From 13 Feet to 13 Miles: Westchester Woman Runs NYC Half Marathon

My name is Karen, and I recently ran my first half marathon on March 17. To say that I was slightly petrified at the thought of approaching that starting line is an understatement. . I was unable to move freely because I was a prisoner in my own body. Along with the physical pains that come along with that size, there are the emotional barriers that confine you as well.

My “ah ha” moment came when my two year old niece dragged a lounge chair across the driveway for me to sit on. I can still see that adorable, curly haired toddler pulling this furniture along because she knew that this is how her aunt interacted with her. Rather than chasing her back and forth, I was watching from the sidelines. Something I had done for most of my life.

This was when I decided that a change needed to be made.

I began a steady regimen of diet and exercise.  It started out slow, but as my stamina grew, so did my desire to continue the process. It was exciting to see the pounds come off. Within the year, I had lost 100lbs. I was happier, more confident, and actually getting excited about health and fitness.  I had surrounded myself with the most wonderful cheerleaders who celebrated every stride and success with me. Soon it was time to run my first 5K. There was no greater feeling that pinning that bib on and thinking, “wow…this is so scary, yet so amazing”. My friend Tina, an avid runner stayed with me for every step of that race.  I can still remember that feeling of crossing the finish line.

Over time, I teamed up with a trainer named John Moljo, who shared similar weight battles in his life. He continued to challenge and push me out of my comfort zone. He began a company called Kettlebell Inferno, and incorporated various kettlebell exercises into our training sessions. It has been a fabulous way to infuse both cardio and strength training. I take these classes weekly as a way to prepare for these runs.

I continue to be a work in progress. I still have weight to lose and goals to meet.  I have competed in some 5K runs, along with some obstacle races such as Warrior Dash and Spartan Sprint. I have even blogged about my weight loss journey publicly because I know that there are thousands of people out there just like me. The NYC half marathon had always been a dream that I thought would never be within my reach. I got goose bumps whenever I thought about it. The training has been long and difficult.  John continues to be not only a trainer but support system who would be there along the sidelines that day. This day would be celebrated by both of us.

The days leading up to the race were full of so many emotions. I was scared, excited, overwhelmed and questioned whether I would truly be able to finish what I had started. I had so many people rooting for me, and didn’t want to disappoint them. Eventually, I was able to channel all of that self doubt into something positive. I didn’t put any pressure on myself into completing it in a certain time.   Rather than fear the fight, face the fight. Embracing the unknown and making it your own is extremely powerful. I had the courage to show up to a race that was filled with professional athletes and quick paced runners, and I wasn’t apologizing for it anymore. This was a challenge for myself, and only myself. Once I got into the mindset that walking up to that starting line was an accomplishment in itself, the rest just fell into place.

This has been a team journey. I carried every small success, setback and positive praise that I’ve received along the way with me that day. As scared and nervous as I was, that finish line was the most beautiful sight ever! I wasn’t the fastest, and at times I wanted to stop. But I didn’t, and that medal is one of my favorite accomplishments to this day. My message is simple, because I speak from experience.

Don’t underestimate how strong you really are. We all have a warrior inside of us who can help us achieve great things. Listen to that voice, use that fear as fuel, and anything is possible when you step out of your comfort zone. I couldn’t run 13 feet a few years ago. I just completed 13.1 miles and reached for my silver lining! Believe it or not…I may even try it again!

Karen Johnson

**John Moljo is a certified personal trainer in the Putnam/Westchester area.  Any questions or inquiries about exercise or Kettlebell classes can be directed at jmoljo1@aol.com.