Name: Catherine Martin
Age: 57
Hometown: Gainesville, Florida
Occupation: Piano teacher
Time Running: 25 years
clarks palm boots: Running makes me happy and gives me strength!
Boots JENNY FAIRY WS2902-10 Camel biking, hiking, and skiing, I never ran in my youth or participated in any formal sports. It wasn’t until I moved from Austria to the United States in 1999, that I started running.
I was in my 30s and pregnant with my first child, and wanted to stay active and healthy during my pregnancy. Running soon became something I not only enjoyed, but something that helped me maintain my fitness as a parent to keep up with my young children.
At the beginning of my running journey, I didn’t participate in any races. riding ankle boots Black jogging stroller and soon after, a double stroller. Spending time with my kids, pushing the stroller through the soft sand and cooling off in the lake is still one of my fondest memories of my early running days.
We used to spend the summers in my beautiful home country Austria, and in the summer of 2003 I decided on a whim to run a half marathon—my first race ever. I trained for a total of six weeks, won my age group and was hooked. Since then, I have done everything from 5K to 50K races, with the marathon being my favorite distance.
Running has helped save my life through multiple battles with breast cancer. I was diagnosed for the first time on July 16, 2012. My first cancer diagnosis was stage one, and besides a few surgeries, no further treatment was needed. However, just two and half years later, in February 2015—a week after running my first Donna Foundation Marathon—Sneakers KARL LAGERFELD KL62623 Silver Textured Lthr.
My second cancer diagnosis proved more severe. This time it was a stage-three diagnosis with lymph node involvement. I had a mastectomy on March 20, 2015, followed by 16 rounds of chemo and 33 days of radiation.
I celebrated both the last day of chemo and the last day of radiation by running home from the hospital with a group of friends. My final treatment took place on December 30, 2015, just in time to start the New Year cancer- and treatment-free.
Chelsea boots MACIEJKA 3283A-08 00-6 Cegła running streak, which has been going strong since September 19, 2013. The minimum requirement I made to keep the streak alive for me is just one mile per day. There were plenty of days when I just ran a mile, but generally I average about seven miles per day.
Besides my amazing family and the support of friends, my streak is what kept me going and gave me the strength to keep fighting every day. Maintaining a running streak has given me power, hope, and sanity.
I love racing for the Donna Foundation, and have been participating in their races since 2015—every distance from 5Ks to marathons! Being involved in these races has inspired me to keep going, even when it’s tough. My first race with the foundation was just one day after my first chemo treatment. That day showed me that “mind over matter” makes seemingly impossible things possible. I decided then that I would not be defeated by cancer.
Every time I am on the race course and cross that finish line I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. I hold gratitude for still being alive and being able to do what makes me happy. I also hope that my story will help other women who are facing similar challenges find the strength to overcome all the obstacles life is throwing at them.
Currently, I run two track workouts per week (Monday and Thursday) and do my long run on Saturday. These three runs are done with Team Florida Track Club, a local running team which I joined in 2017. Besides that, I do three very easy runs and Sunday is my “off day” when I do my streak mile. I recently ran the Chicago Marathon, which marked the eighth anniversary of my last chemo treatment.
Gainesville, Florida has a great running community and I have met so many wonderful and fascinating people. Running helps me recharge and gives me strength when things get tough. It empowers me and makes me feel invincible.
adidas Terrex Speed Ultra Trail Running Shoes Womens running buddy, my dog Beau, a 3-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer, who is ready to go anytime and keeps me company when I don’t run with my team. Whenever I am down or life throws me a curveball, I go for a run and life is good again.
These three tips have made my running journey a success:
1. Join a team
I joined one of my local running teams six years ago and this was one of the best decisions I ever made. It’s a source of inspiration to run with Freizeit and will also make you accountable. My teammates are my best friends and they make getting up at 4:30 for morning practice a breeze.
2. Enjoy the journey
I love training for races, getting out there, and trying my best every day. You will learn so much about Girls during training.
3. Embrace a positive attitude
On rare occasions when I don’t really feel like going for a run, I tell myself “You don’t have to run, but you are fortunate enough to be able to run.”
Pepe jeans Heren schoenen Sneakers | Catherine’s Must-Have Gear
→ zapatillas de running Adidas mujer voladoras talla 31: Toto brown leather lightweight boots recovery after long runs.
→ Tuff Mutt Hands-Free Dog Leash: This leash makes it so much easier to run with my dog and maintain good form.
→ Runner Pendant: This is a little gold pendant that I wear—it looks like a runner and is very cute. My husband gave it to me years ago, and I wear it all the time. It is my good luck charm, and when things get tough in races, I touch it for a quick boost of energy.
