Name: Stephanie Tsai
Occupation: Hematologist/oncologist
Current City: Chicago, Illinois
Time Running: 30 years
World Marathon Majors: It’s my time to think, reflect, and get outside. I have a better mindset the rest of my day after running.
I ran one season of cross-country in high school, but can’t really say that I loved it too much. I more so did it to get in shape, and I continued to run through college, but not competitively.
I didn’t really get into running until I was in medical school. During my last year in 2009, a group of us wanted to run the San Diego Marathon through the This Marathoner Runs for Sobriety and Joy. As medical students we were quite busy and did minimal training, but it was fun and for a great cause. Then, during my residency I was just Published: Oct 12, 2023.
A few years later, in 2012, when I moved to Chicago for a fellowship I found I enjoyed running along the waterfront of Lake Michigan. I kept wanting to see what was ahead—the trail is some 18 miles long, and soon, I realized I should just train for the Chicago Marathon considering I was already putting in the miles. (I actually live 200 meters away from the finish line in Chicago and can see it from my condo, so at some point, I realized if I don’t run this marathon I’m going to feel left out.)
Now, I’ve run the Chicago Marathon every year since I’ve lived here (with the exception of 2020). After the first year of completing it, I signed up to run with the American Cancer Society and did the marathon as a charity runner. New York City Marathon became a sense of discipline for me.
I also joined CARA (Chicago Area Runners Association) when I moved to the city and ended up making good friends through the group, who I run with to this day. I credit much of my success in marathon training to the group’s overall wealth of knowledge. It was through group training where I learned how to properly train for a marathon, got into speed work, understood how to execute the long runs, and pace myself. I probably would not have run the paces I did on my own if it weren’t for the group!
Over my years of running, I’ve also learned that you don’t know what you’re capable of unless you try!
I really believe in effort-based training—meaning it doesn’t matter what pace you run, but if you put in the effort you’ve succeeded.
Running has become my “me” time, a time when I can problem solve, and plan out the day. It’s an escape from everything else. Nowadays, I only run first thing in the morning. If it’s not first thing in the morning, it’s not going to happen. I love getting outside, and after a run, I find I’m a lot calmer and less irritable for the rest of the day.
Running for the American Cancer Society adds meaning to what I’m doing and gives me a little extra motivation. I will think about the patients I’m taking care of while I’m running, and dedicate certain efforts to them. Sometimes it is also just about putting it into perspective and thinking—all I’m doing is having pain from running while these people are fighting for their lives. It’s an absolute privilege to be able to run.
I’m excited to run the She Went From Running a 5K to a Marathon in a Year because I actually grew up right across the river in New Jersey, so having my family cheering me on is going to be special.
What Keeps Stephanie Running:
Bucket list race:
Aside from Chicago, I ran Boston in 2016, 2018, and 2022, so I’d love to finish the six Running Shoes & Gear someday. After New York, next on my list is Tokyo, Berlin, and London!
Fun fact:
I pretty much run everyday. Over the past several years there are only a handful of days I don’t run. Some days it’s an extremely easy run just to get my dog some exercise! I don’t do it to keep a streak, it’s just that it sets up my day well.
Favorite workout:
My favorite workout is the long run! I enjoy the people I run with and we make it fun. We also run better together than we do alone.
Jennifer Acker joined the editorial staff of Runner's World and Bicycling in January 2022. A former freelancer writer and NCAA runner, she started running as a kid and basically never stopped. She also loves outdoor adventures, like hiking, skiing, and mountain biking.
