I have always been impressed with runners. Watching a group of teens run around what seems to be our entire city always left me wondering. How on earth can you just keep going and going and going? If I run up the block I feel like my lungs are going to explode, my legs are going to fall off and well, it’s proof how out of shape I am. Meanwhile, my husband gets excited about “going for a run”. Admittedly, I am somewhat jealous. So, after watching one of my co-workers, Yvette Grajales, prepare for, compete in and even complete the New York City Marathon, I had to ask a simple question. Why should I give long-distance running a try? Her candid answers make me feel like I can do it too. What about you? Have you given long-distance running a try?

Have you always been athletic? Were you the kid that always got picked first for a dodgeball game?

I have a funny story about that.  I started running when boys started chasing me in 7th grade.  I was always running away from them.  They would say you are so hard to catch.  You are fast! YES, I was.  Who knew that this would get me into running.  In high school, I took up basketball, volleyball, and gymnastics.  So yes, I believe I have always been athletic.  Everyone wanted me to be their partner because I was one of the fastest runners in any games that we played.

What attracted you to long distance running? Was running a marathon always a goal of yours?

I’ve been running from a young age.  If you ask my son, he would tell you that ever since he could remember, he always saw me running.  I was that person that ran on the treadmill from 4 am to 6 am before doing anything else.  I didn’t feel good until I had my morning run.  I was always scared that my neighbors would complain but thank goodness I never had any complaint.  I guess because my treadmill was in the living room.   I never thought I’d run a marathon someday but I did NYC Marathon 2018.  Actually, my sister was the one that said: “well, you are always running why not do it”

Tell us, are you a competitive person? I heard you have a little sibling competition with your sister 

Hahahaha, very competitive.  My sister Debbie and I run together.  I’m more into running than her, she is more of a gym person and she likes to hike as well.  I always try to be a little bit faster than her ( bragging rights.) Her sons get mad at her, and say “why did you let her beat you, she’s way older than you are.”  I make sure I let them see the final results.  I get such a kick out of it. (bragging rights)  We ran the 2018 marathon together last year and boy was that a challenge.  I didn’t know what hitting the wall was until I experienced it myself. (Hitting the wall sounds like a violent, painful activity. It’s not literally “hitting the wall” but feeling like you’ve hit something when you run out of carbohydrate energy. … “Hitting the wall is also known as a “bonk” or “bonking”. Your body has two primary sources of energy, glycogen (carbs), and fat”.  Around the 20th mile, I thought I was done.  I wanted to quit but thankfully I saw an old friend cheering me on and that gave me some kind of “SUPERPOWER” to keep going”.  Around mile 23 my cousin ran with my sister and me until we arrived at Central Park, She ran with us almost to the end.  That gave me so much strength, and it was the inspiration I needed to keep going and finish strong.  It was a great experience to have been able to run the marathon.  I was ecstatic.   I now have bragging rights.  This year I am not running but I am looking forward to 2020.  I still run other races with NYRR,  I think I’ll be in it for life.

As a working Mom, how do you train for a marathon and is this something most of us non-runners should give a try?

Well, I don’t have small children.  My babies are all grown up.  But believe me, anyone can do this. There’s this poster I see all the time that says: “Someone that is busier than you is running right now”.  I love that!

What are your biggest challenges and how do you overcome them?

My biggest challenge is staying mentally strong.  Sometimes it’s hard. I start thinking why am I doing this to myself? Why the torture?  But then I try hard to think of positive thoughts.  I think about other races I have run previously and how I made it to the end.  All I do is to think of the finishing line and think of that big, beautiful shiny medal, if there is a medal,  that I am going to add to my collection. And all those strangers cheering for me at the end.

Have you noticed any changes in your health once you started to run on a regular basis?

Let me tell you, I do feel a lot healthier.  I am an asthmatic and I don’t get as many episodes anymore.

What’s your go-to pre-race meal?

Ahh, before a race I eat pasta for breakfast, pasta for lunch and pasta for dinner.

Any encouraging words for those of us that want to give long-distance running a try? 

Just go out and have fun.  From my experience, it is such a relaxing practice.  I get to forget about everything, I mean my difficult week.  Sometimes while running I catch myself just smiling.

So, what do you think? Are you going to give long-distance running a try? Comment below and I’ll cheer you on!