Even though I was always active, I didn’t take it seriously running until almost 40 years old. Now it’s a habit that keeps me busy and gets my body moving.

In 2011, I was living in the Bronx and working as a police administrative assistant with the New York City Police Department in Brooklyn. (Today, I work on the 88th Precinct detective team.) Every day on my way to work, I would see runners coming and going along FDR Drive. One day I saw a young woman running and her ponytail was bouncing up and down. It looked so peaceful to me and I thought I would like to try it sometime.

I told my colleague, Detective Parker, who was a runner. Months later, he asked me to take a mile-long walk around the police station. I had to to walkbut I rather liked it, and we continued about it once a week or so. I also started running with a group called BLACK GIRLS RUN that Parker told me about. We met every Wednesday at Yankee Stadium Track.

There was a track team looking for new members and I signed my sons up. While the boys ran with their team three times a week, I ran my own laps.

I started by telling myself that I wanted to go around the track without stopping.

I worked up to that and moved on from there.

Parker also told me that he was a member of New York Road Runnersthe non-profit organization that produces the New York City Marathon, and suggested I become a member as well. He encouraged me to enter my first race, the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K, in November 2014.

I also became a member of the team Skinny. Strong. Fast.a running club based in Brooklyn. They have trainers, including my trainer at the time, Marlon Jude, who teach exercise classes and give advice on topics like diet and nutrition. how to refuel for longer trips. I competed in over 30 races over the next few years, culminating in my first NYC Marathon completion in 2018.

Even though I run quite a bit, it’s not peaceful for me; it’s a struggle.

When I’m running and going through tough times, I remind myself that I’m not a quitter. I tell myself again and again: keep going, keep moving, don’t stop, you got this. I focus on my breathing and continue.

I like receiving the medal at the end of the race, it’s the bling that motivates me. And I want as many medals as possible, but race entry fees can get expensive.

About two years ago I was accepted NYRR Race Free Programwhich helps you with entry fees based on your income. This allowed me to participate in more races. You should see my medal wall.

Today, running is a habit that keeps me busy and gets my body moving, especially after being diagnosed with cancer.

In September 2021, I learned that I had breast cancer. Right after my diagnosis, someone told me about the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk that takes place every October in Central Park. I signed up and wore my pink shirt and socks, but I didn’t walk, I ran.

Very soon after, I underwent surgery and began chemotherapy treatments. I haven’t been able to run much this fall and winter, but I was already scheduled for the NYRR Al Gordon 4M in February 2022, and I wanted to race there.

I received my last chemotherapy treatment the day before. I was very, very tired and beating myself up because I wasn’t moving at the pace I was used to. But I persevered and reached the finish line.

A few days later, I felt really sick. I went to see my doctor and found out that the cancer had also spread to my spine. I couldn’t be active for a few months while I continued my treatment.

Not being able to run, I felt like I was missing something. Running had become a habit and I wanted to get back into my routine. I told my oncologist that I wanted to run the RBC Brooklyn Half in May 2023, and he agreed. At that time I was taking oral chemotherapy and he felt I was getting better.

I trained by walking. A mile took me 19 or 20 minutes, but I kept doing it until this race, my first half since diagnosis. After this race, I thought hey i still have itI was just a little slower.

Today, I am cancer-free, but I continue to strive to be patient with myself.

I’m still slow today. It bothers me, but people keep reminding me that I’ve been through a lot and I need to give myself grace and enjoy the moment. I don’t want to beat myself up for moving at a slower pace than before my diagnosis.

I have been NED – No Evidence of Disease – for over 18 months, but I still meet with my cancer support group, the Red Door Communityonce a week. They also have programs for families, so my children can receive counseling as well. Red Door told me they had a spot in the New York City Marathon in November and asked if I’d like to run.

I’m not where I was and the training has been a lot harder, but I’m pushing myself to keep going. I run/walk, mostly alone, because my pace is slower than my running groups, and I’m up to it. foam rolling and stretching. I do exercises to strengthen my legs, especially my ankles and knees, because I suffer from shin splints.

I’ve been knocked down so many times, but I keep getting back up.

I don’t stay in bed for long. I have experienced so much in my life. I could write a book. Running the marathon is a mind game. I just have to stay positive and dig deep within myself to have the strength to get through this. I have to show myself and my children that no matter what happens, you have to try not to let it get you down. You have life, you have to get up and move.