‘I started running when I was 40 – now I’ve run more than 30 races and beat cancer’

Although I have always been active, I have not taken it seriously run until I was almost 40. Now it’s a habit that keeps me busy and my body moving.

In 2011, I was living in the Bronx and working as a police administrative assistant for the New York City Police Department in Brooklyn. (Today I work for the detectives in the 88th precinct.) Every day on my way to work I saw runners going back and forth along FDR Drive. One day I saw a young woman running, and her ponytail was bouncing up and down. She looked so peaceful, and I thought I might try it someday.

I told this to my colleague, Detective Parker, who was a runner. Months later he asked me to go for a mile run around the police station. I had to walkbut I liked it, and we continued about once a week. I also started running with a group called BLACK GIRLS RUN that Parker told me about. We met every Wednesday at the Yankee Stadium Track.

There was a track team looking for new members and I signed up my sons. While the boys were running with their team three times a week, I was doing my own laps around the track.

I started by telling myself that I wanted to run a lap around the track without stopping.

I worked towards it and just went from there.

Parker also told me he was a member of Roadrunners from New Yorkthe nonprofit organization that organizes the New York City Marathon, and suggested I join as well. He encouraged me to participate in my first race, the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K, in November 2014.

I also joined Team Lean.Strong.Fast.a running club from Brooklyn. They have coaches, including my then coach, Marlon Jude, who teach exercise classes and give tips on things like nutrition and exercise how to fill up with fuel for longer journeys. Over the next few years, I competed in more than 30 races, prior to completing my first New York City Marathon in 2018.

Although I run quite a bit, it is not peaceful for me; it’s a battle.

When I run and have difficult moments, I remind myself that I am not a quitter. I say to myself over and over again: keep going, keep moving, don’t stop, you got this. I concentrate on my breathing and keep going.

I like to get the medal at the end of the race; the bling bling is what motivates me. And I want as many medals as I can get, but race entry fees can get expensive.

I was hired about two years ago NYRR’s Race Free programwho will help you with entrance fees based on your income. It has given me the opportunity to participate in more races. You should see my wall of medals.

Now, running is a habit that keeps me busy and my body moving, especially after I was diagnosed with cancer.

In September 2021 I heard that this was the case breast cancer. Right after I was diagnosed, someone told me about the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk that takes place every October in Central Park. I signed up and wore my pink shirt and socks, but I didn’t walk, I ran.

Shortly after, I had surgery and began chemotherapy treatments. I didn’t get to run much that fall and winter, but I was already scheduled to run the NYRR Al Gordon 4M in February 2022, and I wanted to run it.

I received my last chemotherapy treatment the day before. I was very tired and I got angry with myself because I wasn’t moving at the pace I was used to. But I pushed through it and reached the finish line.

A few days after that I felt really sick. I went to my doctor and discovered that the cancer had also spread to my spine. While continuing treatment, I was unable to be active for a few months.

Since I couldn’t run, I felt like I was missing something. Running had become a habit and I wanted to get back to my routine. I let my oncologist know that I wanted to run the RBC Brooklyn Half in May 2023, and he gave me the OK. By this time I was receiving oral chemotherapy and he felt I was doing better.

I trained myself by walking. One mile took me 19 or 20 minutes, but I kept doing it, leading up to that race – my first half since being diagnosed. After that run, I thought hi, i still have itI was just a little slower.

Today I am cancer free, but I am still working on being patient with myself.

I’m still slow today. It bothers me, but people keep reminding me that I’ve been through a lot, and that I need to give myself grace and enjoy the moment. I don’t want to beat myself up for moving at a slower pace than before I was diagnosed.

I have been NED (No Evidence of Disease) for over 18 months, but I am still in contact with my cancer support group, the Red Door Communityonce a week. They also have programs for families so my kids can get guidance as well. Red Door told me they had a spot for the New York City Marathon in November and asked me if I wanted to run.

I’m not where I was anymore and the training was much harder, but I’m forcing myself to keep going. I run/walk, usually alone because my pace is slower than my running groups, and I stick with it foam rolling and stretching. I do exercises to strengthen my legs, especially my ankles and knees, as I suffer from shin splints.

I’ve fallen so many times, but I keep getting up.

I won’t stay down for long. I’ve been through so much in my life. I could write a book. Running a marathon is a mind game. I just have to stay positive and dig deep inside for the strength to get through it. I have to show myself and my children that no matter what happens, try not to let things hold you back. You have life – you have to get up and move.

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