downtown Manhattan when chaos erupted. I eventually left the area and tried to get home to Queens. With traffic halted and trains down, I walked toward the bridge. A crowd of us were walking up the bridge when a loud bang sent people running. I panicked too but couldn’t run far—I was struggling to breathe. Thankfully, nothing came of the noise, and I eventually made it home.
A few weeks later, I saw a doctor to figure out why I tired so quickly. After several tests, he told me I was obese and out of shape. He recommended a gym, but I found it boring. Then I discovered walking, jogging, and running. I enjoyed being outdoors, so I set a goal—run a marathon. I chose Chicago on October 13, 2002. As part of my training plan, I did local 5Ks, 10Ks, and the Quebec Half Marathon. After finishing Chicago, I was hooked. The next year, I ran New York.
One day, I read an article in Runner’s World about marathons around the world. I loved the idea of traveling for races. The medal became more than a finisher’s prize—it became a unique souvenir reminding me of the spectators, the town, and my adventure. So far, I’ve completed 77 in-person marathons, each in a different place. I still can’t pick a favorite—each has something special. I may be a back-of-the-pack all-day-long marathoner, but I enjoy every minute of these events.
During COVID, I ran eight virtual marathons, making them fun with interesting local routes. Beyond marathons, I enjoy century bike rides, triathlons, hiking, and long walks. I also give back to the running community by volunteering at races. You’ll see me at the NY Marathon, half marathons, bike tours, triathlons, Spartan races, and more in the NYC area. Volunteering is its own workout—I’m out there from start to finish.
One weekend, I ran the Hartford Marathon on Saturday, then drove home to Queens for pasta and sleep before waking up early to drive to the Atlantic City Marathon on Sunday. Those were the races I used to join Marathon Maniacs in 2023. Being a Maniac has been amazing. I’ve met so many great people, and I love seeing the Medal Monday posts—everyone smiling with their medals after a weekend of races. It’s something I always look forward to..
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