How Running Became My Healing Path After Loss

If you had told me years ago that running would become such an essential part of my life, I wouldn't have believed you. My earliest experiences with running weren't about passion or joy—they were about survival.

Running in the Navy

My journey with running started when I joined the U.S. Navy. Running was mandatory. We had to pass annual physical tests, and for me, the only motivation was making sure I didn't fail. It wasn't something I enjoyed—it was just another requirement to check off. I ran because I had to, not because I wanted to.

When Life Changed

My real running story began years later, under circumstances I could have never imagined. After returning from a year-long deployment in Iraq, I learned that my mom's breast cancer had become terminal. My parents had kept it from me while I was overseas—my mom wanted me to stay safe and focused, not distracted by worry. That was the kind of person she was: always putting others first, even while battling her own illness.

I took leave to spend time with her and my dad, not knowing it would be the last time I'd see her alive. After she passed away, I felt lost in my grief. I didn't know how to process the pain or how to express it.

One afternoon, I put on my running shoes and just went outside—no music, no pace goals—just me, the road, and my thoughts. Step after step, I found myself releasing what I couldn't put into words. Running became the outlet I didn't know I needed.

My First 5K

A few weeks later, I came across a flyer for a 5K race during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Without hesitation, I signed up. That race changed everything for me. Survivors ran, families honored loved ones, and supporters filled the course with energy. For the first time, I felt like I wasn't carrying my grief alone. Running that 5K wasn't just exercise—it was healing, connection, and a way to honor my mom's memory.

Running With Purpose

Since that first 5K, I've signed up for more races—each one dedicated to my mother. Running has become more than a physical activity. It's a pact I've made with her and myself: to keep moving forward, live fully, and carry her strength with me in every step.

Running began as an obligation in the Navy but evolved into a source of meaning, healing, and purpose. It's no longer about meeting requirements—it's about honoring the woman who taught me resilience and love, even in life's most challenging moments.