I started running from a young age growing up on the beautiful island of Jamaica. I was never interested in a short distance on the track. It was always running a long distance for the win. I would get a kick out of running over the hills by Cornwall College in Montego Bay. Once I moved to the United States, I continued running for fun with my dad, who would take me with him to the park. My running journey continued through college into the United States Air Force. I was known as the girl that continuously ran all over the base and the flight line.

April 18, 2022 will be my 3rd Boston Marathon but 2nd in-person. The first in-person got stalled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Running for me is therapy. I leave all the troubles and weary thoughts on the pavement. When I was on active-duty military status, going for a run would be ideal to get my thoughts together to complete evaluations on those individuals under my supervision. In essence, I can put together in my mind what I wanted to write for a paper for school during a run. Secondly, I get the runners high, and it is a good feeling. Every year I will complain about running the NYC marathon, and as soon as it is over…..I am ready to take it on again. Lastly, it excites me that I am following a family tradition. I am from a family that takes running seriously. My dad ran for as long as possible, and my uncle ran Boston about 17 times. I am also related to the famous Authur Wint, the first Olympics gold medalist from Jamaica. Despite all that, I am just trying to run and see how far these legs will take me, and that is the ultimate excitement for me being on the pavement. It's all mental!!

Respect the pavement and be humble! As African Americans, we are out there on the pavement running in unison and trying to do our best. We are there for different reasons and need to respect and support each other. There may be bad days or good days, but we must stay disciplined. Just know that each other’s goals and reason for running may be different, but there is that one end goal: Success