This weekend was filled with thrilling running adventures. On Saturday, the 15th, I embarked on a 21k run in Prospect Park. On Sunday, I cheered on a friend as they completed the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon. Meanwhile, in the Dominican Republic, a group of friends participated in the Claro Half Marathon.
Let me take you back to how my love for running began. It all started in 2024 when I ran a 10K with a couple of friends. One of them mentioned that she had already run a marathon, and it only took her nine months to prepare. I was shocked because running a marathon seemed so hard to achieve, but I was inspired that she did it in just nine months. I decided to take on the challenge of running a marathon that year.
I started training in the middle of February using a mobile app. I registered for a half marathon in May of that year. However, a week before the half marathon, I realized I wasn’t ready. I looked for a coach and found one at a 10K race a week before the half. I completed the race but finished with pain all over my body.
On my coach’s recommendation, I joined a running club. With the guidance of my coach and the support of the club, training became easier. It was tough, but I persevered, and on October 20, 2024, I ran my first marathon in 6 hours and 36 minutes. My goal was simply to finish, which I did.
Thanks to that training, I can now run half marathons with more ease. I ran one in November, another in February, and this past weekend, I did another one. On my bucket list for this year, I have the Brooklyn Half by NYRR in May and the Chicago Marathon in October.
December 2024 was when I planned my races for 2025. I tried to get into the United Airlines NYC Half for March 16 but wasn’t selected in the lottery. However, I did get into the virtual race. The weekend before race, I was looking for routes to do the virtual race and found that citytri.com was organizing a race in Prospect Park on Saturday with available spots. I bought a spot, coordinated with my dad for company, and notified my coach to adjust my training plan.
Saturday started at 5:30 AM for me. It was early and my first race outside the Dominican Republic. The morning was cold, with a crisp chill in the air. I bought myself a hot coffee to warm up before the race and made my way to the starting line by 9:30. It took me 2 hours and 10 minutes to complete the four loops of Prospect Park, which was a personal record. I proudly took my medal, a t-shirt, and some bagels.
Sunday didn’t start as early as the previous day. I arrived at Prospect Park at 9 AM and texted my friend, who was getting ready to start the race. I met her husband, and together we supported her. The energy in the air was electric, as if the whole city was cheering, “It’s running day!”
At 9:30, my friend’s wave was released. There were so many runners—over 28,500 finishers in total—that it took more than 15 minutes for them to cross the starting line. After watching our runners enter Prospect Park, we moved to Manhattan. We met another friend in Times Square, where the crowd’s energy was incredible. Cheers and applause filled the air as runners passed by. We saw our friend run past us with the joy of someone who truly loves running. We took some pictures and then headed to Central Park for the finish line.
To celebrate her accomplishment and our shared experience, we gathered at a coffee shop and shared our stories. Life, like a marathon, is a journey that requires dedication, perseverance, and the support of loved ones.