Runners always say: "Nothing good ever comes easy”. The blood, sweat and tears I have put into my sport in my college years has developed my character and sense of self. The combination of balancing my studies, the intensity of my competition as well as the expectations I set for myself has created a focused, strong-willed, motivated individual. I have learned when it is best to think before doing and when it is best to just do before you can think.
I have found it interesting how a person’s mind can be their biggest asset and their worst enemy. Runners adapt their ability to find the positive in what they do. Those who have the tendency to think negatively and think, “I’m tired, my feet hurt, I have a blister, it’s too hot, it’s too cold, am I done yet” do not stay runners for long unless they change how they think. I have trained myself as a collegiate runner to seek out the positives of a hill workout, mile repeats, or a 10-mile run in the rain. Numerous studies suggest that the body will function better when fueled by positive thought. Recognizing this, I make an effort to have a positive outlook each day and encourage my students to do the same.
Even under the most challenging circumstances, these characteristics that shape who I am have given me the ability to stay grounded. With all of life’s variants, running is my constant. It is a settling feeling knowing that wherever I am, I can go for a run.
Little East Conference Runner of the week (2) All- Little East Honors Cross-Country (4) All-Little East Honors Indoor Track (4) All-Little East Honors Outdoor Track (3) All-Alliance Honors Cross-Country (4) All-Alliance Honors Indoor Track (4) All-Alliance Honors Outdoor Track (3) All-New England Indoor Track (3) All-New England Outdoor Track (2) All-Eastern College Athletic Conference Indoor Track (2)
2011-2012 Team Captain*
Placing 4th at Division I New Englands at Boston University - Women's 4x800 Meter Relay Setting a new KSC record time of 9:13
Me, in 4th grade, running for the East Derry Memorial Elementary School Running Club
With my coach, Peter Thomas, and my fellow senior captains