BY: Gloria Ruiz
Nothing truly catches you off guard until you’re in the middle of training for a marathon and get the call: breast cancer.
The journey through breast cancer has been the most humbling experience of my life. One day you’re running an 18-miler, and the next, you’re curled up by the toilet, crying. But it’s the resilience of a runner that carried me through.
There’s nothing more motivating than the dream of crossing another finish line. No matter how brutal chemo was, I still got up to run, to walk, or just to move in whatever way I could. Staying active gave me something to look forward to, something that reminded me I was still me.
I always knew the running community was amazing, but this journey showed me just how magical it truly is. The outpouring of support, the messages, the encouragement made sure I never felt alone.
Once you’re a part of the running community, you always will be.
To anyone else facing their own battle, keep moving in whatever way you can. Strength shows up in every step.
