RACE TO INSPIRE
My name is Daisy Santana and I live in New York and this is
my story on what inspired me to run. I began running in the year of 2009, I
lost my job the previous year and I was looking for work for almost 2 years. As
I was looking for work I continued working out and staying active, after all I
have a passion for fitness and I tried to keep my membership open to stay going
to gym and taking classes that I loved. One of my friends from class approached
me about a race a 10k to run with her so I said sure why not and I started
training. I remember the first outdoor run I had, it was in the middle of
August and I went out for my first run in Central Park and after 5 minutes in
the heat I was done, I knew it was tough but kept going and finished at least a
mile. From there on I started training for my first 10k that was scheduled in
two months. In those two months a friend of mine bought me my first pair of
running sneakers and continued to train for that 10k (6.2 miles).
"Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the
world." - Marilyn Monroe
Running gave me a goal and something to look forward to
especially since I wasn’t working. Gave me a sense of peace and happiness and
loved the way I felt while I was running and when I was done. Race day was
here, and it was a chilly rainy morning, I was hesitant to run, didn’t know how
to dress so I layered up. I show up at the race very nervous and anxious at the
same time, I trained for this I knew I could do it but was still nervous. Race begins and I begin to run, what an
amazing feeling and seeing so many people with the same goal but for all
different reasons. After mile one I was
taking layers off, clearly I was overdressed but felt good as far as stamina
and my legs felt fine. I see a friend
along the way and we say hi to each other and that gave me some more
motivation. Once I crossed the finished line was so happy I completed my first
race. From there on I was hooked to running and racing.
After my first race, I signed up for the lottery the NYC
Half Marathon that was for the following year in 2010, besides this big race I
also finally found a job and met some amazing people that worked with and were very supportive in my
running. I trained throughout the winter and recruited one of my friends that
joined me in training. This was a new challenge, training through the winter
and for longer distance but I’m always up for a new challenge. I trained on the treadmill, and in cold
weather. Race day comes and I felt great, running the first part of the race
through Central Park and that amazing feeling running through Time Square the
second part of the race. I finished my first half marathon in 2 hours, not bad
for my first half, was very happy.
I ran a few more races along the way; I joined the NYRR club
so I signed up for various distances. I even planned a trip to Las Vegas and
recruited some of my friends to join in and run a half marathon over there and
it was also another great experience. The following year 2011 I was running all year
and was thinking of running a half marathon in Philadelphia but it was sold out, I told my friends lets
go for the Full Marathon, mind you it was only 10 weeks away and we said hey
why not. We trained and were consistent with our long runs and we all did
pretty well with our race, I did hit the wall around mile 20 but had a friend
push me through.
In the year 2013 I ran the NYC Marathon, this will be my
second Full Marathon, I trained 16 weeks for this race that brings out all
types of runners, spectators and a supportive city. It was a cold November
morning and I waited a couple of hours until start time. There are about 40,000
people running this race so they have different start times. I began the race,
still felt the chill in the air but felt great. I ran with one of my training
buddies, I call him my running bff for the first 15 miles, after mile 15 we
went our separate ways and I took off,
by Mile 16 is when you hit Manhattan and hundreds of people waiting for you to
cross the Queensboro Bridge, “wow” is all I have to say. I continued to run
feeling amazing, I had my cheer zone at Mile 19 and was so happy and smiling
the rest of the way, they gave me second burst of energy. By Mile 22 I had a second cheer zone, four
more miles to go and that’s when the Heart comes in, your legs are tired, and
all you have is Heart to get you to that finish to cross that line. I finished
in 4 hours and 10 minutes, 18 minutes faster than my first Marathon in Philly.
In 2014 I had some knee pain, my kneecap is misaligned and they
shifted, pain started the first time when I trained for Philly then it went
away. Last year I taped up, wore a brace and was in pain running on and off. I
was worried that my running days was gone and over. I was feeling defeated but
kept running but cautiously and went to Physical therapy where they showed me
some exercises that I can do to strengthen. After a year of taking care of my
surrounded muscles and strengthening I am feeling better, no pain, no brace, no
kt tape nothing.
So here we are 2015 and I have completed 20 Half Marathons,
and I’m in training to complete my 4th Full Marathon this year again
in NYC where I hope to set a personal record. I also have set a goal to run 50
States and to run in Puerto Rico so that’s my plus 1. I was inspired to run 50
States after completing Nevada and Philadelphia, I had the conversation with
one of my old bosses and he said if you do this, you have to make it either a
Half or Full Marathon. So far I have completed 13 States and I am planning 2
more this year.
I know I have a long
way to go and I will set myself up for new challenges along the way. I love the
feeling of racing and seeing how far I can push my body. It’s not about
competing and beating other people it’s about competing with myself and making
myself better. I am so happy and
grateful for what running has given me a sense of happiness, peace, strength,
health, empowerment, new friends-reconnected with old friends, the running
community is amazing and supportive.
So I leave you with this quote, I keep it as the heading in
my blog
